Olga Tcypkina
Budapest Online Tour
If, for any reason, we can’t meet for an in-person tour — don’t worry! I’ve prepared a special online tour of Budapest, so you can explore the city at your own pace, with me as your guide.
You'll discover the must-see sights, hidden gems, local tips, and fascinating stories — all from the comfort of your home or while walking the city with your phone in hand.
You'll discover the must-see sights, hidden gems, local tips, and fascinating stories — all from the comfort of your home or while walking the city with your phone in hand.
You probably already know that Budapest is made up of two parts: Buda and Pest. Telling where you are is easy: Buda is always hilly, Pest is flat as a pancake.
So, take a quick look around — any climbing involved? If not, congrats: you’re in Pest!
Technically, Budapest is made of three cities: Buda, Pest, and Óbuda (“Old Buda”). They only merged in 1873, so in 2023 we celebrated the city's 150th birthday. Which makes Budapest — by European standards — basically a teenager.
So, take a quick look around — any climbing involved? If not, congrats: you’re in Pest!
Technically, Budapest is made of three cities: Buda, Pest, and Óbuda (“Old Buda”). They only merged in 1873, so in 2023 we celebrated the city's 150th birthday. Which makes Budapest — by European standards — basically a teenager.
- Fővám tér
- Central Market Hall
- Liberty Bridge
That beautiful brick building with the colorful tiled roof? That’s the Central Market Hall — the very first covered market in the city, built for Hungary’s millennium celebration in 1896 (1,000 years since the Hungarians settled here).
It was quite the technical innovation for its time. A small canal connected the Danube directly to the market basement, so goods could arrive by boat. And down in the cellars, ice blocks cut from the frozen Danube were used to keep food cold year-round — essentially, Budapest’s first industrial fridge!
Step inside — it’s just as beautiful on the inside. Plus, it’s a great way to see (and smell!) what locals eat, and to pick up some tasty souvenirs to take home.
And don’t miss the name of the small restaurant upstairs, right above the main entrance. I won’t spoil it with a photo, but I promise it’s not rude — though it might make you blush!
Spoiler: Fa means “wooden” and kanál means “spoon” — so yes, it’s called “Wooden Spoon,” not... what you thought 😄
They also serve a pretty good goulash, by the way.
Step inside — it’s just as beautiful on the inside. Plus, it’s a great way to see (and smell!) what locals eat, and to pick up some tasty souvenirs to take home.
And don’t miss the name of the small restaurant upstairs, right above the main entrance. I won’t spoil it with a photo, but I promise it’s not rude — though it might make you blush!
Spoiler: Fa means “wooden” and kanál means “spoon” — so yes, it’s called “Wooden Spoon,” not... what you thought 😄
They also serve a pretty good goulash, by the way.
- Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd)
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Across the Bridge — and into Buda!
All right, we’ve explored the Central Market — time to cross the Danube and head into Buda via the Liberty Bridge.
This elegant green bridge was also built in 1896 for the millennium celebration. Originally, it was named after Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, who personally attended the opening ceremony. You can still spot the original name carved into the small watchman’s booth on the left side of the bridge entrance.
The name Liberty Bridge came much later — after World War II, in honor of Budapest’s liberation from Nazi occupation.
Pro tip: Walk on the right-hand side in the direction of Buda. There’s a hidden surprise waiting there.
On one of the tiny lookout balconies, you’ll find a miniature statue of Emperor Franz Joseph sitting in a boat!
It’s the work of Mihály Kolodko, a Ukrainian-born Hungarian sculptor who moved to Budapest from Transcarpathia. He creates official public monuments — and unofficial mini-statues hidden around the city just for fun. There are more than 20 of them now, each with its own backstory.
This one reminds us of the bridge’s original name.
Once you cross the bridge, congrats — you’re in Buda!
This elegant green bridge was also built in 1896 for the millennium celebration. Originally, it was named after Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, who personally attended the opening ceremony. You can still spot the original name carved into the small watchman’s booth on the left side of the bridge entrance.
The name Liberty Bridge came much later — after World War II, in honor of Budapest’s liberation from Nazi occupation.
Pro tip: Walk on the right-hand side in the direction of Buda. There’s a hidden surprise waiting there.
On one of the tiny lookout balconies, you’ll find a miniature statue of Emperor Franz Joseph sitting in a boat!
It’s the work of Mihály Kolodko, a Ukrainian-born Hungarian sculptor who moved to Budapest from Transcarpathia. He creates official public monuments — and unofficial mini-statues hidden around the city just for fun. There are more than 20 of them now, each with its own backstory.
This one reminds us of the bridge’s original name.
Once you cross the bridge, congrats — you’re in Buda!
Head toward the tram stop near the famous Gellért Hotel. The stop is called Szent Gellért tér – Műegyetem. You’re looking for tram 19 or 41.
Hop on — we’ll ride along the river to the stop Várkert Bazár, just two stops away. There you’ll find a royal summer garden in the Italian style.
Hop on — we’ll ride along the river to the stop Várkert Bazár, just two stops away. There you’ll find a royal summer garden in the Italian style.
Szent Gellért tér – Műegyetem tram stop
Szent Gellért tér – Műegyetem tram stop
