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In the City: Budapest, Hungary

This month in our series, In the City, we profile Budapest, Hungary. We catch up with Hajnalka Módis co-founder of the latest chapter to hit Eastern Europe. Hajnalka gives us the inside scoop on this new start-up capital and how travellers can experience her city like a local.

Tell us more about your connection to the travel industry.

I’m the founder and editor-in-chief of Budapest Local which offers custom itineraries for travelers to Budapest. I’m now proud to help launch Travel Massive in my city and help connect the tourism industry here!

budapest

How long have you lived in this city and how did you come to live here?

I was born in Budapest, so I’m a native of this city and a true local. I lived in the U.S., France, and Finland but I always knew that I would return home some day.

Okay, forget San Francisco for a sec. Is Budapest really the new start up capital?

Yes! The startup culture in Budapest has become quite prominent and according to a recent article on tech.co, Budapest is ranking second among the 6 top European startup cities. We have great startup companies in Budapest, such as Prezi, Ustream or LogMeIn, which also makes the younger generation more confident about starting something on their own.

What is the travel scene like in Budapest? 

In the last couple of years, more and more blogs about Budapest have appeared. There are some travel tech companies, such as Pocket Guide that offers location-based audio tours in over 150 cities, guided walking or bicycle tours, and startups that help you find the best accommodation in town. Prezi has also proved that Budapest can be a great place to start a business and that we can dream big and make it happen.

Prezi offices in Budapest
Prezi offices in Budapes

You’ve launched the first ever Travel Massive meet-up in Hungary! So what makes your city awesome?

Unlike many other capital cities, Budapest is quite small, at least when it comes to the city center, so you can easily walk around. It’s also easy to hop on a bus or a tram – Budapest’s public transport is one of the best is the world. We have a bustling city life with a great cultural scene and an exciting nightlife, excellent restaurants, fantastic cafés, parks and even forests. On the hilly Buda side, gorgeous architecture and the most unique thermal baths in the world.

How often will the meet ups take place?

Bi-monthly. The plan is to have about 6 events in 2015. We already have a local community in our Facebook group and people can also follow us on our Travel Massive chapter page.

Give us a sneak peek into your city. What is the best local food to try?

Dobos torta. I have a very sweet tooth, so I would absolutely recommend trying the cakes like this one.

Best local drink or bar?

A very local drink would be fröccs  – a Hungarian spritzer which is quite popular especially during spring and summer times. It’s wine with club soda or sparkling water and there are different types of fröccs.

A38 is the best bar in town. It’s an old Soviet ship with an excellent concert venue, restaurant, and exhibition space too. Every Tuesday they host Random Trip, one of the most exciting weekly projects in the Budapest music scene. According to Lonely Planet readers, it is the best bar in the world.

randomtrip budapest

Best local neighbourhood to explore?

Újlipótváros. It’s a very local neighborhood in District 13 with great cafés, little stores, and some of the most beautiful Bauhaus buildings in Budapest.

Best local festivals travellers should experience?

The Spring Festival and Sziget Festival are definitely the biggest happening in the city with over 400 000 visitors. There are some other events that are worth checking out. One of my favorite happenings is called Budapest100, an annual event in every April. It’s a civil initiative and the idea is to introduce those buildings to the public that are 100 years old in that specific year. People can visit these buildings and learn about their history through guided tours.

Best cultural tradition?

Hungarians not only have a birthday, but a “name day” as well. Birthdays are usually known and celebrated by family only, while name days are widely known and celebrated by everyone.

Another common cultural tradition in Hungary is the Easter sprinkling and egg painting. On Easter Monday, the boys would visit the girls and sprinkle them with water (now perfume). In return, they would receive a hand painted egg or chocolate egg. The sprinkling is meant to represent cleaning, healing and fertility.

Best spot to get off the beaten track?

If you want to get away from the busy city center, go the botanical garden, called Füvészkert. It’s a beautiful place where you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous nature around you. They also have a palm house with exotic plants, where it’s actually quite difficult to believe that you’re only a couple of metro stops away from the city center.

Best time of year to visit and why?

Spring and summer. In some years, we have very nice weather in early March reaching close to 20 degrees celsius. The parks are also beautiful in the spring, so strolling on Margaret Island is a must-do. Summertime there are lots of outdoor events and festivals going on but it is also the time when most tourists come to Budapest, so the city is quite busy between June and September.

Is there a must-have app you recommend for travellers to your city?

If you’re into design, you should get the Budapest Design Map that shows all the design shops within different categories, such as vintage design, fashion design, or design café.

I would also recommend the BKK Futar, a very useful app if you’re planning to take public transportation while in Budapest.

Are their any specific words or lingo travellers should know when visiting your city?

Köszönöm for thank you and szia for hello!

 

In the City is a monthly series that profiles a unique Travel Massive city around the world. Follow the Budapest chapter for event updates and Budapest Local for local travel tips.

 


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