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Best Airline
in Eastern Europe for 2006, 2007
– as voted by readers of Global Traveler magazine.
Hungary
Step
by Step
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
Malév
Hungarian Airlines
2007
Second Consecutive Year
Direct flights to Budapest from more than 50 destinations across
Europe, Asia and North America.
Superior onboard comfort with leather seating, complimentary
catering and refreshments.
One of the youngest Boeing fleets in Europe.
As a member of oneworld, Malév offers all the alliance’s
advantages. Frequent flyers are eligible for the benefits
of any oneworld airline’s loyalty programme.
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Hungary
Discover
Hungary
with us!
Size isn’t everything! Hungary
may be a small country, but it
packs an awful lot within its
borders. There is diversity in
its landscape, which ranges
from flat and grassy plains to
lush peaks and valleys, and in
its culture, which makes room
for both traditional wooden
churches and vibrant modern
nightclubs. Budapest is a hive
of top-class music and art,
with one of the world’s best
opera houses and a host of
museums and galleries, while
bustling festivals take place all
over the country at all times of
the year.
Lake Balaton is the largest in Central Europe,
and ideal for sailing or sunbathing. Near by is
the famous spa town of Hévíz, where you can
wallow in a natural thermal lake even in the
depths of winter.
If you like to keep active and get back to nature,
there are countless marked routes for hiking,
cycling or horse-riding, often through stunning
scenery.
Hungary is rich in history and in creativity
– it’s the birthplace of world-famous inventors,
scientists, explorers, composers and sports stars.
This is a place of variety, colour and passion.
Visit Hungary and discover a love – for life.
hungary.com
|1
Who are these
Hungarians?
Hungarians are a curious
breed. Despite sitting at the
very heart of Europe, they
speak a language unlike
that of any of the countries
immediately around them.
Some have suggested that
Hungarians are descended
from a race of aliens who
landed here and chose this
spot to settle. Others
have argued ancestral
links with Attila the Hun
– hence the country’s name.
www.hungary.com
In actual fact, today’s Hungarians are the
descendants of the migratory Magyar tribes,
who arrived here from the east in the
9th century AD. They were excellent horsemen –
the nation retains a great love of equestrianism
– and were led by a chief called Árpád.
His great-great grandson, King István, was
crowned in 1000 AD and it was during his reign
that the country adopted Christianity as the state
religion.
You can see this king’s mummified right hand
– a holy relic – on display in Budapest’s
Basilica.
Hungary
In 1241–42 the Mongols swept through the
country, burning settlements and massacring
inhabitants as they went. In the aftermath,
King Béla IV put the country back together and
fortified Buda’s Castle Hill and the royal complex
against future attack. Hungary’s real golden age
came during the 15th century when it was a
European powerhouse of Renaissance culture
and art. King Mátyás – a popular figure noted for
his just treatment of his subjects – established
a fabulous library and a professional army.
Unfortunately the good times came to an abrupt
end the following century when Hungary was
conquered by the Turks. Few monuments
survive from their 150-year period of
occupation, although you can still take a dip in a
couple of original Turkish baths in Budapest.
In 1867 the Habsburgs agreed to establish a
dual monarchy, and Hungary finally had its own
government and a proper
say in its own affairs,
while operating in
tandem with Austria
over foreign policy.
Celebrations to
commemorate the
1,000th anniversary
of the arrival of the
Magyar tribes in 1896
were appropriately upbeat.
After leading the charge to remove the Turks,
the Catholic Habsburgs imposed their rule upon
Hungary. The locals didn’t take this lying down,
and there were failed uprisings during the 18th
and 19th centuries, most notably that of 1848
inspired by the poet Sándor Petõfi.
The communists came to power in 1947,
introducing a Stalinist dictatorship and a regime
of terror. The famous 1956
revolution was eventually
crushed by Russian tanks,
and hundreds of thousands of
Hungarians fled abroad never to
return. The rebellion had shaken the
Soviets, however, and it sparked a more
liberal form of communism afterwards.
Multi-party democracy finally returned
to Hungary in 1990 when the Soviet
troops withdrew. Since then, Hungary has
looked forward and developed rapidly, a
fact made clear in 2004 when
it was accepted as a new
member of the European Union.
Defeat in World War I led to the collapse of the
Austro-Hungarian empire and a huge amount of
Hungarian territory was confiscated. During the
interwar years the country fell under a right-wing
dictatorship headed by Admiral Miklós Horthy,
and initially supported Germany in the early
stages of World War II. When the Hungarian
government attempted to enter negotiations with
the Allies, the Germans occupied the country
and at the end of the war 600,000 Jews – the
vast majority of the Jewish population – had
been deported to concentration camps. It was
a tragic and horrific part of the Holocaust, and
one that the country will never forget or fail to
mourn. In 1945 the Germans were pushed out
by the Russians.
