I was lucky today to perform a real, in-person tour, I can't even describe how delightful it was. After months of delivering virtual tours and not being able to connect with my travellers in person I was starving for the real personal touch. Walking around the city is always magical, but it's even more magical now as there are only very few people around that visitors might feel they are the only tourists in Beautiful Budapest. We were the only ones in Matthias Church and St. Stephen's Basilica and really felt like being part of a very exclusive club :) Unfortunately our borders are still closed for tourists (except if they come from a few selected countries) so I can't encourage you to come and visit now but if you happen to be in Budapest for any reason, contact me for a tour, you won't regret it!
I was lucky today to perform a real, in-person tour, I can’t even describe how delightful it was. After months of delivering virtual tours and not being able to connect with my travellers in person I was starving for the real personal touch.
Walking around the city is always magical, but it’s even more magical now as there are only very few people around that visitors might feel they are the only tourists in Beautiful Budapest. We were the only ones in Matthias Church and St. Stephen’s Basilica and really felt like being part of a very exclusive club 🙂
Unfortunately our borders are still closed for tourists (except if they come from a few selected countries) so I can’t encourage you to come and visit now but if you happen to be in Budapest for any reason, contact me for a tour, you won’t regret it!
I'm still not sure when Hungary's borders will reopen and travellers can visit Beautiful Budapest, so here is another building for you to admire from a distance. The Academy of Music is a real jewellery box in the 6th district of Budapest. It's a music university and a concert hall that opened in 1907. The style is a very interesting mixture of Gothic and Art Nouveau but you might see elements of Classicism, too. The facade is so ornate that it will take you some time to spot the statue of Franz Liszt right above the entrance. Franz Liszt, the most famous Hungarian composer founded the music academy in his home in 1875 and the academy got named after him in 1925. The building can be visited, there are guided tours, but the most amazing experience is to go to a concert, so that you can admire the building and music at the same time. Most of the programs were either cancelled or are held online and personally I can't wait to go in person hopefully in the near future.
I’m still not sure when Hungary’s borders will reopen and travellers can visit Beautiful Budapest, so here is another building for you to admire from a distance.
The Academy of Music is a real jewellery box in the 6th district of Budapest. It’s a music university and a concert hall that opened in 1907. The style is a very interesting mixture of Gothic and Art Nouveau but you might see elements of Classicism, too. The facade is so ornate that it will take you some time to spot the statue of Franz Liszt right above the entrance. Franz Liszt, the most famous Hungarian composer founded the music academy in his home in 1875 and the academy got named after him in 1925.
The building can be visited, there are guided tours, but the most amazing experience is to go to a concert, so that you can admire the building and music at the same time. Most of the programs were either cancelled or are held online and personally I can’t wait to go in person hopefully in the near future.
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 witnessing a true renaissance of coffeehouse culture — and Budapest remains one of Europe’s most exciting cities for coffee and cake lovers. Hungarians love their coffee, and visitors quickly fall in love with our historic cafés too. I wrote more about this passion in my main article, We Love Our Coffee – And Our Coffeehouses, Too, where I explore why cafés have always played such an important role in Budapest life. On my Budapest Foodie Tour, we always try to visit different coffeehouses, giving travelers the chance to taste excellent Hungarian coffee and traditional cakes while learning about the stories behind these beautiful places. Among all Budapest cafés, Gerbeaud Café is probably the most famous — and with good reason. Although I have already written about Central Café and the Book Café, Gerbeaud truly deserves to be introduced first, as it has been a symbol of elegance and quality for over a century. The Men Behind the Budapest Gerbeaud Café The story of the café is closely linked to Emile Gerbeaud, a talented French bonbonnier who was invited to Budapest by Henrik Kugler, the owner of a very popular cake shop and coffeehouse on Vörösmarty Square. Emile Gerbeaud’s creativity transformed the business: he developed an exceptional range of bonbons that were produced and sold in the millions every year. When he eventually took over the café, the Gerbeaud name became a highly respected trademark — not only in Budapest, but throughout Europe. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Gerbeaud was known as the ladies’ coffeehouse. Young women visited the café hoping to meet a wealthy and suitable husband. Even today,
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 witnessing a true renaissance of coffeehouse culture — and Budapest remains one of Europe’s most exciting cities for coffee and cake lovers.
