From its modest Celtic and Roman origins, Budapest has grown into a beautiful Old World metropolis, thanks to its enviable location on the Danube River and a dynamic local population, which currently hovers around 1.7 million.
The extremely walkable Hungarian capital is a vibrant, progressive and relatively diverse island in an otherwise rightward-tilting country, making it a popular destination for gourmets, designers, writers and artists, many of whom come here to sample — or help build — one of the best restaurant scenes in Central Europe.
New museums, galleries and spruced-up parks counterbalance the city’s classic architecture, thermal baths and other attractions, artfully blending its two halves: reserved, hilly, residential Buda, west of the Danube, and urbane, mostly level Pest, stretching out on the eastern side.
Curious about visiting Hungary? Tap the link in our bio for our full list of recommendations. Photos by @stillerakos