Gozsdu Courtyard is full of pubs and cool bars in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. This place has a very nice, laid back atmosphere, it's actually a long series of courtyards that are connected to each other. Gozsdu comes alive at night, my favorite Tapas Bar, Vicky Barcelona is also located here.

If you visit Budapest, don't miss the chance and check out the night life in the pubs and also discover the ruin pubs that are so trendy and popular nowadays. The idea of creating these pubs were coming from the fact that there are a lot of abandoned places in the capital, now these were transformed into low-key clubs that we call today ruin pubs. We can count over 200 such places in the Hungarian capital. You can find these pubs all over the city, but most of them are located in the Jewish Quarter.  I visited Füge Udvar, it got its name from the fig tree, that's standing right in the middle of the pub, it definitely gives a certain Mediterranean feeling to the whole place. I enjoyed my Aperol Spitz, not to mention that these clubs are normally cheap. Check out the best ruin pubs here: http://ruinpubs.com/index.php Do not expect luxury, but friendly, retro atmosphere and huge parties. 

Jews have been present in Hungary since the 13th century. The Jewish quarter is located in the city center. The Great Synagogue is the second largest in the world and it includes the Jewish Museum, the Heroes' Temple, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and the Jewish Cemetery as well.

Honestly I was so lost in the Jewish quarter first, but as soon as you've found the Great Synagogue, you are at the right place to discover unique street art. Just follow the Wesselényi street right behind the Synagogue, both sides you will see street names like Kazinczy, Klauzál, Akácfa, Rumbach Sebestény and Király, these street art works can be found all around that area. The firewalls would be looking so sad without all the creative, fun paintings, that make the streets more colorful and full of life.

The Sissi and the Rubik cube paintings are my absolute favorite ones.

Continue on Rumbach utca and take a right onto Király utca, which is full of pubs, bars and here is the entrance of the Gozsdu Coutryard. Go inside and stand a few moments here, feel the energy of this unique wall painting.

If you would like to read more about street art works all around the city, please let me know and I'll make another piece on that. Come and see Budapest from a different side! It's definitely worth it! XoXo

Yesterday I organized a going out evening with friends. Living in this gorgeous city, I have my favorite places already, but I feel like there is always something new to discover. I chose two places I've never been before:

The first one is a Ham Bar. Lovely Italian atmosphere, cozy, rustic decor, wide selection of wine.

I love everything that has a connection to Italy. The gastrobar is known as a ham bar, get the meat and ham plates from different countries. They help you to choose the ideal wine for your meal. If you love ham and cheese, it's the perfect place for you in the city.

Our second choice was the Doblo wine bar, where you can try even bio wine and different selections from small vineries. With my friends we enjoyed a bottle of excellent Kreinbacher Champagne accompanied with assorted ham and cheese plate.

The place has a cool atmosphere, when I was visiting it, they had live music, which made the bar even more friendly and cool. I would definitely go back. Highly recommended!

Both places are located in the center. I enjoyed this evening in my beautiful city. Hope you found this post useful! Enjoy your stay!
XoXo

My last sight in the City Park is the Zoo. Did you know that this Zoo is one of the oldest in the world? It's actually over 150 years old. Among the first animals there was a giraffe, that was donated by Queen Elizabeth, Sissi to the zoo. The place itself suffered big damages during the WV II, when it got bombed and the rest of the animals were eaten by the starving people of Budapest during the siege.

Shocking but true story: in the Millennial year even black people were presented in the zoo on temporary basis. I've found out that they were living their everyday life, circumstances were created for them just like in Africa. They were advertised as "One piece of Africa in Europe". 100 yeas ago it was normal showing different nations in the Zoo, it was a common practice all around Europe.

Walking in the Zoo, I discovered a little, peaceful garden, the Japanese Garden, it's like a piece of Zen in the city. Take your time and observe the Bonsai and other beauties. I was also fascinated by the Butterfly House, really colorful and fun place.

It's a magnificent place. You will recognize some unique architectural style buildings like the animal houses, including the Elephant House, look at the details, the design is inspired by Hungarian folk art and also got African and Indian influence. The cupola is Zsolnay tiled, it's covered with the beautiful eosin. In the tower there is a panorama look out. The Elephant House won the Europa Nostra Award for its successful reconstruction.