Hungarians love their coffee, and visitors quickly fall in love with our historic cafés too. I wrote more about this passion in my main article, We Love Our Coffee – And Our Coffeehouses, Too, where I explore why cafés have always played such an important role in Budapest life.
On my Budapest Foodie Tour, we always try to visit different coffeehouses, giving travelers the chance to taste excellent Hungarian coffee and traditional cakes while learning about the stories behind these beautiful places.
Among all Budapest cafés, Gerbeaud Café is probably the most famous — and with good reason. Although I have already written about Central Café and the Book Café, Gerbeaud truly deserves to be introduced first, as it has been a symbol of elegance and quality for over a century.
The Men Behind the Budapest Gerbeaud Café
The story of the café is closely linked to Emile Gerbeaud, a talented French bonbonnier who was invited to Budapest by Henrik Kugler, the owner of a very popular cake shop and coffeehouse on Vörösmarty Square. Emile Gerbeaud’s creativity transformed the business: he developed an exceptional range of bonbons that were produced and sold in the millions every year. When he eventually took over the café, the Gerbeaud name became a highly respected trademark — not only in Budapest, but throughout Europe.
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Gerbeaud was known as the ladies’ coffeehouse. Young women visited the café hoping to meet a wealthy and suitable husband. Even today, charming urban legends circulate about secret signs a lady could give if she was open to romance. These little stories add to the unique atmosphere of the place and are some of my favorite details to share on foodie tours.
Today, Gerbeaud Café is one of the most iconic historic cafés in Budapest, famous for its refined interior, elegant service, and outstanding selection of Hungarian cakes. Located on Vörösmarty Square, it is an ideal stop for anyone interested in classic coffeehouse culture and sweet Hungarian specialties.
Visiting the Café on a Food Tour
If you would like to experience Gerbeaud — and other historic cafés — in context, you might enjoy joining one of my Budapest Foodie Tours, where coffee, cake, history, and local stories come together in a relaxed and authentic way.
If you walk along the Danube in Pest, the area around the Hungarian Parliament is filled with symbols of Hungarian identity — and one of the most striking is the equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy. This sculpture is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, where I introduce both famous monuments and smaller details that add meaning to the city’s streetscape. Where is the Count Gyula Andrássy statue? The statue stands at the Hungarian Parliament building, in one of the most important public spaces in Budapest. Even if you’re only passing by for photos of the Parliament, it’s worth stopping for a minute: monuments here are carefully chosen, and Andrássy’s presence tells a very specific story about Hungary’s 19th-century political turning point. Who was Count Gyula Andrássy? Count Gyula Andrássy (1823–1890) was one of Hungary’s most influential politicians and statesmen. He played a key role in the events that led to the Austro–Hungarian Compromise of 1867, a major political agreement that created the Austro–Hungarian Monarchy. For visitors, this is where a statue becomes more than decoration: it highlights a moment when Hungary’s modern political structure took shape — and why this part of Budapest is so dense with national symbolism. Why an equestrian statue? Equestrian statues traditionally represent leadership, authority, and statehood. In Budapest, this visual language matters: statues around the Parliament are designed to communicate political continuity and historical legitimacy. Whether you love history or you simply enjoy reading the city through its monuments, Andrássy’s statue is a good example of how Budapest “speaks” in stone and bronze. A quick tip for your visit When you’re photographing the Parliament, try including the statue in the foreground for a stronger composition — it adds context and scale, and immediately signals that you’re not just capturing a building, but
If you walk along the Danube in Pest, the area around the Hungarian Parliament is filled with symbols of Hungarian identity — and one of the most striking is the equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy. This sculpture is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, where I introduce both famous monuments and smaller details that add meaning to the city’s streetscape.
Where is the Count Gyula Andrássy statue?
The statue stands at the Hungarian Parliament building, in one of the most important public spaces in Budapest. Even if you’re only passing by for photos of the Parliament, it’s worth stopping for a minute: monuments here are carefully chosen, and Andrássy’s presence tells a very specific story about Hungary’s 19th-century political turning point.
Who was Count Gyula Andrássy?
Count Gyula Andrássy (1823–1890) was one of Hungary’s most influential politicians and statesmen. He played a key role in the events that led to the Austro–Hungarian Compromise of 1867, a major political agreement that created the Austro–Hungarian Monarchy. For visitors, this is where a statue becomes more than decoration: it highlights a moment when Hungary’s modern political structure took shape — and why this part of Budapest is so dense with national symbolism.
Why an equestrian statue?