Who are these Hungarians? 2|3
The Hungarian
Holy Crown
Zoltán
Kocsis
István
Szabó
Andrea
Rost
Márta
Sebestyén
Ferenc
Puskás
Albert
Szent-Györgyi
Photo: Puskas.com
Béla
Bartók
Péter
Besenyei
Imre
Kertész
Hungarians: the Great and the Good
Hungarians are a talented and resourceful bunch, and they feature heavily in lists of
internationally significant inventors, musicians, artists and sports stars.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
Hungarians: the Great and the Good 4|5
Music
Inventors
The splendid State Opera House in Budapest
hints at the importance of culture and music to
life in Hungary.
Hungarian inventions range from the lifechanging to the purely entertaining. Albert
Szent-Györgyi was the first to discover vitamin
C, after extracting it from paprika in the 1930s,
and Ede Teller helped to develop the atomic
bomb. László József Bíró invented the
ballpoint pen.
Hungarians today
Three men stand out from the crowd. The wildhaired Ferenc Liszt needs little introduction; the
19th-century composer and pianist is one of
the greats in the canon of classical music, and
established a musical academy in the capital.
Béla Bartók took inspiration from the traditional
folk music of the country’s villages for his
compositions during the early 20th century.
Zoltán Kodály, born just a year after Bartók,
was similarly fascinated by folk songs. As well
as writing, Kodály famously devised a unique
and radical way of teaching music to students.
However, there are also many contemporary
musicians who have left their mark on the
cultural landscape – among them Márta
Sebestyén (the folk singer who performed on
the sound track to the film The English Patient),
Andrea Rost (the opera singer who
has taken leading roles at the
Royal Opera House and La Scala),
Zoltán Kocsis (pianist, composer
and conductor) and Béla SzakcsiLakatos (jazz musician). Look out
for albums by the Benkó Dixieland
Band, or productions featuring the
fabulous dancer
Yvette Bozsik.
Hungarians have continued to feature in the
public eye during modern times too, carrying
the torch for their high-achieving predecessors.
The Jewish author Imre Kertész – whose novel
Fateless was based on his real experiences in a
concentration camp – was a Nobel Prize winner
in 2002.
Tony Curtis, Paul Simon and Jerry Seinfeld all
have Hungarian blood. Hungarians have featured
prominently in the world of film: István Szabó
is a successful director, responsible for films
including Being Julia (for which Annette Bening
was Oscar-nominated in 2004), while Andy
Vajna has contributed as a producer to many
Hollywood films.
The country has a proud Olympic tradition,
and has fared particularly well in the
sports of water polo, fencing and
pentathlon. Ferenc Puskás, captain of
the all-conquering Hungarian football
team of the 1950s, passed away in 2006
having staked his claim to being one of the
greatest footballers ever.
It was Ernõ Rubik
who came up with the
world’s best-known
toy – the coloured
cube puzzle.
Budapest:
a truly
capital city
Budapest ranks among
the world’s most romantic
and entertaining capitals.
Nicknamed the ‘Paris of the
East’, it is a place of broad
boulevards and green parks,
grand Art-Nouveau mansions
and brightly painted
churches, lively cafés and
top-class music venues.
The city is divided
into two parts by the
River Danube, which
is spanned by several
elegant bridges.
www.hungary.com
Buda
Buda falls on the western side of the river,
where you’ll find the tourist sights of the
cobbled Castle District. Sitting atop Castle Hill,
the area can be reached by riding the funicular
railway up the hillside. There are two excellent
museums within the majestic Royal Palace. The
enormous Hungarian National Gallery contains
the country’s leading collection of Hungarian
art, ranging from medieval painted altar pieces
to modern sculpture. In the Budapest History
Museum you can look at artefacts surviving
from the very earliest of the royal palaces on
this site. Be sure also to visit the Mátyás Church
in all its Gothic glory.
Hungary
The Fishermen’s Bastion.
Budapest: a truly capital city 6|7
To the south of Castle Hill lies Gellért Hill, with
its beautifully decorated thermal baths and a
church carved into the rock.
To the north is Aquincum,
where you can visit the
rich ruins of the Roman
town that thrived here
between the 1st and
4th centuries AD.
Behind all this
stretch the leafy Buda
Hills, which are the lungs of the city, and can
be cycled, hiked or visited aboard a clattering
cogwheel railway.
Travel out another 15km to Statue Park
and its remarkable collection of communist
monuments that once looked over the capital’s
streets and squares.
Pest
The flatter Pest is the country’s political and
business stronghold, and it is livelier than its
twin across the water. Here you’ll find the bulk
of the restaurants, bars and cafés, as well
as classy boutiques and grand 19th-century
mansions. Stroll the tree-lined Andrássy
út, stopping for a visit to the moving House
of Terror in the former headquarters of the
secret police. Take a tour of the enormous
Parliament building, which displays the Holy
Crown (Hungary’s national symbol), and the
Basilica with its exterior dome gallery offering
breathtaking city views. Browse the many
stalls of the colourful and bustling Central
Market Hall.
www.hungary.com
You can boat on City Park’s lake in the summer
and skate on it in winter, while bathers can
wallow in the thermal waters of the Széchenyi
Baths at any time of year.
Other highlights not to be missed are the
Hungarian National Museum (the largest in the
country), the Museum of Fine Arts (one of the
leading collections in Central Europe) and Váci
utca (the main shopping street).