There is a wide selection of animals. If you travel with children or your just want to spend a few peaceful moments, check out the Zoo! It's a truly unique place in the heart of the City Park.

Let's have a closer look to the Vajdahunyad Castle, it's one of my favorite places in the park. It's also among those buildings that were built for the Millennium Exhibition with the purpose of showing Hungary's thousand year-long history. It's surrounded by an artificial lake. The original building was made of cardboard and wood, but then people loved it so much that it was rebuilt from stone and bricks. The building group consists of 21 different architectural styles from famous historical building in the Carpathian Basin. These are mainly copies in reduced size. The castle got its name from the the front part, that is a copy of the Transylvanian Vajdahunyad Castle.

It's pretty amazing to see the Ják Chapel in a small version, but looking exactly like the original one.

Then you might recognize the gothic style buildings right at the entrance including the Hunyadi Courtyard.

The Baroque palace reminds us the epoch of Maria Theresa, introducing some pieces from such buildings like the Sissi Castle in Gödöllő. Today in this wing the Agricultural Museum is welcoming its visitors, they organize many great seasonal events and festivals, like the orchid show in spring, or the wine festival. I always attend the Furmint February, which is a wine tasting event and it takes place here every year.

Walk behind the Baroque wing and you will see these beauties there. Can you believe that this is still the Vajdahunyad Castle, only from a bit different angle?

If you are looking for a romantic place for a walk, discover the castle. Inside the castle it's also possible to organize wedding or other events here, the wing right next to the chapel is a stunning event room, the Ják Chapel is romantic choice for wedding ceremony.

Are you visiting Budapest anytime soon? Or you just like reading about this beautiful city? As a local girl and a tour guide to be, I'm sharing with you some interesting stories and useful information on my favorite Budapest sights. FINA World Championship is around the corner, one of its locations will be the City Park. Let's start with this area and its hidden beauties.

It's one of the largest parks in Europe that was open to the public for relaxation purposes. Walking in this huge park, I can hardly believe that it used to be a swamp before.

In the Middle Ages this site was called Oxmeadow, because cattle of oxen grazed on the field. Due to the natural fauna, it was also a perfect hunting place. Finally the area was drained and got transformed into an English style park only in the 18th century. In the 19th century that park has provided shelter for the inhabitants during the great floods. The face of the park was shaped mainly by the Millennium Exhibition in 1896, which took place here, leaving many attractions behind. Like the Vajdahunyad Castle, the other attraction I'm introducing you in the next chapter. Today locals love this place, there many playgrounds, restaurants and cafes here. It will be an important location for the FINA World Championship.

While walking in the Zoo area, you will find a very interesting little bridge, it's a historical bridge, because the Millennium Underground (M1) used to get on the surface right here, that was the original route, however it got changed during the past and now the world's first little tram is taking you all the way to the Mexican street, which is it's last stop today. Still it's so interesting to see one piece of history. Did you know that the very first passenger on M1 was the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph?

Hungary is extremely rich in thermal water, Budapest is "the world's spa capital" , some of the baths had already been operating during the Turkish occupation (16th-17th centuries). There are important thermal sources under the City Park, that made is possible to open one of the largest bath complexes in Europe. The first spa was opened in the 19th century, than it got expanded during the past. The building itself had ups and downs, since it got really neglected during the WVII and the Communist era, fungi was everywhere and statues were broken. Today it belongs to the most elegant baths in Hungary. The entrance hall is richly decorated with Miksa Roth mosaic works and you can see statues and ague motifs as well.

If you are seeking for relaxation, try the Széchenyi Palm House, it's like an oasis with beautiful exotic plants, glass covered roof top, where you can even enjoy sunbathing. The entrance ticket does not include the Palm House entrance, that way this area is more quiet. Summer – party time. Széchenyi Bath can not be an exception either! This place is famous for it's summer night spa parties on Saturdays. You can book your ticket here: http://szechenyispabaths.com/sparties

Hope you found this article useful, enjoy your stay in Budapest! Xoxo