Lifestyle
Budapest: Where timeless legends come alive along magical Danube
The moment you set foot in Budapest, the gates to a 2,000-year-old legacy begin to open. It feels as if you’ve entered a land where time flows within a fairytale. This city, embracing both banks of the Danube, has been reborn from its humble Celtic and Roman roots. With its green hills, golden hues, and art that seeps into every corner, Budapest feels like a magical place pulled from the pages of a legend.
Enchanted dance of Buda, Pest
Set on opposite banks of the Danube, the city itself becomes a storybook stage: Buda, to the west, is peaceful with its gentle hills, cobbled streets and tranquil parks. Pest, on the eastern flatlands, pulses like a vibrant diary with wide boulevards reminiscent of Vienna, lively avenues and a beating modern heart. The bridges that connect the two aren’t merely pathways they feel like enchanted doors opening through time.
Buda’s silent whispers
As you step into Buda, you’re drawn into layers of history. The Presidential Palace, standing in the shadow of Castle Hill, glimmers like a palace from a fairytale. Matthias Church, a witness to time since the 11th century, looms with elegance. Once converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period and later restored, the church enchants with its stone carvings, colorful tiled roofs and panoramic views from its dome. The Fisherman’s Bastion offers the most breathtaking lookout in the city its fairytale turrets and white pillars lay all of Budapest at your fingertips. At sunset, when the golden light paints the Danube, the scene becomes simply unforgettable.
Pest’s vibrant celebration
Crossing to Pest, you’re swept up in its rhythm. Your first stop: the Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok), standing tall since 1897 with its vast vaulted ceiling that recalls a grand ship’s deck. The scent of fried dough from the upstairs langos stalls is as tempting as the sweet jam-filled bukta. Inside, colorful spices, handcrafted souvenirs, and fresh produce create a dazzling visual feast. Bite into a lángos on the street: crispy outside, soft inside; it’s pure culinary joy.
Another highlight along the Danube is the Gellert Thermal Bath. Open since 1918, it’s a masterpiece of Art Nouveau, with stained glass shutters and elegant mosaics. In its warm, mineral-rich waters, you can drift under the steam and waterfalls, rejuvenating both body and spirit. The steam rooms, saunas, and thermal pools offer a perfect escape from the city’s bustle.
Sacred, cultural riches
St. Stephen’s Basilica rises above the city like a resounding bell. Built in honor of Hungary’s first king, its graceful columns and intricate stonework captivate visitors. Climb the 364 steps (or take the elevator) to the dome for a sweeping 360-degree view like gazing upon a giant painting sprung to life. Beneath its heavenly domes, the hush within offers a serene glimpse into the past.
The Hungarian State Opera House is a jewel of Neo Renaissance architecture. Renovated in 2022, this grand building with its sweeping staircase and three-tiered auditorium resembles a royal palace. Ornate wall paintings and gilded ceilings invite you to revel in art, history, and splendor. If time allows, an afternoon guided tour offers a backstage pass into this cultural gem it’s like walking through a theater of secrets.
World of wisdom, wonder
Step into the Ervin Szabo Library and you’ll feel like a sorcerer flipping through timeworn tomes beneath golden chandeliers. Once the Wenck Heim Palace, the building has served as a library since the early 20th century. The high-ceilinged reading rooms, green-shaded lamps and faint scent of old books create an atmosphere of quiet reverence. For just about 1,900 HUF, this timeless sanctuary opens its doors to you.
Habsburg, Ottoman echoes
Budapest has borne witness to the power plays of empires the grandeur of Habsburg palaces and the elegance of Ottoman baths etched into its streets. Each of the city’s 23 districts tells a unique tale through its architecture, atmosphere and inhabitants. Walk down cobblestone alleys and you might feel like a traveler resting in the shadow of an Ottoman madrasa; turn a corner and you’re met with echoes of Habsburg nobility, playing flutes in baroque courtyards.
Practical tips for transportation
From Istanbul, it’s just a one hour and 50 minute flight to Budapest with Turkish Airlines, AJET and Pegasus Airlines. The trip from the airport to the city center takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. The 100E bus gets you downtown for about 5 euros ($5.77), while a taxi will cost around 35 euros. If you’re on a budget, take the bus; for a more comfortable ride, the taxi offers a direct route to your hotel’s doorstep.
Taste of Hungarian cuisine
Hungarian dishes are the characters in this travel tale. Start your morning with warm lekvaros bukta, a jam-filled bun that melts in your mouth like a sweet dream. At midday, try Paloc soup a refreshing mix of yogurt, potatoes, beans and herbs that tells a summery, colorful story. For dinner, no table is complete without goulash: tender beef stew simmered with paprika and root vegetables, representing the very soul of Hungarian cuisine. Each spoonful is a bite of history.
