The Best Daytime Activities in Budapest: 24 Hours of Food, Fun & Adventure
After living in Budapest for 15 years as a British expert, I decided to put together the perfect 24 hours for a tourist visiting this amazing city.
Budapest is bursting with daytime adventures – from hearty breakfasts that cure your jetlag (or hangover) to adrenaline-pumping activities you’ll be bragging about for years.
If you’re looking to make the most of a single day in Hungary’s capital, we’ve got you covered.
This 24-hour itinerary will take you on a whirlwind journey through the best things to do in Budapest by day (with a few local tricks up our sleeve).
Whether you’re a solo traveller, a group of friends, or a couple looking for a mix of romance and excitement, this plan has something for everyone.
Let’s dive into an epic day in Budapest!
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- BOLT App - for moving around the city
- AWOL App - for discounts and deals
8:30 AM – Bob’s Kitchen Budapest – Full English Breakfast 🥓☕
A hearty Full English breakfast at Bob’s Kitchen Budapest (the perfect fuel for a day of adventure!).
Start your day the British way at Bob’s Kitchen
Tucked away on a cosy street in the city centre, Bob’s Kitchen serves a legendary Full English Breakfast that will fill you up for hours.
We’re talking eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – the works.
The ingredients are imported straight from the UK and Ireland, so it’s the real deal (they even have black pudding and HP Sauce – god save the King!).
One Hungarian customer joked Bob’s breakfast was “too English” for including so few veggies – which Bob proudly wears as a badge of honor. 😄
On top of the great food and friendly vibes, here’s a hot tip:
AWOL app users can get 10% off their meal at Bob’s!
That’s right – flash the AWOL app on your phone when paying and you’ll save a few forints on this feast. (More money for later, yay!)
With your belly full of bacon and caffeine, you’ll be energized and ready to explore Budapest.
Pro tip: If you’re not into walking first thing, call a Bolt to your hotel – it’s cheap and gets you to Bob’s in a jiffy so you don’t have to navigate morning public transport on an empty stomach.
11:00 AM – Széchenyi Thermal Bath – Morning Soak 🏊♂️💦
After breakfast, let’s balance those calories with some relaxation.
Grab a Bolt or hop on the Millennium metro line (M1) out to Széchenyi Thermal Bath in City Park.
This iconic yellow Neo-baroque bathhouse is the largest medicinal thermal bath in Europe, boasting 18 pools (15 indoor, 3 outdoor) of varying temperaturesheadout.com.
By late morning, you’ll find both locals and travelers blissfully soaking in the warm thermal waters under the open sky.
It’s like a giant outdoor spa party – you might even spot older gentlemen playing chess on floating boards in the steaming outdoor pools, a classic Budapest scene.
Go ahead and join a game if you’re feeling cheeky (I have lost 5 of 5 matches for the record).
Széchenyi Baths are not only great for unwinding your travel-weary muscles, but also for a bit of romance if you’re here as a couple – nothing says love like matching prune-y fingers from the hot tub.
Don’t forget to check out a few of the indoor pools too, which range from ice-cold plunges to nearly hot-tub temperatures.
After an hour or two of wallowing like happy hippos in these historic baths, you’ll emerge refreshed and recharged.
Before you leave City Park, take a quick stroll over to Heroes’ Square (right next door) to gawk at the epic statues of Hungarian heroes – a little dose of culture to go with your spa time.
Lunch Snack Tip: All that bathing can work up an appetite, so grab a quick lángos from a park vendor or food stall nearby.
Lángos is a Hungarian favorite – a fried dough the size of your face, typically smothered in sour cream and cheese. It’s delicious, messy, and the perfect “I’m on vacation” snack.
Enjoy one on a bench while you plan your next move!
3:00 PM – Churchill Shooting Range – Adrenaline Adventure
Time to crank the action up a notch!