Be sure to stop at one of
the city’s traditional
cafés, and refuel
with some strong
coffee and
delicious cake.
Hungary
Alternatively, head for one of the city’s many
international restaurants – if you fancy cuisine
from Africa, India, Japan, Russia, Italy or
France, you’ll find somewhere to satisfy your
craving.
Budapest: a truly capital city 8|9
Budapest by Night
Budapest rarely sleeps, and there’s plenty to
keep you entertained after the sun drops behind
the hills. Start with a good meal. There are
hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Take
a seat at a traditional Hungarian restaurant and
dine to the strains of a live gypsy band.
After you’ve eaten, you can quench your thirst
in a sleek designer bar or find an outdoor
table on the ever-popular Liszt Ferenc
tér. The clubbing scene is equally
vibrant, particularly in summer
when venues include atmospheric
courtyard gardens and
artificial riverside
beaches. If you’d
prefer something more
cultured, enjoy an evening of
ballet or opera at the opulent State Opera House
or a performance of classical music at the
award-winning Palace of Arts.
Towns Beyond Budapest
While Hungary isn’t a large country, it’s stuffed full of sites of interest. No place is
more than a few hours away, and you’ll find settlements ranging from impressive
Baroque towns to rustic villages complete with thatched cottages decorated with
traditional motifs. As such, it’s well worth venturing beyond the capital to explore
some of the other highlights on offer.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
A short distance to the north of Budapest is a
region known as the Danube Bend – so-called
because it falls at the point where the river
takes a sharp turn southwards. The views of
the riverscape from the surrounding hills are as
good as any you’ll find in the world.
The first town you’ll reach on the bend is
Szentendre (St Andrew) (D2). This was once
a popular spot for migrant Serbs fleeing
the Ottomans, and several 17th-century
Serb Orthodox churches remain. It’s now
best known for its artistic associations,
however; the colourful buildings and
favourable light encouraged artists
to establish a colony here in the
early 20th century, and the narrow
streets are lined with little galleries.
A particularly exciting time to visit
is during the Szentendre Summer
Festival (end of June to end of
August), which features art exhibitions and a
programme of theatre and music.
Gödöllő (E2) lies to the east of Szentendre,
and boasts the country’s biggest and bestpreserved Baroque palace. It was the work of an
18th-century nobleman, and was much loved
by Erzsébet (or Sissi), the popular wife of the
Habsburg Emperor Ferenc József, who used
to spend much of her time there. The interior
contains contemporary furnishings and an
exhibition detailing the building’s history, and
the beautiful ballroom is the venue for classical
concerts.
Further around the Danube Bend is Visegrád
(D2), which was for several centuries the
royal seat of Hungary. The Renaissance King
Mátyás enlarged on the existing palace during
the 15th century and created a stunning
edifice measuring over 500 metres in length.
During July, the
medieval-themed
Visegrád Palace
Games include
performances
of jousting and
archery.
Tight on the border
with Slovakia,
Esztergom (D2) was
the place of birth and
coronation for King
István, the founder of
the Christian State,
and the royal capital until the 13th
century. Its church is the country’s largest,
while the Mária Valéria Bridge – which crosses
the river to Slovakia – was reopened just a few
years ago after having been destroyed in World
War II. During the summer, there is an open-air
drama festival in the Castle Theatre.
The Danube Bend
Towns Beyond Budapest 10|11
Spectators visit
nearby Mogyoród
(E2) for entertainment
of a different sort
in summer – this is
the location of the
Hungaroring, home
to the Hungarian
Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Mohács (D5) is
celebrated for the
annual Busójárás,
when townsfolk
don fierce masks
and participate in a
colourful carnival
marking the end of
winter and the coming
of spring.
Szeged (F5) is the most striking city on the
Great Plain. It was levelled in 1879 by a terrible
flood, and had to be rebuilt almost from scratch
with the help of foreign aid. It is now a lively
place with pleasant squares and intriguing ArtNouveau architecture. During the Szeged OpenAir Games in July and August, a huge stage in
the main square showcases music, dance and
drama, and attracts thousands to the city.
The country’s second-largest city is Debrecen
(H2), containing a significant student population
and providing the focal point of Hungarian
Calvinism. Its Flower Carnival – held to
celebrate St Stephen’s Day on 20 August
– features fireworks and floats bedecked with
flowers.
The prehistoric site of Ipolytarnóc (E1) was
preserved when volcanic ash covered the area
23 million years ago; today you’ll see fossilised
leaves, vast cypress trees and animal footprints.
Eger (F2) has cobbled streets and
quaint Baroque architecture, and
is therefore among the country’s
most popular towns. This is where
Bull’s Blood wine is produced,
and its castle was the site at
which the town’s womenfolk
famously joined a small
number of soldiers to repel a
vast Turkish force in 1552.
Near by is the Valley of the
Beautiful Woman, which
has scores of wine cellars
dug into its sides and is an
ideal place for wine tasting.
