From the elegant capital Budapest to the peaceable shores of Lake Balaton to a few of Europe’s best-kept secrets and techniques like Tokaj, the most effective locations to go to in Hungary are ready to pleasantly shock you.
Many guests decide to spend a number of days in Budapest with out seeing every other elements of Hungary, however the remainder of the nation has a lot to supply. Other than the grand capital metropolis, Hungary is filled with smaller, underrated cities, scenic lakes, and rolling hills dotted with vineyards.
When visiting Hungary, you possibly can improve your expertise by exploring no less than one different vacation spot outdoors Budapest. Our skilled journey advisors might help you select the most effective locations to go to in Hungary for the proper journey tailor-made to you.
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Hungary is a fascinating nation that provides a combination of big-city vitality and relaxed locations plentiful in pure magnificence. It has a vibrant previous and a novel, wealthy tradition. This landlocked nation in Central Europe is understood for its meals, artwork, structure, folklore, and custom.
You may as well simply mix a visit to Hungary with visits to different nations, like neighboring Austria. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland are different close by nations that you would be able to add to your journey to Hungary.
However for now, let’s check out the most effective locations to go to in Hungary.
5 Greatest Locations To Go to in Hungary
1. Budapest
Budapest is the jewel of Hungary and one among Europe’s most lovely cities. Nicknamed the Paris of The East due to its elegant structure, the biggest metropolis in Hungary is likely one of the most gorgeous European capitals. Divided by the Danube River, Buda and Pest are the 2 halves that make up the entire of this metropolis.
Town’s gorgeous structure is a combination of Gothic, Baroque, Artwork Nouveau, and extra. Budapest has all the time been a cultural hotspot, particularly in artwork and music, and the Hungarian Nationwide Gallery in Buda Citadel chronicles the nation’s inventive historical past.
Like Vienna, Budapest additionally has a robust café tradition courting to the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A few of the greatest historic cafés within the metropolis the place you possibly can get pleasure from espresso and a slice of cake embody Central Café and Café Gerbeaud.
In the case of Hungarian meals, you will discover all of the staples of native delicacies in Budapest. Hearty goulash is the nationwide dish of Hungary, and you will discover this meaty stew in eating places throughout Budapest.
Another meals to attempt are langos, a deep-fried flatbread that’s widespread avenue meals, and kurtoskalacs, or chimney muffins, a scrumptious candy dessert.
Budapest is a good metropolis to go to year-round. Spring and fall are good when you’re on the lookout for milder climate and decrease crowds, whereas summer time is a heat, energetic, and busy time to go to.
Winters in Budapest may be fairly harsh, particularly with winds coming off the Danube River. Nonetheless, December is a magical time to go to as a result of the town goes all out for the vacations, with Christmas markets and exquisite decorations.
High Points of interest in Budapest
On the left facet of the river, Buda is the oldest part of the town. That is the place you’ll discover Buda Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Website that now homes a museum advanced.
Buda is filled with winding cobblestone streets and unbelievable views of the Danube River. Fisherman’s Bastion on Citadel Hill gives probably the greatest viewpoints within the metropolis.
On the suitable facet of the river, Pest is the place you’ll discover the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Constructing, which is open for excursions. This facet of the town can also be dwelling to the grand St. Stephen’s Basilica, an icon of the town. Pest is the livelier a part of the town, with a lot of eating places, bars, and procuring streets.
There are a number of bridges throughout the Danube River linking Buda and Pest. Probably the most well-known is the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, which opened in 1849.
Budapest is understood for its many thermal springs, which have been part of the town’s tradition for hundreds of years. With mineral-rich water sourced from underground caves, the thermal baths are stated to have therapeutic properties.
After a full day of strolling round and sightseeing in Budapest, there’s no higher strategy to chill out than by soaking in a thermal bathtub.
Three of the most effective thermal baths within the metropolis are Szechenyi Thermal Bathtub, Gellert Thermal Bathtub, and Rudas Thermal Bathtub. In case you have time to go to solely one of many thermal baths in Budapest, Szechenyi Thermal Bathtub is the biggest and most visited.
