Budapest – Pearl of the Danube

My first visit to Budapest was in October 1988, and I’ve returned at least once every year since. Budapest has become something like a second home to me — there’s no other city I know so well, and none I love more.

Naturally, the city has changed a lot since 1988. Over the years, Budapest has transformed from a socialist capital into a modern European metropolis. The economy has seen a noticeable upswing. Stylish shopping centers, office buildings, and international companies are now part of the cityscape.

At the same time, many historic buildings have been beautifully restored. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, which led to improved infrastructure and a steady rise in tourism.

Yet with these developments came new challenges — rising inflation and growing social inequality, for example. Today, tradition and modernity go hand in hand in Budapest.

Even though I’ve visited this fascinating city so many times, I still discover something new on every trip.

In this blog, I’ll share both the 15 most essential sights for first-time visitors, as well as 15 lesser-known spots that many tourists overlook — my personal take on “Budapest off the beaten track.”

Of course, everything I recommend here is based on my own experience. Others may have completely different favourites.

Not all of the photos you’ll see on these pages are current — in fact, I’ve used pictures from the past 15 years or so. For some places, like the funicular, I couldn’t even find a single photo. But I’ll make sure to take one on my next trip!

I hope you enjoy reading — and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.