Equestrian statues traditionally represent leadership, authority, and statehood. In Budapest, this visual language matters: statues around the Parliament are designed to communicate political continuity and historical legitimacy. Whether you love history or you simply enjoy reading the city through its monuments, Andrássy’s statue is a good example of how Budapest “speaks” in stone and bronze.
A quick tip for your visit
When you’re photographing the Parliament, try including the statue in the foreground for a stronger composition — it adds context and scale, and immediately signals that you’re not just capturing a building, but a piece of Hungarian history.
Explore more: If you enjoy noticing details like this, you might like my collection of Statues of Budapest, featuring famous monuments and hidden gems across Buda and Pest.
Equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest
This is my favourite season and I can't get enough of the spring colours, smells and lights. Here are a few pictures but they don't do justice, I recommend you come and see for yourself in person or virtually!
This is my favourite season and I can’t get enough of the spring colours, smells and lights. Here are a few pictures but they don’t do justice, I recommend you come and see for yourself in person or virtually!
One of my favourite moments of the day is when the street lights of Budapest are switched off just a few minutes before sunrise. Eventually the best place to film it from is the very top of the Fisherman's Bastion.
One of my favourite moments of the day is when the street lights of Budapest are switched off just a few minutes before sunrise. Eventually the best place to film it from is the very top of the Fisherman’s Bastion.
Among Budapest’s statues, few are as striking — or as symbolic — as Stalin’s Boots. What remains today is not a full monument, but a fragment, and that absence is exactly what gives it its power. This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how monuments reflect the city’s history, memory, and identity. The original Stalin statue In 1951, a giant statue of Joseph Stalin, approximately eight meters high, was erected in Budapest to commemorate his 70th birthday. The monument was intended as a display of loyalty and political obedience during Hungary’s communist era. Towering over its surroundings, the statue was meant to project authority and permanence. What happened in 1956? During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, protesters tore down the Stalin statue as a powerful act of resistance. The figure itself was destroyed — but the boots remained standing. This image quickly became iconic: the ruler was gone, but the empty boots were left behind, symbolizing the collapse of imposed power and the rejection of dictatorship. Where can you see Stalin’s Boots today? A replica of Stalin’s Boots can be seen today at the entrance of Memento Park in Buda. The park is dedicated to monuments from Hungary’s socialist period, preserving them as historical documents rather than political symbols. Seeing the boots outside their original context helps visitors understand how Hungary chose to remember — rather than erase — this chapter of its past. Why Stalin’s Boots still matter Unlike traditional statues that glorify individuals, Stalin’s Boots represent absence, resistance, and memory. They tell the story of 1956 without words and remain one of Budapest’s most powerful visual reminders of the communist period. Explore more: Stalin’s Boots are part of my broader Statues of Budapest collection, featuring monuments that reveal the city’s layered and
Among Budapest’s statues, few are as striking — or as symbolic — as Stalin’s Boots. What remains today is not a full monument, but a fragment, and that absence is exactly what gives it its power.
This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how monuments reflect the city’s history, memory, and identity.
The original Stalin statue
In 1951, a giant statue of Joseph Stalin, approximately eight meters high, was erected in Budapest to commemorate his 70th birthday. The monument was intended as a display of loyalty and political obedience during Hungary’s communist era.
Towering over its surroundings, the statue was meant to project authority and permanence.
What happened in 1956?
During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, protesters tore down the Stalin statue as a powerful act of resistance. The figure itself was destroyed — but the boots remained standing.
This image quickly became iconic: the ruler was gone, but the empty boots were left behind, symbolizing the collapse of imposed power and the rejection of dictatorship.
Where can you see Stalin’s Boots today?
A replica of Stalin’s Boots can be seen today at the entrance of Memento Park in Buda. The park is dedicated to monuments from Hungary’s socialist period, preserving them as historical documents rather than political symbols.
Seeing the boots outside their original context helps visitors understand how Hungary chose to remember — rather than erase — this chapter of its past.
Why Stalin’s Boots still matter
Unlike traditional statues that glorify individuals, Stalin’s Boots represent absence, resistance, and memory. They tell the story of 1956 without words and remain one of Budapest’s most powerful visual reminders of the communist period.
Explore more: Stalin’s Boots are part of my broader Statues of Budapest collection, featuring monuments that reveal the city’s layered and often complex history.
