With commanding views from both banks of the Danube River and a picturesque cityscape defined by a mix of baroque, neoclassical, Art Nouveau and postmodern architecture, Budapest looks like it was designed with photographers in mind.

Home to 20 per cent of Hungary’s total population, Budapest is the country’s capital and also its cultural, political and commercial heart. Here, the grand boulevards and stately buildings of the past form the backdrop for a lively, progressive present.

Whether or not Budapest already had a spot on your bucket list, these images from photographer Sandro Pehar will soon have you booking a flight.

Getting There

Air Canada and Lufthansa have several direct flights weekly to Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport.