That’s a Hungarian saying, that’s probably how Hungarians try to find some comfort when they can’t see the sun for weeks. Budapest really is beautiful all year around but it shows most of its splendor in the sun.
Walking along Andrássy Avenue feels like stepping back into the golden age of Budapest. Lined with elegant 19th-century villas and grand palaces, this iconic boulevard tells the story of a city at the height of its confidence, wealth, and ambition.
Originally, these buildings were constructed as single-family homes for aristocrats, industrialists, and influential figures of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many of them were designed by the same architects, which gives Andrássy Avenue its remarkably harmonious appearance. Behind the ornate façades lie stories of old wealth, social life, and a refined urban lifestyle that shaped modern Budapest.
Today, Andrássy Avenue is not only one of the city’s most beautiful streets but also a key part of any Budapest sightseeing experience. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it connects the city centre with Heroes’ Square and showcases some of Budapest’s finest architecture, cultural institutions, and historic residences along the way.
Exploring Andrássy Avenue is about more than admiring façades—it’s about understanding the people who lived here and the era they represented. I’m always happy to include this walk in my private, customised Budapest tours, sharing the hidden details and personal stories that bring these elegant buildings to life.
My favorite part of the year Budapest is getting more colorful and beautiful ever day. This is cherry blossom in the Buda Castle District. Come and see for yourself!
Working as a tour guide I often get the question whether I find my job boring, doing the same thing every day. Well, no. First of all, I spend all my time in Budapest, my favorite city, the place I lived all my life and I’m the most proud of. And of course I meet so many different people, you, my travellers make sure that every tour, every moment is unique and special.
Have a look at some of my favorite Instagram pictures from last year to see how many different shapes of Budapest I’m fortunate to see every single day.
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.
- EGER AND WINE TOUR BY CAR: we love our wines and we love our wine countries, Eger, the postcard-like Baroque little town is famous for the Bull’s Blood, the great Hungarian red wine.
Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year from the top of the Buda Castle district!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays from beautiful Budapest!
Take a look at how Budapest looks like now, all white and snowy. It’s such a special period of the year, as unfortunately we’re getting less and less snow every year. Come and see for yourself!
Budapest Christmas markets transform the city each winter into a festive wonderland filled with lights, seasonal flavours, and local traditions.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of travellers vote for their favourite Christmas markets across Europe. In 2018, one of Budapest’s most beloved festive spots received an exceptional honour: the Advent Feast at St. Stephen’s Basilica was voted the second best Christmas market in Europe by European Best Destinations.
Anyone who has visited this market will immediately understand why it ranked so highly. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Basilica, the atmosphere is unmistakably festive. The market focuses on what Budapest does best at Christmas: comforting seasonal food and drinks, beautifully crafted local handicrafts, and a warm, welcoming ambiance in the heart of the city.
One of the highlights is the spectacular video mapping show projected onto the main façade of St. Stephen’s Basilica after dark. The illuminated visuals transform the square into a magical winter scene and make this market especially memorable in the evening hours.
And of course, no visit would be complete without sampling traditional treats. Be sure to try a cup of local hot wine and freshly baked chimney cake (kürtőskalács)—arguably the most irresistible flavours of Budapest’s Christmas markets.
If you’re walking along Andrássy Avenue, one of the most elegant boulevards of Budapest, you might notice a sphinx statue quietly guarding the entrance of the Hungarian State Opera House. At first glance, she looks familiar — mysterious, timeless, and watchful.
But take a closer look, and you’ll realise there’s something unusual about her.
This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which focuses on both famous monuments and easily overlooked details hidden in plain sight.
Not a typical sphinx
Traditionally, a sphinx is depicted with the head of a woman and the body of a lion. The Budapest sphinx follows this classical form — almost.
If you stop and observe carefully, you’ll notice an unexpected detail: she has breasts, making her far more explicitly feminine than most sphinx representations. This subtle feature sets her apart and gives the statue a distinctive presence.
