Exploring with Kids: Must See 3-Day Budapest Travel Itinerary
Traveling to Budapest with kids might seem like a challenge, but trust me—it’s totally doable and absolutely worth it! When we visited, I was 5 months pregnant, navigating the city with a stroller and a toddler in tow, and still managed to soak up Budapest’s charm. It’s the kind of place that feels magical, with something to offer for everyone in the family.
This 3 day Budapest travel itinerary is designed to keep things flexible and fun, so you can see the best of Budapest without overloading your days. Plus, I’ve sprinkled in some tips to make the journey smoother for families with young kids.
Day 1: History, Hungarian Comfort Food, and Green Spaces
Morning: Start at St. Stephen’s Basilica
We kicked off our trip at St. Stephen’s Basilica, and wow—what a way to start! If you’re up for it, take a tour to the top for a stunning panoramic view of the city. We loved the lively square outside too, where we let our little one run around while we soaked in the atmosphere. It was a hot day when we visited so they had a spray area to cool down visitors- perfect for a toddler to play in.
Lunch: Retek Bistro
By midday, we were ready for some food, and Retek Bistro was a winner. This spot is perfect for families: the staff was so kind, and the Hungarian dishes were incredible. This was the best meal of our trip and when we visit Budapest again, I will definitely be coming back.
Afternoon: Freedom Square, Parliament, and Shoes on the Danube
After lunch, we strolled to Freedom Square, where our toddler made a beeline for the interactive water fountain. He could’ve played there all afternoon, but we pressed on to the Parliament Building. It’s stunning up close, and it made for a nice (and stroller-friendly) walk along the Danube.
Just a short distance away is the Shoes on the Danube memorial. It’s a quiet, reflective spot—maybe more meaningful for adults, but important nonetheless.
Evening: City Park and Dinner at Pantlika
We hopped on the metro to City Park (Városliget), and let me tell you—Budapest’s public transport system is fantastic! Just be prepared for some stairs at certain stops if you’ve got a stroller. We traveled with this lightweight foldable stroller, it’s not the sturdiest, but it is great to have for a tired toddler.
City Park itself was the perfect way to end our first day. We wandered through its wide-open spaces, let our kid run around, and then grabbed dinner at Pantlika. The food was delicious, the outdoors patio has a fun, laid-back vibe and it’s close to the best playground we’ve ever visited.
Day 2: Castles, Toy Stores, and a Magical Train Ride
Morning: Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion
Day two started on the Buda side of the city, exploring Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. The colorful tiled roof of the church was a hit with our toddler and the Bastion’s fairytale turrets were very fun to look at. Plus, the views over the city and river are breathtaking.
Midday: Children’s Railway
From there, we took a taxi to the Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút). I was so curious about this site; It’s a train operated by kids (under adult supervision), winding through the beautiful hills. There’s a small museum with some kid friendly, interactive activities that our child enjoyed. While I was excited to visit the Children’s Museum, in true family travel fashion, my child immediately fell asleep on the train. He slept through 90% of the train ride- oh well- at least we saw some new to us sites.
Afternoon: Margaret Island
By this point, we all needed a break—pregnancy and toddler travel are no joke! We headed back to our Airbnb for naps and I found a random spot for a massage. All the walking was tiring for my pregnant self and unfortunately for me, I am not a great napper.
After a quick rest, we then went to Margaret Island where we got to see the music fountain in action. We rented a bike and peddled our way around the island. We stopped for pretzels and ice cream along the way. It was a hot day and we paused at the music fountain again to dip our toes in.
Evening: Boat Tour
Later, we wandered through Budapest’s Jewish District. It’s such a cool area, with street art, cozy cafés, and an energetic vibe. It was somewhat stroller-friendly and a lovely way to do a bit of souvenir shopping.
We wrapped up the day with a beautiful boat tour of the Danube river. A Danube River cruise is a must for families looking to take in the city’s breathtaking sights without the hustle of walking tours. It offered an incredible view of Budapest’s iconic landmarks, including the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge, all beautifully illuminated at night. Our tour also included a free drink and audio tour (available in many languages).
