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 equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy is at the Parliament building. He was a great politician and statesman, one of the key figures preparing the Compromise that created the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1867.
We were finally very lucky to enjoy a lovely spring weekend with great weather and a lot of sunshine. Yes, our borders are still closed and we have absolutely no idea when travellers can visit our Beautiful Budapest, so here is a short video of the Heroes square – City Park area to get a little taste of the Budapest spring.
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!
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.
Another statue with a magical power, meet our Little Princess! She’s sitting near the Danube River at the Marriott hotel. She’s the one who can make all your wishes come true. Just stand in front of her, put your hands on her knees, close your eyes and make a wish!
Vác is a cute little town on the left bank of the Danube, it’s some 25 minutes drive from Budapest. The visit of Vác can be included in a customised Danube Bend day trip. It’s such a beautiful Baroque jewellery box, I strongly recommend a short visit. We had been fortunate to tour Vác with my travellers before the borders of Hungary got closed again on the 1st of September.
The mummified remains of 265 people were found in 1994 in the crypt of the Dominican church, they had been laid to rest in hand painted, wooden coffins in the 18th and 19th centuries. The bodies didn’t decompose but were mummified naturally because of the favourable air conditions and dry settings.
The findings were extraordinary and not only because it’s a veritable gold mine for ethnographers about 18th century Hungarian everyday life and funeral traditions. It’s also a fantastic source for medical researches, a large number of tests have been performed by scientists on the mummified remains related to tuberculosis, HIV researches and they could also confirm C section had been performed as early as in the 18th century in Hungary.
The coffins are simply beautiful, all colourful, all hand-painted, all prepared with a lot of care, it’s very much like the fascinating celebration of life and death in a small Vác museum.
I’m a huge admirer of the Hungarian Art Nouveau movement and I’m more than proud to show travellers around the magnificent Budapest Art Nouveau buildings. For me, the home of György Ráth, first director of the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts is a veritable jewellery box, both the building and the artworks and furnitures on display are unique.
The villa was originally Ráth’s family home and was furnished with pieces of his private collection, today it houses the permanent exhibition “Art Nouveau – a Hungarian Perspective”. Every room is different, the furnitures and pieces of art were selected and put on display with such a unique care and taste, it’s like visiting an elderly family member where every single item is authentic and they all tell you a different story.
When you visit the museum, don’t forget to take a walk along Városligeti fasor, where you can admire fascinating Art Nouveau villa buildings.
The cute little cable car has been transporting millions of passengers from the Chain Bridge to the top of the Castle hill (or the other way) since its opening in 1870. You might have seen it appearing in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, too.
Originally it was operated by steam and was destroyed in WW2. Since its reconstruction it’s been an electric cable car.
My insider tip: if you want to avoid long lines, don’t take it to go to the top but take it to descend to the Chain Bridge from the Royal Palace.