The town has a variety of
summer events, featuring
wine, music and medieval
re-enactments.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
Pécs (D5) is universally loved, and was
a leading centre of power during both
Roman and Turkish times. You’ll still find
Roman ruins, including some early Christian
tombs, and there is more surviving Ottoman
architecture than anywhere else in the country.
A cultural stronghold, the
city has a street lined with
museums, and in 2010
will take up the mantle of
European Capital of Culture.
pecs2010.hu
A short distance north of Lake Balaton,
Nagyvázsony (C3) holds the sturdy Kinizsi
Castle. During the 15th century, the captain of
this fort was Pál Kinizsi, who was famed for his
phenomenal physical strength. He is said once
to have danced while carrying the bodies of two
slain Turkish soldiers. Visitors can watch daily
jousting displays near the castle walls.
Not far away is Veszprém (C3), surrounded
by the hills and valleys of the Bakony region.
This was one of the earliest bishoprics, and
Hungary’s queens were crowned in its cathedral
during the medieval period – hence it’s label as
the ‘City of Queens’.
Veszprém
To the east, Tata (D2) is situated around the
Old Lake, which has a castle at the northern
side dating to the medieval period. The town is
famous for its clutch of 18th-century watermills.
Towns Beyond Budapest 12|13
You’ll find a lovely
round church –
thought to have been
constructed from the
bastion of a medieval
castle – at nearby
Öskü (C3).
Tés (C3) has a pair of
working windmills to
admire.
© Attila Vécsy
Beethoven stayed at the 18th-century mansion
in Martonvásár (D3) on several occasions
while visiting the aristocratic Brunswick family.
There are concerts held in its grounds in July.
The leading porcelain
manufactory is in
the village of Herend
(C3), and the pieces
made there – from
delicate figurines
to graceful sets of
tableware – have been
admired across the
world since the
19th century.
A fascinating archaeological site lies at
Tác-Gorsium (D3), 10km to the south of
Székesfehérvár. This was the Roman settlement
of Gorsium, which developed here over the
course of three centuries, and included a
magnificent palace, an amphitheatre and
cemetery. The site hosts a series of plays in
summer.
Szombathely (B3) was an important Roman
settlement, and among the remains from that
period is a portion of the ‘Amber Road’, the
famous trade route connecting Italy to the
Baltic Sea. One of the country’s prettiest towns,
it stands on the border with Austria.
www.hungary.com
To the northeast of Lake Balaton,
Székesfehérvár (D3) is where Árpád, the leader
of the Magyar tribes who arrived here in the
10th century, is believed to have settled. For
several hundred years a basilica established by
King István was the venue for the coronation
of Hungarian kings. It was destroyed during
the period of Turkish occupation, but the
foundations are preserved in a ruins garden.
Hungary
Towns Beyond Budapest 14|15
Sitting at the foot of
the Kőszeg Hills close
by is Cák (AB3),
which has a row of
romantic thatched
wine cellars.
Sopron (B2) has a 17th-century firetower, and
is entered from the north via the Gate of Fidelity
– so-named when the people voted to remain a
part of Hungary (rather than joining Austria) in
a referendum after World War II. Sopron County
was the place of Liszt’s birth, and there are
regular festivals of music and culture.
Napoleon himself fought a battle at Győr (C2) in
the early 19th century; today the city’s highlight
is its cathedral, which contains a striking
gold bust of King László sculpted
The Esterházy Palace at Fertőd (B2) is a
Rococo masterpiece built by the hugely wealthy
aristocrat Miklós Esterházy in the 18th century
and modelled on Versailles. Haydn lived on the
duke’s estate for several decades, and many
of his pieces were performed for the first time
here; some fabulous concerts are hosted at
the palace, including the Haydn Festival each
summer.
at the start of
the 15th century.
Among Győr’s many
annual events is an
autumn Baroque Festival
featuring 17th- and 18thcentury music and art.
Fertőd
A Heritage to Treasure
The natural, cultural and historical riches to be experienced in Hungary are reflected
in its high concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Hortobágy National Park in the Great Plains is the home of the Hungarian
cowboy. You can see ancient breeds of cattle, and catch breathtaking demonstrations
of horsemanship as brave herders ride five steeds at the same time.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
The
renowned
village of
Hollókő (E2) is a living
museum, its inhabitants
remaining faithful to the traditions
of the Palóc people. The wooden
cottages are overlooked by the
hilltop remains of a 13th-century
castle. If you coincide your visit with the
Easter Festival, you might struggle to stay dry
– it is customary for the menfolk to sprinkle the
women with water or perfume.
The Aggtelek Caves (F2) on the border with
Slovakia spread over many kilometres, and
contain some truly wondrous stalagmites and
stalactites that have taken shape over millions
of years. In one chamber you can even watch
a light display and listen to performances of
classical music.
The Abbey of
Pannonhalma
(C2) dates back
over 1,000 years,
a church having
been built on the
hill by monks
invited during
the reign of King
István.
The underground tombs at Pécs (D5) date
to the early Christian period, and include wall
paintings of Jonah and the whale, Peter and
Paul, and a Roman wine jug.
