Around this time last year, Danielle and I were hatching a plan to get out of Israel (for those who claim you need more than two weeks to explore the country *cough cough Danielle* you don’t) and fly to Greece. When our flight included a 16-hour layover in Belgrade I Facebook messaged my blogger friend Megan for tips, and she in turn tweeted her blogger friend Nate, who promptly emailed me to invite us to stay with him and Phillipa and give us a tour of Belgrade.
When I responded to let him know that unfortunately we wouldn’t be arriving until 11 pm and would have to leave the next morning he responded simply: “all the better!”
I should have known then and there that this couple is insane.
Insane in a good way, though, so when my blogger friend Kamila told me that Nate and Phillipa were now based in Budapest, you better know whom I tweeted when Dan and I headed to Hungary.
Nate, Phillipa, and I share a love for places described with words like concrete, brutalist, abandoned, Soviet and drug capital, so it seemed funny that we were meeting in Budapest. I mean, let’s not get carried away, we were still catching each other in a place once tucked behind the Iron Curtain, but you might not think so by looking at the city.
What I’m trying to say is, Budapest is beautiful. As far as looks go, Budapest rivals – and tops most of – Western Europe’s great beauties. The first time I visited Budapest I had just returned to Europe after two years in Japan, and I remember wandering around the city in awe. I had forgotten that architecture could be so pretty.
I really love that while in Budapest you don’t have to check any guidebooks for the prettiest areas or main sites (well, of course you can if you’re on top of things like that) but you can simply wander around and everything you see will be stunning. That’s a promise.
It was also quite a good thing because after being greeted by Nate and Philippa in the evening and bidding farewell to them in the early hours of the morning after endless chats about our travels through Iran, Central Asia, and the Balkans and a pretty stellar late-night deli meal, Dan and I were pretty exhausted on our second and last day in Budapest.
Lucky for us, and most visitors as, let’s face it, Budapest is a tourist favorite not just for its pretty architecture but also for its vibrant nightlife, Budapest is the perfect place to aimlessly wander through and fall in love with. Which is exactly what we did.
Forget Norway, and forget Slovakia, maybe I just need to move to Budapest?
Where to Stay in Budapest
Dan and I stayed at Wombats City Hostel Budapest, which made for the perfect base from which to explore the city. Wombats is a huge hostel and felt a lot like a luxury hotel with dorm rooms. The rooms were spotlessly clean, and I especially appreciated our 4-bed dorm’s ensuite all-white bathroom – it certainly wasn’t the typical hostel shower where you need to wear flip-flops! Check current rates and availability here
After sleeping on a dangerously rickety metal bunk at Wild Elephants the night before in Bratislava, I also was so happy to see sturdy wooden bunk beds in the dorm. I slept like a baby!
As Wombats is a very big hostel, it’s probably most ideal for groups traveling together, though the downstairs bar and common area were always full of people for solo travelers to meet as well.
What do you think the prettiest city in Europe is?
PIN IT!
Many thanks to Wombats City Hostel Budapest for hosting us during our stay in Budapest. As always, all opinions are my very own!
MissLilly says
Beautiful photos! It’s an amazing city indeed
Silvia says
It just has that magic!
Ashley says
Budapest looks so beautiful – I need to visit ASAP! I’ve seen very little of Europe, but Edinburgh is easily the prettiest city I’ve ever been to!
Silvia says
Edinburgh would be at the top of my list as well – that castle!
Megan says
it has been quite some time since ive graced budapest with my presence, but im eager to get back. fortunately i have a wedding there in july, so itll happen sooner than later. im going to try to be classier this time around.
budapest is a funny city to me- and i actually find it one you have to really see for a fair amount of time to get a feel for. so many people go there for party reasons (and rightfully so), but there is an astounding amount of history sitting in this city. and it is beautifulllll.
as for the prettiest city in europe? damn i have no idea. i guess from a picturesque standpoint, prague. but it is so touristy. mmm now im gonna ponder this one. i havent really thought about it!
