Riding Budapest Eye, the ferris wheel located in the heart of the city centre is always a great experience, especially when the weather is nice and you have an amazing view from the birds’ eyes view 🙂

Belgrade church, a very popular spot of our Danube Bend or Szentendre tours. This is a real hidden little gem surrounded by trees, the Serbian Orthodox Church of Szentendre. Unfortunately the church is only open for visitors on weekends, however, I highly recommend to see the interior to see the magnificent iconostasis.

 

Fisherman’s Bastion seasons reveal how this iconic Budapest landmark transforms from spring blossoms to winter calm throughout the year.

There are very few places in Budapest that feel completely different throughout the year — and Fisherman’s Bastion is one of them. Thanks to my private Budapest tours, I visit this iconic spot almost every day, in every season, and it never looks the same twice.

Whether you’re visiting in spring blossoms, summer sunshine, autumn colours, or winter snow, Fisherman’s Bastion always offers something special.

Spring Atmosphere

Spring brings fresh greenery, soft light, and a calm, hopeful atmosphere to the Buda Castle District. Trees begin to bloom around the Bastion, and the views over the Danube feel especially crisp and clear. It’s a wonderful time for relaxed walks, gentle light for photography, and fewer crowds than in high summer.

Summer Vibes

In summer, Fisherman’s Bastion is at its liveliest. Long daylight hours, blue skies, and warm evenings make it one of Budapest’s most popular viewpoints. The terraces buzz with visitors, musicians, and travellers soaking in the views — especially at sunset, when the city glows golden.

Early mornings or late evenings are ideal if you want to enjoy summer without the busiest crowds.

Autumn Colours

Autumn is one of my personal favourites. The surrounding hills turn shades of gold and rust, the air becomes cooler, and the light softens beautifully. It’s a peaceful, photogenic season that feels slower and more local — perfect for travellers who enjoy atmosphere as much as views.

Winter at Fisherman’s Bastion

Winter transforms Fisherman’s Bastion into something almost magical. On frosty mornings — or rare snowy days — the white stone towers blend into the winter landscape, creating a fairytale scene. There are fewer visitors, the air is crisp, and Budapest feels quieter and more intimate.

What’s the best season to visit Fisherman’s Bastion?

The beauty of Fisherman’s Bastion is that there is no bad season — only different moods. Each time of year offers:

  • changing light and colours

  • a different crowd level

  • a unique atmosphere

That’s why I always tell my guests: the best time to visit is when you’re here.

If you’d like to understand why this spot is considered one of Budapest’s highlights — and how to experience it for the first time — start with my main guide:
👉 A Must-See: Fisherman’s Bastion

And if you want to experience it at the right time of day, with local insight and hidden details, Fisherman’s Bastion is part of my Buda Castle Walk and can also be included in my private Budapest tours.

Did you know that Budapest has multiple beaches where you can swim in the Danube? My personal favourite spot is Római Part with magnificent views, very unique character, a nice range of recreational activities, cool bars and great food. Don’t miss to walk around a little bit to see the old boathouses!

A little photo gallery from the thousands of photographs I’ve been taking while walking around my Beautiful Budapest. These are not the most famous attractions, but some hidden gems that you can discover when you book a tour with me. The reason why I’m sharing these with you is that I very much like the colours, the vibes, the ambience of these places. Feel free to contact me for more details!

My travellers always ask me which baths are the best, which one they should go to. There are plenty, they are all different. You can book the Budapest Baths tour with me so that you can get more ideas about the Budapest baths and their history. Here is a little video for you to show what you can expect when you go to Széchenyi baths in the City Park:

You can reserve tickets online in advance if you’d like to skip the line.

You know that I love Budapest and I love the public transportation of the city. Some of you also know that my personal protest against the Russian aggression in Ukraine is that I refuse to buy petrol and haven’t driven my car for a while. The video below shows what I experience and see every day while I’m riding the local metro and trams.

 

I don’t really share posts on politics or my own political views. This post is different though, because I’ve just started to realise how politics affect travellers’ choices. I’ve just received two cancellations because travellers decided not to visit Hungary because of the country’s prime minister’s political statements and approach.

