Budapest surprised me at every turn. A city divided by the Danube, where history and nightlife coexist in the most unexpected ways.
The Two Cities
Buda and Pest feel like different worlds connected by bridges. Buda is hills, castles, and quiet residential streets. Pest is flat, bustling, and full of energy.
Thermal Baths
The thermal bath culture here is unlike anywhere else. Széchenyi is the famous one—bright yellow buildings, outdoor pools steaming in the cold air. But the locals prefer the smaller, less touristy ones.
Ruin Bars
The ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter are built in abandoned buildings and courtyards, filled with mismatched furniture, random art, and a crowd that spills onto the streets.
Szimpla Kert
The Food
- Lángos — Deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese
- Gulyás — The real deal, nothing like what we call goulash
- Kürtőskalács — Chimney cake, best eaten warm
- Túró Rudi — Chocolate-covered sweet cheese bars (addictive)
Notes for Next Time
- Visit the Hospital in the Rock museum
- Take the M1 metro line (oldest in continental Europe)
- Day trip to Szentendre
- Try a chess bath at Széchenyi