The first weekend in Budapest never forget, I can confirm it. Budapest is both young and romantic and will remain in your heart whether you go in the winter when the temperatures are really low, or go in the warmth of spring. I went in winter, also to better enjoy the outdoor thermal baths, but I think a visit in the warmer seasons is worth it to better see the Buda Castle for example or the Obuda Island, where among other things it takes place even the famous Sziget Festival.
How to get there and get around
You can find low cost flights to Budapest by following the promotions made by with a little patience Ryanair, Wizzair and Easyjet. The promotions are great for a low cost weekend in BUdapest, I paid € 40 round trip from Barcelona to Budapest with Ryanair. The flight arrives at the only airport in Budapest, you can't go wrong, which is about an hour by public transport from the city center.
Activating up to the center is easy and is explained very well in the post on how to travel from the airport to downtown Budapest. Basically you have to do a double ticket at the airport, bus + metro, the price is very low.
Once in Budapest city I do not recommend you to do the Budapest Kartya, the city's transport card. Budapest is not very big and with 3 days you will be able to get around it on foot. I took the metro a total of 2 times in 3 days of travel, excluding the trips to and from the airport. So before doing it, wait and calculate the distances well.
A gem is certainly there funicular from Clark Ádám tér arriving at the Buda Castle. The ticket price is a few euros, the journey is very short but it is worth getting on it. It is better to take it to go up and then walk down the small street that is right in front of the castle after having a look at the Matthias Church, at sunset from Buda over the Parliament and the Danube and the Budai Varnegyed, the district.
Accomodation
Budapest is a very cheap city and I personally recommend taking an apartment like the one located in the city center, the Minestrone Apartment, equipped with wifi and 5 beds at 40 € per night, or theInnercity Apartment, a guarantee like all Innercities.
Those who love hotels, prefer breakfast included in the price and want the room redone every day, even at the cost of spending a little more, can instead look at the Budapest hotel starting from 70 € per night, or theEasyHotel in Budapest, the low cost hotel of the EasyJet airline that goes from 15 € per night, in an excellent position near the metro stop.
What to visit absolutely
In addition to a visit to at least one of Budapest's thermal baths, to the two main areas of the city, Buda and Pest, I recommend some things that in my opinion you cannot miss. Get up early one morning and go for breakfast at Central Market of the city of Budapest. Upstairs you will find some kiosks where you can eat well by little. If you prefer a breakfast in one of the historic pastry shops in the city, remember that in Budapest they know how to make desserts and well, go to Gerbeaud. The pastry is not low cost, I warn you, but here you will try one of the best culinary experiences. If you arrive before 11 you can enjoy a reasonably priced breakfast.
With regard to visits to historic buildings of the city of Budapest, I recommend the Parliament. The visit to the Parliament can also be done in English and it is worth visiting because it is the largest building in Europe and one of the most beautiful parliaments in the world.
Don't miss the beautiful one too Synagogue and the guided tour of Jewish quarter with a visit to the tree of life and an account of the role of the Hungarian Jews in the Second World War. The story, indeed the story, as you well know is strong and visiting these places certainly has a remarkable effect.
Ruin Pub and entertainment in Budapest
Budapest is also the city of entertainment and gods ruin pub, the so-called ruined pubs. If you want to spend nice evenings and above all low cost, these places are exactly what I recommend. The most famous clubs are about ten and they are all located within three streets, no more. Among these the best known is certainly the Szimpla Kert, but I recommend that you explore as many as you can.
Thermal baths, what advice
Go to Budapest and don't visit one of the thermal baths of the city, it's like going to Barcelona and not going out at night, or going to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum, is something that must be done to better understand the spirit of the city and how its inhabitants live. Both in summer and in winter, Budapest's spas are always full of people, especially on weekends, which is why these days they cost even more. If you can then prefer weekdays or early morning or late afternoon hours.
Among the thermal baths that you recommend there are the most famous, i Szechenyi Baths (if you can try them in the evening and in winter then you will better understand their beauty since they are outdoors) ei Gellert baths.
Il cost of admission at the thermal baths it costs around € 10, then it depends on the baths there are more expensive and cheaper ones. Remember, however, that in addition to the admission price you will always also have the cabin to change (one in two is enough) or alternatively the safe. Finally, remember to bring a towel and slippers with you, which you can "take from home" or rent. Finally, for the rental, do not forget that the deposit for the deposit must be given only in forints, no euros and no ATMs, also organize yourself with the money before entering also because the deposit is relatively large.
