I sold my soul to Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, the city I fell in love with 6 years ago. It was during my 100 cities in a year adventure, and I arrived in the middle of a hot summer . Nothing could change my mind, though – the moment I laid eyes on the stunning Chain Bridge, I was smitten for life

Budapest is a marvelous city – it always exceeds my expectations! The people are so warm, and the atmosphere is incredibly romantic. I met (what I thought was) the love of my life here and learned a priceless lesson. I can honestly say I sold my soul to Budapest for a dime

Just an hour and a half flight from Eindhoven with the flying Hungarian, Wizz Air (did I mention how much I love a low-cost flight? ). Not even €100 for a round-trip ticket, and a cozy, super affordable apartment in the heart of Buda – complete with a kitchen and the cutest balcony.

The weather was absolutely perfect – summer vibes with the sun shining bright . Ideal for taking my friends on a little tourist adventure around the city.

Took my friends to the stunning Parliament House , and the vast, well-maintained space outside was the perfect spot to relax and take in the view. From there, you can see the beautiful Chain Bridge right in front of you, and the majestic Buda Castle in the distance. I absolutely love watching the guard change – it's so cute and funny every time!

Climbed up about 600 meters towards the Presidential Palace, and the view was absolutely breathtaking . I would literally kill for a view like this – it was worth every step

A quick duck walk from Buda Castle (Presidential Palace) takes you to another stunning castle – Fisherman’s Bastion built in the Middle Ages. If you walk down the stairs, you’ll find the old fisherman’s quarters, a real-life fairytale castle . Right behind it stands the spectacular Matthias Church . Last year, everything was still free to visit, but now there's an admission fee. Still, totally worth it for that view!

The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a powerful memorial in Budapest, honoring the victims who were shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944-45. Erected on April 16, 2005, on the east bank of the river, it commemorates the Jews who were killed by fascist militiamen during WWII. The victims were ordered to remove their shoes before being shot at the water’s edge, so their bodies would fall into the river and be carried away. The shoes left behind on the bank are a heart-wrenching reminder of this tragic history. A really sad, but important story to remember.😪

After a full day of playing tourists, we decided to bring the crew back to our cozy apartment for some red Merlot , snacks, and a little chill time. We kicked back to some music, soaking in the moment and enjoying some quality bonding time as classy girls.

Right after a delicious homemade Indonesian dinner (huge thanks to Maria, our amazing chef , we hopped on the tram to check out Hero Square and the National Museum. We even passed the stunning St. Stephen’s Basilica, which is always such a sight to see!

Hero’s Square is one of the most iconic spots in Budapest, honoring important Hungarian national leaders. It’s been a key location for many significant events in Hungarian history, but honestly, I’m just here for the stunning statues! I’m not really interested in the political side – just soaking in the beauty and the vibe of the place.

We took a little walk over to Vajdahunyad Castle, and oh my dear lord, I felt like a kid again! I’ve been here a few times, but never at night – it looked so Disney-ish, like something straight out of a fairy tale! I couldn’t help but wish my prince was here to share the magic..

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajdahunyad_Castle

I was standing in front of this massive structure, and I felt so small, so tiny... yet there was this overwhelming sense of harmony, peace, and the weight of history. It was such an incredible experience. Oh, Budapest, you make it so hard to dislike you. I’ve been to the mountains, crossed oceans, and lost myself in countless amazing cities, but I keep coming back to you. I found love in Budapest and lost it many years later, but my love for you has never wavered. You’ve got my heart, Budapest – you never fail to make me smile.

Thank you for always being so kind to me, Budapest. From all the places I’ve visited, you’ll always have my heart and soul. 💖 You’ll forever hold a special place in my memories

Budapest , to end the beautiful September

Next trip : Zurich Switzerland .