Budapest Travel Blog
Local tips for your trip to Budapest and Hungary. Want me to show you in person? See my tours.
15 Fascinating Facts About the Hungarian Parliament Building
Everyone photographs the Hungarian Parliament, but few people know its stories. These are the facts I tell my own guests: bullet holes from a 1912 shooting, the 365 towers, and yes, the Freddie Mercury legend.
The Shoes on the Danube: Budapest's Most Emotional Memorial
Just north of Parliament, sixty pairs of iron shoes stand at the edge of the Danube. They mark where Jewish men, women and children were shot into the river in the winter of 1944. This is their story, and how to visit.
Famous Hungarians You Didn't Know Were Hungarian
Houdini was Hungarian. So was the man who invented the ballpoint pen, and the one behind the Rubik's Cube. Here are the stories of famous people you didn't know came from Hungary.
Why Queen Sisi Holds a Special Place in Hungarian Hearts
Sisi was Empress of Austria, but Hungary was where she felt at home. She learned the language, wore Hungarian fabric to her coronation, and gave her coronation gift to the veterans of 1848. Here's why Hungarians still love her.
Hungarian Superstitions: A Local Guide
Hungarian superstitions aren't museum pieces. Plenty of people here still follow them without thinking. These are the ones you're likely to notice in Budapest, and what they mean.
The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Hungary: A Local Guide's Picks (2026)
Paprika, pálinka, Tokaji, embroidery, porcelain and a few small gifts that are easy to pack. What to buy in Hungary, where to find it in Budapest, and what to leave on the shelf.
Things Hungarians Do That Confuse Tourists (Part 1)
After more than ten years of guiding in Budapest, I see the same moments of confusion again and again. Here are ten things Hungarians do that surprise tourists, explained by someone who does all of them.