It’s one of those details many people walk past every day without noticing, yet once seen, it’s impossible to forget.
Why is she here?
The sphinx fits perfectly into the artistic world of the Opera House. She embodies mystery, guardianship, and elegance — qualities closely associated with music, performance, and the dramatic arts.
Placed at the entrance, she feels less like a decoration and more like a silent gatekeeper, watching over one of Budapest’s most important cultural institutions.
A reminder to look closer
The sphinx of Andrássy Avenue is a perfect example of why Budapest rewards attentive visitors. You don’t need grand monuments or dramatic viewpoints — sometimes, the most interesting stories are carved into details just above eye level.
All you have to do is stop, look up, and notice.
Explore more: The Sphinx statue is featured in my Statues of Budapest collection, where famous monuments and easily overlooked details reveal the deeper structure of the city.
The Buda Castle Funicular is one of those Budapest experiences that is both practical and charming — a short ride that connects the banks of the Danube with the historic heights of Castle Hill.
Since its opening in 1870, this small but iconic cable car has carried millions of passengers between the Chain Bridgeand the Royal Palace above. In just a few seconds, it offers sweeping views over the Danube and Pest, making the journey itself part of the sightseeing.
A bit of history
The Funicular was originally powered by steam and played an important role in everyday city life, helping residents and workers reach Castle Hill quickly. During the Second World War, it was almost completely destroyed.
When it was rebuilt decades later, it returned as an electric cable car, carefully designed to reflect its historic appearance while meeting modern standards. Today, it’s both a nostalgic landmark and a fully functioning part of Budapest’s transport system.
Film lovers may also recognise it from The Grand Budapest Hotel, where it appears briefly — a small but delightful cinematic connection.
How to include it in your visit
The Funicular is a lovely addition to a walk around Buda Castle, whether you’re exploring on your own or joining a Buda Castle Walking Tour, where it can be included as an optional extra depending on interest and timing.
It’s also a great standalone experience if you’re short on time but still want a memorable view.
An insider tip from a local guide
If you’d like to avoid long queues, don’t take the Funicular up to Castle Hill. Instead, walk up and use it for the descent, travelling from the Royal Palace down to the Chain Bridge. Lines are usually shorter — and the view is just as beautiful.
Among Budapest’s lesser-known statues, the monument to Julianus and Gerhardus stands out not for its size, but for the remarkable story it represents.
This sculpture is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which looks beyond famous monuments to uncover the ideas and journeys that shaped Hungarian identity.
Who were Julianus and Gerhardus?
Julianus and Gerhardus were Hungarian Dominican monks who, in the 13th century, set out on an extraordinary journey eastward. Their mission was to find Magna Hungaria — the ancestral territories where Hungarians were believed to have lived before beginning their long migration toward Europe.
Travelling thousands of kilometers, they reached regions near the Ural Mountains, documenting encounters with people believed to be related to the early Hungarians. At a time when travel was slow, dangerous, and uncertain, their journey was an astonishing feat of endurance and curiosity.
Why does this statue matter?
Unlike statues commemorating kings or battles, this monument celebrates knowledge, exploration, and cultural memory. Julianus and Gerhardus represent a desire to understand origins — to look backward in order to understand the present.
Their story reminds us that Hungarian history is not confined to the Carpathian Basin alone, but stretches far beyond it, across continents and centuries.
A quiet monument with a wide horizon
This statue is easy to overlook, yet it commemorates one of the most ambitious intellectual journeys of medieval Hungary. It invites reflection rather than admiration — and rewards those who pause to read its story.
In a city filled with grand architecture and dramatic monuments, Julianus and Gerhardus quietly point our attention outward, toward distant lands and deep historical roots.
Explore more: Julianus and Gerhardus are part of my Statues of Budapest collection, featuring famous monuments and overlooked sculptures that reveal the city’s layered identity.
St Stephen’s mummified hand hides one of the most unusual and powerful Budapest stories, preserved for over a thousand years inside St Stephen’s Basilica.
