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Active tourism

A Temporary Island in the Danube: A Hidden Side of Budapest

Budapest is full of famous places, but sometimes the city creates something completely unexpected. In these days, because of the extremely low level of the Danube, a large part of the riverbed has appeared at the southern end of Margaret Island, close to Margaret Bridge. From a distance, it almost looks like a new small island in the middle of the city. It is not a permanent island, of course. It is mainly made of stones, gravel and sand that normally stay underwater. But for a short period, it has become one of the most unusual places we have visited in Budapest. Why is it there? The Danube is currently at an exceptionally low level. This summer Budapest already broke its previous low-water record from 2018, and on 8 September the official gauge dropped to only 1 centimetre. On 17 September the level was around 40 cm, still well below…

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Food & Drink

Grocery Shopping in Budapest: How Much Does a Day Really Cost?

Budapest is not as cheap as it used to be, but if you know where to shop, it is still possible to live here without spending too much. For tourists or students staying for more than a few days, buying some food at the supermarket can make a big difference. Where to do your grocery shopping The cheapest and easiest options are usually Lidl, Aldi and Penny. They have good prices for basic food, fruit, vegetables, meat and ready-to-eat products. Spar is also very common, especially in the city centre, but prices can be a little higher. Some typical supermarket prices are around 400 HUF (€1.10) for one litre of milk, 570 HUF (€1.55) for bread, 1,250 HUF (€3.40) for 12 eggs, 700 HUF (€1.90) per kg for bananas and around 2,200 HUF (€6) per kg for chicken breast. For a simple breakfast, lunch and dinner bought mainly at the…

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Active tourism

Buda and Pest: Two Different Sides of Budapest

Budapest is one city, but it is actually made of two very different parts: Buda and Pest. They are separated by the Danube River and connected by several bridges. When visiting Budapest, it is interesting to spend time on both sides because they have a completely different atmosphere. Buda: hills, views and history Buda is the quieter and more panoramic side of the city. It is built on hills, so walking here can sometimes be a little tiring, but the views are definitely worth it. One of the most famous places is the Castle District, where you can find Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. This area is full of historical buildings, small streets and viewpoints over the Danube. From Fisherman’s Bastion, you can see one of the best views of Pest, especially the Hungarian Parliament on the other side of the river. It is beautiful during the day,…

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Active tourism

Fisherman’s Bastion: Budapest at Sunrise and at Night

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous places in Budapest. It is on the Buda side of the city, next to Matthias Church, and from its terraces you can see the Danube, the Parliament and a large part of Pest. It is especially popular because of the view, but the atmosphere can be completely different depending on the time you visit it. We decided to see it in two different moments: at sunrise and just after sunset. It almost felt like visiting two different places. Sunrise: quiet Budapest Visiting the Bastion early in the morning means waking up very early, but it is worth it. At sunrise, the first thing we noticed was the silence. There were only a few people around and we could walk through the arches and terraces without the big crowds that normally visit the area during the day. The light also changes everything.…

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Active tourism

The Deep Roots and Rebirth of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter

Any tourist asked about their plans for Budapest will definitely tell that they want to visit a “ruin bar.” And there is little doubt that their first step will be directed towards District VII, Erzsébetváros, which goes under another name: the Jewish Quarter. At night, these few square kilometers become one of the liveliest, chaotic, and dynamic places in all Europe to go to a party. However, during the day, the strobes disappear to unveil a district rich in history. It is a place of elegant Moorish buildings along the streets where you can see walls with bullet holes, and kosher bread shops right next to gourmet coffee roasters. But to get to know more about Budapest, one needs to peel off the layer of neon. Here begins the history of the Jewish Quarter, from its golden era to its darkest times, and its amazing comeback in modern days. The…

