Like most people who have lived in a place for a long time (in my case nearly ten years), doing the touristy things can often get overlooked. Things like daily life can really get in the way. I seem to have done most of my sightseeing in Budapest on my first extended visit to the city, before I even moved here. And I seem to fill in the blanks whenever I have guests visiting. But the best thing about writing (for me) is that it keeps me out there, constantly exploring the city and the country, especially the non-touristy parts. Not being one for doing guided tours—I usually prefer to explore on my own—I was intrigued when I heard about Beyond Budapest, a small company which does specialized walking tours of Budapest’s 8th district.

I’ve long-loved the 8th district, and now, it seems everybody does. What was once the city’s most dangerous neighborhood now holds boutique hotels, stylish bars and cafes, and a bunch of art galleries. The tour ended in the apartment of a Roma couple, where we were told to ask whatever questions we wanted. Beyond Budapest also does tours introducing the neighborhood’s contemporary art scene. Read what I wrote about the district in this article.

–Carolyn