5 beautiful filming locations to visit in Budapest, Hungary, for fans of 'FBI: International'
There's something magical about seeing filming locations in real life — something about pulling back the curtain on everything you see on screen and experiencing it firsthand.
As someone who loves screenwriting and everything about the TV show production process, I especially love exploring beautiful places that also played a part in bringing my favorite shows to life. Of course, "Harry Potter" and "Game of Thrones" filming locations in the United Kingdom and Croatia are extremely popular, as are some sites throughout Europe that were featured in "Star Wars." But even lesser-known filming locations spark a unique kind of joy in my heart.
For fans of "FBI: International," a series from CBS that follows a close-knit team of agents who help solve crimes across Europe, you might not realize that a lot of the show is filmed on location. In the first season (the finale of which airs today), the "Fly Team" is based in Budapest, Hungary. Chances are, you'll recognize a few historic backdrops throughout the show.
Budapest is a fantastic destination to visit in its own right, but if you're a fellow fan of "FBI: International," make sure you check out some of these spots from the show.
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Castle Garden Bazaar
In the pilot of "FBI: International," we meet supervisory special agent Scott Forrester as he's training members of the local police on how to disarm a suspect. The scene was filmed at Castle Garden Bazaar. While the original structure was built between 1875 and 1883, it's been newly renovated and now acts as a complex filled with theaters, gardens restaurants and more.
During this early scene from the show, you can see the attraction's columns, zigzagging walkways and ivy-covered walls in the background as you're introduced to Forrester and his partner, Jamie Kellett. In this moment, you're also introduced to Budapest, the team's home base throughout the first season.
"One of the main characters of this show is the locations," Ernesto Alcalde, line producer for "FBI: International," told TPG in an interview. "You know, aside from the regular cast, the locations are a main character of this show to me."
Fisherman’s Bastion
In the opening of the second episode of "FBI: International," agents Forrester and Kellett attempt to chase down a van (and nearly get run over in the process). The scene, while intense, has a beautiful backdrop: Fisherman's Bastion, one of Budapest's most popular tourist attractions.
The castle has stunning panoramic views and a fairy-tale facade. Once upon a time, a guild of fishermen protected the area (hence the castle's name), but now you can spend the day exploring its turrets, learning about the history of the structure and taking in the views from the cafe located on the terrace.
Liberty Bridge
"FBI: International" used multiple bridges as filming locations throughout the first season — some in Budapest, and others in different cities in Europe. However, the Liberty Bridge is a distinct landmark you see in the show. In one episode, Forrester even spends a bit of time on the bridge at night to get some fresh air and think.
The architecture of the bridge makes it a truly unique location, with its art nouveau design, green color and posts topped by a Hungarian national symbol, the mythical turul (similar to a falcon). Although the original was destroyed during World War II, it was among the first landmarks to be reconstructed after the war.
While you likely won't have the bridge to yourself day or night the way Forrester did in "FBI: International," it's still a beautiful place to visit and walk across the Danube River.
Great Market Hall
Another spot you may recognize from "FBI: International" is the Great Market Hall, a massive indoor market located near Liberty Bridge in Fovam Square. Locals and tourists alike flock to the hall to buy everything from paprika (and other spices) to tokaji wine to Hungarian sausages and salamis.
Like the other filming locations on this list, the architecture here is absolutely stunning. The structure itself sort of resembles a train station, with towering ceilings that give the crowded marketplace an open and airy feel.
Historic downtown area in Szekesfehervar, Hungary
Last but not least is Szekesfehervar, a filming location just southwest of Budapest. The city's historic downtown area, including its charming and colorful buildings, is used as a backdrop throughout the season. It's one of the oldest destinations in Hungary (and was once a royal residence).
Whether you want to pretend you're walking down the street to visit the Fly Team at a local cafe or would rather learn about the real-life history of the city, it's an easy, can't-miss daytrip from Budapest. While there, make sure you do some real exploring — Alcalde said that was how the production crew for "FBI: International" found some of their favorite places in Hungary.
"Take the road less traveled," Alcalde said. "At least for me, that's how I've always stumbled upon great locations and great places and great restaurants and great people."
Visiting Budapest on points and miles
Unfortunately, there is only one nonstop flight to Budapest from the U.S. — a John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Budapest Airport (BUD) route on LOT Polish Airlines. While LOT is a Star Alliance member, you'll likely get a better points deal (and an overall nicer flight experience) booking another way.
You can reserve Lufthansa first-class awards from JFK to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Germany through one of the airline’s Star Alliance partners for as low as 90,000 miles one-way through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program or 87,000 miles one-way through Avianca LifeMiles. Once you land in Frankfurt, Budapest is only a quick flight away. Aeroplan and LifeMiles are both transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One.
You can also book through United Airlines if you have United miles or Chase Ultimate Rewards points (with no fuel surcharges to boot), though at higher mileage rates.
Related: Best ways to get to Europe on points and miles
Once you arrive, you do have a few options for where to stay on points. The Budapest Marriott Hotel, which overlooks the Danube River, is bookable for between 50,000 and 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night on multiple late summer dates. Additionally, just a few blocks away from the river but still in the heart of the city is The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, which is bookable for 44,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night during late summer dates.
If you're a member of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, you're in luck: At the InterContinental Budapest, you can reserve a room for about 35,000 IHG One Rewards points per night during the same late summer dates.
Bottom line
Throughout the pandemic, watching shows that transported me to another place was the best way for me to satisfy my wanderlust without actually leaving my apartment. Now that places are reopening and travel has made a comeback, I'm starting to plan trips again — this time, to places I never considered before.
Although Budapest was never at the top of my travel list, watching the first season of "FBI: International" has made me want to visit the city sooner rather than later. Not only do I want to check out some of the filming locations and see how they differ from what I saw on screen, but I also want to learn about the history and culture of a place that this TV show inadvertently introduced to me.
If you geek out about filming locations as much as I do, you'll want to put "FBI: International" on your must-watch list. Be sure to add Budapest to your list of destinations to explore, too.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.