*Taylor and I standing in our 8th country together: Hungary!*

I swear I’ll remember this trip forever—if not, I’ve left breadcrumbs (aka blog posts) all over the internet so future me can piece it together! I met Taylor back in 2011 when we were both stuck on the opposite sides of New Zealand—funny, since our Colorado roots are literally polar opposites. From day one, we bonded over spontaneous detours, a “glass-half-full” mindset, and loads of laughter (with a few sad tears thrown in). Together we’ve hopped between New Zealand, Greece, Turkey, Guatemala, Mexico, the U.S., Germany—and our latest escape? Budapest, Hungary! During my Berlin visit (where Taylor and her family spent a year), we snagged a ridiculously cheap flight and claimed 48 glorious hours for just the two of us. Welcome to our epic Girls’ Weekend—Budapest edition! Here’s to capturing every second of its magic (and maybe forgetting nothing).

Gee, Wizz! Is this Place For Real?!

Deciding where to jet off for a girls’ weekend in Europe is like standing in front of a freezer bursting with ice cream at the grocery store—so. many. choices. You want them all at once, right? But Wizz Air came through like magic with jaw‑droppingly cheap roundtrip fares. Since neither of us had ever set foot in Hungary’s sparkly capital, we shrugged and thought, “Why the hell not?”

We took off from Berlin bright and early, hurled across Europe’s skies, and touched down in Budapest about 90 minutes later. No fuss, no drama. From baggage claim, we hopped on the 100E airport shuttle and zoomed straight into the heart of Pest. As soon as the bus rolled into town, the city’s jaw-dropping architecture and that electric cultural vibe smacked us in the face—and we were officially in love.

We ditched the Airbnb check-in line and instantly hit the pavement. Our first move: sauntering across the vibrant emerald-hued Liberty Bridge. With the Danube splitting Buda and Pest like a place-divider, we chose adventure over coin tosses and headed up to the leafy hills of Buda first. Strolling, chatting, pausing for photos—and repeating. That loop carried us until late afternoon, when we finally flopped into our digs.

But rest? Hardly. Our evening agenda: streaming The Bachelor (because duh), sipping local wines, taste-testing Hungary’s snack scene, and spilling our guts about life’s twists and turns. Ah yes, girls’ trips: the perfect recipe for chaos, connection—and total rejuvenation.

Cheap WizzAir flights from Berlin to Budapest: 40 Euro to be exact! Thank you, WizzAir

Yellow Zebra Bike Tour

The following morning, we hopped on bikes (along with a few other globe-trotting souls) for a Yellow Zebra tour of Buda and Pest—snagging one of their last November rides before the season wrapped! Our local guide gave us the reassurance we needed (because yes, I worried—helmets? Bicycle traffic?): Budapest is surprisingly bike-friendly, with wide, well-marked lanes—plus, most locals get around this way.

We cruised across the Elizabeth Bridge onto the Buda side of the Danube and pedaled toward Castle Hill. Buda instantly felt like "history with a side of charm": whimsical cobbled lanes, terraced gardens, twisting alleyways, and that unmistakable hillside vibe. Meanwhile, Pest—across the river—buzzed with a different, more urban energy.

The climb to Buda Castle wasn’t easy (our bikes didn’t have gears!), but we made it. First stop? Ruszwurm Confectionery, the oldest pastry shop in Budapest (open since 1827!), tucked right in the Castle District. Inside, the preserved Biedermeier interior transported us back in time—cherry‑wood counters, marble tables, and eye‑catching cake displays. We devoured krémes and Dobos torta as fuel—and fuel clearly works because we powered on.

The Castle Quarter wowed us—from Gothic churches to colorful tiled roofs and sweeping views over both Buda and Pest. The medieval Buda Castle itself, perched majestically atop the hill, felt like a once-in-a-lifetime sight. We learned it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, with its current form restored after WWII—a symbol of resilience and renewal.

Beginning the Yellow Zebra bike tour by making the crossing over the Danube via the Elizabeth Bridge

Touring the Pest Side

Next, our guide led us back down the hill, through bumpy cobblestone streets (where, yes, Taylor took out her phone to document the journey and survived a crash while going over an unexpected speed bump), and over to yet another prominent bridge to cross. This time, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge which features detailed stone lion statues at the bridgeheads.