Madal Coffee & Co
With three locations across the city, Madal Coffee has been a local favorite since 2013. More than just a cafe, it stands out with its commitment to specialty coffee, a selection of vegan treats and a trendy vegan pasta menu. A perfect stop for those seeking both great flavor and mindful eating.
My Little Melbourne
Located in the buzzing Madách district, this cozy gem has been serving top-tier coffee since 2012. Though the space is small, it’s constantly full which testaments to its cult status among locals. Famous for its cappuccino, flat white, and tangy lemon cake, it’s a must-visit for true coffee lovers.
Espresso Embassy
Just steps away from St. Stephen’s Basilica, Espresso Embassy is a hub for the city’s coffee connoisseurs. Revered for its dedication to coffee craftsmanship, this spot is more than a cafe it’s a community gathering place. You can also purchase specialty beans to take the experience home with you.
Kollazs Brasserie
Set along the banks of the Danube, this stylish brasserie located in the Four Seasons Hotel is a favourite among both locals and visitors. Its menu highlights local ingredients and traditional dishes with a modern touch. Don’t leave without trying the schnitzel arguably one of the best in town.
Cafe Gerbeaud – Vörösmarty square
Dating back to the 1800s, Gerbeaud is a Budapest icon known for its decadent pastries and timeless charm. Situated in one of the city’s most beautiful squares, this historic café is often hailed as a must visit. Be sure to try traditional Hungarian cakes like Dobos, Esterházy, and Sacher tortes each a sweet slice of history.
Stand Restaurant
One of Budapest’s Michelin-starred gems, Stand is a serene haven of culinary sophistication nestled in a vibrant, youthful part of the city. Run by celebrated Hungarian chefs Szabina Szullo and Tamas Szell, the restaurant showcases Hungarian cuisine with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients.
Choose between a six-course or eight-course tasting menu, with seatings typically at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., as the full experience lasts around three to four hours and finishes close to 11 p.m. Every dish is a story served on elegant, traditional dishware with impeccable service.
Spago
Located within what’s arguably Budapest’s trendiest hotel, Spago by Wolfgang Puck is the city’s other Michelin-starred standout. Offering both lunch and dinner service, it’s a celebration of international and Hungarian flavors with signature dishes like the smoked salmon and caviar pizza, New York-style steak, lamb chops, cheese-filled ravioli and exquisite desserts. The ambiance enhances every bite, making it not just a meal but an event. Reservations are essential, especially for dinner, as this is where celebrities, politicians, and cultural figures queue up for a table.
Budapest is a city where every corner breathes with the spirit of a living fairytale. Whether you lose yourself in bustling streets or find serenity in Gellert’s steam, every moment is a magical encounter with history. As the sun dips behind the hills and lights flicker along the Danube, you hear a soft echo in your heart: “I, too, was here.” And know this each step you take in Budapest becomes another line in an unforgettable story.
Tourists hoping to get close to the Trevi Fountain have to pay 2 euros ($2.35) starting Monday as the city of Rome inaugurated a new fee structure to help raise money and control crowds at one of the world’s most celebrated waterworks.
The first tourists to pass through the new ticket check seemed unfazed by the tariff, noting it was a small price to pay for quality access to a fountain made famous by Federico Fellini’s movie “La Dolce Vita.”
“Before, there were problems accessing the fountain. There were a lot of people. Now, it’s very easy,” said Ilhan Musbah, a tourist from Morocco. “You can take photos, you feel good, you’re comfortable, and on top of that, 2 euros is not much.”
The tourist fee was rolled out in conjunction with a new 5-euro tourist ticket fee for some city museums. In both cases, Rome residents are exempt from the fees and the extra revenue will actually expand the number of city-run museums that are free for registered Roman residents.
It’s all part of the Eternal City’s efforts to manage tourist flows in a particularly congested part of town, improve the experience and offset the maintenance costs of preserving all of Rome’s cultural heritage. Officials estimate it could net the city 6.5 million euros extra a year.
The city decided to impose the Trevi Fountain fee after seeing positive results already from a yearlong experiment to stagger and limit the number of visitors who can reach the front edge of the basin by imposing lines and pathways for entrance and exit.
“I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for 2 euros for a site of this level,” Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s assessor of tourism, said Monday. “I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100.”
The fee follows a similar ticketing system at Rome’s Pantheon monument and the more complicated tourist day-tripper tax that the lagoon city of Venice imposed last year in a bid to ease overtourism and make the city more livable for residents. The Italian fees still pale in comparison to the 45% price hike that French authorities announced for the Louvre Museum for most non-European visitors, where tickets can now run to 32 euros from 22 euros.