The refreshingly peaceful Lake
Fertő (B2) – which crosses
the border with Austria, where
it is known as Neuseidlersee
– is a vital wetland habitat
and supports thousands of
migratory water birds. You can
enjoy them from special viewing
towers or by taking to the lake
in a rowing boat with a qualified
guide.
The village of Tokaj (G2) in the northeast of
the country is world famous for its wine, which
Louis XIV declared ‘the wine of kings, the king
of wines’. Take a tasting in
the impressive Rákóczi
Cellars, which date
to the 15th century,
or go on a tour
through some of the
other atmospheric
wine villages in the
surrounding foothills.
© The Abbey of Pannonhalma
A Heritage to Treasure 16|17
Budapest (D2) itself
is included on the
UNESCO list, its place
secured in recognition
of the importance
and beauty of the
medieval Buda Castle
quarter, the romantic
Danube riverscape at
the city’s heart and
the graceful sweep of
Andrássy út.
Nature’s Playground
Hungary can only delight lovers of the great outdoors. This is a place to cycle and
horse ride, to hike or boat, to go in search of birds and butterflies. There are ten
national parks in total, as well as many more protected reserves.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
The biggest and most famous national park
is that in the east of the country at Hortobágy
(G2). It is understandably associated with flat
grassland or puszta – it contains the largest
area of such habitat in Central Europe – but
it also contains forests and marshes. A huge
number of migrating birds alight here to rest and
feed, and the sight of thousands of European
cranes arriving in autumn is a special treat. The
plains also support traditional livestock like grey
cattle and the ‘hucul’ horse.
Körös-Maros National Park is notable for
playing host to the biggest single population
of great bustards in Europe. This large bird
– weighing 20kg – is globally endangered;
you can be guaranteed to see it by stopping
at Dévaványa, where there is a reserve
dedicated to protecting and breeding the
species. The western part of the country
is the wettest, and Őrség National
Park has marshlands, peat bogs
and thick forests that harbour
beautiful orchids and butterflies.
The Duna-Dráva National Park lies in the south
of the country, along the lower section of the
Danube and the River Dráva. It features oxbow
lakes and floodplain marshes, and is home to a
large population of black storks. The Duna-Ipoly
National Park covers the Danube Bend and
reaches to the border with Slovakia. It’s a popular
place for walking, but also has narrow-gauge
railway lines running into the Börzsöny Hills.
Nature’s Playground 18|19
Sitting right on the
border with Slovakia,
the Aggtelek National
Park is best known
for its limestone
caves; there are over
250, some of them
boasting dazzling
dripstone formations.
Fertő-Hanság National Park in the northwest
was established to protect the Hungarian part
of Lake Fertő, a salt natron lake containing reed
beds that support a diverse range of waterlife.
Channels have been cut through the reeds, and
visitors can navigate them in rowing boats. The
centrally located Kiskunság National Park bears
certain similarities to the Hortobágy, including a
large section of puszta. Among other habitats in
the region are areas of marshland and ancient
juniper forest.
The Balaton Uplands National Park includes
the valuable wetland area called Kis (Small)
Balaton. Near here is the Kápolnapuszta Buffalo
Reserve, where you can see a herd of the
beasts first brought over by tribes from Asia.
The bulk of the Bükk National Park in the north
of the country is covered in thick forest, and it
also harbours hundreds of natural caves and
limestone rock formations. An open-carriaged
narrow-gauge railway
runs through the
Szalajka Valley,
whose stream has
eroded a beautiful
stepped waterfall
measuring over
15 metres.
Szalajka Valley
Splashing
around:
rivers, lakes
and water parks
Hungary, of course, is locked
at the heart of Europe with
not a coastline in sight.
Despite that, however, it is a
country that revolves around
water and there are abundant
opportunities to have a bit
of a splash, swim
or sail.
www.hungary.com
Lake Balaton (C3-4)is the most-popular spot
for watersports and lazing in the sun. This is the
largest lake in Central Europe, so sizeable that it
is nicknamed ‘the Hungarian sea’.
The southern side is a lively haven for families
and youngsters, with all-inclusive resorts,
safe and shallow bathing areas and the main
concentration of bars and nightclubs.
The north is quieter and more reedy, and
attracts those interested in cultural pursuits
– visiting the abbey at Tihany (C3), the
magnificent Baroque mansion at Keszthely (B4)
and the vineyards at Badacsony.
Hungary
Splashing around: rivers, lakes and water parks 20|21
Lakes and rivers
can get a little chilly
outside summer
months, but manmade aquaparks
offer opportunities
for family fun all year
round.
Lake Tisza (F2) on the Great Plain was formed
around 50 years ago after the damming of the
River Tisza. Parts of it fall under the protection
of the Hortobágy National Park, and are superb
for birdwatching. Other areas, however, are
excellent for fishing and watersports, with the
main settlement at Tiszafüred (G2).
Lake Fertő (B2), crossing the border
with Austria, has a small recreational
area (at Fertőrákos) but is better
known as an important habitat
for waterbirds. You can get close
to them by hiring a guide and
taking a boat into the reeds.
