This place is quirky in the good way…(is there a bad way?)

💭 First Impressions

I’ll start with this: it’s weirdly hard to find Hungarian wine. 🍷
And if you’re not a wine nerd, you’re probably thinking — so what?
Well, here’s the thing. After the wars, farmland went to food, not grapes. Add in that Hungarians really love their wine, and there’s barely 5% left for the rest of the world. Their loss, my gain — because wow. It’s really, really good.

Budapest hooked me right away. Okay, not immediately — the outskirts were pretty basic, kind of gray and practical. But once we hit the city center, it flipped. The place is flat-out charming and a bit quirky.

The city is literally two halves: Buda on one side, Pest on the other, with the Danube running right through like a movie set. 🎥 It’s walkable, fun, dramatic at night, and surprisingly affordable for Europe. The people are warm, and the whole place feels proud — a bit scarred from history, but standing tall.

The castle is the star everyone talks about — “12th century!” they say — but really, it’s been rebuilt twice (1890s and post-WWI). It looks old, but it’s more “Disney-old” than “real-old.” 🏰 Still beautiful, just not ancient.

And the ruin pubs? Absolute genius. Szimpla Kert is the one you want — a bombed-out WWII building turned into a multi-level, neon-lit, organized chaos of bars and live music. 🎶🍻 It’s weird, gritty, and wonderful. Don’t skip it.

Oh — and that weird UFO photo below? 👀 Not aliens. Just birds flying through spotlights on a government building. Still cool though.

We capped it off with a countryside wine tour — from sleek wineries to a 70-year-old guy pouring his homemade vino out of a barrel in his cave. Unreal. 🍇 Budapest easily lands in my personal top five.

🏨 Where We Stayed

Aurea Ana Palace Hotel — right in the center, classy without being stuffy. Great people, fantastic breakfast, solid bar wine, and a spa that ranks in my all-time top ten. 💆‍♂️ All that, and the price was shockingly good. If you stay here, book a massage. Trust me.

⚡ Buzz Factor

Budapest dresses up beautifully at night. 🌉 Both sides of the river glow — bridges lit like jewelry, reflections shimmering off the Danube. The city isn’t loud about how pretty it is; it just is.

There’s history everywhere: WWII, uprisings, memorials. You feel the courage of this place — rebellion and resilience baked into the walls. 💪
And between that, endless bars, cafes, and places to get lost.

If you like cities with a story and a pulse, this one’s for you.

More fun than they look ( if that’s possible)

🎒 Things to Do

🚲 E-Bike Tour → The must-do. The city is split and full of hills, so trust me — pedal assist is your friend. We rode all over, crossed the river, climbed hills, laughed when one battery died (they swapped it fast). Best way to get the lay of the land.

🍷 Wine Tour → Just 30 minutes outside the city — three wineries, snacks, dinner, laughter, and scenery that could make Tuscany jealous. Do it.

🍺 Szimpla Kert (Ruin Bar) → Controlled chaos in the best way. Music, art, cheap drinks, great people watching. Skip the line and make a reservation if you can — or grab a beer from a side bar and soak in the madness.

🏰 The Castle → Pretty, sure — but not as ancient as you’d hope. Still, the views are worth it.

Ruins Bar- hard to get a good pic, well, because it wasn’t our first bar.

🚋 Getting Around

We used the hotel shuttle coming in, but honestly, the 100E Airport Express Bus 🚌 is all you need — cheap, frequent, and drops you downtown.

Once you’re there, walk, tram, or metro. It’s all clean and efficient. Buda is hilly, Pest is flat — plan your day accordingly. 👟
And bring comfy shoes, because the streets will pull you in.

🍽️ The Bite Test

We ate a lot. These two places stood out:

🥩 Bestia → Right by the Basilica. Good food, buzzy vibe, excellent beer, great steak. Not cheap, but worth it.

🍦 Gelarto Rosa → The ice cream place everyone Instagrams, and for good reason. They sculpt your cone into a rose 🌹, and somehow the gelato tastes as good as it looks. I don’t care if it’s touristy — go.

💬 Final Take

Budapest surprised me — beautiful but grounded, fancy yet friendly. It’s a city that feels both lived-in and special. Great wine, warm people, and just the right amount of weird. Em’s Dad is from Hungary, so it held a special meaning for us to go- I’d go back tomorrow.

Budapest- A Top Pocket Find