Stalin’s Boots in Budapest – A Symbol of the 1956 Revolution
Today is a national holiday in Hungary, we celebrate the outbreak of the revolution of 1848-1849. Today we celebrate our national independence, the freedom of speech, the freedom of press and we remember the heroism and the courage of the young Hungarians who became united to confront and fight the oppressors. I hope that the spirit of the revolution lives on in the Hungarian soul and we never give up fighting for the values our ancestors had been fighting for 173 years ago.
Today is a national holiday in Hungary, we celebrate the outbreak of the revolution of 1848-1849.
Today we celebrate our national independence, the freedom of speech, the freedom of press and we remember the heroism and the courage of the young Hungarians who became united to confront and fight the oppressors.
I hope that the spirit of the revolution lives on in the Hungarian soul and we never give up fighting for the values our ancestors had been fighting for 173 years ago.
Editor and Graphic Design: Bence Kiss; Directors of Photography: Tamás Botos, Máté Kőrösi, Zsófia Szász; Colorist: Balázs Budai; Sound engineer: Péter Terner; Production assistant: Veronika Kiss; FPV drone: Cinewhoop Hungary; Translation: Anna Klaniczay
Trianon Memorial Budapest - a delicate subject I’m happy to discuss privately The Trianon Memorial of Budapest (also known as the Memorial of National Unity or Solidarity / Nemzeti Összetartozás Emlékhelye) was inaugurated in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the treaty signed at the Grand Trianon Palace in Versailles on June 4, 1920. I’ve hesitated to write about it because it’s deeply personal for many—and it often comes up on my Communist Budapest private walking tours. This post shares my perspective and invites respectful conversation in a private tour setting. Quick context: What the Treaty of Trianon meant for Hungary After World War I, Hungary lost about two-thirds of its pre-war territory and a significant portion of its ethnic Hungarian population found themselves outside the new borders. From the early 1920s, Hungarian politics frequently pursued revision of the settlement—one of several factors that later aligned the country with the wrong side in World War II. Whether the treaty was “fair” is still passionately debated today; what’s clear is the enduring emotional impact. Where it is and what you’ll see You’ll find the memorial on Kossuth Lajos Square, directly across from the Hungarian Parliament. The design is dark and somber: a roughly 100-meter descending passage with the names of thousands of Hungarian towns and villages that were once part of the country, engraved into metal panels. It’s intentionally austere and heavy—a place of mourning rather than celebration. My take (with respect for all viewpoints) What I value: The comprehensive roll call of place-names makes history tangible. It’s powerful to recognize communities by name rather than abstract numbers. What I struggle with: The design ends in a dead end. As a guide and as a Hungarian, I believe our history is a continuum—we carry loss, but we also move forward.
Trianon Memorial Budapest – a delicate subject I’m happy to discuss privately
The Trianon Memorial of Budapest (also known as the Memorial of National Unity or Solidarity / Nemzeti Összetartozás Emlékhelye) was inaugurated in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the treaty signed at the Grand Trianon Palace in Versailles on June 4, 1920. I’ve hesitated to write about it because it’s deeply personal for many—and it often comes up on my Communist Budapest private walking tours. This post shares my perspective and invites respectful conversation in a private tour setting.
Quick context: What the Treaty of Trianon meant for Hungary
After World War I, Hungary lost about two-thirds of its pre-war territory and a significant portion of its ethnic Hungarian population found themselves outside the new borders. From the early 1920s, Hungarian politics frequently pursued revision of the settlement—one of several factors that later aligned the country with the wrong side in World War II. Whether the treaty was “fair” is still passionately debated today; what’s clear is the enduring emotional impact.
Where it is and what you’ll see
You’ll find the memorial on Kossuth Lajos Square, directly across from the Hungarian Parliament. The design is dark and somber: a roughly 100-meter descending passage with the names of thousands of Hungarian towns and villages that were once part of the country, engraved into metal panels. It’s intentionally austere and heavy—a place of mourning rather than celebration.
My take (with respect for all viewpoints)
What I value: The comprehensive roll call of place-names makes history tangible. It’s powerful to recognize communities by name rather than abstract numbers.
What I struggle with: The design ends in a dead end. As a guide and as a Hungarian, I believe our history is a continuum—we carry loss, but we also move forward. I miss a visual cue of continuity or hope. Our story did not end in 1920.
I share this not to settle the debate, but to explain why the memorial can feel emotionally closed to some visitors while profoundly validating to others.
