30 million people annually visit Hungary. Last but not least, people come here to improve their health, but if you are puzzled by the question: “What to see in Hungary?”, It is advisable for you to visit Debrecen, Vysehrad, Budapest, Esztergom, Szentendre.
Holiday season in Hungary
For holidays in Hungary, April-June and September-October are ideal. Beach-goers are attracted to this country by Lake Balaton (in summer, the water warms up to at least + 22˚C, and on some days up to + 26˚C). As for windsurfing, in some years it can be practiced until the first days of November.
A trip to Hungary should be prepared for the holidays in Sopron in June-July, the July Spicy Wine Festival in Eger, the Sviget music party on the Obuda Island (July).
Top 15 interesting places in Hungary
Chain Bridge in Budapest
Chain Bridge in Budapest
The chain bridge, 12.5 m wide and 375 m long, is thrown across the Danube in order to connect Buda and Pest (it starts at Adam Clark Square and ends at Istvan Szechenyi Square). The bridge is supported by 48-meter river piers. In the evenings, the bridge, which is decorated with stone figures of lions, is beautifully illuminated (bulbs hang on the edges of the sidewalks and the main chains). You can get to the bridge on foot in 20 minutes from the South Station.
Eger Castle
There are several museums on the territory of Eger Castle:
- Istvan Dobo Museum: the exposition will “tell” the guests the history of the fortress;
- art gallery: here visitors will see the canvases of artists of the 16-17 centuries from Austria, the Netherlands, Germany;
- Museum "Kazamatak": there tourists are engaged in the study of underground labyrinths.
And in the castle you will be able to see the "prison exposition" (instruments of torture), to mint a coin with your own hands in the Mint, to taste wine in wine cellars, to shoot at a shooting range from an archery, to visit knightly tournaments in the summer.
The cost of the entrance ticket is 7, 11 euros.
Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton
Balaton is a lake in western Hungary, famous for its natural attractions: the Tihany Peninsula (the peninsula has steep shores, and in its center there are drainless lakes surrounded by extinct geysers; various waterfowl nest here), the National Park of the Balaton Upland (there are former geysers, extinct volcanoes, craters, bizarre lava outcrops), Lake Heviz (fame was brought to him by the healing water of weak radioactivity, healing mud at the bottom of the lake and lotuses on its surface), Lotsi cave (its length is more than 100 m).
Bastion Barbican
The Barbican Bastion in Pecs is a 15th century brick defensive building, which is part of the bishop's castle, built to protect against Turkish attacks. Today, the Barbican Bastion, tourists can see from anywhere in Pecs, and from its round tower in the Gothic style - the whole city. It is worth noting that during the excursion you will be able to learn the detailed history of the bastion.
Belvaros Church
You can find out the Belvaros Church in Pecs by the green dome (a cross is installed on its top) and gray stone walls. She is a parish church. Those who come to the Belvaros church will be able to see the partially preserved interior of the Ottoman times (the church used to be a mosque), unique paintings and even quotes from the Koran. Next to the church you can see the bell tower, 13 m high, and the statue of St. Bartholomew.
Gödöllö Royal Palace
Gödöllö Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Gödöllö is a baroque building. Here you can stroll through the palace park with an area of 29 hectares, pay attention to the main staircase, reception room, ceremonial hall (it is decorated with white and gold stucco molding, tables with old services, chandeliers with candelabra), the imperial chambers (guests will be able to admire sculptures, paintings, antiques, furniture of the 18-19 centuries),the halls of Rudolph and Gisella, the museum and the theater.
From the Hungarian capital to Gödöllö, there is a train from the Eastern Station (travel time - half an hour) and a bus (it will take about 1 hour to get there). You can visit the castle from 10 am to 6 pm (ticket costs $ 8.20).
Basilica of St. Stephen
St. Stephen's Basilica (entrance fee - 0, 67 euros) is one of the most famous churches in Budapest. The relics of Istvan (Stephen), the founder of Hungary, are kept there. The basilica is famous for its 9-ton bell (there are 4 bells in total), a 22-meter dome (it was painted with paintings with scenes of the creation of the world), a picturesque interior (marble with splashes of artistic mosaic was used in the wall cladding, and inside there is a statue of St. Stephen and there are bronze bas-reliefs with scenes of the life of a saint), a large hall in which concerts of classical music are held, an observation deck (entrance costs 2 euros), allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of the Hungarian capital.
