Budapest came into being by joining Óbuda, Buda and Pest in 1873. Interestingly, that anniversary is marked on November 17, but, in reality, the city was formed on October 25. The November date was when the city council took over the management of affairs.

Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of the Hungarian capital, said that Budapest was "unshakable in its Hungarianness," but is also European.

"Some cities are forever, like Rome, and some cities always rise again, like Budapest," he added. And it seems that foreign travellers also share this sentiment.

Renowned for its architecture, the Hungarian capital is home to everything from art nouveau and neoclassical to gothic and baroque, with the Blue Danube connecting it all like a ribbon, writes Condé Nast, which continues:

"And then there are the mineral-rich thermal baths, featuring ornate design flourishes. The city also buzzes with creativity, which spills over into the vibrant nightlife; the ruin bars district is a tangible example of crafting opportunity from the ashes of adversity following the brutality of Communist rule."

"New builds such as the spectacular House of Music Hungary and the National Athletics Centre (the central stadium for 2023’s World Athletics Championships) are testament to a city with optimism for its next 150 years.

For more inspiration, read the expanded list of the best places to go in Europe in 2024.

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