Cities usually remind me of books that I have read. When I think of Budapest, however, I immediately think of a film that I saw in my childhood. The scenes on the bridges over the Danube in the film “Gloomy Sunday” are particularly etched in my mind and made me long to visit Budapest one day and stand on one of those bridges. And finally we have set off on the long-awaited trip. We don't really know why it took us several years to travel to Budapest. But we are happy to have finally made it because we have found a new favorite city. Here are the most beautiful sights and our hotel tips in Hungary's capital.
- Discover Budapest: The Pearl of the Danube
- Weekend in Budapest: Sights and highlights
- Fun Facts about Budapest
- FOMO Alert – Experience Budapest
- Our first hotel recommendation: The Mystery Hotel aka “The Mysterious”
- Our second hotel recommendation – The Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa
- Romantic weekend in Budapest – Our experience
Discover Budapest: The Pearl of the Danube
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a city full of history, culture and stunning architecture. Divided by the majestic Danube River, the city offers two unique parts: Buda, with its rolling landscapes and historical sites, and Pest, known for its lively atmosphere and vibrant city life.
Weekend in Budapest: Sights and highlights
Must-see attractions definitely include the impressive Parliament building, the historic Buda Castle and the iconic Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest. The Fisherman's Bastion offers fantastic panoramic views over the city and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath invites you to relax in healing thermal waters.
Fun Facts about Budapest
Thermal springs: Budapest is often called the “City of Baths” because it has over 100 thermal springs and numerous spas – more than any other city in the world!
Metro line: The M1 metro line, also known as the “Millennium Metro”, is the oldest metro line in mainland Europe and was opened in 1896.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge: This iconic bridge was the first permanent bridge over the Danube, connecting Buda and Pest, and was completed in 1849.
Ruin Bars: Budapest is known for its unique ruin bars, which have been created in abandoned buildings and courtyards and offer a special, alternative atmosphere.
FOMO Alert – Experience Budapest
As you stroll through the charming streets of Buda, you'll see one historic building after another and one magical view after another. There's so much to see that you're afraid of missing something. Pest is bustling with life, with a variety of restaurants, bars and an exciting nightlife. Numerous thermal baths invite you to relax and unwind, while the city's exciting history and culture can be felt everywhere.
Our first hotel recommendation: The Mystery Hotel aka “The Mysterious”
We have already stayed in numerous luxurious hotels, including many design hotels, but a hotel like the Mystery Hotel We had never encountered it before. The Mystery Hotel resembles a magical fantasy theater or an open novel that fascinates you from the first few pages. As soon as we enter, it feels like we are diving into Lewis Carroll's mysterious world of Alice in Wonderland.
The long carpet at the reception, which seems to float up the wall due to an optical illusion, is reminiscent of the flying carpet from Aladdin. Our eyes wander to the numerous paintings and we are amazed when the figures suddenly come to life and move - a clever trick with screens in antique-looking picture frames. Welcome to the world of the talented interior designer Varró Zoltán, the creative mind behind the unique design concept in the Mystery Hotel.
Cultural heritage of a secret society
The stylish hotel, which opened its doors for the first time in 2019, is located in a venerable palace dating back to 1896. This historic building, once built by Hungarian Freemasons, still retains a unique mystical charm through baroque details and an aura full of legends and secrets.
Sensuality & Romance- The Secret Garden Spa
No less magical is the heart of the historic building, decorated with lush green plants, atmospheric candles and magnificent crystal chandeliers that lead the way to the Secret Garden Day Spa We wouldn't have been surprised if a white rabbit with a pocket watch had suddenly hopped past us. I love to find associations with novels and films in hotels. When I heard the name of the spa area, I immediately thought of my favorite childhood novel, "The Secret Garden." This secret garden is not just home to a few plants, but also an extraordinary spa area in baroque style with a Finnish sauna, a steam bath and a jacuzzi. The jacuzzi offers a magnificent view of the hotel's eclectic architecture.
