Budapest's Art Nouveau ? 3 hour walk with a historian

Budapest is so full of Art Nouveau that it is impossible to see it all in one day. However, this intro tour will take you to the best examples in the center of Pest. Art Nouveau was popular and trendy all over Europe between 1880 and 1914. In Habsburg Austria they called it Secession, but Hungary had their own version: “Hungarian Secession”. Many of Budapest's characteristic buildings were designed by the Gaudi of Hungary, Ödön Lechner.

Your tour will definitely show you the Palace of the Royal Post, which was designed by Lechner himself and contains many Gaudi-esque elements. You'll also see the Gresham Palace, which started out as office space and luxury apartments for nobility, but is now the best luxury hotel in Budapest. Since both these buildings allow visitors, you will be able to gaze upon the beautiful outside and inside of these striking Art Nouveau buildings.

Your tour will also feature the original interior of a flower shop, as well as a department store, bank offices, and a beautiful Art Nouveau museum (and coffee house). You will also have the chance to see Zsolnay ceramics. These gorgeous ceramics come frome a famous factory in Pécs and have been used all over Europe, but are especially found on the interiors, roofs, and, facades of Hungary's best Art Nouveau structures.

Your guide will also show you the Asian motifs and elements in decoration. This style was popular all across Europe, but many Hungarians felt it symbolized their easter origins as well.

Since some buildings are closed certain days of the week, your tour is highly adaptable, especially if you have a particular place you would like to see.