#1 Gellert Baths

The Gellert Baths are not only one of the most iconic places in Budapest to rest and relax, but they are also some of the most beautiful. The art nouveau style design of the thermal spa has put awe on the faces of bathers for ages. The baths were built between 1912 and 1918, but the healing waters were used as far back as the Middle Ages. The Turks built a Sárosfürdő (“muddy” bath) in the 16th century and called the area the “magical healing spring.” One of the most beautiful areas of the space is the main hall, which has a stained glass Art-Nouveau-style roof. But my favourite space is the old male spa (which now can be enjoyed by all genders). Blue mosaics encase this room in a relaxing aura. Click here for my first-timer’s guide to thermal baths!

#2 Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion has one of the greatest views across Budapest. But the Bastion itself is a stunning architectural masterpiece atop Buda Hill. Its neo-Romanesque lookout terraces and spiralling turrets make this place a joy to behold. Walk along the 35-meter-long parapet, which acts as a balcony to the Danube River. The seven towers which decorate the roofline represent the seven chieftains of the Hungarians who founded Hungary in 895. There are so many angles from which to get your favourite shot of the Bastion. From above or below, this structure has so much majesty. It can get busy with tourists, but since it’s so large, it’s easy to find a quiet area for your perfect shot.

#3 View from the Funicular in Buda Castle

The Buda Hill Funicular has been a stalwart method of transportation in Budapest for more than a hundred years. It takes guests and tourists alike from the base of Buda Hill to the top of Buda Castle. This historical cable care has been running since 1870. It was destroyed in a WWII bombing raid, but it has been lovingly reconstructed. They ensured the new design kept the original, retro style. As the funicular goes up the hillside, you’ll have an incredible vantage point across Budapest. And see if you can fit some of the other vintage cable cars in your shot for those extra details!

#4 St. Matthias Church

St. Matthias Church, or Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle (as it is more formally known), is a Roman Catholic church at the heart of Buda’s Castle District. The original church built on this site was constructed in 1015! The current version is a restored structure from the late Gothic style built in the 14th century. Since the Turks converted the church into a mosque in the 16th century, many of those elements remain. Creating this fusion between Christian and Islamic architecture. In the 19th century, diamond-patterned roof tiles were added to create perhaps the most appealing part of the church. While controversial at the time, today, this bold choice has made the church highly sought after by tourists and photographers alike.

#5 Buda Castle

Buda Castle was where Hungarian kings and queens spent their days ruling the empire as early as 1265. The Baroque palace we see today was built between 1749 and 1769. There is something about the repetitive windows and symmetrical baroque design which is utterly pleasing to the eye. And perfect for a photographer! But my favourite place in the palace is the Matthias Fountain. The fountain is located in the western forecourt. It depicts King Matthias Corvinus surrounded by his beloved hounds, who have killed a deer. Above him are a statue of a hawk and a doe. They stand among a pile of fallen rocks with water running between them. They feel like they have been frozen in time and add a bit of life to the still life of the castle.

#6 New York Palace

The New York Palace is a luxury hotel on the Grand Boulevard in Budapest. Stepping inside its front doors feels like entering a royal residence, despite the fact that it is just a hotel. Despite the inclusion of the word “New York,” the palace bears no resemblance to the US city. This is simply because the building was built by the New York Life Insurance Company, which used it as its head office starting in 1894.

While the hotel might break the bank for most visitors, their cafe on the first floor is a great alternative. The cafe and bar are still costly, but the interiors are worth the price of admission. The gilded restaurant is covered in lush tapestries, frescoes, fantastical faun sculptures, and enormous swirling marble columns. The cafe has always been a hub for Hungarian poets and writers and is sure to inspire all those who enter.

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#7 Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar

You can’t say you’ve been to Budapest without visiting a Ruin Bar. In the early 2000s, old, dilapidated buildings in the Jewish Quarter were given new life. Szimpla Café opened up inside one of these abandoned structures. The bar owners had little money to renovate the space but wanted to open it up. So, instead, they embraced the ramshackle environment and used their creativity to create an erratic, bohemian environment. They offered young customers cheap drinks inside this crumbling building. Over the years, artists came in and added their own touches. Custom graffiti, vintage oddities, and mismatched furniture created a king of curated chaos. Which ends up being quite mesmerizing. The environment inside is boisterous and joyful. Discovering all the different creations inside the bar is the best part of visiting a Ruin Bar. It feels like a little scavenger hunt!

