Hungary - A Country of Culture

About Hungary - Maps of Hungary - Facts about Hungary - Photos of Hungary

Hungary is a heart-stealer; it will lure you back again and again to sample its rich wines, lounge in its thermal spas, gaze at its architecture and make one more attempt to master its hermetic language. It has all the luxury of Western Europe with a Magyar twist and at half the cost.

The main two tourist destinations in Hungary are the majestic capital city of Budapest and the vast Lake Balaton.

Budapest. Some fall in love with Budapest at first sight, others will only become devotees after a longer stay, but no one denies that it is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world, deserving its reputation as the ‘Paris of Eastern Europe’. The wide stream of the Danube divides the metropolis of some two million inhabitants into two, the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. Highlights include a cruise along the Danube, strolling along the riverfront or across romantic bridges, browsing through antique bookshops and jewellery stores, or 'taking the waters' at one of the city's many spas. The city is well laid-out, rarely confusing, and ideal for walking. Lake Balaton. This oblong lake, about 100km (62mi) from Budapest, is one of the largest in Europe. Often called 'the nation's playground,' Balaton is divided into two quite different shores: the south, which is essentially one long resort of high-rise hotels and minuscule beaches; and the north, where there are more historical towns and sights, mountain trails, better wine, and much less glitz.

Dominating the south is Siófok, the largest of Balaton's resorts. The dedicated pursuits here are eating, drinking, swimming and sunbathing - and whatever comes in between. If you get bored with the beach and the crowds, you can take a trip to nearby Szántódpuszta, a recreational centre of perfectly preserved 18th- and 19th-century farm buildings, barns, workshops, and a Baroque church. Further west is Keszthely, a pleasant town of grand houses, tree-lined streets and funky cafus, with unique views of both shores of the lake.
The north's oldest and most popular resort is Balantonfüred. During the 19th century it was the gathering place for politicians and cultural leaders, then a writers' colony and, by 1900, a summer retreat for the country's emerging middle class. It remains a sophisticated, yet peaceful place, and counts among its attractions a splendid promenade, a number of artist's museums and warm-water springs. South of here is the historical village of Tihany, while east is Badacsony, a region renowned for its scenery, excellent hiking trails and wine-producing towns.

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About Hungary - Maps of Hungary - Facts about Hungary - Photos of Hungary