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!
To understand how much locals love the Széchenyi Baths, it’s enough to know that we even have a nickname for it: “Szecska.” Opened in 1913, Széchenyi is not only one of Budapest’s most famous bathhouses, but also the largest thermal bath complex in Hungary.
With a total of 18 indoor and outdoor pools, Széchenyi is a must-see for anyone interested in Budapest’s unique bathing culture.
The Széchenyi Baths are housed in one of the city’s most richly decorated buildings. Its architecture blends Neo-Renaissance and Classicist elements, creating a grand yet playful atmosphere that reflects the joy of bathing.
Don’t miss the main foyer, where statues, frescoes, and mosaics are all dedicated to themes of water, healing, and bathing culture — a beautiful introduction to Hungary’s long spa tradition.
One of Széchenyi’s greatest attractions is its large outdoor thermal pools, which are open all year round.
Summer: lively, social, and energetic — perfect if you don’t mind crowds
Winter: surprisingly peaceful and atmospheric, with warm thermal water surrounded by steam and snow
Personally, I recommend visiting Széchenyi in winter, when the contrast between cold air and hot water creates an unforgettable experience.
Széchenyi is an essential stop on my Baths of Budapest walking tour, where I introduce visitors to the city’s most important bathhouses while explaining:
Hungarian bathing traditions
how locals use the baths today
architectural and historical background
practical tips for visiting
A guided visit helps turn a busy bath complex into a meaningful cultural experience.
For up-to-date details on ticket prices and opening hours, it’s best to check official sources before your visit, as these may change seasonally.
We had the most exciting tour today about the Hungarian Samizdat press. I had the privilege to work with Kö
zgazdasági Politechnikum in this great project: Building Democratic Europe Together – http://budet.poli.hu/
My tour’s focus was the illegal, uncensored production, publishing and distribution of books and articles which couldn’t have been published in the Communist regime. It was all about conspiracy, clandestine operations and about how the state and state security tried to liquidate the entire movement, but more importantly my tour was about the desire to exercise free speech and free press, essential pillars of our new democracy.
It was great to see the enthusiasm of both students and teachers and I’m very proud to have been part of it.
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.
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.
Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year from the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest.
The truly amazing atmosphere of Budapest during the Christmas holidays, all the beautiful lights, gold and glitter of the city I love so much.
I’m the extremely proud winner of Travel and Hospitality Awards’ Private Tour Company – of the Year 2018 in Hungary. This is an award I appreciate a lot and it’s also a great feedback showing that my guests are happy with my services as their private Budapest tour guide. It’s time to celebrate!
Budapest is beautiful day and night, surprisingly it’s like a totally different town when darkness falls. I enjoy very much walking around Beautiful Budapest when one can enjoy its amazing lights especially looking at them from the Buda hills or from near the Danube River.
We decided to celebrate the National Day by hiking around the beautiful Buda hills. We hoped to enjoy some splendid view over Budapest from the top of the Elisabeth tower but couldn’t wait until the fog eventually lifted. It was a beautiful day shared with many other hikers who visited the area despite the sad weather.
I’m starting a new series to introduce you the most famous statues of Budapest and some of the hidden gems, too. These are the beautiful monuments of Budapest we usually see on our walking or driving tours in Buda and Pest.
The statues and the WW1 exhibit are near the Royal Garden Bazaar at the Danube River. I very often say that we know so much about WW2 but very little about WW1, this exhibit shows everything you need to know about the Great War which also defined the rest of the 20th century.
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:
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.
Few visitors realise that the Buda caves in Budapest form an extensive underground labyrinth, revealing a hidden, quieter side of the city beneath the hills.
One of the things I love most about guiding in Budapest is when travellers ask for something different—experiences that go beyond the classic sightseeing routes. On one such occasion, our curiosity led us underground, into the fascinating cave system hidden beneath the Buda Hills.
