The National Museum is one of the oldest museums of Budapest, founded by Ferenc Széchényi in 1802. It’s one of my favourite museums in the city, not only because it’s beautiful (both the outside and the interiors) but also because there is a beautiful garden around it which serves as a public park. The museum is a special place for Hungarian people, our entire history is on display in an easily digestible manner.
The building is a special place for national pride and heritage, the 1848-49 Hungarian war of independence against the Habsburgs started here, poet Sándor Petőfi read his famous poem on the stairs of the museum.
There are permanent and temporary exhibitions, the coronation robe of the Hungarian kings is on display here, too. A great place to spend a few hours in Budapest in the cold month of January.
I took these images when we were touring the Danube Bend in December a few weeks ago. We were there just in time to see the magic of winter, unfortunately we don’t get too much snow, thus the visit was very special for both me and my travellers.
I would like to wish you a very happy new year and hope I’ll see you in Beautiful Budapest in 2024.
These were my most popular tours in 2023, feel free to contact me if you’re interested in booking any of my tours or in creating another one customised to your interests and preferences.
Yes, it’s snowing! Happy Winter from Budapest!
My most popular day trip from Budapest is the full-day Eger and Wine tour, including the visit of the charming Baroque town of Eger and the visit of local wineries and vineyards. This is how Eger looks like in the winter. And, believe me, the wine is just as great in November as it is in the spring or summer. Book the tour and see it for yourself!
Seeing Fisherman’s Bastion empty is one of the rarest experiences in Budapest, a quiet moment when this iconic landmark reveals its most peaceful side. I often say that Fisherman’s Bastion is the most popular tourist attraction in Budapest — and it’s true. Thousands of visitors pass through here every single day, cameras in hand, chasing the same iconic view.
That’s why moments like this are so special.
Seeing Fisherman’s Bastion almost completely empty is incredibly rare. No lines. No crowds. Just the city waking up below, the Danube flowing quietly, and the silhouette of the Hungarian Parliament Building in the distance.
On this particular morning, I was lucky enough to have the upper terrace almost entirely to myself — something even locals rarely experience.
Many visitors don’t realise that part of the Bastion is ticketed during the day. I always recommend going up when possible:
the view is higher and more open
the crowds thin out
the atmosphere is calmer and more intimate
You can skip the on-site queue by buying tickets online, and when time allows, I love taking my guests to the very top during my private tours.
Moments like this remind me why I return here again and again — not just as a guide, but as someone who genuinely loves Budapest. When the crowds disappear, Fisherman’s Bastion feels timeless, peaceful, and deeply moving.
If you’d like to understand why this place is so important — and why it’s a must-see for first-time visitors — start with my main guide:
A Must-See: Fisherman’s Bastion
I’m taking thousands of pictures in Budapest every year, and many of them are taken at the very same spot. This is the upper station of the Buda Castle Funicular, close to the Sándor Palace and the Royal Palace. While my travellers are entertained by the changing of the guards, I’m taking pictures. Have a look, how different the pictures are even though they are taken at the same place. Join me for a walk in the Buda Castle District to see it for yourself!
This truly magnificent Neo-Renaissance building is on Andrássy street, right across from the State Opera House. I keep telling stories about the building, home of Drechsler Café, that was originally built for the pensioners of the National Rail Services. For many many long years the building was hiding behind scaffolding and recently it reopened as the W hotel. I hope you agree with me when I say that the renovators made a wonderful job and filled the palace with elegance and charm.
Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning but by the time I get to downtown Pest for a tour I’m the most grateful to live in the most beautiful city of the world.
The bells of Matthias Church early in the morning right after sunrise on a beautiful day of autumn.
It really is a great time to visit Budapest, the colours of autumn are simply magnificent and there aren’t big crowds of tourists at the hot spots. Book a tour or let me know if you’re interested in a custom itinerary!
It’s always great to read reviews and to learn about how much travellers enjoyed their tours with me. Here are a few ones from September.
Having Julia show us around Budapest was the experience of a lifetime. She was so knowledgeable, so interesting, and so much fun we didn’t want the tour to end. It is obvious that she loves her city, and her enthusiasm and insight made us love it too. I cannot recommend Julia more. She is a gem. Get her if you can. Richard E. U.S.A.
