Start with breakfast at Café Miró overlooking the Danube, then climb Fisherman's Bastion for an hour (kids love the towers and views). Grab lunch at a casual rétesbar, explore Buda Castle's inner courtyards and gardens until mid-afternoon, then wind down at Gellért Park with a gelato, watching the city lights begin to glow across the water.

Morning on Pozsonyi ut, Lehel Market for the best produce in Budapest, lunch at Puder or a local bistro, afternoon walk along the Danube.

Start with breakfast at a traditional kávéház on Petőfi Sándor utca, explore the stunning Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion views, then lunch near the Great Market Hall. Afternoon: St. Stephen's Basilica, gelato break, and a riverfront walk along the Danube promenade before dinner in a tucked-away courtyard restaurant.

Start with coffee and langos at Corvin köz, explore the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Synagogue on Dohány Street, lunch at a family-friendly ruin bar like Szimpla Kert (five-minute walk), afternoon in Károlyi Park, dinner at a neighbourhood palacsinta stand on Rákóczi út.

Start with breakfast at Espresso Embassy on Kazinczy Street, then walk the Dohány Street Synagogue exterior before exploring the Jewish Museum. Lunch at Paprika nearby, spend early afternoon wandering backstreet courtyards and vintage shops around Rumbach Sebestyén Street. Late afternoon at a local café like Kiosk, then dinner at a family-friendly spot on Klauzál Square.

Start with coffee and chimney cake at a Ráday utca café, spend mid-morning at Ferencváros Market watching vendors, lunch at a family-friendly rákosi piaccsarnok stall, afternoon exploring Gellért-hegy views or wandering Albert Flórián tér, dinner at a local pizzeria or Jewish quarter restaurant nearby.