Budapest, Hungary — June 2023

Budapest was the final stop of my trip — and a wonderful way to close out an unforgettable journey across Europe. By the time I arrived, I was fully in the groove of solo travel and completely ready to enjoy everything the city had to offer.

I continued my tradition of riding historic transit, starting with Metro Line 1 one of the oldest subway lines in the world and then hopping trams across the city. A lot of my time was spent near Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd), sitting above the Danube during sunset with a cold Hungarian beer in hand. Those evenings were simple and perfect.

During the days, I wandered through the bustling Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) for food and souvenirs, but the highlight was a “Budapest in the Soviet Union” walking tour. Our guide had lived through the era and offered fascinating first-hand stories about rationing, surveillance, and everyday life under communism — alongside the challenges of the post-Soviet transition.

We stopped at Heroes’ Square, Liberty Square, and admired the grandeur of the Hungarian Parliament (Országház). I especially loved learning the symbolic and sometimes ironic political history around the monuments — including statues of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush standing near a still-intact Soviet memorial outside the U.S. Embassy.

Evenings were for goulash, beer, and hopping between restaurants and bars. The city felt vibrant, welcoming, and full of life an ideal place to reflect on the trip as a whole.

I was sad to say goodbye to Budapest, but it left me determined to return someday. A strong ending to an already incredible adventure.

📷 Photos#