The Trevi fee, which can be paid in advance online, enables tourists to get close to the fountain during prime-time daylight hours. The view for those admiring the late Baroque masterpiece from the piazza above remains free, as it is up close after hours.
The towering fountain features the Titan god Oceanus flanked by falls cascading down the travertine rocks into a shallow turquoise pool, where Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg famously took their nighttime dip in “La Dolce Vita.”
While bathing is prohibited nowadays, legend has it that visitors who toss a coin over their shoulders and make a wish will return to Rome.
The Göreme Open-Air Museum in Nevşehir, one of Türkiye’s most visited museums, welcomed 1,187,016 domestic and international visitors last year.
Known for its rock-cut churches, monasteries, chapels and colorful frescoes, the museum attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. It ranks among the top three most visited museums in Türkiye under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, drawing visitors from around the world.
According to data from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, visitor numbers at the museum were as follows: 55,180 in January, 41,404 in February, 70,516 in March, 129,533 in April, 152,122 in May, 110,234 in June, 93,232 in July, 115,702 in August, 126,265 in September, 148,775 in October, 96,555 in November and 47,498 in December.
For comparison, the museum welcomed 1,133,858 visitors in 2024.
One of the most visited museums
Tour guide Yunus Kervan, who introduces visitors to the site, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the Göreme Open-Air Museum is a central tourism hub in the heart of Cappadocia.
“The museum draws visitors from all over the world due to its historical sites,” Kervan said. “The original frescoes in the country’s first monasteries and churches date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, making this place particularly significant. There are about 12 churches here, but we typically tour six: St. Basil, Barbara, Apple, Snake and Dark Churches. The most important is the Dark Church. Its name comes from the fact that sunlight rarely enters, which has preserved the paintings exceptionally well. Last year, 1,187,000 tourists visited. Most are from China and South Korea, but visitors also come from Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Europe and Latin America. This is one of the most visited museums in Türkiye.”
Tour guide Mustafa Soner Menekşe highlighted the museum’s unique structures, carved into volcanic tuff centuries ago.
“Göreme Open-Air Museum is historically significant. It is located within a national park that features artifacts from the Byzantine, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Visitors can see how people of different faiths – Christian and Muslim – once lived together. We explain this in detail and visitors begin to appreciate and love the site as they explore it,” Menekşe said.
Argentine tourist Dario Adler, visiting Cappadocia for the first time, described the museum as a powerful experience.
“There is a very strong feeling here,” Adler said. “The story is so compelling that it makes you reflect on history. I highly recommend that everyone visit this museum.”
Rising above the Bosporus slopes in Mecidiyeköy, Fairmont Quasar Istanbul is one of the city’s most convenient luxury addresses perfectly positioned for both business travelers and weekend escape seekers. With 209 rooms and suites, the hotel combines contemporary architecture with high ceilings and an airy sense of space, creating an atmosphere that feels instantly comfortable and genuinely uplifting from the moment you check in.
The property is entering an exciting new chapter this year with the appointment of its young and dynamic general manager, Cem Akşahin. With a refreshed team spirit and a new communications partnership with Yöntem PR, Fairmont Quasar is clearly set to be one of Istanbul’s most talked-about hotels in the months ahead.
Beyond the rooms, the hotel’s culinary scene is one of its strongest calling cards. Guests can move between different worlds in a single day: from the award-winning Aila, a modern showcase of Turkish cuisine, to Ukiyo, the stylish Far Eastern restaurant located on the terrace floor. For a more relaxed rhythm, Demlique offers a refined setting for afternoon tea, along with all-day coffee, tea and pastries, while the elegant Marble Bar keeps the night going until 1 a.m.
Wellness is equally impressive. The Fairmont Spa, located on the lower level, spans 2,000 square meters, offering a true city sanctuary for those who want to reset between meetings, shopping and Istanbul’s fast-paced energy.
And then there is the name everyone in the culinary scene is watching: Kemal Can Yurttaş, the hotel’s celebrity chef and Executive Chef of Aila. Despite his young age, both he and the restaurant have already collected an extraordinary number of accolades. His passion for the kitchen began at just 15, and after years of training, television experience, and working in some of Türkiye’s leading restaurants, he has created something genuinely special at Aila.
With its striking design, confident menu and flavors that truly stay with you, Aila is the kind of restaurant everyone should experience at least once. A standout detail is the restaurant’s in-house Spice Market, featuring over 100 spices sourced from different regions of Türkiye. These spices don’t just elevate the dishes, they also bring color, character and an irresistible aroma that fills the entire space.
