Budapest is a magical city in eastern Europe. The Hungarian capital amazes us every time we visit it, it’s so beautiful! Budapest is easily one of our favourite cities in Europe. The architecture is stunning, the thermal baths are the best and the ruin bars are really unique and fun. It’s easy to stay in Budapest for a longer time, but in 2 days in Budapest, you are able to cover a lot of the city! We created an ultimate Budapest itinerary so you can fully enjoy this city. This guide includes our best Budapest travel tips.
From their controversial media law to their discriminatory anti-gay constitution and crippling national debt, Hungary is often in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. As a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans tourist you may have doubts about visiting a country where it’s perfectly legal to discriminate against a person based purely on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, as a gay man who lived in gay Budapest for just over a year with my partner, I experienced less homophobia than in more ‘accepting’ countries such as my native Scotland.
I’ll be honest, if you plan your holidays based purely on whether or not your chosen destination has a good gay scene, you might as well just give Budapest a miss. However, if you love beautiful architecture, history, culture and are a glutton for good food then I strongly recommend you give Budapest a try.
Cradled by the undulating curves of the Danube, the Hungarian capital has changed beyond recognition over the past decade. The city carries a heavy history of occupations, sieges, conflicts, revolutions and uprisings. But today it’s one of the most desirable European destinations for young people studying, working and holidaying. Here’s our guide to 48 hours in gay Budapest.
When you’re in town for a few days, there’s really no time to waste in getting to know the city. Companies like Underguide offer a variety of tours that can act as crash courses on various different aspects of the city’s history and culture. They tailor-make tours to fit all different tastes and interests, on themes like communism, art nouveau, Jewish culture and cakes.
My lovely tour guide Orsi versed me in Budapest’s complex history and its visible relics around the city. For example, the first bridge over the Danube built in 1849, named after István Széchenyi [above]; the 96m tall Basilica [below] built in 1905, where St Stephen’s mummified hand lies.