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A Hidden Little Gem of a City


A few years ago, we spent a few days in Budapest in January (because the flights were £15 each, yes I'm not kidding.) and let me tell you if you think winter travel is all frostbite and regret, this city will prove you wrong. It was cold, yes, but the kind of crisp, sunny cold that makes you feel like you're in a vintage postcard rather than an actual functioning metropolis. Budapest is stunning, and we spent most of our time just wandering the streets, gawking at the architecture, and mentally moving in.

The Architecture of Budapest: A City of Two Halves


Budapest is actually two cities in one, Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube River and joined together in 1873 to form the capital we know today. Buda is the hilly, historic side, home to Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, while Pest is the flatter, buzzing hub of nightlife, shopping, and the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building. The city is a melting pot of architectural styles, from Gothic and Baroque to Neoclassical and Art Nouveau, each one adding to its dramatic skyline. The Parliament Building alone is a neo-Gothic fever dream with 691 rooms and took 17 years to complete (!) because why settle for average when you can build a literal masterpiece I guess? One of my favourite features of the older buildings was the tiled roofs. After doing some googling because I was curious, I found out these curved, often brightly coloured ceramic tiles were popularized by Ödön Lechner, sometimes called the "Hungarian Gaudí. They weren’t just for decoration! Zsolnay tiles were also weather-resistant, making them both practical and beautiful, so I'll be adding them to my home decor Pinterest.

Gothic spires and ornate architecture of Matthias Church in Budapest with its distinctive tiled roof pattern and bell tower.
Winter street style with cream coat, red beret and camera on cobblestone street next to yellow taxi in city.
Ornate historic European apartment building with decorative facade and arched windows against blue sky in Budapest.
Ornate neo-baroque St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest features grand domed architecture against cloudy winter sky.
The ornate dome and classical architecture of the Budapest Basilica rises against a clear blue sky in Hungary.
Classic ornate apartment buildings with tall windows line a historic European city street corner on a sunny day.
Hungarian flag displayed on classical building facade with arched windows and ornate architectural details.
Gothic architectural facade with arched windows and ornate balconies on a pink-colored building exterior.
Historic European apartment buildings with decorative facades and wrought iron balconies in warm sunlight.
An old European apartment building facade with iron balconies and windows, showing a person standing on a middle floor balcony.
Curved historic building facade with ornate architecture and dramatic shadows cast across yellow walls in golden sunlight.
Person wearing a red beret and white coat gazes upward while standing on a European city street in winter.
Historic corner apartment building with ornate architectural details and illuminated windows in a European city.
Curved neoclassical building facade with ornate windows and balconies casts dramatic shadows against bright blue sky in European city.
Historic street view in Prague with ornate architecture, yellow buildings, and vintage lamp post hanging over cobblestone road.
Historic Hotel Astoria building exterior with yellow rooftop signage and classic architectural details in urban setting.
Ornate architectural detail of a classical building facade with decorative cornices and windows against a blue sky.
Ornate white and beige European architectural buildings with decorative facades and balconies against a blue sky in Budapest.
Modern curved glass office building with reflective windows and contemporary architectural design against cloudy sky.
01 / 19

Getting Steamy at Széchenyi Thermal Baths


First on our list: the Széchenyi Thermal Baths (because what’s a trip to Budapest without marinating in historic hot water?). These iconic yellow buildings house multiple thermal pools, and they are the perfect way to fight off the January chill. There are two sides, one for pure relaxation and one that’s basically a water park for overgrown children like us. Naturally, we played a very chaotic game of hide and seek in the latter. Highly recommend if you enjoy losing your friends in a maze of steam and screaming children

People swim in the thermal baths at the historic Szechenyi Bath House with its yellow baroque architecture in Budapest.
Ornate yellow and white architectural details with arched wall decorations and intricate moldings in a classical style.
Visitors enjoying the thermal baths at the historic Szechenyi Bath complex in Budapest, Hungary on a sunny day.
Historic yellow Szechenyi thermal bath building in Budapest with people enjoying the outdoor thermal pools.

Langos: The Holy Grail of Fried Dough


At some point, we stumbled upon lángos, a deep-fried flatbread topped with a mountain of sour cream and cheese, and I have never known love quite like it. It’s a little like a savoury donut, but crunchier, cheesier, and without the risk of being tricked into eating a jelly-filled one. Hungarians know what they’re doing.

A savory meat dish served on a white plate with rice and crispy flatbread.

The Accidental Greek Food Obsession


Look, we know we should have been eating traditional Hungarian food 24/7, but we couldn’t resist Blue Agori, a Greek fast-food chain that serves absolute bangers for shockingly low prices. When you’re a budget-conscious traveler who also happens to have a deep, unwavering love for Greek food, sometimes you gotta break the rules.

