A journey to Hungary would not be complete without exploring its design idiosyncrasies and indulging in its gastronomical treats.
1. Where to Stay
The music-themed Aria Hotel in Budapest has a lot of character. The luxurious rooms and suites are named after composers and musicians, the interior is creatively thematic and the boutique hotel offers a rooftop-bar view of St. Stephen Basilica, the city’s largest church. ariahotelbudapest.com
2. Where to Sip
Every weekend, Budapest’s hip and stylish sashay into Boutiq’Bar to indulge in perfectly engineered cocktails. The
joint’s warmly lit atmosphere is nuanced with fresh beats from the DJ in the room. Ask for the local Hungarian mixed drink called pálinka. Disclaimer: It’s not for the weak. boutiqbar.hu
3. Where to Dine
Costes Restaurant has plenty of claims to fame. The first Michelin-starred restaurant in Hungary (four stars), it was chosen as the world’s 25th best restaurant and Europe’s 14th . They recently opened a sister restaurant downtown with a bistro concept serving international dishes with a Hungarian twist. Keen foodies can reserve a table by the open kitchen to watch the Portuguese star-chef Miguel Vieira doing what he does best. costesdowntown.hu/en
4. Quick Bite
Vegan food doesn’t get much better than Vegan Love. A scrumptious barbeque tofu burger and chilli tofu hotdog are two must-haves. Prepare to wait in line during lunch and dinner rushes but also prepare to see what the hype is all about. veganlove.hu
5. Buildings of Note
The late Hungarian architect Ödön Lechner’s penchant for Art Nouveau contributed to the legacy he left in the country. Two of his highlights are the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts and the Postal Savings Bank, currently the National Bank of Hungary. Both are characterized by the riot of colours that are their green-and-yellow roofs and Zsolnay tile patterns on the facades.
6. Instagrammable Spot
The glass-concrete bench by Studio IVANKA is a communal bench made of concrete embedded with glass inserts that light up at night. Have a travel companion snap a shot of you sitting on the bench to add some modern and urban feel to your Instagram feed. ivanka.hu
7. What’s Different
Those with an adventurous heart yet hesitant to forgo contemporary comfort will have a blast glamping at Homoki Lodge’s yurts. Located in Tanya, the lodging proves that “a luxurious tent” is not an oxymoron. Each yurt has three split levels dedicated to living, sleeping and bathing areas, and a private terrace. homokilodge.com
8. Architectural Trend
Minimalist arrangements of contemporary lines stand in contrast with Hungary’s rich and historical architectural style. Examples are Zaha Hadid Architects’ Pancho Arena, and SPAR Supermarket flagship store by LAB5 architects.