Hungary - budget-friendly haven for wine and beer lovers Discover Budapest

Eveybody knows that Budapest is one of Europe's most appealing cities for tourists. This three-million-strong city, divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest, attracts millions of visitors each year, including many from Azerbaijan.

What makes Budapest so attractive to people from all over the world? Well, let's try to see it from the perspective of an ordinary Azerbaijani person. Budapest captivates even as you approach it. Upon landing, you see dozens of kilometers of greenery surrounding the city. It's immediately clear that these are man-made, as they are arranged in precise patterns: some in rectangles, some in squares, and others in dense rows.

Budapest itself is also immersed in greenery. The parks are genuine parks, not just expanses of marble adorned with a few saplings. No one considers cutting down trees to build high-rises in their place. Instead, buildings are constructed alongside trees, so that when you open a window, you can enjoy the fresh air.

As for buildings, it’s worth noting that Budapest is rich in architectural landmarks from the 16th to 18th centuries, and 19th-century structures are found practically at every turn. No one seems to think about repainting or whitewashing them, and their beauty and grandeur remain undiminished! I won’t list the names of these majestic buildings—you can easily look them up and decide for yourself what you’d most like to see.

Overall, the people of Budapest are very unpretentious. No one seems overly concerned about their attire here. It feels like people just grab the first clothes they find when heading out, and golden chains are seemingly worn around the clock. In comparison to Azerbaijani people, it’s refreshing that in Budapest, no one would consider visiting a hypermarket or McDonald's in evening wear or dressing up just to sit in a café.

On the other hand, the sight of unkempt women and girls wearing minimal clothing regardless of their body type is rather unimpressive and, as they say, "doesn't turn heads."

Hungarian men also aren't overly concerned with their appearance. In general, Budapest residents enjoy strolling, shopping, and relaxing in whatever they find comfortable. The question "What will people think?" is likely the last thing on their minds when going about their day in the Hungarian capital.

Although this attitude results in it being quite rare to encounter women in Budapest whose bodies are not covered in tattoos—there’s a sense that all women aged 16 and older here are obsessed with tattoos—Hungarian men, in contrast, don’t seem to have the same fixation.

Continuing on the topic of gender relations, it's worth noting that nearly half of European adult films are actually produced in Budapest. The pioneer in this trend was the well-known French adult film actor and director Christoph Clark, who moved to Budapest in the early 1990s.

Payments for such activities are quite substantial, though there are no public advertising campaigns or casting calls—everything is already well-established and, as they say, widely known within certain circles. When it comes to "leisure", it's simpler: in the city center, you can see prostitutes on almost any street in the evenings, and their offers are made openly, ranging from 50 to 300 euros ($54-$327) per hour depending on the services provided. However, it's best not to be swayed by these provocations or, at the very least, avoid engaging with them in their own areas.

For those coming to Budapest to handle "economic matters," it's advisable to exchange your dollars and euros for forints as soon as possible. This will help you save money, as many Budapest residents have no idea about the euro exchange rate. The best place to buy clothing and footwear at much lower prices than in Baku is the Half Price shopping centre, located right in the city center on Váci Street (similar to Nizami Street "Torqovaya" in Baku). As the name suggests, brands here are sold at significant discounts, often exceeding 50 per cent.

For example, Adidas or Puma sneakers can be purchased here for as little as 60-70 manat ($35-$41), while similar models in Baku, even with discounts, cost at least 170 manat ($100). The same applies to clothing and accessories—they will be at least 1.5 to 2 times cheaper than in Baku. If you get tired and want to take a break, Váci Street offers numerous restaurants and cafés. However, do keep in mind that prices in these establishments are even higher than those in the centre of Baku.

For those who enjoy alcoholic beverages, Budapest might quickly become your favorite city! You can find both wine and beer in abundance here, and at prices that are 2.5 to 3 times lower than those in Baku. Imagine a can of Czech beer for 2 manat ($1.2) or a bottle of French wine for 13-15 manat ($7-8)! Overall, Budapest is a city you'll want to return to—not just for the beer, but for so much more.

Vugar Vugarli, Budapest