Between Balaton and
Budapest, Lake
Velence (D3)
offers recreation
– sunbathing, swimming and fishing – on a
smaller scale.
The River Tisza – which passes through Lake
Tisza – is also much loved by fishermen and
canoeists. In early summer, huge numbers of
mayflies swarm above the surface to mate
– a spectacular wildlife display.
The River Danube is Hungary’s main artery,
dividing the country in half. The Danube Bend
– the point above Budapest where the river
suddenly changes course from east to south
– represents one of the prettiest scenes you
can hope to see.
If you’re looking for aquaparks, the
Aquaticum Centre at Debrecen (H2) is
located beneath a massive dome, while
that at Hajdúszoboszló (G2) even has a
Mediterranean-style beach. Perhaps
the leading complex is Zalaegerszeg’s
(B3) Aquacity, which ranks among the
biggest in Central Europe and boasts 18 water
slides (measuring up to 400 feet).
Aquaticum Centre
Debrecen
Liquid therapy
Hungarian water is not just
for splishing and splashing
– it can be soothing too. The
country is blessed with an
abundance of natural thermal
springs, which emerge at a
temperature of 86°F/30°C and
are full of salts and minerals.
These springs have supported
a bathing culture dating back
to Roman times; whether
you’re after relaxation,
refreshment, rejuvenation or
recovery, Hungary can’t fail
to meet your needs.
www.hungary.com
Many towns have thermal baths of some sort,
providing not only the chance to soak away
those aches but also to take advantage of
massages, saunas and perhaps more advanced
treatments such as pearl baths and Kneipp
treatments.
The water can be used to ease specific
medical complaints (including muscular,
arthritic, gynaecological and skin conditions)
or simply to pamper the body. In addition to
the public baths, over 50 spa hotels have been
constructed, allowing guests to tailor their
holidays around the beneficial effects of the
springs.
Hungary
Liquid therapy 22|23
Another evocative spot
can be found on a
hillside at Egerszalók
(F2), where the natural
pool is surrounded by
steaming terraces of
snow-white calcium
crystals deposited
by the water. A new
spa hotel has recently
opened there.
Nature provides healing remedies beyond the
springs. Hévíz and Hajdúszoboszló, for example,
are also centres for medical mud treatments,
which alleviate locomotor complaints.
Budapest (D2) itself has more thermal baths
than any other world capital, and so this is a
perfect place to take a spa break. There are
several spa hotels offering guests specific spa
packages. Alternatively, you can drop in at
a public bath after a hard day’s sightseeing.
Two of the grandest bathing complexes – the
Széchenyi and the Gellért – date
from the turn of the 20th
century, while there are
also atmospheric
baths built during
the Turkish period.
Beyond the capital, there are
some real bathing treats from
which to choose – some of
which promise a truly unique
experience. The world’s
largest thermal lake suitable
for bathing is located at
Hévíz (B4), in the west of the
country. Because the water
temperature never drops below
79°F/26°C – even in the depths
of winter – you can take a dip
here at any time of year.
The humid air in caves at Abaliget, Budapest,
Tapolca and Jósvafő have been proven to
soothe respiratory difficulties. At Tapolca you
can row a boat on its cave’s crystal-clear
waters, while Jósvafő is part of the Aggtelek
National Park and is a World Heritage Site.
The mofette at Mátraderecske is a particular
curiosity. Naturally occurring gas emerging
here has been shown to have a positive effect
when allowed to permeate the skin;
visitors who can benefit from a
‘dry bath’ in the gas include those
with heart and circulatory
problems and chronic skin
complaints.
Leisure for land lubbers
With all the talk of watersports and thermal springs, it’s easy to forget that there are
activities to enjoy on dry land too! Indeed, Hungary’s terra firma has a great deal to
offer the active visitor.
www.hungary.com
Hungary
The country is bound to satisfy cyclists, with
marked tracks stretching over several thousand
kilometres and plenty of places to hire bicycles.
If you’re after a short ride during a break in
Budapest, you might cycle along the Danube or
into the Buda Hills. For those with more energy
to burn, there are countless routes that could
occupy a cyclist for weeks or months at a time
– from the path around the edge of Lake Balaton
to the undulating tracks through the forests of
the Northern Uplands.
One thing’s for certain
– there’s no danger of
becoming bored!
Golf is becoming increasingly popular, and
several excellent courses have been built in
recent years, including the Pannonia Golf and
Country Club (25 miles west of Budapest) and
the Birdland Golf and Country Club in Bükfürdő
(B3). Some even have hotels on site.
Less traditional pursuits you might try are dry
bobsleighing (there are runs near Budapest,
Visegrád, Veszprém and Miskolc-Tapolca),
roller skating (places like Tiszaújváros have
indoor rinks), paragliding (there is a centre
at Balaton), go-karting, Nordic walking,
paintballing, hot-air ballooning, various
extreme sports and even rally racing.
Hungary has a proud equestrian tradition – the
original Magyar tribes arrived on horseback
from the east – and there remain many
opportunities to explore the countryside on four
hooves. Appropriately enough, one horse-riding
stronghold is on the Great Plain, the traditional
home of the Hungarian cowboy. However,
there are horse farms all over the country,
catering for beginners, expert riders, and all
those in between. Some centres even offer the
opportunity to ride in horse-drawn carriages.
