Meet a top Showaround local - Àgnes from Budapest

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I consider myself a very curious person, this is one of the reasons why I'm totally in love with tour guiding. I have been fortunate enough to meet people through Showaround from more than 30 countries, so I could learn so much about people, cultures and places.

Some of my best evenings and afternoons in my life, I spent with my guests from Showaround.

And of course made many good friends too. :) I can say when I meet with my tourists I am just as excited as they are, and I still remember each of them, and their greatest stories too.

I have studied intercultural communication and now I am doing a PhD, and also writing for an online news site. Therefore nowadays I can take a bit less tour than before, yet my goal hasn't changed - I want my guests to have a wonderful few hours, get to know the main sites and historical cornerstones of the city and see Budapest from a fun and honest angle.

2. Tell us about your favorite place in Budapest. What is special about it?

It's a hard question, because I have a few. For me, to see some green when you live in a big city is always a pleasure. That's why Citadella is one of my absolute favourites. It's a breathtaking monument right in the city center on the top of the Gellért-Hill. Approximately an hour hike, but the final view is definitely something you would remember forever.

3. What’s one thing that visitors can find surprising when coming to Budapest for the first time?

The language, as it is not similar to any other. Although it's easy to manage your trip with knowledge of English, on the streets it is still surprising to hear the unusual words.

4. If you had to choose a song that gives off the vibe of Budapest, what song would it be?

Haha, Ezra - Budapest. Kind of gives off the vibes. But also, it's a good way to help remember the name for those people who tend to mix the city with Bucharest. :)

5. What’s the one place that you would definitely recommend every traveler to check out? (Perhaps a relatively unknown spot that you think is underrated and deserves more attention?)

If you have a chance to get out to the countryside a bit, then for a daily tour I definitely recommend Szentendre. Even riding a bicycle it's only 1,5 hour, and it's a lovely experience. It's a treasure spot with a beautiful corso by the Danube, yummy ice creams, charming streets, an awesome museum for marzipan lovers and cool galleries.

No matter the religion, the nation, we all look for the same - health, happiness, peace, abundance.

Inside the city center, the Citypark is one of my other favourites, and yet it’s not so touristy. There is a new spot that just got ready there lately, and I just had a chance to watch the sunset from there. It was certainly very special. So one afternoon I recommend using the oldest metro of the continent (M1), ride a few stops until Hero Square and climb up to the top of the Ethnography Museum. There is a massive green roof there, and the view is just absolutely gorgeous. Plus it is a few minutes from the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath so these two could give you a great combo of the afternoon-evening.

6. On the other hand, is there a popular tourist place that you would actually recommend travelers to skip?

There are places which are classic tourist spots, such as Váci utca (Vaci street) or the Gozsdu courtyard. They are both cool though and worth checking out. Yet I am advising to look up the restaurants before you sit down, because there have been some great ones for years, but there is also a big rotation of new places. So stick with the ones with great reviews.

7. Finish these sentences about Budapest:

- I’ve had the tastiest coffee at - Little Melbourne, yet if I have time I love to sit by the Danube on one of the terraces, maybe for the second cup. :)

- The best place to grab lunch is - Cafe Vian (they have Hungarian and international cuisine too).

- On weekends I love spending my time at - the City Park or one of the thermal baths.

- The best spot for pictures/selfies would be - the Citadel or the Fisherman Bastion (by the Budacastle).

- If I wanted to relax, I would go to - Margaret Island. It's a little green island walking distance from the city center. Awesome for picnics and doing sports. It also has an ancient ruin and a little zoo on it. For a family with kids it’s a lovely program.

- The best time to visit Budapest is - from May till September, and for the time of the Christmas market.

8. How did you discover Showaround?

A friend showed me.

9. Tell us about your best Showaround experience.

Definitely the people. No matter the religion, the nation, we all look for the same - health, happiness, peace, abundance. I met some people who will be friends for a lifetime. We just couldn't stop talking. Some of my best evenings and afternoons in my life I spent with my guests from Showaround. And that is just such a cool thing to say about a "job", right?:)

10. Do you have any tips for other locals who are just starting out?

Find passion for the "task" and be curious about your guests. Make the tour about them and find the connection. That way it will be an educational and fun experience for both of you.

Book a tour with Àgnes.