Budapest. A city where you feel like you were born to explore… until you walk for three hours straight and everything from your knees down starts to complain. We thought: “Let’s go for two days, that’ll be enough.” Yeah, right… Enough for:
•eating way too much food, •spending money on shoes you didn’t plan to buy, •coming home with a new tattoo.
But let’s take it from the top.
DAY ONE
It all started innocently enough. A bit of walking, a few “Look at that building!” moments, “Wow, it’s so pretty here,” and after about three hours my brain sent a message to my stomach: “Honestly, if you don’t get food now, we’re going to have a problem.”😂
So we ended up at Pizzeria Circo.And let me tell you – this is not just pizza. This is the kind of pizza that ruins all other pizzas for you because from now on, you’ll be comparing every single one to this. The crust? Crispy like chips on the edge, soft as a cloud in the middle. The toppings? Rich, flavorful, cheesy… just perfection. We ate so fast the waiter probably thought we hadn’t eaten in days.
~Oh, and the view? Absolutely gorgeous.😍
Stuffed and happy, we stepped outside and – oh look – a tattoo studio. Not just any studio, but one with a big sign saying: “Walk-ins welcome.” Budapest, this is a dangerous invitation.😅 One look was enough, and I was inside. 🙈Thirty minutes later, I walked out with a brand-new tattoo. Pain? Barely there. Price? €62.50. Memory? Priceless.🥹
Next stop Liberty Square.
A beautiful park with a little pub in the middle, perfect for grabbing a drink and just sitting under the trees pretending you’re a local.
Then off to Kossuth Lajos Square the kind of place that takes your breath away the moment you see the Parliament. It’s huge, packed with crazy details, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, a statue or the surrounding park catches your eye. It feels like stepping into a historical movie – only with a few more tourists and phones in the air.
Evening? Instant Fogas– the kind of club where your legs give up, but in a good way. The energy was insane, everyone in full party mode. We came back to the hotel late and, of course, ordered Wolt delivery. Because is it even a proper holiday if you don’t end the night eating in bed?😃
DAY TWO
We started the day at Cafe Brunch Budapest – Opera.
I went for American pancakes with Nutella (soft, fluffy, sweet, perfect). He had a warm egg sandwich. 😋Ruby – our little observer – just sat there, supervising every bite like she was on quality control duty.
After breakfast, Fashion Street. Beautiful, tidy… dangerous. When you see Half Price, you know your wallet is in trouble. I walked out with new Reebok sneakers, he got DC shoes. Sales are a trap, I tell you.
Then a lady stopped me: “Thai massage?” Brain: “No, Anja, you don’t need this.” 😂 Heart: “Why not?” 🙈 Half an hour for €30. Yes, I expected a bit more, but hey – I left more relaxed than I came in.
We checked out some of the city’s famous sights: Little Princess Statue (tiny but adorable), Dohány Street Synagogue (huge), Hungarian State Opera (pure elegance), and St. Stephen’s Basilica (photogenic from every angle).
•While walking around, we found a charming street bookstore on a cart with red wheels. The shelves were full of books, with Budapest travel guides up front – a little literary treasure right in the street.
•While exploring, we often stopped in front of buildings that weren’t just architecturally beautiful but also had painted façades. Some were covered in tiny details, while others had full artistic murals – like an open-air gallery, only without the entrance fee.
•Kutyás lány– the bronze statue of a girl and her dog. The girl leans toward her furry friend, who proudly holds a ball in his mouth as if waiting for her to throw it.
And then… yes, back to Pizzeria Circo. When something’s that good, you go twice.
Our hotel was exactly that – clean, comfy, and quiet enough that we shamelessly took a two-hour afternoon nap.💤
In the evening, we went for a drink on a boat bar on the Danube. Lit-up bridges, glowing buildings, a drink in hand… It had that cinematic vibe where you half expect someone to start playing smooth jazz in the background.
GOODBYE AND TAKEAWAYS
In the morning we packed our bags and headed back to Slovenia. Budapest, in just two days, gave us so much food, laughter, spontaneous decisions, and those little moments you’d never do at home – but you’re so glad you did.
To sum it up: • Go to Pizzeria Circo, • Watch out for Half Price stores, • Tattoos? Why not, • Boat bars are a must, • And never underestimate the power of late-night hotel bed food.