#8 Flippermúzeum Pinball Museum

Deep underground in Budapest, you’ll find one of the most interesting and colourful exhibitions: the Flippermúzeum or Pinball Museum. This exhibition/museum/arcade features over 130 machines spread out inside its underground lair. The pinball machines date from as early as the 19th century and into the modern era. There is something wonderfully mysterious about the dimly lit basement set ablaze by these iconic arcade games’ bright neon and flashing lights.

#9 The Hungarian Parliament Building

The most iconic image of Budapest is the famous Hungarian Parliament Building. It sits on Kossuth Square on the Pest side of the city. The building is nestled against the edge of the Danube River. The proximity to the river means a reflection of the building is almost permanently emblazoned onto the water. The symmetrical neo-Gothic architecture was designed by architect Imre Steindl in 1902 and is still one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city today.

There really isn’t a bad angle you can get on this building, but my favourite time of day to shoot it is at night. Parliament looks like it had been cast in gold and shines against the midnight blue of the river. Seeing it from across the other side of the Danube, you can really take in the entirety of the building reflected in the water.

#10 Central Market Hall

When you step inside Budapest’s Central Market Hall, delightful sunlight pouring through the glass windows creates the most welcoming effect. Built-in 1896, it is the largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest. The brightly coloured vegetables, rich red paprika for sale, and beautifully designed wrought iron railings create the most inviting backdrops for your photos.

#11 Ruszwurm Cafe

This tiny bakery in the Buda Castle district feels like something out of Marie Antoinette’s Versaille. The gorgeous pastries inside the glass cabinets look almost too good to eat. The interior is one of the coziest little shots, paired with the antique decor. Ruszwurm Cafe was first established in 1827, and you can still eat the same recipes they served on their opening day! Be sure to try the Mille Feuille cake; it might be one of the best versions of this recipe, even if it is not available in France!

#12 Széchenyi Thermal Bath

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths were built in 1913 in grande Neo-Baroque style. The enormity of this spa makes it almost feel like a public park. Families are chatting, old men are playing chess, kids are playing, and newlyweds are cuddling up. The only difference is that everyone is in their bathing suits and caps! One of the best parts of the Széchenyi Baths is the brightly coloured outdoor space. Under the blue sky, you can soak in the relaxing waters set against a sea of golden-yellow buildings. There is something just so radiant and cheery about this space. It’s hard not to want to take a million pictures while unwinding from the stress of travel!

#13 Heroes’ Square

Heroes Square, or Hősök tere, is one of the largest squares in Budapest. Around the perimeter are statues of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders. They were cast in copper and set in between towering columns. In the centre of the square is a huge column topped by the statue of archangel Gabriel. In his hand, he holds the Holy Crown of St. Stephen (Istvan), the first king of Hungary. There is something so powerful about having a picture of yourself in this square. The juxtaposition of your tiny frame and the large statues brings their enormity to the forefront.

#14 Dohány Synagogue

The Jewish Quarter in Budapest is my favourite part of the city. It is full of history but also super modern in a bohemian way. The streets feel so alive even when they are empty. In the centre of the Jewish Quarter, you’ll find the great Dohány Synagogue. The Great Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and towers over the rest of the district. The twin onion domes, banded in gold, shimmering in the sunlight, draw you in.

The synagogue was built in 1854 in Moorish revival style, with inspiration and designs from Islam, north Africa and medieval Spain. I could spend hours studying the different ornamentations and patterns that decorate this space. It is awe-inspiring. Whether you only see it from the outside or choose to venture inside, there are so many beautiful angles from which to study this synagogue. It’s a photographer’s dream.

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#15 Széchenyi Chain Bridge

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects the Buda and Pest sides of the city together over the Danube River. The bright green ironwork of the bridge was an innovation by English engineer William Tierney Clark made in 1849. The colouring feels like something which makes the bridge stand out in the middle of the city. But when it was first built, it was more than just functional. The bridge was a symbol of Hungary’s advancement in technology and engineering. It was of national significance, linking the East and the West together as one part of a great city.