Practical visiting tips
Location: Kossuth Lajos tér (M2 metro: Kossuth Lajos tér)
Cost: Free, open air
When to go: Early morning or at dusk for quieter reflection and softer light
Accessibility: The passage is gently sloped but still below street level; take care in wet weather
Want to unpack this topic with context and care?
This subject is complex and sensitive. On my private Communist Budapest walking tour, we create space for thoughtful questions about Trianon, interwar politics, memory culture, and how these narratives shaped the communist period and everyday life. If you’d like a respectful, nuanced discussion tailored to your interests, I’m happy to guide it.
Book a private tour
Send me your preferred date and interests, and I’ll suggest an itinerary starting from Kossuth Lajos Square or your hotel.
FAQs
Is the Trianon Memorial political? It’s a site of memory, and like many memorials, it’s read through different political and personal lenses. That’s part of why it’s controversial.
Why “Trianon” if it happened in Versailles? The treaty defining Hungary’s new borders was signed in the Grand Trianon Palace, part of the Versailles complex—hence “Treaty of Trianon.”
Is it suitable for children? Yes, with context. The design and subject matter are somber; older children often engage well with the historical discussion.
Editor and Graphic Design: Bence Kiss; Directors of Photography: Tamás Botos, Máté Kőrösi, Zsófia Szász; Colorist: Balázs Budai; Sound engineer: Péter Terner; Production assistant: Veronika Kiss; FPV drone: Cinewhoop Hungary; Translation: Anna Klaniczay
High above the Danube, on Gellért Hill, stands one of Budapest’s most poetic and quietly emotional statues: Prince Buda and Princess Pest. Unlike grand monuments celebrating power or victory, this sculpture tells a story of distance, longing, and separation. This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how the city expresses its history and identity through symbolism rather than spectacle. A love divided by the river Prince Buda and Princess Pest represent the two historic halves of the city, once separated by the Danube River. In the statue, they face each other — close enough to see one another, yet permanently apart. The story is often interpreted as a sad love tale, but it also reflects Budapest’s geography and history: two cities growing side by side, divided by water until their unification in the 19th century. Where can you find the statue? The sculpture is located on Gellért Hill, near the Garden of Philosophy, a peaceful and contemplative area overlooking the city. The setting adds to the statue’s emotional tone — quiet, reflective, and slightly removed from the bustle below. Many visitors walk past without realizing the meaning behind the figures, yet once you know the story, it’s difficult to see them as anything other than symbols of the city itself. Why this statue matters Prince Buda and Princess Pest are not historical figures, but they express something deeply real: Budapest’s identity as a city shaped by division, connection, and eventual unity. It’s a reminder that some of the city’s most meaningful statues are not the most famous ones — but those that quietly echo its soul. Explore more: This statue is part of my Statues of Budapest collection, featuring famous monuments and hidden gems across Buda and Pest.
High above the Danube, on Gellért Hill, stands one of Budapest’s most poetic and quietly emotional statues: Prince Buda and Princess Pest. Unlike grand monuments celebrating power or victory, this sculpture tells a story of distance, longing, and separation.
This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how the city expresses its history and identity through symbolism rather than spectacle.
A love divided by the river
Prince Buda and Princess Pest represent the two historic halves of the city, once separated by the Danube River. In the statue, they face each other — close enough to see one another, yet permanently apart.
The story is often interpreted as a sad love tale, but it also reflects Budapest’s geography and history: two cities growing side by side, divided by water until their unification in the 19th century.
Where can you find the statue?
The sculpture is located on Gellért Hill, near the Garden of Philosophy, a peaceful and contemplative area overlooking the city. The setting adds to the statue’s emotional tone — quiet, reflective, and slightly removed from the bustle below.
Many visitors walk past without realizing the meaning behind the figures, yet once you know the story, it’s difficult to see them as anything other than symbols of the city itself.
Why this statue matters
Prince Buda and Princess Pest are not historical figures, but they express something deeply real: Budapest’s identity as a city shaped by division, connection, and eventual unity.
It’s a reminder that some of the city’s most meaningful statues are not the most famous ones — but those that quietly echo its soul.
Explore more: This statue is part of my Statues of Budapest collection, featuring famous monuments and hidden gems across Buda and Pest.