Pest, the bustling eastern side of Budapest, offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modernity. After a brief stop at St. Stephen’s Basilica, we rounded our next corner coming face to face with the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building. Up close it is truly an architectural masterpiece stretching along the Danube River. With its stunning neo-Gothic design, we learned that the Parliament is not only an iconic symbol of Hungary but also one of the largest legislative buildings in Europe. It is a welcoming area where one can stroll along the riverbanks, enjoying picturesque views, lively cafes, shops, and the bustling atmosphere of the city. We quickly realized, Pest’s charm lies in its ability to blend historical significance with contemporary urban life. The best of both worlds!

*The Hungarian Parliament Building dominates the Pest side of the Danube river with its neo-gothic spires, gargoyles and an impressive dome*

*St. Stephen's Basilica, in Budapest, is a remarkable neoclassical church completed in 1905. Named after Hungary's first king, it features a 96-meter dome with panoramic city views*

The Shoes On the Danube Bank

Our final stop on our Yellow Zebra tour was a sobering one, but one we were prepared for having read about it prior to visiting. Along the Danube Bank is a poignant memorial that pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust who lost their lives during World War II. This striking installation features 60 pairs of iron shoes cast along the riverbank, symbolizing the footwear left behind by those who were tragically executed by the river's edge. As they were shot into the Danube, their shoes serve as a harrowing reminder of the brutal history and the lives lost. Tears filled our eyes as we reflected on the cruelty of the past as well as realizing the importance of remembering and educating to prevent such horrors from occurring again. It was truly a moment that has stayed with me, and will stay with me for years to come.

Hungry in Hungary

We had worked up a major appetite biking around Buda and Pest all morning so we were ready for more Hungarian cuisine. Lángos was the one must-try Hungarian dish that we were really looking forward to tasting. Lángos, or famous Hungarian street food, is a flatbread dough deep-fried and served with a variety of topping options (usually onions, ham, cheeses, sausage, sour cream). We found a busy and highly rated Langos joint and ordered. Wow. The flavor was absolutely out of this world delicious. I will be dreaming about that meal for a long time to come. It is Hungarian comfort food to a T.

When in Hungary, you gotta Soak In one of the Baths

Taylor and I took a short but very lively bus ride northeast of the city to the Széchenyi Baths. These specific baths had been on my bucket list since 2011 after being captivated by the look of the colorful buildings and inviting mineral pools. Nestled in City Park, these grand thermal baths boast beautiful Neo-Baroque architecture (in a bright daffodil-yellow color) and happen to be one of the largest spa complexes in all of Europe. We arrived at dusk, and immediately plunged into one of the outdoor pools while holding our water bottles filled with white wine. A perfect trifecta of wine, water, and history equaled total relaxation in this stunning setting. After our outdoor soaking and chit-chatting was complete, we explored the wraparound yellow building where we excitedly discovered so much more - steam rooms, saunas, and a handful of more mineral pools. Impressive!

*The Széchenyi Baths, featuring ornate yellow façades, large thermal pools, and decorative statues that evoke a sense of history and relaxation all in one place*

Final Morning…what is left to do, see, EAT?!

Rounding off our visit in Budapest, we made one last final stop on our must-see list: The Central Market Hall. This red-brick building, with its striking yellow and green tiled roof, is a big draw to visitors and locals alike. The ground and second floor burst with a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, sausages, cheeses, pickles, art, embroidery pieces, and most importantly, Hungarian chimney cones (which is exactly what we were craving for breakfast!). Luring us in with its intoxicating aroma, we located a stand offering chimney cones with a myriad of fillings and toppings. I went with ice cream with nutella filling, and topped with whipped cream. As you’d expect, it was the best breakfast Taylor and I have ever eaten.

*Final tick off the list: Hungarian Chimney Cones. Best breakfast ever eaten.*

Budapest comes in 2nd Place

While all these sites (and sights) were unique, charming, and some of the most beautiful I’ve seen, by far the best thing about this trip was the company. It is rare to have dedicated time with a friend. And even more rare to have dedicated time with a friend who lives across the state, country, (or ocean, for that matter)! So here, I reminded myself often to soak in every moment we had together. We had times of laughter, gratitude, sadness, seriousness, silliness, and fun. I don’t think we stopped talking the entire 48 hours. Taylor and I can go deep, and with each time we see each other we find ourselves going deeper into our friendship which has been such a beautiful gift.

I often think travel brings people together in a whole new and different way, and I think Budapest did just that for us.