Thus was a fantastic tour by a Budapest local. Julia was an amazing guide…prompt, friendly, courteous and full of information about her hometown. She took us to a local hangout for a traditional lunch and to “off the beaten path” sights to see. Definitely recommend Julia….5+ stars!!!
Julia was an exellent tour guide.We would rate her a high 5 and recommend her without reservation.
What a real pleasure to meet Julia via her virtual tour of Budapest. My sister and i were introduced to the Buda side of Budapest and Julia did an amazing job of being our virtual tour guide. Her detailed knowledge of history and her city was excellent and we felt we were walking along with her on the tour. Plenty of time for questions and she is a beautiful person….thanks so much Julia ��
It was informative and interesting. Participants were positively surprised how good a virtual guided tour can be.
My old-new passion is to collect the sounds of Budapest, recording local music all over the city. This is the third recording in my collection, a short organ recital in the Cave Church. Hopefully soon enough, I’ll have enough materials to create my Budapest Symphony.
If you’ve seen Budapest on Instagram or TikTok, chances are you’ve already seen Fisherman’s Bastion — even if you didn’t know its name. This fairytale-like terrace is without question the most photographed spot in the city, and for good reason.
With its white stone towers, arches, staircases, and jaw-dropping views over the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament Building, it’s a dream backdrop for photos. Whether you’re snapping a selfie, shooting content for social media, or just admiring the view, this place delivers.
Because it’s so famous, Fisherman’s Bastion is usually busy. At peak hours, you may need to wait a bit to get that perfect photo from the most popular angles. That said, timing is everything:
Early morning = fewer people, softer light
Late evening = romantic atmosphere and glowing city lights
Fisherman’s Bastion is a regular stop on my Buda Castle Walk, and it can also be included in other private walking or driving tours. I always show my guests:
where to stand for the best photos
which angles are worth waiting for
and when to come back if they want quieter moments
If you’d like to see how Fisherman’s Bastion looks through my eyes, you’ll find many photos and videos on my Instagram as well.
👉 First time in Budapest? Read my full evergreen guide: A Must-See in Budapest: Fisherman’s Bastion.
I’ve had received today some inquiries about how the new recommendations issued by the European Union might affect travels from the US to Hungary. The US is one of the five countries that have been removed from the EU safe travel list.
What is important is that this is a guidance and each EU countries decide individually about travel restrictions. As for Hungary, you can enter Hungary if you come from the US with a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours – no PCR test is needed when you get to Hungary by road, rail or waterway.
What is even more important is that Budapest is as beautiful as always, it’s not overcrowded with tourists, so it’s still a great time to come and see. Let me know if you have questions, or book a tour! Also, don’t forget that a private tour is safer than being in large tour groups, myself and the drivers I work with are fully vaccinated and can’t wait to meet you!
It’s always nice to watch the fireworks from the balcony – the advantages of living on a beautiful hill in Buda. St. Stephen’s Day (20th of August) is a national holiday in Hungary and the day’s celebrations are crowned every year by amazing fireworks at night.
I love my Gödöllő-Hollókő tour for many reasons, one of those being that I’m truly fascinated by the beauty of the Baroque Palace of Gödöllő. There are so many things to fall in love with: the architecture, the style, the colours, the details. It really is special because throughout the tour one has the impression to travel back in time to the 19th century.
On our very last visit earlier this month we were being guided by Queen Sissi – the wife of the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef which has made our tour even more remarkable.
Finally, the moment has come, as of the 7th of August, travellers from outside the EU can enter Hungary by air. The rules are:
“persons who are able to present an English or Hungarian language document containing the results of a molecular biological test (SARS_CoV-2 PCR test) not older than 72 hours, conducted in conformity with professional medical regulations in one of the following countries:
a Member State of the European Union or in a candidate state of the European Union,
a member state of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,
a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation,”
It means that all you need is to have a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours). We’ve been waiting for this for such a long time, it’s such a great news and I really hope that many visitors will want to visit my Beautiful Budapest these coming weeks.