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Active tourism

Where Light Meets the Soul: In Search for Cinema Mystica in Budapest

Deep inside the cultural heritage of Budapest hides a place that removes all the limitations of physical reality. Situated in the very center of the city in Párisi Udvar, Cinema Mystica is no regular movie hall but a leading digital arts exhibition in Central Europe. As soon as you go through dark and heavy curtains you find yourself in a new dimension of reality that combines light, sound and sacred geometry of the material world and digital universe. Covering an enormous amount of dark rooms, this amazing experience utilizes the latest technologies to transform an environment into a living canvas that interacts with you forcing you to reconsider the limits of your body and the art itself. Sanctuary of Sacred Geometry and Digital Light The central concept of the exhibition at Cinema Mystica lies in a rather interesting idea – exploring ancient spiritual symbols, psychedelic patterns and hidden geometry of…

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Active tourism

Budapest from the Water: Local Danube Riverboat Cruise

This is one of the reasons Budapest is called “The Pearl of the Danube.” Although wandering through the winding cobblestone streets of the castle area or sitting in a ruin pub enjoying some drinks might be wonderful, there is nothing like the view of Budapest from the heart of the river, particularly at night, where the whole capital turns into a masterpiece of gold lights. However, one does not have to pay lots of money for an expensive private cruise in order to see this spectacle. The river boat line of the local transport operator BKV allows tourists to enjoy the sight of the most magnificent parliament of the world. Why the Local Riverboat is Budapest’s Best Kept Secret The majority of tourists immediately visit the tourist piers at Vigadó tér where the premium price is paid for the usual commercial cruises. But while the tours are excellent, there is…

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Active tourism

Budapest’s Great Market Hall – the Vivid Heart of Authenticity

For anyone looking to fully immerse oneself into the spirit of daily life in Budapest, the real energy and the culture of cooking in this unique city can be found in just one location. Nestled at the end of the Liberty Bridge is the stunning neogothic church of food known as the Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcarnok). Upon entering this magnificent brick structure, one is immediately greeted with the wonderful scents of smoked paprika, pastry, and meat that have been part of the Hungarian cuisine tradition for over a hundred years. This vibrant market center is not only a tourist attraction but also an alive monument of European market traditions in the modern era. A Wonder of Brick and Zsolnay Tiles The Great Market Hall was erected back in 1897, led by the renowned architect, Samu Pecz. It came as a result of dire necessity to ensure the quality of food…

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Active tourism

Open-Air Galleries: The Guide to Budapest’s Vibrant Street Art Scene

Whenever someone mentions Budapest, the first thing that pops up in their mind is the majestic neo-Gothic Parliament building, the panoramic views from Fisherman’s Bastion, or perhaps the soothing experience at the thermal baths. However, if you look closely, especially at the gigantic, stark brick walls known as tűzfalak in District VII, you will see a totally new and very colorful world. Budapest has become one of the most intriguing capital cities in Europe in terms of urban art. This is not some form of nightly graffiti; it is a large-scale process that combines rich Hungarian tradition and culture with top-notch contemporary art. From Graffiti to Grand Firewalls Just a few decades back, District VII was marked by its atmospheric, but highly neglected and bullet-ridden buildings that remained after the dark times of the 20th century. While the legendary Ruin Bars started decorating these neglected premises with vibrant nightlife, an…

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Active tourism

The Rolling Meadow in the Sky: The Architecture of Budapest’s New Ethnographic Museum

If you head into the green heart of Budapest’s City Park (Városliget), you will stumble upon an architectural marvel that looks like a giant, futuristic skateboard ramp covered in lush meadows. This is the new Museum of Ethnography (Néprajzi Múzeum). Instead of building a traditional, imposing monument that blocks the landscape, the architects did something revolutionary by designing a structure that curves gracefully into the earth, turning its entire, massive roof into a public, walkable hanging garden. This elevated urban park has quickly become a favorite sanctuary where city dwellers and travelers come to relax, walk, and experience the city from a completely fresh vantage point. A Bridge Between Nature and Culture Completed as part of the ambitious Liget Budapest Project, this award-winning building was designed by the Hungarian studio NAPUR Architect. The concept is beautifully poetic: the building is designed as two sweeping hills that meet in the center,…

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