Hidden inside St. Stephen’s Basilica, behind gilded doors and soft candlelight, you’ll find one of Hungary’s most extraordinary and deeply symbolic treasures: the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, Hungary’s first Christian king.
Who was St. Stephen?
St. Stephen (István király) was crowned in the year 1000 and became the founder of the Hungarian state and its Christian identity. His reign marked a turning point: Hungary officially joined Christian Europe, laying the foundations of the country we know today.
After his death, Stephen was revered as a saint — but the story of his right hand is anything but ordinary.
How did the mummified hand survive in Budapest?
Legend has it that when St. Stephen’s body was exhumed prior to his canonisation, his right hand and forearm were found miraculously preserved, while the rest of his body had decayed. This was interpreted as a divine sign.
The relic became known as the “Holy Right” (Szent Jobb) and, over the centuries, it travelled far beyond Hungary’s borders — hidden, stolen, rediscovered, and finally returned home.
Today, it rests in a dedicated chapel inside the Basilica, displayed in a richly decorated reliquary and illuminated like a jewel.
Seeing the Holy Right Hand of St Stephen today
Visitors to St. Stephen’s Basilica can still see the mummified hand up close. It’s not just a religious relic — it’s a powerful symbol of Hungarian history, identity, and continuity.
Even for non-religious visitors, the experience is striking. The silence, the atmosphere, and the sheer unexpectedness of seeing a thousand-year-old hand preserved in such detail often leave a lasting impression.
Visiting with a guide makes all the difference
The Basilica is included in many of my Budapest walking and driving tours, and the interior visit — including the Holy Right — is also possible. When you see the relic with a guide, the story behind it comes alive: the legends, the politics, and the very human history behind the saint.
Want to see it in person?
If you’d like to include St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Holy Right in your Budapest experience — whether on foot or by car — feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to tailor a tour that matches your interests and pace.
The reason why I love family researches a lot, is because it’s always a great experience to do the research and to find out more about my travellers’ relatives and family who were originally from Hungary. The other reason is that we usually go to beautiful Hungarian villages and towns to see where and how the family members lived 100 or 200 years ago.
Last week we visited the town of Kalocsa which isn’t just another cute little Hungarian town but it’s also famous for the local paprika. We went to see the local Paprika Museum to find out more about the most popular Hungarian spice.
Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Dob utca in Budapest, near the lively Gozsdu Courtyard, stands a moving and quietly powerful monument: the Carl Lutz Memorial. It commemorates one of the most extraordinary humanitarian efforts in Budapest during the Second World War.
This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how public monuments reflect the city’s most difficult — and most meaningful — chapters.
Who was Carl Lutz?
Carl Lutz served as Vice-Consul of the Swiss Embassy in Budapest during the German occupation. Between 1942 and 1945, he used his diplomatic position, ingenuity, and moral courage to save tens of thousands of Hungarian Jewsfrom deportation and death.
By issuing protective documents, establishing safe houses, and repeatedly defying Nazi and Arrow Cross authorities, Lutz became one of the most effective rescuers in Holocaust history.
The meaning of the memorial
The Carl Lutz Memorial does not overwhelm with size or drama. Instead, it invites reflection. Placed in the heart of what was once the Jewish ghetto, its location is as important as the statue itself.
Here, remembrance is woven directly into everyday life — a reminder that courage and humanity existed even in the darkest moments of the city’s past.
Why this statue matters today
In a neighborhood now known for cafés, bars, and cultural life, the Carl Lutz Memorial anchors the Jewish Quarter in its historical reality. It asks visitors to pause, remember, and understand that the stories of survival here are real, personal, and recent.
This memorial often becomes one of the most meaningful stops on my Jewish Quarter walk, where we explore not only architecture and everyday life, but also the human stories behind the streets.
Explore more: The Carl Lutz Memorial is part of my Statues of Budapest collection, featuring monuments that reveal the city’s layered and often complex history.
