My chaotic, "last-minute" guide to Budapest (from a total P-personality who thought the Grand Budapest Hotel was actually filmed here!)

Finally getting around to posting this after procrastinating for like a month lol. I’m a total P-personality, which basically means I don’t look up anything until I’m already on the plane.

Budapest was such a vibe though! We started at New York Café right after landing at 6AM. The coffee was just... meh (which is what we expected). You’re basically paying an "entrance fee" just to see the fancy ceiling and take photos. We got in without a queue because it was early, so that was a win.

Spent some time at the Central Market and Vaci St. I found a shop called Citygraph Art & Souvenir and bought a purple canvas bag there and literally ended up carrying it for the rest of my trip in Spain too. Their illustrated magnets are also way cuter than the generic ones.

For food, we tried Monk’s Bistrot because of the reviews (I believe it's 4.6 or something on Google Map?), but idk... the chicken tasted like salty ham to me? The service was nice, but the flavor was just not my type . I had better luck at Mantra Specialty Coffee after failing to get into the Zoo Cafe (they don't do walk-ins, big failure for a P person like me). Mantra is so cozy and warm, definitely recommend it for a quiet break.

Second day was better for food—Arán Bakery is a MUST. Their Cruffins are insane. We got lucky at 11AM and missed the line, but it got huge right after we sat down.

Of course, did the classic Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. It was SO WINDY up there but the views were insane. We didn't bother going inside Buda Castle, but we found this amazing photo spot called S. MARIA MATER DEI overlooking the Chain Bridge.

Also, a tip for the Parliament: if you’re lazy like us and didn't book online, go there in the morning to snag a physical ticket for the afternoon (not guaranteed though we were lucky to secure some afternoon slots). It's worth it for the Holy Crown alone, even if you can't take photos of it.

We ended with the Legenda City Cruise (Dock 7). Be sure to grab a glass of champagne, head to the top deck, and wait until you get near the Parliament at night. Then we hit up Szimpla Kert ruin bar on Friday night—it was a total maze! Crowds everywhere, but you have to experience it at least once.

Anyway, Budapest really surprised me. Even with the zero planning, I’d go back in a heartbeat:)