A Weekend in Budapest

28 May

It was time for my trip to Hungary and one of those places that’s taken prime place on the “travel destinations” list for some time; Budapest.

History, character, delicious food and most importantly, cheap beer. It’s clear to see why Budapest is one of the most visited cities in Europe. As if there weren’t enough reasons to visit, this trip also gave me the opportunity to test out my latest photography purchase, the Ricoh GR3.

Like many weekend travellers, it’s really quite handy to pack light and to save cost, avoiding checked baggage. After lugging around 15kg of equipment around the world for the last year, I was ready to give my nerves (and shoulders) a rest, and instead, ventured out with the tiny pocket rocket that is the wildly popular GR3.

I couldn’t think of a better place to try it out . Staying in the Jewish Quarter, we were immediately surrounded by character. Without a doubt, it’s a dream for any street photographer. No doubt that at this time of year, it’s chilly. But it’s actually one of my favourite times of year. We were blessed with clear blue skies and low winter sun - which helpfully, leads to many cool scenes composed of harsh shadows and leading lines.

The streets were a vibrant mix of Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau style architecture, intermingled with scenes of wonderful modern street art and graffiti.

My personal highlights included:

Szimpla Kert - The first on the list is the fabulous ruin bar Szimpla Kert. Hosting food, markets, and a chilled or raucous(depending on day and time) spot for drinks in the city. Head there during the day in the week for a relaxing stroll around the building and its two floors.

Fishermans Bastion - One of the best known monuments of Budapest, located next to Buda Castle. If you’ve seen Budapest on social media, the chances are you’ve seen the stairs to the Fishermans Bastion. It has one of the best views over the Danube and the Pest side of the city.

Central Market - An indoor market where tourist meets local. You can buy anything from Paprika (a staple of Hungary cuisine), meat, fruit & veg, clothing, or souvenirs. But you don’t need to buy anything to enjoy this place. It’s a wonderful building to simply walk around and to watch the world go by.

The Streets - This might sound a little silly, but I find that sometimes it’s almost more enjoyable not to have a destination at all. Instead, try stumbling around the streets aimlessly and let the universe decide where you end up (within reason). I almost always have my favourite experiences this way. I happen upon moments you probably would never find online. It’s simply an activity of wandering and observing.