Prince Buda and Princess Pest statue on Gellért Hill overlooking the Danube in Budapest
This time of the year I usually do some sort of summary of the most popular tours I delivered the previous year. Last year was special with mostly virtual and social distancing tours so I decided to put together a list of the tours I really would like to do more in the new year. Here comes my wish list for 2021 “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 ART NOUVEAU WALK: the most stunning Art Nouveau buildings and their mysterious secrets are to be revealed on this tour. A great option for architecture fans or first time visitors. COMMUNIST BUDAPEST WALK: I grew up in the 1980's so I can share with you a lot of stories from the Communist era which is still considered as one of the most painful periods of Hungarian history. GYOR, SOPRON AND THE ESTERHAZY PALACE IN FERTOD: three magnificent examples of the greatest Hungarian Baroque architecture, the visit of Győr, Sopron and the simply outstanding Esterhazy Palace in Fertőd. BAROQUE TOUR IN GÖDÖLLŐ AND HOLLÓKŐ BY CAR: I'm in love with Baroque style, on this tour you'll understand more about both urban and rural Baroque architecture and about the lifestyle of Hungarian everyday people and royalty from the 18th century to nowadays. Hopefully we can travel again very very soon and I can take you to the most amazing places in Budapest and Hungary you'll never forget.
This time of the year I usually do some sort of summary of the most popular tours I delivered the previous year. Last year was special with mostly virtual and social distancing tours so I decided to put together a list of the tours I really would like to do more in the new year. Here comes my wish list for 2021
“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 ART NOUVEAU WALK: the most stunning Art Nouveau buildings and their mysterious secrets are to be revealed on this tour. A great option for architecture fans or first time visitors.
COMMUNIST BUDAPEST WALK: I grew up in the 1980’s so I can share with you a lot of stories from the Communist era which is still considered as one of the most painful periods of Hungarian history.
GYOR, SOPRON AND THE ESTERHAZY PALACE IN FERTOD: three magnificent examples of the greatest Hungarian Baroque architecture, the visit of Győr, Sopron and the simply outstanding Esterhazy Palace in Fertőd.
BAROQUE TOUR IN GÖDÖLLŐ AND HOLLÓKŐ BY CAR: I’m in love with Baroque style, on this tour you’ll understand more about both urban and rural Baroque architecture and about the lifestyle of Hungarian everyday people and royalty from the 18th century to nowadays.
Hopefully we can travel again very very soon and I can take you to the most amazing places in Budapest and Hungary you’ll never forget.
On the very last day of the year after the very last virtual tour of the year I’m wishing you a very happy new year from my Beautiful Budapest. I hope all your dreams come true in 2021! #budapest #beautifulbudapest#tourguide #travelguide #virtualtour#happynewyear #BUEK#boldogujevet #2021
I've just had a look at the collection of pictures I took on Christmas Market tours the last couple of years and they literally warmed my heart. I could almost feel the taste of Kürtöskalács (Chimney cake) and the smell of mulled wine. I thought I'd share some of the pictures with you and hopefully it'll help you to get into Christmas celebration mood. Also, I hope we'll explore the Christmas markets together in 2021! Budapest Christmas Markets Private Tour Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest
I’ve just had a look at the collection of pictures I took on Christmas Market tours the last couple of years and they literally warmed my heart. I could almost feel the taste of Kürtöskalács (Chimney cake) and the smell of mulled wine. I thought I’d share some of the pictures with you and hopefully it’ll help you to get into Christmas celebration mood. Also, I hope we’ll explore the Christmas markets together in 2021!
Budapest Christmas Markets Private Tour
Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest
The golden age of the famous coffeehouses of Budapest was at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. However, we see now the renaissance of the coffeehouse and coffee culture. We try to see different coffeehouses on our foodie tours so that travellers can sample the best Hungarian coffee and cakes. Central is situated in the heart of Downtown Pest near the Elizabeth bridge. By the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century it was considered as the coffeehouse of the writers and journalists, as it was mostly frequented by those working in the neighbourhood. Writers spent days and nights in the coffeehouse writing their columns and discussing politics, economics and gossips. There is a legend of a local writer who considered Central to be his second home where he kept a bathrobe and many of his personal belongings and his pills. When you go to Central must try the Rákóczi Túrós, a great Hungarian cake with cottage cheese and meringue that goes very well with an espresso or cappuccino.
The golden age of the famous coffeehouses of Budapest was at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. However, we see now the renaissance of the coffeehouse and coffee culture. We try to see different coffeehouses on our foodie tours so that travellers can sample the best Hungarian coffee and cakes.