The bridge became something that brought calmness and balance to the two sides. To this day, walking down the bridge still gives you a sense of this harmony. This bridge is as important as the Brooklyn Bridge in New York or the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Getting a picture of yourself on the bridge is a great way to mark your arrival or departure from Budapest.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of my favourite photo spots in the city! Let me know in the comments what you’re most looking forward to seeing!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post Uncover the Beauty of Budapest: A Guide to the Top 15 Amazing Photography Locations first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

If I was travelling alone, any pictures of myself were awkward selfies or rushed self-timer shots. These were never perfectly composed and often blurry. If I was travelling with a friend, family member or even my significant other, they could easily take the shot for me. But then I’m was left without that person alongside me either. A few years ago, on our second trip to Japan, I made the decision to hire a photographer to help capture pictures of my husband and I travelling TOGETHER.

Hiring a photographer is going to cost money; there is no way of getting around that. And in an age where everyone has a camera on their phone, there is sometimes this feeling of “should I really be spending my money on this when I can do it myself?”. And yes, yes, you should! For every reason, I mentioned above and all the ones I’m about to talk about. After booking my first travel photographer, I knew that this was going to be something I would invest in every time we went somewhere special. It was worth every penny and not only that, and it made for an incredible experience as well! Here is why YOU should book a travel photographer on your next trip!

#1. They can Capture a Special Memory or Milestone

Often the only time in a person’s life, when they might hire a professional photographer, is on their wedding day. Avoiding hiring photographers for other events throughout the years is not only doing a disservice to yourself but also to photographers. These professionals have a real skills which are so unique and something which shouldn’t just be reserved for one event in your entire life. Photographers are perfect to hire if you’re travelling with the whole family. When else do you have the opportunity of getting everyone together in one picture?

Plus, you don’t need to worry about having to be the one who sacrifices being in the photo for taking it. If you’re a couple (like us) we love to capture our favourite spots in cities we love. We feel like it captures us in our most comfortable, happy place. If you’re expecting a baby, making a proposal or even just celebrating a momentous life event, hiring a photographer to capture that moment is the best way to remember it in print forever!

#2. No More Selfies

I’m pretty sure my dad invented selfies. Looking back at all his photographs from the 70s, I found dozens of selfies taken from his film camera. They all featured his blurry face in front of, what I think is, a famous landmark. And while they are indeed works of art (lol), I have not mastered that same genetic art of selfie taking. I never look quite right and more than that, the pictures never look natural. There is just something about stepping away from the camera, being in the shot, rather than in front of the shot that just feels more natural. You can see the space around you, interact with it and escape that dreaded double chin!

#3. You Don’t Need to Worry about Bringing Equipment

When I was trying to take my own vacation pictures, it always involved bringing my fancy DSLR camera, a tripod and a remote timer. I needed all these things to make even a half-decent photo. And even then, standing alone, posing across from a camera, can get pretty awkward. Let’s face it, most of us today use pretty much just our phone as the primary camera. I still love my fancy DSLR, but I have to admit when I leave it at home, I do feel freer and my bag is a lot lighter. Hiring a professional photographer means you can leave that camera at home and still get super high-res pictures that are frame-worthy!

#4. They Make a Great Souvenir

Speaking of framing, I have found that all my pictures we took on vacation are the ones that make it onto the wall. I love to collect images of my family and it just adds that little bit of extra interest when set in a fantastical place around the world. For anyone who visits our home, it’s a conversation piece. “Where was this taken?” “What building are you standing beside?” “Omg is that what Japan looks like?!” I’m always so happy to answer any of their questions and start an engaging conversation about my favourite topic: travel!

#5. Photographers Know the Best Places to Go

Photographers are locals. And they know those secret locations which can make for some breathtaking photos. Or, if you’re looking to head to the Eiffel Tower for an iconic shot there, the photographers know hacks to get the perfect photo without enormous crowds. Photographers not only know about photography but they also know a lot about the city you’re visiting. I always spend the majority of the shoot asking them about their favourite things to do or where we should head next. And they still have the most interesting responses.

#6. It’s a reason to bust out fabulous outfits!

Some of us buy one fantastic dress or outfit that we totally fall in love with, without really having somewhere to wear it. Well, a photoshoot is a perfect excuse to break out those extra special garments. No one knows you wherever you’re travelling so use this opportunity to become someone who would wear that outfit just out and about! Or after the shoot find somewhere fancy to go which also justifies such fancy attire.

#7 Photographers Know how to Help you Pose!

If you’re not someone who takes pictures often, coming up with ideas for poses can feel both awkward and uncomfortable. A photographer is practiced at this and has a thousand thoughts in their head to make your shots look interesting, dynamic and, most important of all, natural. I love taking direction from an expert and honestly, it makes it more fun and feels like a real experience! 

#8 If you’re a solo traveller – you can finally be IN the shot!