In the case of nightlife in Budapest, the town’s so-called spoil bars are widespread. These previously deserted warehouses have been changed into eclectic bars. In case you’re on the lookout for a extra fashionable night out in Budapest, you possibly can catch a efficiency on the Hungarian State Opera Home.
2. Lake Balaton
Simply over an hour from Budapest, Lake Balaton is likely one of the hottest getaways within the nation for locals and vacationers alike. On weekends in the summertime, residents of Budapest flock to this tranquil lake, which has been nicknamed the Hungarian Sea.
Since landlocked Hungary doesn’t have an actual sea, Lake Balaton is the closest substitute. As the biggest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton spans nearly 2,000 sq. miles. Its hanging milky inexperienced shade comes from the shallow water of this freshwater lake.
Summer time is certainly the most effective time to go to Lake Balaton. This widespread vacation spot actually comes alive within the hotter months, with energetic waterfront eating places and bars, water sports activities and actions, music festivals, and extra.
High Points of interest in Lake Balaton
Siofok and Balatonfured are two of the most well-liked resort cities on Lake Balaton. Each cities provide lakefront promenades, outlets, eating places, and seashore areas the place you possibly can chill out on the shore or go for a dip within the lake’s heat waters.
Getting out on the water is by far probably the greatest methods to expertise Lake Balaton. You may lease a ship to discover by yourself or attempt an exercise like kayaking, paddle boarding, or windsurfing.
Another enjoyable out of doors actions round Lake Balaton are climbing and biking. There are quite a few strolling and climbing paths across the lake, together with within the Balaton Uplands Nationwide Park, a close-by nature reserve. There’s a 125-mile biking route that goes round a lot of the lake.
Tihany is a small city on Lake Balaton that’s well-known for its lavender fields. In case you’re visiting in mid-to-late June or early July, it’s price seeing the colourful purple blooms right here. When you’re in Tihany, be sure you go to Tihany Abbey, a historic, picturesque Benedictine monastery overlooking the lake.
For wine lovers, Lake Balaton can also be an awesome vacation spot. The Balaton wine area is likely one of the greatest in Hungary, and there are quite a few vineyards and wineries across the lake.
3. Eger
Among the best locations to go to in Hungary, Eger is a smaller Hungarian metropolis that flies underneath the radar for a lot of guests. Nonetheless, this historic metropolis is price a cease in your journey to Hungary.
With lovely Baroque structure, thermal baths, vineyards, and a powerful medieval fort, there’s rather a lot to like about Eger.
Situated an hour and a half by automotive or two hours and quarter-hour by practice from Budapest, Eger is nestled in northeastern Hungary, near Slovakia. It’s a comparatively small metropolis, with a inhabitants of round 80,000 individuals, so it gives a quieter, extra laid-back lifestyle than buzzing Budapest.
In case you’re involved in studying extra concerning the wealthy historical past of Hungary and discovering the allure of this small metropolis, it is best to add a day or two in Eger to your itinerary.
High Points of interest in Eger
The primary attraction on this lovely metropolis is Eger Citadel, an imposing medieval fortress that has protected Eger for hundreds of years. In 1552, Eger Citadel defended itself throughout an assault by the Turks, efficiently repelling the a lot higher Ottoman forces. Immediately, you possibly can tour the sprawling fort advanced the place historical past involves life.
Though Eger was finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire, like most of Hungary within the sixteenth century, it remained free for one more forty-four years after the Siege of Eger. This makes Eger a supply of patriotic pleasure for Hungarians.
Remnants of the Ottoman occupation can nonetheless be seen within the metropolis, together with the 130-foot Eger Minaret, one among simply three Ottoman-era minarets left within the nation.
Like Budapest, you may as well discover thermal baths in Eger. That is one other relic from the Turkish period, though right this moment Eger Thermal Bathtub has grown into a big and fashionable compound with greater than a dozen indoor and out of doors swimming pools, together with a youngsters’s space with water slides.