Mount Gellert
Gellert is a 235-meter mountain in Budapest (stairs lead to the top). The Danube with both sides is visible from Gellert Hill. At its top rises the Citadel, at the walls of which the Freedom Monument is located (represented in the form of a woman; in her raised hand there is a palm branch, and at the feet of this woman there are 2 sculptures, personifying the struggle with an evil spirit and movement forward), 14 m high. this place is a full-fledged recreation area, where there is a cafe, a beer bar, a restaurant.
Vaidahunyad Castle
Vaidahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle (Baroque style) is located in the Hungarian capital. You can get here by passing the bridge over the moat and the Gothic gate. The castle is decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting the princess of Aragon and King Matthias. In the courtyard of the castle, you can take a picture against the background of the monument of the unknown writer Anonymous and touch his pen (they say, those who have done this will gain wisdom, and the students will pass the exam well), and inside, view hunting trophies (stuffed birds and animals), as well as exhibits of the Agricultural museum in the form of photographs and samples of equipment.
Those who wish will be offered to taste Hungarian wine and attend concerts taking place here. The entrance to the castle costs 4 euros.
Brunswick Castle
Brunswik Castle in Martonvasar (30 km from the Hungarian capital) is a reflection of the architecture of the 18th century (neo-Gothic style). The castle is surrounded by an English park (70 hectares), where rare species of trees grow (300). Brunswick Castle is equipped with a Beethoven Museum and a film screening room, as well as concerts of Beethoven works in July-August.
Entry to Brunswick Castle (on Mondays-Fridays, the castle is open from 9 am to 4 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm), visitors are charged 10 euros.
Palveldi cave
Palveldi cave system - underground formations in the form of a multi-level labyrinth near Budapest. The length of its tunnels is 30 km. The excursion route, or rather its lowest point, runs at a depth of 30 m. The cave is equipped with a hall with a "witch's cauldron", a theatrical (famous for the stalagmite "sword of Damocles") and fabulous (in this hall you will be able to meet fairy-tale characters from stalagmite incrustations) halls, underground a zoo (crocodiles, elephants and other exotic animals will be seen walking around this hall).
You can get to the cave (entrance ticket costs 4 euros), which is open from 10 am to 4:15 pm (closed on Monday), by bus No. 65 (departure - Kolosy square).
Festetics palace
Festetics palace
In the Festetics palace in the city of Keszthely, there is a library (of the unique exhibits, tourists should pay attention to the notes on which Haydn left his autograph, the first printed books and engravings of medieval artists), a weapons museum and more than 100 rooms, exploring which every guest will enter the 18-19 centuries … In addition, the palace often becomes a venue for concerts, receptions and literary readings.
The Festetics Palace is open from 9-10 am to 5-6 pm, and a visit will cost 11, 36 euros.
Aggtelek National Park
Aggtelek National Park, with an area of almost 200 square kilometers, is 60 km away from Miskolc. The park is famous for deciduous forests and caves (over 700) with many kilometers of passages and complex labyrinths (many halls are illuminated, and you can get into them on your own, but it is better to join organized excursions lasting 7 hours). The largest of the caves is Baradla Domica, 26 km long (8 km belong to Slovakia, and 18 km to Hungary). There you will be able to admire the stalactite formations in the form of the heads of giants, dragons, tigers. Due to the unique acoustics, the hall in the cave often hosts classical concerts.
An adult ticket costs € 6 and a child ticket costs € 3.
Cathedral of St. Anne in Debrecen
Cathedral of St. Anne in Debrecen
St. Anne's Cathedral with a yellow facade (baroque style) - built in the middle of the 18th century. The decoration of the cathedral is the wrought-iron gates (the cathedral acquired new gates during the restoration in 1928), 2 twin towers (the chiming of their chimes calls for Mass), sculptures of Saints Imre and Stephen, the coat of arms of the Diocese of Szeged-Chanada above the entrance, interior decoration of the Rococo style, images of saints in the sanctuary (they were created by Hungarian artists of the 18th century). Anne's Cathedral can be visited daily from 06:30 to 7pm.
Varoshliget Park
In the Varoshliget Park, about 7000 trees are planted and there is an artificial lake (in summer guests prefer to ride on boats on its water surface, and in winter, when the lake turns into an ice rink, they skate). Varoshliget Park is equipped with the Gundel restaurant (guests are served spicy Hungarian cuisine), an amusement park with attractions for children, Vajdahunyad Castle, a circus, a transport museum, a museum of fine arts (European painting of the 12-17 centuries is exhibited there), Széchenyi Bath (here there are 5 swimming pools and 11 baths, the water to which comes from the + 77-degree source of St. Stephen), the Botanical Garden.