Aila’s success story continues to grow. The restaurant began in 2026 on a high note with recognitions, including a Michelin recommendation, a 4-toque rating and the prestigious Gault&Millau awards, proof that Istanbul’s new generation of culinary talent is not only rising fast, but also redefining the city’s gourmet identity.
Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet
A Timeless Icon in the Heart of Old Istanbul set in the very heart of historic Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet may be housed in a beautifully restored heritage building, but the moment you step inside, the experience feels effortlessly modern. With its refined architecture, warm atmosphere and a team that welcomes you as if you were coming home, it is undoubtedly one of the finest Four Seasons properties in the world.
With only 65 rooms, the hotel delivers a true boutique luxury experience. It offers an intimate spa, the elegant Avlu Restaurant, the all-day dining concept Lingo Lingo and a rooftop terrace bar that becomes especially magical during the summer months. The entire property gives you the feeling of living inside history, yet without ever sacrificing comfort. For the most unforgettable stay, the terraced suites are simply spectacular.
A major part of the hotel’s charm comes from its general manager, Serap Akkuş. Everything she touches seems to become more beautiful, more thoughtful and more refined. From the guest rooms to the public spaces, you can truly feel a graceful attention to detail, almost like a signature feminine elegance shaping the entire hotel.
The Four Seasons Hotel also hosts one of Sultanahmet’s most impressive culinary destinations, Avlu Restaurant, led by the talented young chef Özgür Üstün. Despite his age, he has already turned Avlu into an award-winning dining address with what can only be described as “magic hands.”
Located on the eastern side of Sultanahmet Square, the hotel itself is a landmark. The building once stood as the grand Sultanahmet Prison, built over the ruins of the Byzantine Palace, and today has transformed into one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels. Avlu Restaurant sits in the hotel’s lush green courtyard, surrounded by the property’s striking architecture, its vivid yellow exterior, tower, arched windows and traditional tile details.
Avlu’s menu celebrates classic Anatolian cuisine, reimagined through modern techniques, and the restaurant’s stone oven adds both authenticity and character to the experience. The setting is completed with bronze accents, dome-like transitions, and a spacious garden decorated with seasonal flowers. The stone oven pays nostalgic tribute to traditional cooking methods, while candlelit tables bring a romantic glow to evening dinners.
Many of Avlu’s natural products are sourced from women entrepreneurs across different cities in Türkiye, turning every plate into not only a culinary pleasure but also a story of local craftsmanship and community. From its Michelin recognition to the many awards that followed, Avlu has truly earned every bit of its success.
The Basilica Therma Roman Bath, also known locally as the “King’s Daughter,” welcomed approximately 50,000 visitors in 2025, according to officials. The bath, listed on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage list, is located in Sarıkaya, a district of Yozgat province in Central Anatolia.
Dating back to the Roman Empire, the bath is believed to have healed the daughter of a king who once ruled in nearby Kayseri. The princess, said to have suffered from a relentless illness, gave the site its enduring nickname, “King’s Daughter.” The bath is renowned for its unique architecture and thermal waters, which have flowed at around 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 2,000 years.
Following environmental and restoration work that began in 2022 under the supervision of the Yozgat Museum Directorate and was completed in August 2024, the bath has become a popular attraction. Recent cold weather and snowfall created striking visuals of steam rising from the thermal waters, captured by drones.
Yozgat Governor Mehmet Ali Özkan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the province is committed to promoting both Turkish culture and ancient civilizations. “In Anatolia, we continue to highlight our own heritage while uncovering the legacies of ancient civilizations for the benefit of the province, the country and humanity,” he said.
Governor Özkan emphasized the bath’s growing popularity. “A facility like this exists only in England as well. With its hot waters and unique appeal, it drew nearly 50,000 visitors last year. We hope this number will rise to 100,000 or even 200,000 in the coming years,” he said, noting that the site also contributes significantly to the local economy and commerce.
Expressing gratitude to those involved in the bath’s restoration, Özkan added, “At the heart of Anatolia, in our ancient city, we continue to develop our tourism resources for the benefit of our people. We also plan to bring the Kazankaya Valley, long discussed in the region, to tourism next year.”
Efforts are underway to attract more Chinese tourists to Göbeklitepe in southeastern Türkiye, the 12,000-year-old archaeological site described as the “zero point of history” and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Officials anticipate an increase in visitors from China in 2026, following the implementation of a visa exemption for citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
Şanlıurfa Culture and Tourism director Aydın Aslan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that tourists from East Asia generally have a strong interest in cultural tourism.