Illuminated blue sign and logo for Blue Agori displayed at night on a building exterior.
Vertical rotisserie spits with stacks of marinated meat rotating in a commercial kitchen setting.
An overhead view of plates with french fries, sandwiches wrapped in blue patterned paper, and a fresh garden salad.
A bottle of Fix Hellas Greek beer sits on a white surface with a blue and white background.
A gyro wrap filled with french fries, meat, and sauce served in blue and white checkered paper on a white plate.
A fresh Mediterranean salad on a white plate with colorful vegetables and feta cheese drizzled with olive oil.
Hand holding a blue and white patterned paper cone filled with golden french fries from Blue Agori restaurant.
01 / 07

A Boat Tour That Made Us Feel Like Royalty


One evening, we took a boat tour along the Danube River, and it was gorgeous. Budapest at night is next-level magical, Parliament, Buda Castle, and all the bridges were lit up like they were personally trying to seduce us. It worked. 10/10, would get wined and dined by Budapest again.



The Hungarian Parliament Building illuminated at night reflects golden light on the Danube River in Budapest.

The Grand Market Hall: Food and Trinkets


We also visited Nagycsarnok (aka the Great Market Hall), which is a massive indoor market packed with food stalls, souvenirs, and more paprika than I have ever seen in my life. We browsed, we snacked, we debated buying matching fridge magnets, and we left feeling like seasoned Budapest locals (even though we still didn’t fully understand the tram system).

Speaking of trams, Budapest’s yellow streetcars are straight out of a Wes Anderson movie—or, more accurately, Wes Anderson movies are straight out of Budapest. We had some serious confusion about how to validate our tickets (why is it always public transport that makes you feel like an idiot?), but after watching a few locals like the sneaky tourists we are, we finally got the hang of it.

Interior view of a grand market hall with vaulted ceiling, ornate industrial architecture and yellow arched windows.
A vintage yellow and white tram passes under the green steel beams of Budapest's Liberty Bridge on a sunny day.
Yellow tram passes by historic stone building in Budapest with construction crane visible against blue cloudy sky.
Yellow tram passes in front of an ornate historical building with classical architectural details in Budapest.
People walking down an ornate brick archway corridor with hanging lanterns and yellow-painted vaulted ceiling.
Interior view of historic market hall with ornate iron roof trusses and hanging globe lights creating warm ambiance.
A yellow and brick archway corridor with hanging lanterns and geometric ceiling design leads to a distant opening.
Historic white church with a tall green spire and clock tower stands prominently on a city street corner in Europe.
Interior view of the historic Great Market Hall in Budapest with its grand arched windows and visitors browsing vendor stalls.
Fresh colorful bell peppers and produce on display at a local farmers market or grocery store.
Colorful market stall displays fresh oranges, strings of red chili peppers, and garlic braids at a bustling produce stand.
Close-up architectural view of green painted metal trusses and ornate details on the historic Liberty Bridge in Budapest.
Fresh produce display at market with hanging garlic braids, colorful peppers, and oranges with vintage price signs.
01 / 13


The Most Over-Ordered Meal of Our Lives: Mázel Tóv


One night, we went full goblin mode at Mázel Tóv, a trendy spot that blends Middle Eastern and Hungarian flavors. We ordered way too much food - shakshuka, hummus, sweet potato fries, shawarma, a sausage platter, and maybe another dish we blacked out from eating. Zero regrets. Also, shoutout to the alcohol-free mojito, which sounds like a sad choice but was actually a refreshing, lime-filled masterpiece.

A rustic restaurant interior with hanging lanterns and ivy vines cascading from wooden beams near a tiled bar counter.
A bowl of creamy tomato soup garnished with fresh herbs and cream served in a rustic ceramic bowl on wooden table.
Hand holding a refreshing mojito cocktail garnished with mint leaves and a dried citrus wheel over a blurred background.
A rustic brick wall features a 'Mazel Tov' sign with hanging lanterns and climbing vines in a warm, inviting setting.
A restaurant table spread with french fries in blue striped bowls, mojito cocktail, and creamy orange soup garnished with herbs.
A cozy outdoor restaurant patio covered in hanging vines and string lights creates an intimate atmosphere at sunset.
Cozy outdoor restaurant patio with white wrought iron furniture, string lights and greenery under a covered pergola.
A cozy restaurant interior with hanging plants and wooden beams creating a warm atmosphere in a rustic setting.
A spread of Asian-inspired dishes on blue plates including marinated meats, carrots, and various sides on a wooden table.
A spread of Asian dishes on a wooden table including soups, noodles, carrots, and various side dishes in small plates.
01 / 10

A Visit to Szimpla Kert


No trip to Budapest is complete without experiencing its ruin bars, and Szimpla Kert is the king of them all. This massive, eclectic bar is set inside an abandoned building, filled with mismatched furniture, neon signs, and a general sense of organized chaos. We loved it, but fair warning, it was really busy the night we went, so if you're not a fan of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, try going earlier in the evening or on a quieter night.