I think generalisation is dangerous. I think that it’s impossible to form an opinion about a country by this country’s politicians’ statements or approach. That won’t tell you anything about the country’s people, its culture, its architecture, its history. Also, it’s just a temporary state, a snapshot in Hungary’s history of over a 1000 years. And none of the election results shows what all the Hungarians think or how they feel. I think that’s the same all around the world and many of you agree with me.

My travellers are always encouraged to ask questions, I’m happy to discuss everything and anything and I think I always succeed in changing preconceptions or clarify things. I just love to spend time with open minded people who try to understand our country and our  culture and also what led to the actual political status quo.

Again, I respect other people’s choices and I don’t want to change them. But the cancellations meant to me that the travellers formed an opinion about me and my country without actually knowing us and it hurts a lot. And, more importantly, Budapest is Beautiful no matter what the politicians do or say. Let me know if you’re interested in seeing it for yourself!

The Citadel on the top of Gellért hill is being renovated, and unfortunately the entire area is closed because of the construction works. It also means that a truly popular tourist attraction of Budapest is closed and it’s impossible to enjoy the most magnificent views over Buda and Pest. The very bad news is that it remains closed for another few years and it’s impossible to estimate when it reopens. It’s just my personal opinion that they could have left a little path open for the tourists to enjoy the view, but that’s not the case.

You can still take a walk on Gellért hill, and you can climb to the statue of Saint Gellért from where you’ll have a great view over the Pest side of the river.

Some of you know how much I love this time of the year, I love the smells and the colours of spring and I’m fascinated by the blossom of the cherry trees all along Tóth Árpád sétány in the Buda Castle district. Walk with me to see more!

Cherry Blossom in the Buda Castle District
Cherry Blossom in the Buda Castle District

I’m taking a lot of pictures and videos while I’m walking around my Beautiful Budapest. Here is a little video to show you some of the attractions I’ve taken recently. I hope by seeing it all of you will want to see it for yourself. Don’t hesitate to book a tour with me, so that you can have the most amazing Budapest experience!

There are a few buildings in Budapest that I genuinely love, and Mai Manó House is definitely one of them. Located just a short walk from Andrássy Avenue, this elegant and slightly whimsical building is full of small details — the kind that reward those who slow down and really look.

We often pass by it while exploring the Pest side of the city, and every time, it feels like discovering it all over again.

A house built for a photographer

Mai Manó House was designed in the 1890s for Mai Manó, the court photographer of Emperor Franz Joseph. As one of the most respected photographers of his time, Mai Manó made sure his profession was proudly reflected in the building itself.

Look closely at the façade and you’ll notice charming details: small angels holding cameras, allegorical figures representing the muses of photography, and richly coloured ceramic tiles that give the building its unique character. The architectural style is Neo-Renaissance, enhanced with floral and animal motifs that add warmth and playfulness to the design.

It’s a façade that doesn’t just decorate the street — it tells a story.

Inside the House of Hungarian Photography

Today, the building functions as the House of Hungarian Photography, hosting both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The exhibitions change regularly, making it a rewarding stop even for repeat visitors.

The interior is just as fascinating as the outside. Elegant staircases, decorative elements, and carefully restored spaces create a calm, inspiring atmosphere — the perfect setting for photography exhibitions that often reflect on history, identity, and contemporary visual culture.

Visiting Mai Manó House

Mai Manó House can be visited, but opening hours may vary depending on exhibitions and events. It’s not a large museum, which makes it ideal as a quiet cultural stop rather than a rushed sightseeing attraction.

It fits particularly well into:

  • Budapest Art Nouveau and turn-of-the-century walks

  • Photography- or art-focused itineraries

  • Customised private tours for visitors looking beyond the usual highlights

If you’d like to include Mai Manó House in your Budapest itinerary, I’m happy to advise on timing and how it can best be combined with nearby sights.

A hidden cultural gem

Mai Manó House may not be on every visitor’s list — and that’s exactly what makes it special. For those interested in architecture, photography, and the cultural layers of Budapest, it’s a place that quietly leaves a lasting impression.

If you enjoy discovering Budapest through its stories, details, and creative spaces, this is a stop well worth making.

You might have noticed that the Eger Wine Tour is one of my favourite daytrips from Budapest. I love Eger, it’s a charming little town with beautiful Baroque architecture and its castle is still considered as a national symbol of Hungarian patriotism. The tour is topped by wine tasting both in the city centre and in the Valley of the Beautiful Woman, where you can taste Bull’s Blood, the local cuvée.

