Welcome to
HUNGARY
Official Name: Magyar Koztarsasag (Republic of Hungary)
Capital: Budapest
Form of Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Currency: Forint (HUF)
Area: 93,030km²
Polpulation: 10 million
Other major cities: Lake Balaton, Szentendre, Eger, Gyor
By Go Travelling, Public Domain
Hungary is a country with a diverse and colourful culture and hectic history. Hungarian are proud of their traditions. They have one of the richest folk traditions and its still alive in Europe.
Communism in Hungary ended 1989 and the country became a parliamentary republic. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later.
Low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, sparking lakes and rivers , including Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, acres of green countryside, beautiful quaint villages with hidden gems, Hungary offers many diverse landscape. Hungary has wonderful hot springs and baths dated to Roman and Turkish occupation. The country boasts no less than 1,500 spas, typically featuring Roman, Greek and Turkish architecture.
Learn more about the best things to see and do with our list of the some top attractions in Hungary.
Budapest
Budapest, the capital, is known as Paris in the East, bisected by the mighty Danube River, with famous landmarks such as the Buda’s medieval Castle Hill, and the Pest’s Andrassy Avenue, the neo-gothic Parliament house and the 19th-century Chain Bridge running atop the Danube River.
UNESCO named Budapest a World Heritage Site, and it is consists of three parts:
1. Buda Castle District
This holds the city's medieval sites, with Buda Castle and the remains of the original Roman town Aquincum. It was declared as World Heritage in 1987.
2. Banks of the Danube
This includes the Parliament House(1884-1904) and the Chain Bridge (1849). The Banks of Danube was listed as World Heritage together with the Buda Castle District in 1987.
3. Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue was added in the year 2002 to the World Heritage list and this include the Opera, Millennium Park and the Underground Railway, the first underground in Continental Europe and has been operational since 1896.
Princess Sissi
Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary by marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Elizabeth developed a deep affection for this country and its culture, she even learned the language. In return, Hungarians lovingly nicknamed her Sisi. Her persona forever surrounded by myth and legend, her death in 1898 a violent assassination, Sisi is still greatly beloved by the country that continues to honour her memory.
The Shoes on the Danube Bank
The "Shoes on the Danube Bank" is a memorial in Budapest, conceived in 2005 by film director Can Togay with sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the Jews who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II. There are sixty pairs of period-appropriate iron shoes located along the Pest side of the Danube Promenade.
By Nikodem Nijaki - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
By Moshe Harosh - Pixabay
By Eric Lansaw - Pixabay
Esztergom
Situated on the right bank of the river Danube, Esztergom marks the border between Slovakia and Hungary. Known as the royal city , it is the place where St Stephen, the first King of Hungary was crowned at the start of the 11th century.
Basilica Esztergom
The Basilica of Esztergom is the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary. It is dedicated to the Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Adalbert. It is the largest church and the tallest building in Hungary.
Esztergom Medieval Castle
The medieval castle of Esztergom, built in the 10th and 11th centuries, was the royal seat until 1249. It is the symbol of Hungarian Christianity. It was enlarged in the early Gothic style and later hosted Renaissance artists.
Széchényi Square
Széchényi Square, Esztergom’s central Square was the scene of the Medieval marketplace and is walled by Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical buildings.
The Bridge of Mary Valerie (Most Márie Valérie)
The Bridge of Mary Valerie joins Esztergom in Hungary and Štúrovo in Slovakia, across the River Danube. The bridge is about 509 metres in length. It is named after Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria (1868–1924), the fourth child of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Josef and Elisabeth. Built in 1895, partially destroyed in 1944, restored in 2001.
Gyor
A pretty Baroque city located at the meeting point of three rivers, the Danube, Rába and Rábca, Győr is often known as the “City of Rivers.” Gyor is the third richest city in Hungary for historic monuments after Budapest and Sopron. It is filled with Baroque architectures and the golden statues. Strolling among the beautifully restored buildings, squares and the old company signs on the houses, it’s easy to imagine that you’ve travelled back in time.
What could be a better activity in the ‘city of rivers’ than bathing? The thermal water of Győr has been known for long due to its beneficial effects. There are many Thermal spa centers in the city, where you can enjoy the fun brought by natural hot springs.
Vienna Gate Square (Bécsi kapu tér)
One of the most beautiful Baroque squares in Hungary, is where many of Győr's most important landmarks and historical attractions reside. The square itself is dominated by the beautiful Carmelite Church, which dates back to the early part of the 18th century. At the corner, is the 16th century Altabak-house with its two beautifully decorated corner bay windows and is one of the oldest homes in town as well as one of the most beautiful examples of early Baroque architecture.
