Budapest, the capital, is a city of imposing scale and wide Danube vistas, split by the river into historic Buda and buzzy Pest, and offering both the old (imperial-era boulevards, Art Nouveau coffeehouses, bubbling Turkish baths) and the new (quirky warehouse bars and summer riverboat clubs).A few hours’ travel beyond Budapest is enough to access Hungary’s other key charms, from Serb-influenced Szentendre, a short way north along the Danube bend, to the lush wine-growing Badacsony region on the shores of Lake Balaton to the southwest. Balaton, the “nation’s playground”, also plays host to crowded summer party resorts such as Siófok, or gentlerKeszthely. Hungary’s three most culture-rich towns beyond Budapest are scattered across the country but not to be missed: Sopron, close by the border with Austria; Pécs, on the far southern tip, ringed by alpine hills; and Eger, just northeast of Budapest, a mellow, historic city famous for its Bull’s Blood wine. Across southeast Hungary stretches the enormous Great Plain, covering half the country and home to some beautiful national parks and the cities of Szeged,Kecskemét and Debrecen.
Best Places to Visit in Hungary
1. Budapest
Budapest, Hungary’s capital and largest city, is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. One of the best places to visit in Hungary, Budapest is home to the world’s largest thermal water cave system as well as the world’s second largest synagogue and third largest Parliament building, the city’s top attraction. You’ll find spectacular views of the Danube and the city from Fishermen’s Bastion, originally part of the city wall. A poignant memorial to Jews killed in World War II can be found at Shoes of the Danube, where Jews removed their shoes before being shot and washed away by the river.
2. Tihany
Tihany is one of the most popular holiday resorts on Lake Balaton. Originally an island, this tiny peninsula - covering just eight square kilometers - boasts some of Hungary's most extraordinary scenery. Designated a nature reserve, the southwestern section is closed to traffic and is wonderful to explore on foot along the well-marked trail network. A must-visit landmark in the town itself is the beautiful 17th-century Benedictine Abbey with its spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding area, a particular treat in spring when the region's almond trees are in bloom, and again in summer when the fields are a sea of deep-blue lavender. From the abbey, be sure to walk to the lovely old Inner Harbor with its moorings for passenger ships and pleasant lakeside promenade.
3. Lake Balaton
Running for a whopping 77 kilometers through the undulating hills that form the verdant reaches of western Hungary, Lake Balaton is a magnet for both domestic and foreign visitors both summer and winter. Along its wide, grassy banks, sunbathers settle from May onwards, many clutching beers and boogieing the afternoons away outside beach bars in party towns like Keszthely and Siofok (now hailed as the Ibiza of Hungary!). Others come to dive into the mineral-rich volcanic waters of the lake itself, which is eminently swimmable and great for sailing and other watersports. Camping and cottage resorts pepper the shorelines too, while castles and interesting churches crown the hills of Balatonalmadi and Szigliget.
4. Heviz
Known for its spas, the town of Hévíz is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary. The local lake for which the town is named after is fed by a wonderful mixture of both hot and cold springs which makes bathing in Hévíz Lake very enjoyable.
The average surface temperature of the water in the lake ranges from 24°C to 38°C throughout the year.
5. Debrecen
The second largest city in the country, Debrecen has been the Hungarian capital not once but twice over the course of its history. The city's rich history can be seen in the many historical buildings that line the street, particularly in and around the central Kossuth Square. Debrecen also has its fair share of museums, including the notable Déri Museum, a national museum of arts. The summer months are a particularly good time to visit the city, as there are plenty of street festivals, including the famed Flower Carnival, which takes place in August each year.
6. Eger
Eger, northern Hungary’s second largest city, is known for several things. Founded by Hungary’s first Christian king, Saint Stephen, in the 10th century, the city is famous for its magnificent baroque buildings. The king founded an Episcopal cathedral, with Eger remaining an important religious center today. The cathedral was built on Castle Hill, with the city growing around it. The castle and basilica remain the city’s top sights, followed by the Valley of the Women, a series of wine cellars and restaurants built into surrounding hills. Check out the Torok Kori Minaret, the northernmost Turkish minaret in Europe; the 150-step climb to the top is steep, but the views are worth it.