Day 3: More Castles, Sweet Treats, and Playgrounds
Morning: Buda Castle and Funicular Ride
We started our final day with a bus ride to Buda Castle. The funicular ride up was a hit—it felt like a little adventure for our toddler, and we loved the vintage charm of it. The castle grounds are spacious and great for exploring at your own pace.
We then walked around the Hungarian National Gallery. It wasn’t the most kid friendly museum so we ended up doing what I’m guessing many families with two adults end up doing- splitting up. My partner and I took turns walking around the museum while the other parent played eye spy and ate snacks with our toddler. Yet another example of the adaptation that comes with family travel. If I were going back, I’d still recommend the funicular and walking around near the castle as the views were beautiful, but I’d skip the gallery and museums if you have littles.
Lunch: Ruzwurm Confectionery
For lunch, we treated ourselves to pastries at Ruszwurm Cukraszda. Their strudel was heavenly (the best we had in Budapest), but I won’t lie—the service was slow and not super kid-friendly. You can read the poor service reviews here. If you’re traveling with little ones, consider grabbing your treats to-go and finding a spot outside to enjoy them.
Afternoon: City Park Playground
We headed back to City Park for one last adventure: the playground. And wow, what a playground! It had incredible climbing structures, slides, and even a hot air balloon for the kids to marvel at. It was the perfect way to let our toddler burn off some energy before dinner.
Dinner: Hungarian Dinner at Paprika
We wrapped up our trip with a Hungarian dinner at Paprika right across the street from City Park. Pro tip, call to make reservations ahead of time, we tried to go another night, but they were fully booked for the evening. What a delicious Hungarian meal to end our time in Budapest.
Family Travel Tips for Budapest with Kids
- Public Transport: Budapest’s buses and trains are super easy to use, even with a stroller. Just note that some stations only have stairs, so a lightweight, foldable stroller is a lifesaver.
- Stay Central: Having a centrally located Airbnb meant we could easily head back for naps or downtime—a must for traveling with kids (and when you’re pregnant!).
- Slow Down: Don’t try to pack too much into your days. Budapest has plenty of parks and quiet spaces, so embrace a slower pace and let your little ones explore.
- Download the Bolt App: We used Bolt, it’s similar to Uber/ Lyft and made it very easy for us to get around with our toddler to places that we needed to get to quickly or if we didn’t have the patience to wait for the bus.
Full Passport Family Cultural Connection Questions
At Full Passport Family, we believe travel is about more than just seeing the sights—it’s a chance to foster deeper connections, spark curiosity, and create opportunities for lifelong learning. These questions are designed to help families go beyond surface-level experiences, encouraging thoughtful conversations that build empathy, understanding, and a genuine appreciation for the places and people you encounter.
Unlike traditional travel blogs that focus solely on logistics, we’re here to help you and your children engage meaningfully with the world, raising resilient, compassionate global citizens along the way. Use these questions throughout your trip to reflect, learn, and grow as a family.
- What do you think life was like in Budapest centuries ago?
Encourage your children to imagine what it might have been like to live in Buda Castle or to stroll through the cobblestone streets hundreds of years ago? - Why do you think thermal baths are such an important tradition here?
Discuss the role of thermal baths in Hungarian culture, from their historical roots to how they bring people together today. - What foods did you see or taste that are unique to Hungary, and why do you think they’re special?
Explore Hungarian dishes like goulash or chimney cakes, reflecting on how food tells a story about a place and its people. - How do you think the Danube River shapes life in Budapest?
The Danube River is central to the city’s identity—ask your kids to think about how it connects people, influences trade, and inspires art and music. - What do you think people in Budapest are most proud of about their city?
This question helps kids consider the city’s landmarks, traditions, and history from a local’s perspective, fostering empathy and understanding.
Final Thoughts: Budapest Travel Itinerary with Kids
Budapest is such a family-friendly city, and it completely charmed us. From castles and trains to playgrounds and pastries, there’s something here for everyone. If you’ve visited Budapest with kids, I’d love to hear what your family loved most—drop your tips in the comments below!