Central is situated in the heart of Downtown Pest near the Elizabeth bridge. By the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century it was considered as the coffeehouse of the writers and journalists, as it was mostly frequented by those working in the neighbourhood. Writers spent days and nights in the coffeehouse writing their columns and discussing politics, economics and gossips. There is a legend of a local writer who considered Central to be his second home where he kept a bathrobe and many of his personal belongings and his pills.
When you go to Central must try the Rákóczi Túrós, a great Hungarian cake with cottage cheese and meringue that goes very well with an espresso or cappuccino.
Because of the time difference most of my virtual tours these days are delivered after sunset, giving a very special atmosphere to those tours. Besides enjoying the views, learning more about Budapest and its history visitors also have the chance to explore the night scene, with all the magical lights and colours. Book a tour today to be part of an exciting fairytale!
Because of the time difference most of my virtual tours these days are delivered after sunset, giving a very special atmosphere to those tours. Besides enjoying the views, learning more about Budapest and its history visitors also have the chance to explore the night scene, with all the magical lights and colours.
Book a tour today to be part of an exciting fairytale!
Another statue with a quiet kind of magic, the Little Princess is one of Budapest’s most beloved and photographed sculptures. Perched gracefully on the railings of the Danube Promenade, she watches the river flow past with a dreamy, childlike calm. Created in 1989 by Hungarian sculptor László Marton, the bronze figure depicts a young girl wearing a playful paper crown and a simple robe. The statue was inspired by the artist’s own daughter, captured in a moment of childhood imagination as she played dress-up at home. With her knees bent and her expression lost somewhere between curiosity and wonder, the Little Princess feels both intimate and universal — a small figure with an outsized emotional presence. A small statue with a powerful setting Despite her modest size, the Little Princess sits in one of Budapest’s most iconic locations. Behind her rise the Danube, Buda Castle, and the city’s elegant skyline, creating a contrast that makes her feel even more special. People passing along the promenade often stop instinctively — to take a photo, to sit beside her, or simply to pause for a moment. She has a way of slowing the city down. A local tradition: make a wish According to local tradition, rubbing the Little Princess’s knees brings good luck. Those who believe in her magic say the key is to make a wish with a truly childlike heart. Whether you believe in wishes or not, the ritual itself is part of the statue’s charm — a small act of hope in the middle of a busy city. Why the Little Princess matters The Little Princess is more than a photo opportunity. She’s a gentle reminder of imagination, innocence, and the importance of holding on to wonder, even as we grow older. Among Budapest’s grand monuments and historic statues,
Another statue with a quiet kind of magic, the Little Princess is one of Budapest’s most beloved and photographed sculptures. Perched gracefully on the railings of the Danube Promenade, she watches the river flow past with a dreamy, childlike calm.
Created in 1989 by Hungarian sculptor László Marton, the bronze figure depicts a young girl wearing a playful paper crown and a simple robe. The statue was inspired by the artist’s own daughter, captured in a moment of childhood imagination as she played dress-up at home.
With her knees bent and her expression lost somewhere between curiosity and wonder, the Little Princess feels both intimate and universal — a small figure with an outsized emotional presence.
A small statue with a powerful setting
Despite her modest size, the Little Princess sits in one of Budapest’s most iconic locations. Behind her rise the Danube, Buda Castle, and the city’s elegant skyline, creating a contrast that makes her feel even more special.
People passing along the promenade often stop instinctively — to take a photo, to sit beside her, or simply to pause for a moment. She has a way of slowing the city down.
A local tradition: make a wish
According to local tradition, rubbing the Little Princess’s knees brings good luck. Those who believe in her magic say the key is to make a wish with a truly childlike heart.
Whether you believe in wishes or not, the ritual itself is part of the statue’s charm — a small act of hope in the middle of a busy city.
Why the Little Princess matters
The Little Princess is more than a photo opportunity. She’s a gentle reminder of imagination, innocence, and the importance of holding on to wonder, even as we grow older.
Among Budapest’s grand monuments and historic statues, she offers something rare: a quiet, heartfelt moment for anyone who chooses to notice her.
You’ll find the Little Princess near the Danube, close to the Marriott Hotel, sitting patiently on the railing — ready to listen.
Explore more: The Little Princess is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, featuring both famous monuments and easily missed gems across the city.
The Little Princess statue sitting on the railing of the Danube Promenade in Budapest
