Must-See: Vajdahunyad castle in the City Park

The castle was originally built temporarily for the 1896 millennium exhibit to showcase all the different architectural sites of Hungary in one complex of buildings. The project was so successful that the building needed to be rebuilt in a permanent form when the exhibit was over.

Ever since it’s one of the most visited attractions of Budapest, hidden in the beautiful City Park. It serves as an important movie set, too, so don’t be surprised when you see these buildings in Hollywood movies.

The visit of the castle is included in most of my Budapest walking or driving tours, please contact me for further details!

  • City Park of Budapest
  • City Park of Budapest
  • City Park of Budapest
  • City Park of Budapest

The Herend Porcelain

Visiting the Herend Factory is always a special experience. The dedication and the talent of people making the most famous Hungarian porcelain products is simply amazing.

During the tour one can see all the different phases of porcelain making and can also learn a lot about the ‘white gold’. I recommend to include the visit in the Lake Balaton tour to make this tour even more authentic.

Top Budapest restaurants

I keep revising and changing this list as I often try new places. I’m a big foodie and I’m happy to take you to a Budapest Foodie tour so that you can taste the best local treats.

These are my personal favorite restaurants in April 2019:

  • Stand Restaurant (with 1 Michelin Star they got in 2019)
  • Wine Kitchen (with 1 Michelin Star)
  • Rézkakas Bistro
  • Mazel Tov
  • Aszu Restaurant
  • Kazimir Bistro
  • Spinoza
  • Café Kör
  • Kőleves
  • Budapest Bistro

Looking back at 2018

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 2019!

I’ve just had a look at which my most popular tours were last year:

  • “THE GRAND BUDAPEST” WALK: a great introduction of Budapest to first time visitors or travellers who only have one day to see the main highlights and some of the hidden gems.
  • BUDAPEST FOODIE TOUR: as I also work for a Hungarian food magazin, I’m really happy to take you to local markets and little artisan food shops and to make sure you taste all the great Hungarian treats.
  • JEWISH QUARTER WALK: including the visit of the world’s second largest synagogue and a walk in the ghetto which is today the Soho of Budapest with great cultural and creative vibes.
  • DANUBE BEND TOUR BY CAR: it’s a relatively short drive from Budapest and in only one day I can show you three very different little Hungarian villages and the stunning view over the bend of the Danube river.

The second best European Christmas Market is the Advent Feast at St. Stephen’s Basilica

https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/christmas-markets/

Every year hundreds of thousands of travellers vote for the best European Christmas Markets. This year my favorite Christmas Market in Budapest was voted the second best, that’s the one in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica. It’s easy to understand why this particular market got so many votes, it is all about food and drinks, local handicraft products and the videomapping show over the main facade of St. Stephen’s Basilica is magnificent.

Don’t forget to try local hot wine and chimney cake (kürtöskalács), the most delicious treat at our markets.

  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
  • Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest

A Must-See: The Central Market of Budapest

Yes, I agree, it’s becoming more and more of a tourist attraction, it’s hard to believe that it still is one of the favorite shopping places of Budapesters.

I went to the market with my grandmother for the first time when I was some 5-years-old. Honestly, that time I couldn’t tell he difference between the poors’ and riches’ aisle but was fascinated by the smells and the products.

The visit of the 120-year-old building, which looks exactly like a train station is part of my Foodie Tour (except on Sundays when it’s closed), I’d be glad to introduce you to our shopping and eating culture and I’ll also make sure you taste the best sausage and strudel at the market.

36 Hours in Budapest by The New York Times

 I’ve received this article from three guests of mine at different occasions – and thank you so much guys for your preparations before your actual trip to Budapest. I need to tell that most of the places recommended by The New York Times are both fun and nice, still, I have the impression I can show you so much more when you come to visit my beautiful city.

Feel free to ask for my special recommendations!

A Must-See: the Széchenyi baths

To show how much local people love the Széchenyi baths, I can tell you that we also have a nickname for it and call it simply ‘Szecska’. It opened in 1913 and has a total of 18 indoor and outdoor swimming pools. It’s one of the most richly ornate buildings of the city with an architecture combining Neo-Renaissance and Classicist elements. One really has to see the main foyer where both the statues and mosaics are all realted to water and bathing culture.

I only recommend going to the Szecska in the summer for those who don’t mind crowds but it’s really quiet and enjoyable in the winter. I can take you to the Széchenyi if you book the Baths of Budapest  walking tour with me.

More information about prices and opening hours.

 

  • Budapest Baths Private Walking Tour
  • Budapest Baths Private Walking Tour

A Must-See: the Gellért baths

Bathing and bathing culture have always been an important part of our everyday life. According to a survey I’ve just read 30% of the locals go to the baths regularly. It’s fun, very relaxing and has healing effects, too. I can show you some of the most authentic Budapest baths if you join me for a tour.

The Gellért bathhouse is the most elegant bath complex of Budapest. The building is one of the most amazing pieces of the Budapest Art Nouveau and  opened in 1918. When you have a look at the richly ornate facade of the building its hard to imagine that before the construction of the elegant hotel, the place had been referred to as to the muddy baths, where both people and animals had their regular bath.

The thermal baths are fed by the mineral hot springs of the Gellért hill. The water is rich in  calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate and sulfate. The water temperature varies from 35 °C to 40 °C.

Don’t miss the Turkish section where the walls are so nicely decorated with colorful mosaics. The bath can be visited throughout the year, if you happen to be in Budapest in the summer, you can also take advantage of the outdoor wave pool.

Pictures of Budapest and Hungary

My two greatest passions are tour guiding and photography. I’ve been involved in photography in a way or another my entire adult life and I always try to catch the beauty I see walking around Budapest every day. Some of my pictures are on Instagram, too: – https://www.instagram.com/kravianszky/

 

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