When I think of the ultimate European getaway, my mind usually wanders to the glittering Danube, the architectural marvel of the Parliament building, or the steaming thermal baths that define Budapest. It is a city of undeniable grandeur and history, a place that feels like a living museum of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s golden age.
However, a startling new analysis has shattered that romantic image, handing the Hungarian capital a title no destination wants: the dirtiest city in the world. It was a genuine shock to read that this “honor” went to a city sitting right in the centre of Europe rather than a sprawling industrial megaplex on another continent.
The claim comes from a study conducted by Radical Storage, a global luggage storage company that decided to dig into the nitty-gritty of traveler experiences. By analyzing thousands of Google reviews for the world’s most popular tourist destinations, they hunted for keywords like “dirty,” “trash,” and “filth.”
The results for Budapest were damning, with a staggering 37.9 percent of cleanliness-related reviews painting a negative picture. Instead of praising the gothic revival architecture, many visitors are apparently focused on the grime beneath their feet.
@zss2212 Garbage day was number 1 culture shock Its still cute tho😭 #fyp #budapest #trash ♬ Amityville Horror – Scary Halloween Sound Effects – Halloween Sound Effects
Reading these statistics forces me to reconsider my own memories of the city and the reality of modern mass tourism. Experts suggest that Budapest is simply becoming a victim of its own skyrocketing success, struggling to manage waste as visitor numbers surge.
In September alone, tourism figures jumped by 12 percent compared to the previous year, placing immense pressure on municipal services that clearly cannot keep up. It is a classic case of infrastructure buckling under the weight of popularity, leaving overflowing bins and unkempt streets to greet new arrivals.
It is seemingly not just a Hungarian problem, but a crisis affecting the heavyweights of European tourism. I was surprised to see that Italy dominates the rest of this “list of shame,” with Rome taking the second spot and Milan and Florence not far behind.
Even Paris, the City of Light, found itself in the top five, proving that romantic reputation does not exempt a city from the gritty reality of urban hygiene. It seems that the more we flock to these cultural capitals, the harder it becomes for them to maintain the pristine facade we see on postcards.
This ranking serves as a harsh reality check for travelers who expect perfection when they book a ticket to Europe’s celebrated capitals. While I still believe Budapest offers one of the most stunning skylines in the world, this study suggests that looking down at the pavement might ruin the view.
It raises a valid question about how we travel and whether our favorite destinations are equipped to handle our presence without losing their charm to the debris of tourism. I am curious if this label feels earned to those of you who have walked along the Danube recently.
If you have visited Budapest lately, tell me in the comments if you noticed the mess or if you think this title is completely undeserved.