One other primary cause to go to Eger is its wine tradition. The wine-producing area across the metropolis is particularly identified for its crimson blends, together with the well-known Egri Bikaver, or Bull’s Blood.
4. Pecs
One other underrated metropolis in Hungary that’s price spending a while in is Pecs. This beautiful metropolis in southern Hungary, near the border with Croatia, was named a European Capital of Tradition again in 2010. Just like Eger, it’s a smaller metropolis that may be very walkable and straightforward to discover in a day or two.
From Budapest, Pecs is 2 hours and quarter-hour by automotive, or two and a half hours by practice. Town is a testomony to historical past, with reminders of the previous round each nook. This is likely one of the greatest locations to go to in Hungary when you’re involved in historical past and tradition.
High Points of interest in Pecs
Pecs was based by the Romans, and probably the greatest historic Roman websites you possibly can go to is the Early Christian Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. This 4th-century burial website comprises remarkably well-preserved embellished tombs and mausoleums.
Pecs Cathedral is one other nice historic website to go to. Though the foundations of the church additionally date again to the 4th century, the present iteration of the construction is significantly newer.
The Romanesque cathedral dates again to the eleventh century, though it needed to be restored and partially rebuilt after injury in the course of the Ottoman occupation.
Talking of the Ottoman occupation, a remnant from this period is the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, which was later transformed right into a Catholic church. You may as well see stays of the medieval metropolis partitions, which as soon as encircled the town.
One other of the town’s must-visit locations is the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. This space was the house of the Zsolnay porcelain manufacturing unit within the nineteenth century and has now been restored and changed into a museum and cultural heart.
Zsolnay porcelain is a particular, colourful kind of ceramics, and you’ll see it displayed throughout the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter.
As a cultural hotspot, Pecs has some great venues just like the Nationwide Theatre of Pecs, which hosts live shows, operas, performs, and extra.
5. Tokaj
Final however not least, probably the greatest locations to go to in Hungary is Tokaj. Located within the northeastern a part of the nation, Tokaj is understood for being one of many high wine-producing areas in Hungary. It’s significantly well-known for its candy white wines, like Tokaji Aszu.
Tokaj is 2 and a half hours by automotive from Budapest. Visiting this area combines effectively with a cease in Eger because it’s concerning the halfway level when you’re coming from Budapest. The small city of Tokaj is positioned on the coronary heart of this hilly area dotted with vineyards and wineries.
High Points of interest in Tokaj
The primary attraction right here is, after all, the wine. Tokaj itself is a really charming riverfront city, with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a laid-back environment. There are lots of wineries proper within the city the place you possibly can get pleasure from an intimate tasting in a wine cellar.
Different wineries are only a quick drive away within the countryside across the picturesque city, and lots of provide excursions the place you possibly can study concerning the manufacturing technique of Tokaji Aszu and different wines.
Tokaji Aszu may be paired with savory or candy dishes, however some of the widespread pairings is foie gras, of which Hungary is a high producer, following France.
Wine manufacturing in Tokaj dates again to the seventeenth century. The wealthy volcanic clay soil and the method of rotting and drying the grapes contribute to the distinctive, advanced, and candy taste of the wine. Though Hungary is dwelling to a number of notable wine areas, Tokaj is probably the most well-known.
Other than wine tasting and vineyard excursions, you may as well study extra concerning the historical past and tradition of the city on the Tokaj Museum, positioned in a historic service provider’s home.
Uncover The Greatest Locations To Go to in Hungary With JayWay
This record of the most effective locations to go to in Hungary will not be that lengthy. But, every of those high 5 locations to go to in Hungary is exclusive and value including to your Hungary itinerary.
For the latter, go away it to our skilled journey planners to create one among your most memorable journey experiences. In spite of everything, the easiest way to see Hungary is with JayWay.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s captivated with journey and storytelling, a mixture that makes her splendid for her function as our content material supervisor.
