Hungary

With its fairytale architecture, historical depth, and riverside charm, Hungary stole our hearts within hours of arriving. From castles to thermal spas, we made the most of our 2.5-day adventure. Here’s how we explored Hungary’s capital, Budapest, as a family, with just the right balance of sightseeing, local food, and moments to pause by the Danube.

Cities visited:
Budapest (2 Nights) 

Travel Month: May

Itinerary:

Stay: Corinthia Hotel

Day 1 – May 24: Arrival & First Impressions

We arrived in Budapest in the evening and headed straight to the beautiful Corinthia Budapest, a grand hotel that oozes old-world charm with modern luxury. After checking in and freshening up, we enjoyed a relaxed evening walk nearby to take in the city’s ambiance, admiring the architecture and grabbing a light bite before an early night. The city lights and quiet buzz gave us just a taste of the beauty to come.

Day 2: Buda Side – Castles, Views & Funicular

🏰 Morning: Buda Castle & Castle Hill Area

• Buda Castle: Explore the courtyards, fountains, and take in amazing views. The museums may not be ideal for young kids, but the grounds are beautiful to explore.
• Fisherman’s Bastion: Fairytale-like towers—great for photos and kids love climbing around.
• Matthias Church (optional inside visit): Beautiful, colorful roof tiles; admire from outside if kids are restless.

📍 Getting there: Take the funicular (Budavári Sikló) from the Chain Bridge up to Castle Hill—super fun for kids!

Afternoon: Gellért Hill & River Cruise

• Gellért Hill Playground: A great stop for the kids to burn some energy.
• Danube river cruise: We spent a leisurely afternoon either on a Danube River cruise—a fantastic way to take in both sides of the city

Day 3: Pest Side – Parliament and Basilica

Morning: Parliament

• We started the morning at the grand Hungarian Parliament Building, one of the most stunning government buildings in the world. After admiring it from the outside, we made our way to the moving memorial, Shoes on the Danube Bank, which honors the lives lost during WWII.
• Next, we visited St. Stephen’s Basilica, where the architecture and sweeping views from the dome were highlights. If you’re with kids, taking the elevator up is a great option.

Afternoon: Széchenyi Thermal Baths

• Large outdoor and indoor pools with family-friendly sections.
• Warm water, fun for all ages—just bring flip-flops, swim caps, and towels!

Final Thoughts
In just a couple of days, Budapest offered us royal rooftops, heartfelt history, and riverside charm. It’s the kind of city that leaves you dreaming of a return before you’ve even left. Whether you’re chasing castles or just soaking in a spa, this magical city delivers for every member of the family.

Tips:

1. Budapest has good public transport so plan to leverage it as much as possible
2. There is lot of walking involved on the Buda side so plan for it accordingly
3. Conversation in English was easy as most locals understood it
4. The Hungarian Parliament tour sells out pretty quickly, be sure to book it ahead of time