Iulia from Budapest

About me I was born and raised in Romania and come from a family of mixed Romanian and Hungarian heritage. I am a native speaker of both languages and my parents are teachers, so I was always very interested in learning new things and trying to have a balanced and informed view on whatever topic I was dealing with. I moved to Budapest to study and majored in English and Finnish. After univer...

Oct 2, 2025

Mátyásföld Villas Budapest

Secession in the suburbs

"The "Mátyásföld Villas" Budapest are a perfect day-trip destination for all fans of architecture. Many of these fancy 20th cen. villas are still inhabited."

The villas of Mátyásföld are a perfect day trip destination for those architecturally inclined visitors (or locals) who want to stray away form the usual tourist trails and throngs. The area of main interest is easily reachable by HÉV (suburban train) in about ten minutes from the Örs Vezér tér station (take line 8 or 9 and get off at Mátyásföld repülőtér). Once there, all you need to do is walk down Pilóta street and then turn into whichever street seems most exciting. Do remember that the villas, many of which date back to the early 20th Century, are private property, and while owners are aware of their architectural value and do not mind polite visitors, it is still important to keep a respectful distance from the living areas, especially when taking pictures. The most spectacularly decorated villa, currently uninhabited, lies at the corner of Májusfa and Diósy Lajos streets.

Mátyásföld also housed Budapest’s first international airport, which operated from 1916. As civil aviation moved first to Budaörs, then to Ferihegy, the airport in Mátyáshegy remained in use for military purposes and gave rise to many urban legends connected to possible Soviet spies living in the neighbourhood’s fancy villas after the Russian occupation. One definite result of the building of military barracks in the area was the move, brick by brick, of a small Scandinavian-inspired Lutheran church to its current location at Prodám street 13, which is also very worth a visit during a Mátyásföld walk.

Art & culture

Relaxing

About this spot

Mátyásföld repülőtér station

HÉV ticket:

HUF

350

Our Budapest Guide

Find your way with 174 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Budapest guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest

Lúd Labor

Local paper store, made with love

"Lúd Labor" in Budapest is the perfect stationery shop. More than half its wares are made by local designers, I tend to lose control in here...

Shopping

Claudia

Leporatti

Oct 12, 2025

Hungarian Treasury

My favourite building

The "Hungarian Treasury" in Budapest is a building I show to all my guests. Its secessionist art nouveau style is reminiscent of Antoni Gaudí...

Art & culture

Claudia

Leporatti

Oct 12, 2025

Vivina café

Brunch classic in Budapest

The true star of Vivina’s brunch menu is the porridge—comforting, nourishing, and served with fresh berries and toasted nuts, it’s one of the best porridges in town!

Coffee & tea

Restaurants

Betti

Galos

Oct 11, 2025

Lion's Locker

A tasty home for travellers

"Lion's Locker" in Budapest is a cute family-run cafe where I can stay all day. The staff is all wonderful - and they know how to make almond milk foam!

Coffee & tea

Snacks

Claudia

Leporatti

Oct 9, 2025

Arán Bakery Budapest

Sourdough and dreams

"Arán Bakery Budapest" fuels my dreams with sourdough bread like my grandmother made it and delicious cinnamon rolls...

Snacks

Iulia

Notaros

Oct 9, 2025

Sport Bisztró

Fitness for the stomach

"Sport Bisztró" in Budapest is a pleasantly familiar, well-oiled haunt that sticks to the proverb 'healthy mind in a healthy body!' Great sports bar, too.

Hidden zen oasis

The Japanese garden hidden in a leafy corner of Zugló. It was created in 1928 by Márton Varga and followed Japanese principles as much as possible...

Relaxing

Iulia

Notaros

Oct 6, 2025

Kieselbach Galéria

Collection of Legends

Kieselback Gallery showcases Hungary’s greatest art, from classics to modern works. Free entry, quiet rooms, and nearby cafés make a very special place.

Art & culture