Budapest

Budapest is one of those cities that’s simply larger than life. From the liberty statue one the one end, towering over the enormous chain bridge, crossing to the grandiose Houses of Parliament on the Pest side. With a colourful ancient history – it’s like hybrid scene from a Wes Anderson film mixed with a Brothers Grimm fairytale.

The city itself has had a pretty sad but complicated history, seemingly always under the rule of others – The Romans, The Ottomans and most recently the Austrians in the Austro- Hungarian empire.

Modern-day Budapest is a thriving alpha-city, excelling in numerous spheres. There’s a lot of classic beautiful details to the city, architecture & life – all blended with a hint of that eclectic eastern European “flavour”.

Arriving

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, named after the composer is a pretty clean and swift airport to navigate. Taxi’s and ubers are a plenty, however check with your accommodation wether they arrange transfers which are sometimes easiest.

Getting Around

During the summer months a bike is super handy to help with the long distances between sites. For the rest of the year – the city is really well connected with public transport, alternatively uber is a good option and there are plenty of taxis.

EAT

Just eat. Have goulash. Have Hummus. Have some of the great local Rosé. Have desert.

• mazel tov – a favourite in the Jewish quarter. Go for wine & mezze. Be mesmerized by their beautiful visual language.
• Hummus bar – as much hummus as you could dream of with locations throughout the city.
• Most bistro – laid back brunch in Pest.
• Borkonyha winekitchen – Michelin star 4 course + wine for 50EUR
• Grab some lunch at Nagy Vásárcsarnok – the market halls in the picture below.
• Lotz Book Cafe at the Paris Department store.
• Matinée – What happens when an illustrator/designer couple opens a tiny café? More scenes from a Wes Anderson film.
• Confectionery is big. Try Daubner in Buda.

DRINK

• Csendes Társ Wine bar & garden – sip some wine in the early evening in this garden setting.
• Kiosk – Their terrace serves drinks in a slick metropolitan bar environment (along with lunch & confectionary)
• Szimpla kert – Ruin pubs are great and can be quite magical. Szimpla is an institution and on Sundays also run a farmers market.

PARTY

• How about a bath party? http://lukacsbaths.com/
• Most of the partying starts at the Ruin pubs or the larger terraces and continues to the clubs for all tastes. See We Love Budapest for updated listings.
• Mostly things would be happening in the Jewish Quarter – Also worth checking out Király’s bars.

SHOP

• Worth looking for some nice leather goods.
• Plenty of antiques and thrift shops throughout the Jewish quarter.
• Have a stroll down Andrássy Avenue for the big shops

DO

• Head up to Buda Castle and marvel at the fairytale castle-village.
• Hike up Gellert hill to watch the sunset over the flowing city.
• Take the Tram 2 – Scenic route next to the Danube.
• Rent a limo and pimp around the city.
• Go for a bath day – Gellert, Rudas, Lukacs
• Walk around on Margit-sziget.

STAY

Plenty of airbnb options and also hotels. The jewish quarter in Pest is really hip & happening, however can be pretty noisy at night and a couple of uncouth characters hanging about sometimes. If you rent an apartment, make sure to properly lock your apartment at all times.