Round disco balls and paper lanterns hanging from industrial ceiling with green ambient lighting and string lights.

Brunch at Pantry: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Feast


One of the best meals we had was at Pantry, a brunch spot where you get a menu full of little checkboxes and choose either 3, 5, or 7 dishes. Obviously, we all went for 7 because moderation is for people who don’t live for food.I'm going to let the pictures do the talking here.

A blue mason jar logo with \"PANTRY\" text and \"BRUNCH & COFFEE\" underneath against a white wall.
Close-up view of traditional German appetizers featuring bratwurst, salmon, and grain bowls arranged on wooden surface.
A person in an orange beanie holds and examines a sandwich inside a cafe.
Hands wearing a cable knit sweater serve food from small bowls of colorful sauces and condiments at a restaurant table.
Overhead view of various small dishes with appetizers, sauces, and bread served alongside a yellow citrus cocktail.
Tall glass of yellow citrus cocktail garnished with lime and orange slices on wooden table.
Variety of German dishes served in dark ceramic bowls including sausages, salmon, and salads on a wooden serving board.
Overhead view of various dishes and bowls on a wooden table with bread and drinks during a casual dining setting.
01 / 08

Zing Burger: The Unexpected Hero


Sometimes, you just need a solid burger, and Zing Burger delivered. This fast-food joint serves up fresh, juicy burgers at unbeatable prices, making it a perfect stop when you need a break from sightseeing (or from accidentally ordering way too much food elsewhere). It’s not fancy, but it’s cheap, delicious, and exactly what you need after a long day of getting lost in Budapest’s beauty.

Blue neon sign reading 'ZING OKTOGON' illuminated at night with decorative hanging spherical lamps above.
Dark cafe interior with illuminated menu boards and 'COLD DRINKS' neon sign hanging above service counter.
Neon sign reading 'living your life' glows above green plants with hanging Edison bulbs in moody restaurant setting.

Sunset at Fisherman’s Bastion


One of our last stops was Fisherman’s Bastion, a fairytale-like terrace with sweeping views over the city. We arrived just as the sun was setting, casting everything in a pink-gold glow. From there, we could see St. Stephen’s Basilica, and as the sun dipped below the skyline, the city lights began twinkling. It was the kind of moment that makes you consider selling all your possessions and moving into a turret somewhere.

A moody view of Budapest's Parliament Building and Danube River at sunset through a circular vignette frame.
Aerial view of Budapest's iconic Parliament Building along the Danube River with historic cityscape at sunset.
A Gothic church spire with detailed architectural ornaments and pointed arches rises against a grey sky.
Aerial view of Budapest's cityscape at sunset with the iconic Parliament Building and Chain Bridge over the Danube River.
A photographer in a cozy cream sherpa coat and orange turtleneck sits on stone steps near a historic building exterior.
Ornate baroque stone archway with wrought iron gates overlooks Budapest cityscape at sunset from Buda Castle.
Two people overlooking the Hungarian Parliament Building from a viewpoint along the Danube River in Budapest.
Ornate spire of the Matthias Church in Budapest featuring Gothic architecture against a pale blue sky.
A couple stands on a wooden viewing platform overlooking a cityscape at sunset, embracing as they take in the view.
Fisherman's Bastion towers rise above Budapest's cityscape during sunset, offering panoramic views of the historic city.
Panoramic cityscape of Budapest at sunset showing the Danube River and iconic red rooftops against a pastel sky.
Panoramic sunset view of Budapest's historic cityscape along the Danube River with ornate architecture and buildings.
The Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest with its iconic white towers and equestrian statue at twilight.
Two people viewing the cityscape of Budapest at dusk with Saint Stephen's Basilica dome visible in the background.
A scenic view over Budapest cityscape at dusk showcasing iconic bridges and historic architecture along the Danube River.
01 / 14

Budapest in winter was an absolute dream! Gorgeous architecture, amazing food, and just enough travel chaos to keep things interesting. If you get the chance to visit, pack a warm coat, eat as much lángos as possible, and don’t be afraid to aggressively observe locals until you figure out public transport.


10/10, would get lost in Budapest again.

The illuminated Hungarian Parliament Building reflects in the Danube River at dusk in Budapest, creating a golden glow.