I like to read cities

I studied Art History at university and began guiding while I was still a student. What started alongside my studies soon became something I genuinely loved: meeting people from different parts of the world and helping them understand a place beyond what they can see at first glance.

Perhaps because of my background in art history, I tend to read cities.

A building tells you something about the time in which it was built. A café can reveal the world of the people who once gathered there. Markets, food, traditions and everyday habits offer another way into a culture. Sometimes even an ordinary shop — and what you find on its shelves — can tell you something surprisingly interesting about the place you are visiting.

That is the Budapest I enjoy sharing.

Of course, there is the Parliament, Buda Castle and the grand panorama of the Danube. But there are also the small details, stories and everyday places that help you understand how the city became what it is — and what it is like to live here today.

A traveller showing Budapest to other travellers

Travel has always been an important part of my life, and I think it has influenced the way I guide.

I know the pleasure of arriving somewhere unfamiliar and slowly beginning to understand it. And I have learned that the most memorable part of a journey is not always the famous monument you came to see. Sometimes it is a conversation, a local dish, an unexpected street, a small shop, or simply sitting somewhere for a while and watching everyday life around you.

My native language is Bulgarian, and I also guide in English. Having spent time in the United States, English became much more than a working language for me — it is a language and culture I genuinely enjoy.

One of the things I still value most about guiding is meeting new people. Every guest arrives with different interests, experiences and questions. Even after guiding since 1986, that means no two tours are quite the same.

Budapest at your own pace

I don't believe discovering a city should feel like completing a checklist.

There should be time to look at something properly, ask questions, stop for coffee, take an unexpected turn, or simply stay somewhere a little longer because you are enjoying it.

This is particularly important on my private tours. I am happy to suggest a route and share what I know, but the day should ultimately reflect your interests, your time and your pace.

Some guests are fascinated by architecture and history. Others are more curious about Hungarian food, traditions or everyday life. Some want to understand the stories behind the places they see. And some simply want a knowledgeable local beside them while they discover Budapest without being rushed from one attraction to the next.

There is no single right way to experience a city.

After more than four decades of living in Budapest and guiding visitors here since 1986, I still find things that make me stop, look again and want to know more.

And perhaps that curiosity is what I most enjoy sharing with my guests.

I would be delighted to show you my Budapest — at your own pace.