“This gives Şanlıurfa significant potential for Chinese visitors,” Aslan said. “Starting next year, we expect to welcome more Chinese tourists to the region.”
Aslan added that preparations have already begun.
“We believe that government initiatives such as the visa exemption for Chinese citizens will boost tourism in the region by attracting travelers from the Far East. China is the world’s largest target market for cultural tourism and we are focusing our efforts on this market. In particular, for 2026 and 2027, we will increase promotional activities in China under the Şanlıurfa ‘Taş Tepeler’ Project.”
Tourism sector sees boost
Local tourism operator Müslüm Çoban noted that Chinese travelers are among the world’s most frequent tourists.
“Even before the visa exemption, Chinese visitors showed interest in Şanlıurfa,” he said. “With the visa facilitation in 2026, we expect their numbers to rise further. Recently, Chinese officials have also visited Şanlıurfa. China supports the Taş Tepeler Project both financially and through human resources. We anticipate that more Chinese citizens will visit our region in 2026.”
Çoban emphasized the appeal of Şanlıurfa for Chinese tourists, highlighting its archaeological sites, cultural heritage and cuisine. “Chinese visitors enjoy sightseeing, photography, and fine food. Şanlıurfa offers all of these. We look forward to welcoming our Chinese guests to Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, and other excavation sites.”
The districts of Safranbolu in Karabük and Amasra in Bartın, located in northern Türkiye and known for their natural beauty and culinary traditions, closed 2025 with record-breaking tourist numbers. Both districts are popular destinations, with Safranbolu listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amasra, famous for its pristine coves, clean beaches and calm sea, attracted nearly 3 million domestic and international visitors last year. Safranbolu, renowned for its historical sites, welcomed over 3 million tourists, marking an increase of approximately 500,000 visitors in each district compared to the previous year.
Safranbolu
Often referred to as the “fingerprint of the Ottoman Empire” for its reflection of Ottoman architecture, city life and culture, Safranbolu offers visitors a journey back in time. The town, which functions as an “open-air museum,” preserves inns, baths, mosques, fountains and bridges from the Ottoman period, as well as mansions built between the 18th and 20th centuries.
“2025 was a good year for tourism,” said Şebnem Urgancıoğlu, president of the Safranbolu Tourism Operators Association. She noted a nearly 5% increase in foreign tourists staying overnight and more than 3 million day visitors.
“While these are promising figures, we are not content. We will continue working with all our institutions, the government and the municipality to achieve even better results,” she said.
Thanks to markets in East Asia, Safranbolu experiences year-round tourist activity. Visitors from Taiwan, China and Thailand form the largest group of international tourists. Urgancıoğlu added that the district continues to participate in tourism fairs, including EMITT in Istanbul and ITB Berlin in Germany, to promote the region globally.
The municipality also works with multiple institutions on the “Purple Flag Project,” which focuses on quality and sustainable tourism. Urgancıoğlu highlighted plans to improve visitor centers and address traffic and parking challenges in the coming year.
Amasra: Coastal beauty
Amasra, historically founded as “Sesamos” by Phoenicians in the 12th century B.C., boasts relics from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Its historic castle was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2013.
The district is famous for its untouched coves, clean beaches and seafood-centered cuisine. Last year, the completion of the “Amasra Port Passenger Terminal and Marina” project by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure contributed to nearly 3 million visitors, including 500,000 overnight guests and 30,000 cruise ship passengers.
“Amasra is like the showcase of the Black Sea region,” said Melih Saylam, president of the Amasra Culture and Tourism Association. “It’s fortunate not only for its sea, sand, and sun but also for its history and gastronomy.”
Saylam cited a historic anecdote from the conquest of Amasra by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, who reportedly called it “the apple of the world.” During the summer months, the district’s population swells from 6,000 to 60,000. Cruise ship arrivals over the past 3.5 years have further boosted tourism, adding around 30,000 visitors annually.
Local restaurateur Mete Ayyıldız said that holiday and summer seasons brought strong business, with visitors admiring Amasra’s nature, seafood and signature salads.
“In winter, guests come to enjoy the historical sites and culinary offerings. The colder sea makes the fish even more delicious. Our Amasra salad has become a brand. Amasra, with its fish and salad, is a point of pride for our region,” he said.
He described the parties at the mansion: Phones were taken and cocaine was distributed.
Şimşek touts Türkiye’s ‘resilience’ despite global economic uncertainty
“From the first moment, our state came to the field with all its means and units.”
He described the parties at the mansion: Phones were taken and cocaine was distributed.
Şimşek touts Türkiye’s ‘resilience’ despite global economic uncertainty
“From the first moment, our state came to the field with all its means and units.”
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