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I had low expectations for Budapest. While I knew Hungary wasn’t part of the Soviet Union, I always just kind of clumped it with that part of the world. Think lots of concrete, grayness, and an abundance of sad looking buildings. Man oh man, I don’t think I’ve ever judged a place so wrong in my life. To be honest, Budapest is one of my new favorite cities in Europe and I keep telling everyone that they must visit the city! Erase my Soviet visions and imagine a city with wide streets and old buildings that remind you of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Viennese architecture infused with the Turkish influence makes for an absolutely stunning city!
Turkish baths. So relaxing!
Beautiful bridge connecting Buda and Pest.
I love me. I love you.
Budapest has a really fascinating history! Buda and Pest were actually separate cities divided by the Danube River. Buda had a German majority and Pest had a Hungarian majority. The first bridge connected these two cities in 1849 and the two cities joined together to form Budapest in 1873. Overtime, the Hungarian majority dominated the German influence in the city.
Wine bottles are clearly more important than Buda Castle in the background. Side note: Getting to Buda Castle was such a hassle! There was so much construction going on around the base of Buda (Buda is located on a hill) and it took forever to find a way up. Hopefully the construction isn’t going on long-term. I wish I had planned better and taken public transportation to the top of the hill.
Sándor Palace is the official residence and office of the Hungarian President. Above is the changing of the guards at the palace.
Pest from Buda Castle
Buda Castle
The Pest side and the Danube River.
The sun finally decided to come out around mid-afternoon. Bye bye rain!
Matthias Church. Look at the gorgeous roof? I could photograph it for days and days!
Fisherman’s Bastion. Fun fact: I’m kind of obsessed with the “Amazing Race” and this was a pit-stop during the sixth season of the show.
Buda and Pest from high above on Fisherman’s Bastion.
Pretty Hungarian Parliament Building from Fisherman’s Bastion!
Fisherman’s Bastion
Exploring the beautiful streets of Buda. Oh my goodness, I could live up here! Look at those colors!!!
If you’ve never visited Budapest, book your trip ASAP. In 2013, Conde Naste Traveler named Budapest the 2nd best city in the world. Furthermore, Budapest has been named the 7th most idyllic place to live in all of Europe and the 9th most beautiful city in the entire world.
The wall around Buda provides such a lovely walking path.
Changing of the Guard in Budapest from Jordan Wagner on Vimeo.
I can’t begin to explain how much I love Budapest and I’m already counting down until I can visit the city again! Have you been to Budapest before? What did you most enjoy? As always, let me know if you have any questions about any of the photos! Look out for my post on Pest in the next few days :)
Who Goes Wear says
October 5, 2014 at 11:37 amBudapest is at the top of my list of places to visit – I’ve heard such amazing things, and this post cements that for me! I’ll have to try to get there soon :)
– Nichole
WhoGoesWear.com
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:47 amIf you don’t know what to do on your way to SE Asia, definitely stop by Budapest! :) Miss you xoxoxo
bevchen says
October 6, 2014 at 4:02 amI’ve never been to Budapest. It looks gorgeous! And such blue skies – you always seem to get the best weather ;-)
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:47 amI do seem to get really lucky with my weather, don’t I? I don’t know if you can tell from the pictures…but it was actually raining on and off for a few hours. I didn’t realize until I took a bunch of pictures that there was a raindrop on my lens so some of my pictures have a nice watermark ;)
Margo says
October 6, 2014 at 5:07 ambeautiful! no, I haven’t been to Budapest yet but it sure is high on my list! (PS how cute are you in all of these pictures?) safe travels home!
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:45 amhahaha, you’re the sweetest :) You need to add Budapest to your list…you’d love all the colors and the photography is pretty amazing there!
Alexandra @ Team Starnes says
October 7, 2014 at 6:54 amAlright! You sold me! Done and done! :)
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:45 amYou need to add it to your list! Budapest is seriously amazing! :)
Annie Montgomery says
October 7, 2014 at 6:43 pmmy oh my! Buda, you’ve got it goin on! I love all the colors.
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:44 amAnnie, you would’ve LOVED it! I could see us lounging at the thermal spas and drinking yummy drinks all day ;)
Mandi | No Apathy Allowed says
October 12, 2014 at 4:26 amI attended a week-long summer school in Budapest a few years ago and LOVED it! The temperatures were stifling, but the ruin bars were the perfect antidote. The only thing I didn’t get to see that I really wanted to was the massive Soviet sculpture park that’s a bit on the edges of the city. Thanks for sharing!
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:44 amAhhh, I didn’t even hear about a Soviet sculpture park…sounds really cool! Seriously want to get back to Budapest soon!!!
Steven Glassman says
October 13, 2014 at 6:28 pmGreat pictures, and I agree with you- Budapest was absolutely amazing. Not at all what I expected.
Jordan Beck Wagner says
October 23, 2014 at 7:41 amThanks so much! I know, Budapest was just an amazing place!