Rooms & Suites – The Mystery Suite
The 5-star Mystery Hotel Budapest offers 82 luxurious rooms. And none of them are the same. Each room and suite is individually designed and surprises with unique details. Unexpected details are particularly humorous, such as the painting of the girl with the pearl earring, who is suddenly holding a smartphone in her hand. Or the Mona Lisa with a VIP wristband around her neck in the Mystery Suite, where we stayed. These creative and tongue-in-cheek accents give the rooms an individual touch and at the same time create a feel-good atmosphere.
Every room, studio and suite in the hotel is designed according to one of the three classic Greek column styles: Corinthian, Ionic and Doric. These ancient columns run throughout the hotel and can also be found in the other areas such as the Great Hall Restaurant, the Secret Garden Day Spa and the Sky Garden Terrace. It is as if each room wants to tell its own little story. A highlight in the Mystery Suite is definitely the freestanding bathtub.
Breakfast at Great Hall Restaurant & Lounge
Maybe you've heard of Café New York in Budapest? Ever since we saw pictures and videos of it, we've been dying to go there. But we never expected to be able to have breakfast in a room just as beautiful right in our hotel. This breakfast room is simply an Art Deco dream!
A rich breakfast buffet is served here between 7:00 and 10:30 a.m. The sweet pastries in particular are a dream. Losing weight in Budapest? Impossible with all the sweet temptations that we are only too happy to give in to.
The Sky Garden Rooftop Terrace
Another highlight at the Mystery Hotels is the impressive Skybar. Here, guests can not only enjoy a breathtaking view of the VI district of Budapest, but also order food, enjoy a drink and end the day in an atmospheric atmosphere. An outdoor jacuzzi can be reached via a spiral staircase. The Sky Garden Rooftop Terrace is definitely a little gem in Budapest. A wonderful place for relaxed evenings with friends and romantic sunsets.
Weekend in Budapest: The most beautiful & exciting sights near the Mystery Hotel
The Mystery Hotel is strategically located to explore some of Budapest's most important sights on foot. The magnificent Andrassy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a short walk away. Also nearby are the impressive St. Stephen's Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament Building, both known for their impressive architecture.
Other nearby attractions include the famous Opernhaus and Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is famous for its healing thermal springs. The Royal Palace and Castle District is within walking distance of the Mystery Hotel. Of course, we didn't want to miss the sunset at the Fischer Bastei.
Speaking of “Gloomy Sunday”: The film is set during World War II, and the melancholic atmosphere is still reflected in many parts of Budapest today. Particularly impressive are the numerous Jewish monuments that can be found in the city and remind us of this dark historical chapter. On the banks of the Danube is the famous shoe monument “Shoes on the banks of the Danube” by the artists Gyula Pauer and Can Togay. The moving memorial from 2005 commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. It consists of 60 pairs of iron shoes arranged along the banks of the Danube in Pest. The shoes symbolize the Jewish men, women and children who were shot by Arrow Cross members during World War II. Before they were murdered, they were forced to take off their shoes and look into the Danube... Today it is hard to imagine the tragedy that took place on this now completely peaceful bank.
Cafes & Restaurants nearby
There are numerous charming cafes and first-class restaurants in the area surrounding the Mystery Hotel. Whether for a leisurely breakfast, a relaxed lunch or a stylish dinner – the selection is varied and offers both Hungarian specialties and international cuisine. We like to go to the Cosy Café But the local bakeries were not safe from us either. In the evening we wanted to try the Georgian Fine Dining Restaurant Hachapuri opposite St. Stephen's Basilica and were not disappointed.
Weekend in Budapest: The most beautiful sights – Our stay at the Mystery Hotel Budapest
If we had to describe the Mystery Hotel in one word, it would be “sensual”. From the aesthetics, interior and architecture to the friendly but unobtrusive service and luxurious amenities, every aspect of the Mystery Hotel seduces the senses and invites you to dream and explore.
Our second hotel recommendation – The Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa
For us, hotels are not just a place to stay overnight, we see them as a time out in a small universe of our own. As living museums in which we can immerse ourselves, learn something new every time and recognize the vision of many people in the many carefully selected details. This is exactly the experience that our second hotel recommendation in Budapest offers: the Kozmo Hotel Suites & SpaAt the Kozmo Hotel, modern aesthetics meet historical architecture, creating an incomparable atmosphere. The sophisticated architecture and stylish interior create a harmonious balance between modern elegance and timeless, historical charm.