The weather is getting more and more beautiful day by day so we enjoyed our time in Eger in beautiful sunshine and I can tell you that everybody loved the red wines we tasted. I hope I’ll have the chance to go back to Eger many times this year.

Set in the City Park of Budapest, the House of Hungarian Music is one of the city’s most exciting contemporary cultural spaces. Both the building and the exhibitions inside are designed to surprise, inspire, and invite visitors to experience music in a completely new way. The House of Hungarian Music is also one of my favourite Budapest museums, especially for visitors who enjoy music, contemporary architecture and imaginative exhibition design.

From the moment you approach it through the trees, it’s clear that this is not a traditional museum.

A futuristic landmark in the park

The building was designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, and its appearance is as bold as its concept. With its flowing forms and unusual silhouette, it almost feels like an ornate spaceship that has gently landed among the trees of City Park.

One of its most striking features is the series of 12-metre-high glass walls, which blur the boundary between inside and outside. Hundreds of golden, stylised leaf motifs decorate both the exterior and interior, creating the impression of a shimmering golden forest. On sunny days, the light reflects beautifully on each leaf, making the entire structure feel alive.

A building growing out of the park

What I love most about the House of Hungarian Music is how organic it feels. Despite its contemporary design, the building doesn’t dominate its surroundings — instead, it seems to grow out of the park itself.

The main architectural concept was to integrate the building into the natural environment of City Park, and this idea is present everywhere. The sweeping roofline echoes the movement of tree canopies, while the vast glass surfaces reflect the greenery around them. Trees, plants, and landscaped paths flow naturally around the structure, blurring the line between architecture and nature.

Even the everyday elements — paths, benches, and nearby walkways — feel intentionally woven into the setting. Walking around the building, it never feels isolated or imposing; rather, it becomes part of the park’s rhythm, changing character with the light, the seasons, and the movement of people around it.

This harmony between nature, movement, and music is what makes the House of Hungarian Music truly special — and it’s the detail that stays with me the longest.

An immersive musical experience

Inside, the museum invites visitors to experience music with all their senses.

One of the highlights is the Sound Dome, where a unique audio-visual show surrounds you with music and sound coming from all directions. As the layers gradually come together, the experience feels almost experimental — like witnessing a carefully crafted musical reaction unfolding in real time.

Beyond the dome, the permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Hungarian music across different periods and styles. This is not a museum you rush through: interactive elements, listening stations, and thematic spaces easily keep visitors engaged for hours.

Music lovers should plan to spend 2–3 hours exploring the exhibitions and installations.

Visiting the House of Hungarian Music

The House of Hungarian Music can be visited independently, and guided visits are sometimes available. As it is a very popular attraction, opening hours and ticket availability can vary, especially during weekends or school holidays.

If you’d like to include it in your Budapest itinerary, I recommend planning ahead. I’m happy to advise on timing and how best to combine it with nearby sights in City Park.

Part of a customised Budapest itinerary

The House of Hungarian Music fits beautifully into:

  • Cultural and contemporary architecture tours

  • Music-focused itineraries

  • Customised private tours that combine historic Budapest with modern highlights

It also pairs well with other City Park landmarks, making it an easy and rewarding stop during a relaxed day in this part of the city.

A modern must-see in Budapest

Innovative, immersive, and visually striking, the House of Hungarian Music offers a fresh perspective on Hungary’s rich musical heritage. Whether you are deeply passionate about music or simply curious to experience something different, this museum is one of Budapest’s most memorable modern attractions.

If you’d like help planning a visit or building a personalised itinerary that includes the House of Hungarian Music, feel free to get in touch.

 

Last week we had the chance to meet and cook with chef Zita from BORGANIKA. Zita has an amazing gastro space in Klauzál market in the Jewish district. She offers cooking classes, all sorts of gastro events and she also hosts private dinners. She is amazing and is truly in love with Hungarian culture and food, all of my guests were fascinated by this unique culinary experience.

We cooked green pea soup, chicken paprikas with nokedli and strudel, it was a lot of fun, we enjoyed cooking and eating together and we also tasted some great Hungarian wines.

It’s a great experience for smaller and larger groups and her enthusiasm and professionalism will most probably brighten your day and contribute to an amazing Budapest experience.

Private cooking class at Borganika
Private cooking class at Borganika