Budapest by Night

Spanning the Danube is Budapest, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Perched atop ancient Celtic ruins and a fault line feeding more than 100 thermal springs, to me the Hungarian capital seemed like the very best of Paris, New York, and Berlin rolled into one. At once a modern and historic city, Budapest combines a noblesse, regal glamour with a grungy, liberal counter-culture.

Visiting in fall meant gorgeous fall colors, comfortable walking temperatures, and yes, rain. But the heavy November downpour brought to life the already vibrant city. Water reflecting off cobblestone streets gave Budapest, the bustling metropolis bisected neatly with neon water taxis, and beacon-lit castles, an added magical glow.

Here, I treasured my time outdoors – especially the evenings. The city truly came alive after sunset. I spent several nights making generous loops around the city, crisscrossing its historic bridges, and lugging my tripod and camera to try and capture some of this magic.