Thank you dear travellers for booking your Budapest and Hungary tours with me and thank you for the great memories!
Szentendre is a little postcard village, one of the three villages we visit on the Danube Bend tour. It’s a very short drive from Budapest and is equally popular among tourists and locals.
This weekend was very special, the entire village was beautifully lit up for the Light Festival. A truly amazing end-of-the-summer wonderland.
Standing quietly in the heart of the Buda Castle District, near Matthias Church, the Holy Trinity Monument is one of Budapest’s most meaningful historical memorials. Rich in symbolism and emotion, it tells a story of survival, faith, and gratitude.
This monument is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how public sculptures reflect the city’s deepest historical experiences.
A monument born from survival
The Holy Trinity Monument was erected in the early 18th century by survivors of the Black Plague, one of the most devastating epidemics in European history. After enduring unimaginable loss, those who lived wanted to give thanks — and to commemorate both survival and remembrance in a lasting form.
Plague columns like this one can be found across Central Europe, but the Budapest monument stands out for its location and artistic richness.
Symbolism carved in stone
At the center of the monument rises the Holy Trinity, surrounded by saints traditionally associated with protection against plague. Every figure and detail reflects fear, hope, and faith — emotions deeply felt by those who commissioned it.
Rather than celebrating victory or power, the monument speaks quietly of vulnerability and gratitude, reminding visitors how fragile life once was, and how deeply survival was valued.
Why the Holy Trinity Monument matters
Today, the monument blends almost seamlessly into the postcard-perfect surroundings of Buda Castle. Yet behind its beauty lies a powerful reminder of a time when faith and community were often the only sources of comfort.
It invites reflection — not only on Budapest’s past, but on resilience, memory, and the human need to give thanks after hardship.
Explore more: The Holy Trinity Monument is part of my Statues of Budapest collection, featuring monuments that reveal the city’s layered history, from playful street sculptures to deeply symbolic memorials.
If you are planning a day trip from Budapest, the Danube Bend is one of the most rewarding regions to explore — and the Upper Castle of Visegrád (Citadel) is without question one of its highlights.
The Danube Bend tour is one of my most popular private tours, as it combines three very different villages along the Danube River, each with its own character, history, and atmosphere. Among them, Visegrád stands out for its dramatic hilltop fortress and breathtaking panoramic views.
A Fortress Born After Invasion
Visegrád is best known for two historic sites: the Royal Palace and the Upper Castle, both part of a vast system of fortifications built in the 13th century. These defenses were constructed after the devastating Mongol invasion, when Hungary began reinforcing strategically important locations throughout the kingdom.
Perched high above the river, the Upper Castle was designed not only for defense, but also as a safe refuge. According to historical sources, its construction was financed by the wife of King Béla IV, and the site originally served as a place of protection and seclusion.
What You Can See Today
Today, visitors can walk among the impressive remains of the thick stone walls and towers, gaining a real sense of medieval military architecture. The climb up to the citadel is rewarded generously: from the top, the view over the Danube Bend is one of the most iconic panoramas in Hungary.
On a clear day, you can see the river making its dramatic curve between forested hills, with small towns and villages dotting the landscape below. It is an ideal spot for photography — and one of my favorite places to pause during a private tour.
Why Visit the Upper Castle of Visegrád?
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One of the best panoramic viewpoints in Hungary
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A key site for understanding medieval Hungarian history
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Perfectly combined with nearby towns on a Danube Bend day trip
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Easily accessible from Budapest, yet surrounded by nature
Visiting Visegrád on a Private Tour
The Upper Castle of Visegrád fits beautifully into a full-day Danube Bend itinerary. Visiting with a private guide allows you to move at your own pace, avoid unnecessary crowds, and understand the historical context behind what you are seeing — not just admire the view.
If you are interested in exploring Visegrád together with other highlights of the Danube Bend, this stop is an essential and unforgettable part of the journey.