After a relaxing morning, head to Churchill Shooting Budapest for an afternoon adrenaline rush.
https://www.churchillshootingbudapest.com/
This modern indoor shooting range is about a 15-20 minute Bolt ride from the city centre, and it’s worth the trip (10 minutes from Szechenyi baths)
At Churchill Shooting, you’ll have the fun opportunity to try out a variety of guns—ever dreamed of shooting an AK-47 or a shotgun?
Here’s your chance to experience it firsthand!
All the instructors at Churchill are ex-military professionals, known for being super friendly and safety-conscious while still making sure you have a blast.
They’ll give you a safety briefing, gear you up with ear and eye protection, and then let you channel your inner action hero.
Don’t worry if you’ve never held a gun before – the staff is patient and injects plenty of humour into the session to keep things light-hearted.
By your first couple of shots, any nerves will turn into an adrenaline-pumping thrill!
You can choose from different shooting packages that let you try out various firearms, from classic handguns to big rifles.
AWOL App Perk: If you’ve got the AWOL app, mention it when booking or upon arrival – they offer a free upgrade to your shooting package for AWOL users (meaning extra rounds or even an additional weapon to try at no added cost!).
More bang for your buck, literally. 😉
Travel Tip: Schedule your shooting slot in advance for around 3 PM.
That gives you time to finish at the baths, travel to the range, and maybe grab a coffee en route.
At the end of your session, you’ll walk out with a target sheet full of holes and a huge grin.
This is one Budapest day-time activity you’ll be talking about long after your trip!
7:00 PM – Traditional Dinner & Ruin Bar Drinks 🍽️🍺
By now, you’ve had a pretty epic day in Budapest – you’ve feasted, relaxed, and unleashed your wild side.
As evening sets in, it’s time to reward yourself with a well-earned Hungarian dinner. Budapest’s food scene is fantastic, so head to a traditional restaurant to sample local dishes.
We recommend seeking out a place that serves classics like gulyás (goulash soup), chicken paprikash, or a hearty plate of pörkölt (slow-cooked stew).
A couple of great options in the city center include Paprika Vendéglő (a cozy spot famed for its goulash and giant portions) or Hungarikum Bistro (known for authentic fare and live folk music).
Wherever you go, pair your meal with a rich Hungarian red wine like Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) or a cold draft beer.
After all the daytime running around, sitting down to a leisurely dinner with comforting Hungarian flavors is pure bliss.
Don’t forget to raise a toast – Egészségedre! (“Cheers!” in Hungarian, good luck with that btw).
If you’ve still got energy (and honestly, you’re in Budapest, so rally!), cap off your night with a visit to one of the city’s famed ruin bars.
These are unique nightlife spots in abandoned old buildings filled with quirky decor, music, and a lively atmosphere.
The most famous is Szimpla Kert – an eclectic maze of mismatched furniture, garden lights, and maybe even a bathtub turned into a couch.
Even in the evening, couples and friends wander through taking photos of the crazy surroundings. Grab a fröccs (wine spritzer) or a local craft beer and soak in the vibe. It’s the perfect cherry on top of your Budapest day.
(Just keep an eye on the time – that 24-hour itinerary is almost up, and you might turn into a pumpkin if you stay out too late!)
Conclusion:
In one day, you’ve tasted Budapest’s best breakfast, relaxed like a local, pumped up your adrenaline, and savored authentic Hungarian culture. Not bad for 24 hours! This itinerary packs in the best daytime activities in Budapest in a balanced, fun way.
From sunrise to after sunset, you experienced the city’s food, relaxation, thrill, and merriment – all while avoiding generic tourist traps and adding your own stories. Feel free to mix and match pieces of this plan, but whatever you do, get out there and enjoy Budapest to the fullest.
Now collapse into your bed – you’ve earned that good night’s sleep after an unforgettable day in the Pearl of the Danube. Jó éjt (good night)! 🌙
Safe Travels and Have a Blast in Budapest! 🎉