Budapest stole the show. I arrived at the hostel just in time for a fröccs (Hungarian wine spritzer) drinking event, which set the tone perfectly. The city has this incredible energy - part historic grandeur, part ruin bar chaos.
I spent a day wandering the Buda side - taking the Castle Hill Funicular up to the Castle District, visiting the National Gallery, stopping for apple pie at Ruszwurm (which has been around since 1827), and taking in the views from Fisherman’s Bastion. The Pest side had its own magic - the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Opera House. A fantastic dinner at Kispiac Bistro with wine and a cocktail at Boutiq Bar capped off one of the best days of the trip.
The Gellért Thermal Baths were exactly what my body needed after weeks of walking and cold weather. Budapest also has an impressive coffee scene - Espresso Embassy, Kontakt, Kompact - and the ruin bars (Szimpla and Instant) were unlike anything I’d experienced. I left feeling like Budapest was one of Europe’s best kept secrets, and I’d happily come back.