Leisure for land lubbers 24|25
Events – top 11
Come to Hungary on any
day of any year and you’ll
find a plethora of events and
exhibitions taking place all over
the country. Hungarians are a
cultured breed, and they love
gathering to enjoy festivals
of art, food and wine, sport,
music and dance. Some of these
are local affairs celebrating
regional specialities and
traditions. Others, however, are
internationally renowned events
which attract visitors from far
and wide. Why not check the
calendar and time your trip to
coincide with one or more of the
following ‘top eleven’?
Budapest Spring Festival
– March (Budapest/D2) springfestival.hu
International Opera Festival
– June (Miskolc/F2) operafestival.hu
Open-Air Festival – July–August (Szeged/F5)
szegediszabadteri.hu
Balaton Sound – July (Zamárdi/C3)
balatonsound.hu
Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix
– August (Budapest–Mogyoród/E2)
hungaroring.hu/en
Sziget Festival – August (Budapest/D2)
sziget.hu/en
Flower Carnival – August (Debrecen/H2)
fonixinfo.hu
St Stephen’s Day – 20th August
(all over the country)
Celebrations including Red Bull Air Race in Budapest
Jewish Summer Festival – August–September
(Budapest/C2) jewishfestival.hu
European Convival Wine Song Festival
– September (Pécs/D5) winesongfestival.hu
Budapest Christmas – December (Budapest/D2)
budapestinfo.hu/en
www.hungary.com
Hungary
Hungarian
‘Takeaways’
So what should you be sure to
look out for when browsing the
markets and stores?
Typical Hungarian foodstuffs
are salami (including the
ubiquitous Pick brand from
Szeged), paprika (used in all
Hungary’s classic dishes – such
as goulash – and available in a
range of strengths from mild
to spicy) and goose liver. The
country has 22 wine regions,
and long-necked bottles of the
golden-coloured Tokaji make
particularly good gifts. Those
with a taste for something
stronger will appreciate pálinka
(fruit brandy made from
plums, apricots or pears) or
the infamous Unicum, a bittertasting herbal liqueur.
You might take home some pieces of traditional
craftwork, such as embroidered tablecloths,
wooden toys or vases decorated with floral
motifs. Different regions have different
specialities; the people of Hollókő, for example,
are noted for their embroidery skills, while a
place like Nádudvar near Hajdúszoboszló is
a centre for pottery production. Perhaps the
most refined of gifts, however, is a piece
of hand-crafted Herend porcelain.
If you’re on the hunt for antiques,
you should take a stroll along
Budapest’s Falk Miksa utca, a street
crowded with shops selling furniture,
jewellery, clocks and paintings. You
might find a bargain at one of several
flea markets in the capital too. An
exciting newcomer to the scene is
the monthly WAMP design market,
which is hosted in Erzsébet tér and
promotes contemporary Hungarian design
(offering jewellery, textiles, glassware and more).
Hungarian ‘Takeaways’ 26|27
Know
Public holidays
1 January
New Year’s Day
15 March
Independence Day
(in remembrance of
the revolution against
Habsburg rule in
1848)
March/April
Easter Monday
1 May
Labour Day
May/June
Whit Monday
20 August
St Stephen’s Day (a
day to celebrate the
country’s first king)
23 October
Republic Day
(anniversary of the
1956 revolution)
1 November
All Saints’ Day
25–26 December
Christmas
before you go
Transport
Standing at the centre of Europe, Hungary is
well served by transport links from abroad.
The main international airports are Budapest
Ferihegy (bud.hu), FlyBalaton Airport
(flybalaton.hu) near Lake Balaton and Airport
Debrecen in the East.
Budapest is linked to 15 European capital cities
by train, directly or with changes. It has three
main railway stations from which you can take
Express and InterCity trains to all the main
tourist regions (elvira.hu).
In addition, there are numerous bus routes
around the country operated by the Hungarian
company Volánbusz; these can be picked up
from three main bus stations in the capital.
You can reach Budapest by boat (see
mahartpassnave.hu for further information) from
Vienna and Bratislava during the summer; you
can also take ferries for day trips to the Danube
Bend.
Major cities have effective and inexpensive
public transport network. For information on
how to get around in Budapest see bkv.hu
Published by the
Hungarian National
Tourist Office
Text: Adrian Phillips
Creative design:
Artificial
DTP: VIVA Média
Holding
Map: PannonCart
Printed by
Komáromi Nyomda
Free copy
Accommodation
There’s a diverse selection of accommodation
in Hungary, and you’re guaranteed to rest
your head in a place to suit both your taste
and your pocket. Spa hotels make use of the
country’s thermal springs and offer a variety of
pampering treatments. There are state-of-theart conference hotels, and designer boutique
hotels oozing contemporary class. Historic
hotels range from turn-of-the-20th-century ArtNouveau palaces to Baroque ‘castle’ hotels in
renovated aristocratic mansions.
