Split down the middle by the Danube, Budapest is a strangely unspoilt city. It is quite cheap to visit here and the city’s lack of money shows in the way that so many areas still seem unchanged by the last 100 years, aside from the fact that their exteriors are visibly crumbling. In addition to which, the end of communism saw a new generation convert the most condemned buildings into what has become known as ‘Ruin Pubs’, squatter-chic establishments that dot the Pest-side of the city. This all makes for some seriously low-rent romance in my opinion. I went in February when it was freezing with snow, and still lapped up the atmosphere of the place! Whilst Budapest has a similar sized population to Barcelona, its central area is comparatively smaller and pretty easy to navigate on foot, so it makes a great destination for a weekend trip.
