- What makes Hungary a great vacation destination?
- 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.
- What is Budapest known for?
- 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.
- What can visitors do to relax in Hungary?
- 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.
- What does Hungary offer to visitors?
- Hungary has something for almost everyone; here are our favorite spots in the country.
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1. Budapest
The capital city of Hungry, Budapest is known for its scenic location on the banks of the Danube, its beautiful and varied architecture, and its relaxing natural thermal baths. The city is also an excellent destination for music lovers; it boasts a world-class classical music scene as well as a vibrant nightlife that attracts young people from all over Europe. Castle Hill is where many of the city's treasures are located, including the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, and the Historical Museum. Plenty of beautiful sights can be found along the river as well, including a number of iconic bridges.
2. Aggtelek National Park
Located in the Gömör-Torna Karst region of northern Hungary, Aggtelek National Park was founded in 1985 to protect the unique natural assets in the area. One of the park's biggest attractions is the 26-km-long Baradla Cave, which has the honor of being the largest stalactite cave in Europe. Several other caves are open to the public, including the Imre Vass Cave and the Peace Cave, which is believed to help people suffering from asthma. There are plenty of walking trails in the park, and visitors can also take one of the special botanical or zoological tours on offer.
3. Balaton Uplands National Park
Created in 1997 by the combination of six already-protected areas, Balaton Uplands National Park encompasses almost 57,000 hectares on the shores of the stunning Lake Balaton. The park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, and there are plenty of walking paths for visitors to enjoy. Each of the six areas has its own unique charm; visitors can rent small boats to paddle around in the cave system of Cave Lake in the Tapolca Basin, admire the amazing rock formations in the Bakony-Balaton Geopark, or visit Kányavár Island to climb the lookout tower and spot great crested grebes.
4. Bukk National Park
With its 431,300 hectares of mountainous and forested terrain, Bukk National Park is the largest national park in Hungary and is a popular vacation spot. An impressive 97% of the park is covered with trees; because of this, the area is home to 90 different species of nesting birds, several of which are endangered and cannot be found anywhere else. In addition to being home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, the karst mountains in the park boast a number of caves, including one known as Istvánlápa, which is the longest and deepest cave in the country.
5. Danube Drava National Park
Mostly situated inside the flood land areas of the Danube and the Drava rivers, the Danube Drava National Park is home to more than 400 species of protected plants and animals. Attractions in the park include the Abaliget Medicinal Cave, the Bat Museum, the Life on the Flood Plains Exhibition, and several informative education centers. Plenty of walking and cycling paths wind their way along the river and through the wetlands. Guided tours of the park are available by bicycle, boat, canoe, train, and horse carriage; a picnic lunch of regional specialties can be arranged if desired.
6. 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.
7. Eger
Located in the foothills of the Bükk Mountains, Eger is home to what are arguably the most beautiful baroque buildings in Hungary. The city is best known for its medieval castle, which helped defend the city against the Turks, but visitors can also climb to the top of an authentic Ottoman minaret, relax in the thermal baths, or visit the wine cellar hidden under the basilica. The area is also a well-known wine region, and visitors shouldn't miss the chance to tour the wine cellars in the Valley of Beautiful Women and sample the Egri Bikavér and other specialty regional wines.
8. Gyor
Gyor is known primarily as an economic and industrial hub, but the city has plenty for visitors to see and do. The downtown core is worth a visit for its beautiful baroque architecture alone, but there are also plenty of excellent museums and cafes. Situated on the banks of the Rába, Rábca, and Danube rivers, the city is a great place for visitors to base themselves if they're interested in touring the area by boat or canoe. If you want to relax by the water without going to the river, there is also a large, family-friendly aqua park with waterslides, thermal baths, and a sauna.
9. Heviz
Primarily a spa town, Heviz is located not far from Lake Hévíz, the second-largest thermal lake in the world. The lake is believed to have healing properties, and in addition to bathing in its waters, visitors can go to one of the many wellness spas in the town that offer medicinal mud baths, mud wraps, weight baths, and other therapies. If you've had enough of relaxing and are interested in doing a bit of shopping, you can wander the town's charming pedestrian street or visit the farmer's market, which is held several times a week.
10. Kaposvar
According to ancient legend, Kaposvar was built on seven hills in much the same way as other historic cities like Rome and Lisbon. Today, it is a peaceful, well-kept university town with plenty of historical and cultural attractions. Traffic has been forbidden on the Main Street since the late 1980s, and the beautiful Kossuth Square is a pedestrian's dream. The most impressive building in the square is the Nagyboldogasszony Cathedral, but other highlights include the historic Hotel Erzsébet and the Town Hall. Visitors looking to spend some time in nature can head to the city park or tranquil Lake Deseda.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Budapest
- 2. Aggtelek National Park
- 3. Balaton Uplands National Park
- 4. Bukk National Park
- 5. Danube Drava National Park
- 6. Debrecen
- 7. Eger
- 8. Gyor
- 9. Heviz
- 10. Kaposvar