Time
Central European Time (GMT + 1)
Climate
Hungary has a temperate climate, similar to
the rest of the continental zone. January is the
coldest month (-1°C average) and August the
warmest (21.3°C average).
Official language
Hungarian, however Engilsh and German are
widely spoken.
Money
The Hungarian currency is the forint (HUF).
Cash points are widespread and credit cards are
accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.
There are foreign exchange facilities in banks,
foreign exchange bureaux, travel agencies and
hotels. Always avoid black-market dealers who
change money in the street, however apparently
attractive the rates.
Opening hours
Shops are generally open Monday–Friday
10.00–18.00 and Saturday 09.00–13.00
(although shopping centres will have longer
opening hours, and market halls may open and
close earlier). Museums and galleries generally
open Tuesday–Sunday 10.00–18.00 during
high season (hours might be shorter in other
months); they are closed on Monday.
Electricity
230V. Appliances work from the European
two-pin plug.
Tourinform
You can find Tourinform information offices
in more than 140 places all over Hungary.
Tourinform’s helpdesk employees can offer
visitor information about accommodation,
restaurants, sightseeing programmes and
much more.
tourinform.hu
Emergency telephone numbers
General emergency (for English speakers) 112
Ambulance 104
Fire brigade 105
Police 107
Representation of the Hungarian National Tourist Office
Austria • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.at
Denmark • Ungarns Turistra° d
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn.dk
Ireland • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.visithungary.ie
Belgium • Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
Toeristische Dienst van Hongarije
E-mail: [email protected]
www.visithongrie.be www.visithongarije.be
France • Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hongrietourisme.com
Italy • Ufficio Turistico Ungherese
E-mail: [email protected]
www.turismoungherese.it
Germany • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.de
Japan • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungarytabi.jp
China • Embassy of the Hungarian Republic in Beijing
E-mail: [email protected]
www.xiongyali.cn
Czech Republic • Madarská Turistika
E-mail: [email protected]
www.madarsko.cz
Poland • Narodowe Przedstawicielstwo Turystyki
Węgierskiej
E-mail: [email protected]
www.wegry.info.pl
Romania • Oficiul de Turism al Ungariei–
Reprezentanţă
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungarytourism.ro
Russia • Бюро Советника по туризму Венгрии
E-mail: [email protected]
www.vengria.ru
Slovakia • Vel’vyslanectvo Mad’arskej republiky
Obchodná kancelária
E-mail: [email protected]
www.madarsko.sk
Spain • Oficina Nacional de Turismo de Hungría
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungriaturismo.com
Sweden (with Estonia, Finland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Norway)
Ungerska Turistbyra° n i Norden
E-mail: [email protected]
www.unkarinmatkailu.fi
www.ungernturism.org
Switzerland • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.ch
www.hongrie-tourisme.ch
The Netherlands • Hongaars Verkeersbureau
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hongaarsverkeersbureau.nl
Ukraine • Посольство Угорської Республіки
Інформаційне бюро «Угорщина-туризм»
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ugor.com.ua
United Kingdom • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gotohungary.co.uk
United States of America • Hungarian National
Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gotohungary.com
Representation of the Hungarian National Tourist Office
Austria • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.at
Denmark • Ungarns Turistra° d
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn.dk
Ireland • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.visithungary.ie
Belgium • Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
Toeristische Dienst van Hongarije
E-mail: [email protected]
www.visithongrie.be www.visithongarije.be
France • Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hongrietourisme.com
Italy • Ufficio Turistico Ungherese
E-mail: [email protected]
www.turismoungherese.it
Germany • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.de
Japan • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungarytabi.jp
China • Embassy of the Hungarian Republic in Beijing
E-mail: [email protected]
www.xiongyali.cn
Czech Republic • Madarská Turistika
E-mail: [email protected]
www.madarsko.cz
Poland • Narodowe Przedstawicielstwo Turystyki
Węgierskiej
E-mail: [email protected]
www.wegry.info.pl
Romania • Oficiul de Turism al Ungariei–
Reprezentanţă
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungarytourism.ro
Russia • Бюро Советника по туризму Венгрии
E-mail: [email protected]
www.vengria.ru
Slovakia • Vel’vyslanectvo Mad’arskej republiky
Obchodná kancelária
E-mail: [email protected]
www.madarsko.sk
Spain • Oficina Nacional de Turismo de Hungría
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hungriaturismo.com
Sweden (with Estonia, Finland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Norway)
Ungerska Turistbyra° n i Norden
E-mail: [email protected]
www.unkarinmatkailu.fi
www.ungernturism.org
Switzerland • Ungarisches Tourismusamt
Office du Tourisme de Hongrie
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ungarn-tourismus.ch
www.hongrie-tourisme.ch
The Netherlands • Hongaars Verkeersbureau
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hongaarsverkeersbureau.nl
Ukraine • Посольство Угорської Республіки
Інформаційне бюро «Угорщина-туризм»
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ugor.com.ua
United Kingdom • Hungarian National Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gotohungary.co.uk
United States of America • Hungarian National
Tourist Office
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gotohungary.com