We visited Pálvölgyi Cave, the longest cave in Budapest and one of its most surprising natural treasures. The guided visit lasts around 60 minutes and takes you through a labyrinth of passages filled with spectacular stone formations. Along the way, you’ll see delicate dripstones, dramatic shapes sculpted over thousands of years, and even the fossilized imprints of ancient seashells—silent reminders that this area was once underwater.
Beyond its geological wonders, the caves have another very practical appeal: the temperature remains a constant 11°C (52°F) all year round. That makes it a wonderfully cool escape during Budapest’s hot summers and a surprisingly comfortable option in winter, when the caves feel almost warm compared to the chilly streets above.
Exploring the Buda caves is not part of standard city tours—but it can be a memorable addition to a custom-designed Budapest experience. For travellers who enjoy nature, light adventure, or simply seeing a lesser-known side of the city, going underground offers a completely different perspective on Budapest.
Perched high above the Danube on Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion is one of Budapest’s most iconic and enchanting landmarks. With its fairytale-like towers, sweeping terraces, and breathtaking views over the Pest side of the city, it’s a place that leaves a lasting impression on first-time visitors and returning travellers alike.
Despite its castle-like appearance, Fisherman’s Bastion was never built for defense. Constructed between 1895 and 1902, it replaced part of the medieval town walls of Buda and was designed as a panoramic lookout terrace. Its Neo-Romanesque style was chosen to complement the neighbouring Matthias Church, creating one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the city.
The Bastion features seven ornate towers, symbolizing the seven Hungarian tribes who settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896 — a key moment in Hungarian history.
The name comes from the guild of fishermen who, in the Middle Ages, were responsible for defending this section of the city walls. Today, instead of guarding Budapest, the Bastion offers one of the best viewpoints in the city — especially towards the Hungarian Parliament Building across the river.
From the terraces, you’ll enjoy a stunning panorama of:
the Danube River
the Pest skyline
Margaret Island
the Parliament building
bridges stretching across the city
It’s beautiful at any time of day, but the atmosphere changes constantly with the light, weather, and seasons — which is why I never get tired of visiting it.
Upper terrace: Part of the Bastion requires a small entrance fee, and I highly recommend going up — the view is worth it. Tickets can be bought on-site or online.
Best time to visit: Early morning is the quietest and most magical, especially if you love photography.
Accessibility: Easy to reach on foot within the Buda Castle District, or as part of a guided walk or driving tour.
Fisherman’s Bastion is a highlight of my Buda Castle Walk, where I share not only the history, but also the hidden details, legends, and best photo angles. It can also be included in my private Budapest city tours by car, making it an effortless and memorable stop.
If you’re visiting Budapest for the first time, Fisherman’s Bastion is truly a must-see — not just for the views, but for the atmosphere, history, and sense of timeless beauty it offers.
Budapest chairlift autumn experiences are at their most beautiful when the forests of the Buda Hills glow with warm seasonal colours.
Autumn is one of my favourite seasons in Budapest, especially when a custom tour takes us slightly away from the city centre and closer to nature. Chairlifting to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower on top of St. John’s Hill is always a memorable experience — but in fall, it becomes truly magical.
As the chairlift gently carries you above the forest of Budapest, the city slowly fades away and is replaced by layers of gold, rust, and deep green. The ride itself is calm and almost meditative, making it ideal for travellers who enjoy slower moments and unique perspectives.
At the top, the reward is more than worth it. From the lookout tower, you can enjoy panoramic views over Budapest, stretching across Buda, Pest, and the winding Danube. On clear autumn days, the light is softer, the air is crisp, and the city feels wonderfully peaceful from above.
This experience is especially popular with nature lovers, photographers, and guests looking for something a little different from classic sightseeing. It fits beautifully into a customised Budapest tour, combining fresh air, gentle walking, and one of the best viewpoints in the city.
Sometimes, the most memorable moments in Budapest happen when we slow down, rise above the city, and simply enjoy the view.
