My story, June 2016. One morning, I woke up and decided to go to Budapest. I was actually wondering where to start my digital nomad lifestyle.
That morning, my decision was made in a matter of minutes: Europe is at its best in summer, I haven’t explored much of the eastern part and some of my friends told me that Budapest is an amazing city.
I booked a flight departing the following week. I didn’t know exactly how long I would stay there: probably one to three months.
Preparation
I love spontaneous travel and therefore planning as little as possible to let the unpredictable happen.
However I like to know where to sleep the first few days and this trip was going to be different from my previous backpacking experiences: I had to take my laptop in order to work.
Action 1: Gather information with Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is my favorite and most helpful travel website. I joined the group “Flat/Room Rentals Budapest“, read local discussions, found out about RoomMatesBudapest.com (popular website to find rooms & flats in Budapest) and asked about the best districts to live and the range of prices.
Action 2: Plan the flat visits and find a Hungarian host
Within a few days, I got 6 flat visits packed in one single afternoon by just replying to some shareflat offers on Couchsurfing and RoomMatesBudapest.com.
A Hungarian couchsurfer agreed to host me the first few days. Perfect!
Arrival
11:20am. Landing in Budapest airport, out of the city centre.
12:20pm. I arrive in Kálvin tér in the city centre.
1pm. First flat visit in Fővám tér, near the Danube, the Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) and the Central Market Hall. Flatshare with 4 girls: Polish, Lithuanian, Georgian and Vietnamese. Sounds cool! I feel like it will be my flat.
5pm. I’m having a beer with 3 cool Hungarian students in a bar. I’ve met them 2 hours ago in front of a library where I asked them for directions. I already have a city guide for the next day: one of them will show me around. I already like Hungarians!
6pm. Last flat visit. I actually cancelled 3 of them during the day. My decision is made: it will be the first flat. It is really easy to rent a flat for one to three months as students are on holidays until September-October.
7:30pm. I meet my host at his place. He is Hungarian, cool and welcoming.
b. We are having a beer, sitting on the Liberty Bridge which is closed to car traffic due to some roadwork. So lucky we are. The view of the city and the Danube is just amazing from there! I LOVE Budapest already.
My decision is made, I’m going to stay here for 3 months.
Activities
What I like to do in Budapest
Walk or go for a run along the Danube and cross a few bridges. By day or night, the view is splendid! I’m amazed every time I go for a run.
Head over to the Citadella, the Buda Castle area and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Although very touristy, it’s worth it.
Have a drink and party in some typical Ruin Pubs. My favorites so far: Szimpla, Kuplung and Anker’t.
Go to international events & meetups. Whether it’s through Couchsurfing or International Meeting Point, it’s often the best way to discover new places, meet wonderful people from all over the world, open new horizons (and sometimes party like crazy!).
Get insights about the Hungarian history by participating to the Free Walking Tours. Also the best way to refresh your knowledge about the history of communism and the Jewish community. LOVED the tours!
Spend an evening in the City Park Városliget. Vajdahunyad Castle by night is wonderful!
Spend the day in Margaret Island and stay for the Fountain’s musical performance. Full show at 6pm or 9pm.
Visit some towns around Budapest. I’ve been to Szentendre, a cute little town with galleries and museums which reminded of southern France. There are many more towns worth visiting!
Try some local specialties: goulash soup or lángos for example.
What I plan to do before leaving
St. Stephen’s Day on August 20: Open day in the museums and fireworks show at night!
Hike around Budapest. The nature around is supposed to be nice.
Spend two days at the Lake Balaton. Freshwater lake in Hungary, the largest in Central Europe. Hungarians are proud of it and love it, as well as other European tourists! Check out some photos, it looks great!
Enjoy the thermal baths. It’s one of the ultimate things to do in Budapest!
So, why should you go to Budapest in summer?
- For your summer holidays
Budapest is the place to be! Beautiful city, many diverse activities in and around, and lots of cool places to go out! - For the entire summer or a basecamp…
…While you travel around Europe (working or just travelling), Budapest is one of the best choices! Cheap and lively city, you won’t get bored or run out of money (compared to western Europe). Digital nomads gave Budapest a score of 9.4/10 for its quality of life in NomadList. - Looking for a great music festival?
Sziget festival (happening every August) is probably for you!