Solo travelling is GREAT, I love it. Travelling alone means you don’t have to compromise on anyone else’s schedule or interests. It allows you to do whatever YOU want. And sometimes, being alone lets you be a little more introspective, which is something we often don’t allow ourselves to be in this world of go-go-go. Solo travelling is tough if you want a picture of yourself, though. Usually, you have to resort to asking a stranger. Often this results in less than optimal images since strangers don’t know or care about getting a good shot or sometimes they don’t even know how to compose a picture at all.

A professional photographer is such a beautiful thing to splurge on for solo travelling as it allows YOU to be in the shot. To captures your travels without compromising on the shot. Plus, if you get a little lonely, it’s a nice chance to talk to someone new and perhaps even make a new friend!

Tips for Choosing the Right Photographer

Pick a Budget

If you have a bigger budget, there are plenty of companies already out there that have taken care of the search for a photographer around the world for you. Places like Localgrapher, Flytographer, Shoot My Travel and Local Lens have packages, at different price points, for you to choose from in cities all over the world. You can view the photographer’s profile, see past clients’ photos and read reviews. While all this is neatly put together in an easy to purchase a package, it does come at a much higher cost. These companies are very expensive, and often you don’t get many photos for the high price. But they’re reliable and efficient.

If you don’t have as big of a budget, try searching out burgeoning photographers. There are so many INCREDIBLE photographers on Instagram. By searching on there you can find, in my opinion, even better than the ones on those sites. Often, since they’re not affiliated with these companies, they have more flexibility in their prices and the number of photos they provide. This might mean sending a bunch of random Instagram DMs to find your perfect fit, but if you’re looking to save a bit of money, this is the best way to do so.

Make sure they Speak Your Language

While a photographer might email you in your native language, this could mean they’re using google translate to communicate. Be sure to ask if they speak your native language since communicating in real life with your photographer is essential to get those great shots.

Pick a photographer whose style suits you!

Picking a photographer who has a style that suits you is super important. Almost more so than price. What’s the point of paying for pictures which don’t represent your personal style, no matter how much they cost. For us, one of the most vital things is composition. We LOVE a well-composed photo. We don’t always need to be the focus of the shot. If we’re featured inside a stunning architectural feature – that’s the best! It combines the city and us together. Often we don’t even want to be looking at the camera, this was it feels more editorial. For others, this could be the complete opposite of what they want.

It’s essential to look at examples of the photographer’s work to see their style, both in the photo-taking and in the editing. If you like a more retro photo processing style, don’t pick someone who uses high contrast and modern colouring. Sometimes the photo editing is the photographer’s signature, and they won’t change it based on your preferences. So choose a signature you LOVE! Don’t think you can just fix it yourself afterwards or ask for the raw files. Plus half the reason you’re hiring someone is for their artistic flair and style. So chose the one you love.

Start Early in the Morning and on a weekday

Although your photographer will have a better idea of the exact time for your photos, as a general rule, starting early in the morning and on a weekday will mean you’ll have a more private, quiet experience. Especially if you have your heart set on a popular attraction or backdrop, you want to make sure you’re there before hoards of selfie stick-wielding tourists take-up the entire space. Early in the morning also means you’ll have some beautiful light as the sun begins to rise.

Check the Weather in Advance

Checking the weather a week or so in advance can help you plan out your outfit. Be sure to plan on two options just in case you get some rain or if it ends up being a touch chiller than perhaps you thought it might be. Starting early in the morning means it can be colder than the daytime high so be sure to plan on a jacket you could easily take off as the day wears on.

Make a Rain Plan!

While some photographers might be flexible on changing dates if it rains, most photographers won’t be as their schedule is already full up. So it’s always good to have a rain plan. Ask your photographer where they might think would be good spots around the area to escape to should there be a massive downpour. Rain might also mean that potentially busy places are empty. As long as you bring adequate rain gear, it could make for some iconic shots! Bright and colourful umbrellas are a real statement piece, and you can always find them in tourist shops for sale. Don’t make the weather a downer, make it an opportunity!

Our Fave Photographers

Our incredible photographer in Tokyo was KP Photography and the amazing photos from Mexico City were taken by Olga Koroleva. If you’re looking for a photographer in either of those locations do not hesitate to contact either of these true artists!

Let me know if you’ve ever booked a travel photographer and what your experience was like!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post 8 Reasons Why You NEED to Book a Wonderful Travel Photographer on your Next Vacation first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.