Stay Curious: Experience Budapest From Your Living Room

Discover the Hungarian capitals key landmarks, including Heroes Square, without even leaving the house
Discover the Hungarian capital's key landmarks, including Heroes' Square, without even leaving the house | © Ilkka Uusitalo / Alamy Stock Photo
Elise Morton

Former Commissioning Editor (Eastern Europe)

As staying in becomes the new normal, Culture Trip invites you to indulge in a spot of cloud tourism. Experience the sights and sounds of a place – without even leaving your home. Next up on our virtual tour is Budapest.

Even though travel is restricted due to Covid-19, curiosity need not be curtailed. In this time of social distancing and isolation, it’s possible to travel the world through your computer screen, television and taste buds. Discovering the best of Budapest from afar includes savouring a warming, spicy goulash; delving into must-read Hungarian literature; touring Budapest’s most popular monuments from the comfort of the sofa; exploring the stunning cityscape of the Hungarian capital through cinema; and sampling the quintessential local spirit, pálinka.

Watch: ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ and ‘An American Rhapsody’

Budapest has served as the backdrop for dozens of movies, either playing itself or standing in for cities such as Moscow and Buenos Aires. Two must-watch blockbusters shot in Budapest are Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and An American Rhapsody, both of which offer a window on the Hungarian capital.
Based on a 1974 novel by John le Carré, 2011 Cold War spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy sees a retired spy, George, return to work for the British Secret Service to uncover a Soviet mole. Numerous sections of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy were filmed in Budapest, most notably a pivotal scene in the recognisable Art Deco-style Párizsi Udvar (Parisian Court) arcade.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Gary Oldman stars in ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ (2011)

Directed by award-winning Hungarian-born film director Éva Gárdos, 2001 biographical drama An American Rhapsody recounts the story of a 15-year-old girl from a Hungarian-American family who was left behind when her family fled Communist Hungary. Key landmarks visible in the film include Budapest’s celebrated Chain Bridge.

Tour: Budapest’s key landmarks

Flights may be grounded, but would-be explorers can still embark upon a virtual voyage through Budapest’s most iconic sights, thanks to a collaboration between the Hungarian Tourism Agency and local production company Instar Films. The 360° video presents Budapest’s top attractions from any number of perspectives, all controlled by the traveller-cum-viewer: cross the Chain Bridge, turning to take in vistas of the Danube River; peruse the ornate Fisherman’s Bastion; and go for a paddle at the Széchenyi Baths, admiring the Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance architecture. Pro tip: when inside the Neo-Gothic Parliament building, be sure to use the rotate function to look up at the frescoes on the ceiling.

The Danube River runs through the heart of Budapest

Read: ‘Fateless’

Get a glimpse into Budapest’s past by picking up Fateless (also sometimes known as Fatelessness, or Sorstalanság in Hungarian) by Nobel Prize-winning author Imre Kertész. This semi-autobiographical tome centres on a 14-year-old Jewish boy’s experiences at the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps, and his return to Budapest following the Second World War. The deeply moving novel, written between 1960 and 1973 and first published in 1975, follows György “Gyuri” Köves as he adapts to life in a Budapest that is almost unrecognisable from the city he used to know. A film adaptation, with screenplay by Kertész himself, was released in 2005.

‘Fateless’ is a semi-autobiographical novel by Imre Kertész

Eat: goulash

To make staying in a bit more fun, try your hand at making the ultimate Hungarian comfort food: goulash (gulyás). Although every self-respecting Hungarian chef will have their own recipe, this hearty traditional beef dish is made with onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers and, crucially, plenty of paprika. Somewhere between a soup and a stew, this staple of Hungarian cuisine has its origins on the Great Hungarian Plain, where herdsmen would cook it over a fire in a bogrács cauldron-type pan. For a vegetarian version of the dish, consider replacing the beef with butter beans or potatoes. Want to continue the culinary adventure? Check out Budapest Bites by Zsófia Mautner, a leading Hungarian food writer.

Hungarian goulash was traditionally cooked in a ‘bogrács’ pan

Drink: pálinka

Nothing goes with goulash quite like pálinka – Hungary’s near-ubiquitous fruit brandy, made from fruits including plums, cherries and apricots. With an alcohol content of anywhere between 37.5% and 86%, pálinka is no joke – and don’t be fooled by the initial sweet aroma and taste, which quickly gives way to an exhilarating burn. While pálinka is most commonly consumed as fast as possible – shot-style – Hungarian pálinka expert Gabriella Borbáth implores drinkers to take their time savouring the complex aromas and tastes of a high-quality pálinka. Before those percentage points take hold, take a minute to reflect on the fact that you’re also enjoying a piece (or glass) of living history: pálinka dates back to the Middle Ages.

Pálinka comes in a number of flavours
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article