Silvia says
If you had asked 10-year-old me what Europe’s prettiest city is I definitely would have said either Prague or Venice, though it seems like they’re super crowded these days. At least they deserve all the attention! I would love to properly explore Budapest someday – I definitely didn’t have the energy to this time though, ha.
Kelly says
I’m going to be in Hungary for the first time this September, and I am SO excited for Budapest. It absolutely seems like my kind of city (even though I typically avoid nightlife when I travel). It just looks so beautiful and historic.
Silvia says
Budapest is magical even if you skip the nightlife. Seriously, it’s so SO pretty!
becky hutner says
I am far from an expert on European cities but parts of Paris are stupid-beautiful and I find the Dutch row houses and arched bridges of Amsterdam so charming!
Silvia says
Amsterdam! After visiting when I was about 11 I kept telling people it was my favorite city, not understanding why they kept smiling and winking when I said it, haha. It really is so beautiful though!
Miriam of Adventurous Miriam says
You know I have to answer Aarhus to that. That’s just how it is 🙂 I like Budapest too, though, so I definitely get your excitement!
Silvia says
Haha of course! I need to make it out there!
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
I have heard a lot of great things about Budapest, but I haven’t been there so far. Your photos are absolutely stunning, Silvia, and it seems that the city is really very much worth a visit.
As a Colognian I would of course say that Cologne (Köln) is the prettiest city of Europe, but I have just been to Barcelona before heading to TBEX Europe 2015 at the Costa Brava and I absolutely loved the capital of Catalonia. Barcelona is such a beautiful place and I highly enjoyed speaking and practicing my Spanish most of the time. I will definitely get back there for a longer visit.
Silvia says
I haven’t been to Spain since I was a little girl, so I would love, LOVE to go back and visit! I’m also a fan of Köln though 🙂
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun says
I absolutely love Budapest, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world! I’d move there in a heartbeat if given the opportunity. Perhaps I’ll see you there! 😉
Silvia says
Right? I can’t imagine many nicer places to live.
Patricia says
Budapest is so close from Slovakia, but actually I have never been there. Your photos are really beautiful, I should consider visitingthis city. What did you like the most?
Silvia says
Honestly, I was a very lazy tourist in Budapest this time – I enjoyed just wandering the city and taking in all the beautiful sites!
Jenia says
We fell in love with Budapest head over heels, and immediately extended our stay from 3 days to 7. We couldn’t believe that we’ve never heard of how amazingly awesome this city is! In hindsight, I think we must have lived under a rock because the city’s charms are well known. I would love, love, love to spend more time there!
Silvia says
I really need to spend more time in Budapest as well. I couldn’t drag myself from the main attractions, because they’re just so beautiful!
Luís Pedro says
I would definetely consider Budapest as top, altough find Porto quite there too.
Silvia says
Ahh I’m dying to go to Portugal! Now that I’ll be based in Europe I’m sure I can make it happen.
Marc says
Budapest is indeed a beautiful city and I have been there several times and its time again to revisit. Those pictures are beautiful.
Silvia says
Right? It’s such a stunning city!
Steve Tierney says
We loved Budapest. Our trip : http://tierneysineurope.blogspot.com/2015_10_01_archive.html
The people make an effort to enjoy themselves after going through a lot of misery in past times
steve Tierney says
Our 72 hours in Budapest:
http://tierneysineurope.blogspot.com/2015_10_01_archive.html
Diane says
I have visited every country in Europe, not only the capitals but spent a considerable time in the countryside as well. Hungary is my all time favorite. Budapest is a stunning world class city. I also enjoyed the Lake Balaton area, the Hungarian Plains, the Bukk Mountains. The city of Eger, Szeged, Debrecen, Kecskemet and Pecs. I spent about a month exploring the country and loved every minute of it.