7. Sopron
Sopron, just 64 kilometers south of Vienna and eight kilometers from the Austrianborder near the eastern foothills of the Alps, is a popular destination for day trippers. Much of its allure stems not just from its attractive surroundings, but also from its many well preserved medieval and Baroque buildings. All told, the town boasts 115 officially-listed monuments and 240 protected buildings, one of the largest such collections in Europe. All the buildings in the Old Town are found within the confines of the medieval town wall built on Roman ruins. Many of these buildings are of particular interest as they contain features added from other historic periods, so you'll never know quite what to expect as you explore this town's many delights.
8. Pecs
The multicultural gem of south-western Hungary, Pecs can be found neatly nestled close to all of Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. 2,000 years of history going all the way back to Roman times imbue the centre with layer upon layer of heritage and cultural interest, while the backdrop of the forest-clad Mecsek Hills offers outdoorsy types oodles of hiking and mountain biking on the edge of the Dinaric Alps. Back in the town centre and a lively student population powers the bars, all of which coalesce invitingly between the cobbled streets, below the charming Rococo-come-Renaissance Cathedral, amidst the curiously Turkic facades and the around the pretty blue-domed tops of the Mosque of Pasha Quasim.
9. Miskolc
With almost 175,000 permanent residents, the city of Miskolc is located in the northern parts of Hungary. The city of Miskolc has grown over the years to become a popular tourist destination.
There are many sites throughout the city that are century’s old. Once here do not miss a visit to its most famous aquapark – Miskolc-Tapolca cave bath.
10. Aggtelek National Park
If you’re a spelunker, put Aggtelek National Park on your bucket list for Hungary. Located in northern Hungary about a three-hour drive from Budapest, the park is home to the largest stalactic cave, in Europe. Guided tours, geared to physical capabilities, are available. A special cave experience is listening to concerts inside Baradla. The park is a protected area, with some parts off-limits to tourists, while visitors must remain on marked hiking trails in others. Aggtelek National Park is a good place to see flora and fauna, and visit quaint villages within its boundaries.
Some Interesting Facts About Hungary
1. Hungary was formerly a part of the Roman Empire, after the fall of which, ‘the Huns’ – people of the country at that time – gave the country their name – Hungary.
2. It is one of the oldest countries in Europe. Comparatively, the area occupied by Hungary is slightly smaller than the state of Indiana. Hungary is also one of 50 nations that lead the world in industrial carbon dioxide emissions.
3. Hungarian is the direct descendant of the language spoken by the Huns. It is not an Indo-European language. In addition to their native language, many Hungarians speak English, German, French or (since World War II) Russian.
4. Communist rule became prominent in the country after the Second World War. By the late 1980s, the country owed $18 billion, the highest per-capita indebtedness in Europe.
5. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.
6. There are more than 1500 spas in the country with Roman, Greek and Turkish architecture.
7. Hungary is known for its Nobel Prize winners. There are a total of 13 such winners. They have won Nobel Prizes in every category except ‘Peace.’ All of the Nobel Prize winners, however, emigrated from the country.
8. Almost 5% of its GDP is spent on education, the result of which is their 99% literacy rate. Hungary has about 77 institutions of higher education, including 10 universities and nine technical schools. There were 91 males for every 100 females in the country in 2014.
9. Hungarians have won gold medals in the Olympics every time they have competed. According to population size, Hungarians are just behind Finland in the tally of most gold medals won. The Budapest Grand Prix, the only Formula-One motor race in Eastern Europe, was inaugurated in August 1986.
10. It is among the thirty most popular tourist destinations in the world.
With its rich history, stunning baroque architecture, beautiful national parks, and lush wine-making regions, Hungary is one of the best vacation destinations in Central Europe. Budapest boasts some of the best nightlife in the world, and some of the resort towns on the beautiful Lake Balaton are the site of a non-stop party during the summer months. However, visitors can also kick back and relax in one of the many natural thermal baths or in Lake Hévíz, the second-largest thermal lake in the world.
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