Széchenyi Square
The main town square, has been functioning as a market square since the 14th century. The square is also where the Saint Ignatius of Loyola Benedictine Church and Monastery are located. The church built between 1634 and 1641 for the Jesuits who settled down in Gyor in 1627.
Győr Cathedral
Located on Káptalan Domb (Chapter Hill), the Cathedral boasts foundations from the 11th century, was changed and fortified throughout the years, so has a mixture of architectural styles , from Gothic, Neo-classical to Romanesque element.
New City Hall
Next, visit the icon of the town, the New City Hall, busiest spot in Gyor, dominates a large square flanked by many fountains.
For history buffs, the Zichy Palace, the Esterházy Mansion, János Xántus Museum are full of ancient treasures……
Hollókő
Located approximately 100 kilometres from Budapest in Hungary’s rural northern Nógrád county, Hollókő is undoubtedly the country’s best-known village. It was included in the list of World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO in 1987. It developed mainly during the 17th and 18th centuries and has been deliberately preserved as a living example of rural life before the agricultural revolution of the 20th century
Lake Balaton
Rustic villages, ancient fortresses, fertile grape-growing hills, picturesque landscapes and a dazzling Turquoise lake; This is Lake Balaton, Hungary’s largest freshwater lake, second most visited destination after Budapest. It is worth visiting here at any time of the year, but obviously it really lives in the summer!
By Misuga-wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 3.0,
By Bocskai László-wikimedia.org, CC BY 3.0
Siófok
The party capital of Balaton, Siófok is one of the most popular holiday destinations along Lake Balaton’s southern shore best known for its beaches and nightlife.
Here, life is buzzing in every summer, which attract many tourists and young people from all over the country every year.During the day, a quality beach with all sorts of activities awaits you, or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the glorious sunshine! At night, a multitude of entertainment venues and discos opens up with the coolest bands and DJs.
By fimre-Pixabay
By Imre Varga - Szilas in Siófok, Public Domain
Szigliget
A little village on volcanic hills in Veszprém county, Szigliget is host to one of the mightiest castles in Hungary.
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By Kontiki - Indafotó,-wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 2.5
Tihany
One of the oldest medieval town in the lake region, Tihany’s real charm lay in its historic streets, lovely thatched-roof cottages, and rustic rural feel. It is celebrated for its 11th-century Benedictine Abbey Church, one of the oldest churches in Hungary. The church perches on a cliff offering picture-postcard views of the lake’s southern shore.
During July and August, the fields of Tihany transform into gorgeous bright violet carpets of blossoming lavender, a sight to behold!
Badacsony
The volcanic hills of northern Balaton is home to one of the richest, most fertile grape growing ground in the entire country. You can taste the best Hungarian wines in this area.
By János Korom Dr. from Wien, Austria - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 2.0
By Asok5 - wikimedia,org, CC BY SA 2.0
Pécs
Considered the most culturally vibrant Hungarian city outside of the capital, is renowned for its Mosque Church and the ruins of the Roman city of Sopianae, the site of modern Pécs. The ruins have been excavated all around Pécs, but the most compelling discovery is the Early Christian Necropolis. In 2000, it became part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. This mausoleum is a remarkable series of decorated tombs dated back to the 4th century, richly decorated with murals of outstanding quality depicting Christian themes.
Szentendre
Szentendre, an artist’s village along the peaceful Danube bend. This charming little town is known for its well-preserved Balkan style houses and churches, as the area had been settled by Serb refugees. Today the town's best-known inhabitants are artists and small galleries can be found on every street corner.
Hungarian Specialities
Savor some of its great wines , Honey sweet Tokaji, Pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy), and Bull's blood (Egri Bikavér, a blended red wine produced in Eger), with a bowl of spicy goulash and the local "Lángos" (fried Hungarian flat bread) Hungarian’s laces , paprika powder make good buys.
By KarinKarin -Pixabay
Dried Hungarian paprika on string
By Teemeah - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hungarian goulash served in buckets and came on a long stick.
By Dennis Jarvis from Halifax-wikimedia.org, CC BY- 2.0
Goulash
By Hello world - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lángos
By MichalPL - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hungarians are mightily inventive. Notable inventions include the Rubik's Cube by sculptor and professor Erno Rubik in 1974 and the krypton electric bulb by physicist Imre Brody in 1937 and ballpoint pen by journalist László Bíró in 1938.
If you’d like to include a tour of Hungary as part of your trip to Europe, contact us now!
Simply drop us an email with your tour request and expect our prompt response for your tailor-made quotation based on your needs and expectations!