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Holidays in Hungary

Hungary Main Guide| Places to visit | Things to do

Hungary is a temperate, landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It lies on the Danube River and has been at the centre of European events many times in its long history. Once an important part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary became a Communist country under Soviet influence after World War Two. Since 1990 Hungary has been a true democratic state and today is a member of the European Union.

The climate varies according to region; it is mildest in the south and hottest in the west. In January the temperature can get as low as -2 °C, with a typical high of 28 °C in July. It can sometimes rain quite heavily towards the end of the day, so it pays to be prepared for changeable weather.

Hungary Facts At A Glance

Area: 93,030 square km.

Climate: Temperate with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers

Terrain: Mostly flat with low mountains on the Slovakian border

Population: 10 Million

Languages: Hungarian

Currency: Forint

Time Zone: 1 Hour ahead of GMT

International Dialling Code: +36

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Places to visit

The capital, Budapest, is in fact a merging of two old cities; Buda and Pest, which lie on opposite banks of the Danube. The two cities merged in 1873 but retain somewhat different identities. Pest is a major centre for business and commerce and home to the majority of shops, restaurants and nightlife, while Buda is quieter with more historical attractions.

Debrecen is Hungary’s second-largest city, with many historic buildings. The most famous is the Calvinist church. The city has a long academic tradition, with a number of museums and exhibits devoted to academic topics. There is also a zoo, fun park and nature reserve.

Eger has a long history as a centre for religion and patriotism. In 1552 a small force of Hungarians resisted a Turkish army for more than a month, and today there are many historic buildings and monuments to discover. The town is also famous as a centre for wine-making.

Gyor is a historic city lying at the confluence of the Danube, Reba and Rabca rivers. It dates from Roman times and boasts a number of fine Baroque buildings.

Gyula is a popular destination with those seeking relaxation and peace. The town has an excellent Gothic castle and one of the most famous spas in Hungary. There are also several museums devoted to a range of topics.

Koszeg was the site of a famous victory over the Turks in 1532. Its castle is well worth a visit, and includes some segments that are over 700 years old. There are also many historical monuments in the town and some good museums.

Pecs dates from Roman times. The town has a beautiful climate and important historical remains as well as a scenic location at the foot of the Mecsek Hills.

Sarospatak is a small town with a fine Gothic and Renaissance castle. The church is another famous historical feature, and there is a religious museum at the former monastery.

Sopron near the Austrian border is a very beautiful city surrounded by vineyards. It has several museums and historic churches.

Szeged is one of the sunniest places in Hungary. The town, which lies on the banks of the River Tisza, is known for salami, paprika and a famous fish soup. The town has a long academic tradition (vitamin C was discovered here), as well as a religious heritage. The cathedral and musical clock are well known landmarks, and there are some good museums including the Mora Frenc Museum.

Szentendre, with its many churches, has some excellent art collections and museums including a baby museum, a transport museum and one devoted to Marzipan.

Szombathely, which dates from Roman times, is a very old town with a beautiful Mediterranean climate. The region also produces some fine wines which you can sample.

Vac was the destination of Hungary’s first railway in 1836. The city has an impressive cathedral and exhibits of art in the Greek Church Exhibition Hall.

Visegrad was the site of a gigantic Renaissance palace and other historic remains including one of the largest surviving Roman-era tower in Europe. The town also has a thermal spa and annually (in July) hosts a tournament between armoured knights.

Things to do

In Budapest, Buda Castle is well worth a visit. The area referred to as the ‘castle’ in fact includes some excellent restaurants, shops and the Royal Palace, which today houses three very impressive museums. Budapest also has many theatres offering a wide range of events.

Grand Market Hall in Pest offers some excellent shopping opportunities alongside fascinating neo-Gothic architecture. Or if you feel the need for a rest, there are 24 spas and swimming pools in Budapest. 10 of them have medical or therapeutic treatments available.

Hungary has a long tradition of wine making, and with the recent growth in eco-tourism this is becoming integrated with other holiday activities. You can take a cycling or hiking tour of the win-growing areas, stopping for meals or the night at wine-making centres to sample the local vintages.

Hungary is also famous for horses and horsemanship. There are many opportunities available to learn to ride or to ride through beautiful countryside, past historic buildings and ruins, or between picturesque towns and villages.

The River Danube is one of the largest in Europe, and since it winds through some of the most beautiful parts of the continent – in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany – it is an ideal river cruise destination. Whether you prefer a lengthy cruise in a floating hotel or a day trip on the river the Danube has a lot to offer.

River cruises are also available on the River Tisza, as well as yachting on Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe. Lake Balaton has several yachting clubs and offers a range of boat trips, though powered boats are not allowed on the lake, which rules out most watersports.

In addition to the rivers and the health spas, Hungary also offers watery fun at the Aquaticum adventure baths. Located in Debrecen, the Aquaticum water park offers a mix of water slides and chutes, swimming and relaxation pools, and other activities such as climbing walls.

There are a great many historical attractions around Hungary, including over three thousand castles and mansion houses. Many of these are today in service as hotels, offering a taste of how the aristocracy of old might have lived.