We were lucky enough to visit the Tokaj wine region last week, this is one of my favourite tours. We were able to sample some truly amazing wine in Tokaj and Mád, visited the fairytale castle of Boldogkő, saw a beautiful rainbow over the vineyards and had also the chance to see the Mád synagogue.
This was a tour to remember, I hope I can show more and more travellers this beautiful part of Hungary.
Few statues in Budapest carry as much symbolic weight as the Turul bird statue. More than a decorative monument, the Turul is one of Hungary’s most important national symbols, deeply rooted in legend, origin stories, and identity.
This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how public sculptures reflect the layers of history and mythology that shape the city.
According to Hungarian tradition, the Turul — a powerful, mythical falcon — guided the ancestors of the Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin in 896, the year associated with the founding of the Hungarian homeland.
Because of this legend, the Turul represents origin, protection, strength, and destiny. It appears frequently in Hungarian art, literature, and monuments, always carrying a meaning that goes far beyond its physical form.
One of the best-known Turul statues in Budapest stands at the upper station of the Buda Castle Funicular, near the entrance to the Castle District. With its wings spread wide above the city, the bird overlooks the Danube and Pest — a fitting position for a symbol meant to watch over the nation.
Many visitors pass beneath it on their way into Buda Castle without realizing its significance, yet once you know the story, the statue becomes impossible to ignore.
The Turul bird is not tied to a single historical figure or event. Instead, it represents continuity — the connection between myth, history, and modern Hungary.
Standing beneath it, you’re reminded that Budapest is not only a city of architecture and monuments, but also a place shaped by stories passed down for more than a thousand years.
Explore more: The Turul bird is featured in my Statues of Budapest collection, where famous monuments and symbolic figures reveal the deeper identity of the city.
At first glance, the 0 km Stone is easy to miss. Modest in size and quietly placed near one of Budapest’s busiest areas, it doesn’t compete for attention — yet symbolically, it represents the very center of the country.
This monument is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how meaning in this city is often hidden in plain sight.
The 0 km Stone marks the point from which all road distances in Hungary are officially measured. Every kilometer sign pointing toward Budapest begins here, making this small monument a geographic and symbolic reference point for the entire country.
It is less about spectacle and more about orientation — a reminder of how Budapest has long functioned as Hungary’s political, cultural, and infrastructural heart.
The statue is located on the Buda side of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, close to the Buda Castle Funicular. Thousands of people pass by daily on their way to the Castle District, often without realizing the significance of the stone beneath their feet.
Once you know what it represents, it becomes one of those details you can never quite ignore again.
Unlike statues that commemorate people or events, the 0 km Stone symbolizes connection and movement. It quietly links every town, village, and road back to Budapest — and by extension, to one another.
It’s a simple monument, but one that reflects how geography, history, and everyday life intersect in the city.
Explore more: The 0 km Stone is featured in my Statues of Budapest collection, where famous monuments and easily overlooked details reveal the deeper structure of the city.
The golden age of Budapest’s famous coffeehouses was at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Today, we are once again seeing a renaissance of coffeehouse culture — and Budapest remains a city where cafés are deeply connected to everyday life, culture, and history.
Hungarians have always loved their coffee, but cafés here have traditionally been much more than places to drink it. I explore this unique relationship in more detail in my main article, We Love Our Coffee – And Our Coffeehouses, Too, which looks at why coffeehouses have played such an important role in Budapest for generations.
On my Budapest Foodie Tour, we usually visit different historic cafés, giving travelers the chance to enjoy Hungarian coffee and cakes while discovering the stories behind these iconic places.
Book Café has always been one of the most special and memorable café spaces in Budapest. Hidden inside a 20th-century department store on Andrássy Avenue, it surprised visitors with a breathtaking historic interior — high ceilings, ornate frescoes, and a grand atmosphere that felt more like a palace than a café.
Sitting in Book Café was an experience in itself. It was the kind of place where you could easily forget time, surrounded by books, elegant architecture, and the quiet hum of conversation. For many visitors, it was one of the most unexpected highlights of Budapest’s café scene.
Unfortunately, both the building and the café are currently closed, and at the moment there is no confirmed reopening date. Although it cannot be visited right now, Book Café remains one of the most talked-about historic café interiors in Budapest and an important part of the city’s coffeehouse heritage.
I sincerely hope that this beautiful space will reopen in the future. Until then, Book Café lives on in memories — and in stories I love to share when talking about Budapest’s rich and ever-evolving coffeehouse culture.
I’m delighted to see how many people explore my beautiful Budapest as part of their river cruise. I know that while on a cruise travellers have very limited time to discover each place.
That’s the reason why I offer Shore Excursions, fully customisable driving and walking tours, so that each and every visitor can make the most of their time in Budapest. I know what the cruise companies offer on their tours, and I’ll make sure I see you much more when you decide to book a private tour with me. The tours include driving and walking tours in both Budapest and the beautiful Hungarian countryside.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me for further details or to book a tailor-made tour!
I try to publish beautiful pictures of my beautiful Budapest as often as I can, still, I don’t think I reach many people via my Instagram feed. Never mind, this is the selection of my favourite pictures in 2019.
Lonely Planet has just published a list of the “Best destinations, journeys and sustainable travel experiences” for 2020. I am very proud, because Budapest is listed among 10 destinations in total, we’re number 2. It’s a great achievement, I only wish they didn’t include “Budapest is one of the most rewarding on your pocket” as I don’t want travellers to visit Budapest because it’s cheap. Come and see my city, because it’s beautiful! 🙂
Nestled just a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica on Zrínyi Street, the whimsical Fat Policeman statue—affectionately known as Uncle Karl—stands guard over the cobblestones of the bustling city centre of Budapest. Cast in bronze by sculptor Illyés András and unveiled in 2008, he’s dressed in a nostalgic early‑20th‑century uniform complete with a jaunty helmet and a twirly moustache. His rotund, friendly figure instantly catches the eye, and true to local superstition, his belly has become gloriously polished from the countless tourists who rub it for good luck and loosing weight—and perhaps the gift of guilt-free indulgence in Hungarian cuisine.
This monument is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how meaning in this city is often hidden in plain sight.
Those seeking romance often reach up to stroke his moustache, a gesture believed to bring good fortune in love. Over the years, his well-worn features have become a testament to thousands of hopeful wishes.
Though officially titled the “Guardian of Order,” the statue’s more playful nickname speaks to its charm and the warm-hearted humor woven into Budapest’s cultural tapestry. Anecdotal measurements suggest he stands about 1.7 m tall—just over five and a half feet—making him approachable and almost lifelike in scale. He’s become a selfie magnet and a lighthearted must-see for visitors wanting to balance architectural grandeur with a bit of street‑art whimsy
By blending nostalgia, folklore, and everyday joy, the Fat Policeman encapsulates the spirit of Budapest: historical depth with a side of light-heartedness. Whether you’re capturing him in a snapshot, giving his belly a good rub, or simply pausing to admire his cheery posture, Uncle Karl offers a delightful pause in the rhythm of urban exploration—and perhaps a sprinkle of good fortune to boot.
Explore more: The 0 km Stone is featured in my Statues of Budapest collection, where famous monuments and easily overlooked details reveal the deeper structure of the city.
With over 250 tours I delivered last year I can’t tell how fortunate I am to show my travellers around the city and the country I love the most. This is my home, my birthplace and I’m looking forward to introducing it to even more people in 2020!
I’ve just had a look at which my most popular tours were last year:
