Traveling Around Hungary

Hungary is a beautiful country in Central Europe. The capital Budapest is extremely popular among tourists and is the perfect destination for a city trip. Besides the beautiful capital of Budapest, Hungary is a special country to travel through. It is full of modern cities, historic centers, rich traditions, vast steppe plains and beautiful mountain areas. The country also has excellent wine and delicious food. What’s not to like? Let’s take a closer look at the country of Hungary, and everything that it has to offer you.

Things to Do in Hungary

There is much to see and experience in Hungary. Most sights are within reach of the capital, Budapest, or the popular holiday destination, Lake Balaton. There are many beautiful castles, churches, spas, and of course, national parks to visit in Hungary. Here is a list of locations that are highly praised in Hungary:

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is a beautiful and vast lake in western Hungary. It is the largest lake in Central Europe. In the summer months, the lake is busy with locals and tourists. All kinds of fun activities are organized at the lake. You can surf, sail and go kayaking. In addition, you will often find rowing and swimming competitions holding place at Lake Balaton. The surrounding area also has many cozy towns and nice restaurants. Definitely a place worth visiting.

Hortobágy National Park

The Hortobágy National Park is the oldest nature park in Hungary. This beautiful park is located in the east of the country, and offers lots of nature and tranquility. The park is characterized by steppe, swamps, heaths and rivers. The steppe plains are also called Pustas and are unique in Hungary. On these plains, you will often find Hungarian steppe cattle and the Racka sheep, grazing away. Hortobágy National Park has different kinds of hiking and cycling routes available.

Danube Knee

The Danube Knee is a beautiful river bend in northern Hungary. There are beautiful green hills, cozy towns and fantastic castles. It is the perfect place for long walks and bike rides, with a beautiful river view from all around. One of the absolute musts is to visit the town of Esztergom, which features the Esztergom Basilica. The church is beautifully decorated inside and out, and is therefore a sight to behold. You can also find many nice restaurants in the town and it is the perfect base for exploring the region.

Pannonhalma Abbey

The Pannonhalma Abbey is located in northwestern Hungary. The abbey is located on a hill, which gives you a beautiful view of the surrounding village. The Benedictine monastery was founded in 996 and monks have lived there for centuries. When you visit the abbey, you can get acquainted with monastic life and learn everything about the history of this monastery. You can admire the cloister and crypt, which makes a visit to Pannonhalma Abbey definitely worth it.

Foods to Try in Hungary

The first thing that often comes to mind when thinking about Hungarian cuisine is goulash. Nowadays, this dish is no longer as popular as it used to be for the average Hungarian family. The Hungarian cuisine often includes dishes prepared with meat, fish, different sauces and spicy herbs. Potatoes are quite popular, as is eating bread besides meals. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Hungarian dishes.

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  Harcsapprikás or Csirkepaprikás: This is a dish made out of stewing paprika. The peppers are left to simmer for a period of time, with a number of herbs, creating a delicious creamy and thick sauce. There are two variants; a stew with chicken called Csirkepaprikás and a stew with fish called Harcsapprikás.
• Töltött Kaposzta: Every Central and Eastern European country has its own version of stuffed cabbage leaves. In Hungary, the base is a filling of minced meat, rice, tomato sauce and spices. This dish often comes with a side of sour cream, potatoes and a large piece of bread.
  
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  Halászlé: A fish soup with an incredible red color. The red color comes from the paprika that is used. The soup is usually made from catfish, carp, perch and pike. It is a filling soup, and is often well seasoned.
• Pörkölt: A goulash stew that is only prepared this way in Hungary. Pörkölt is actually a collective name for different kinds of meat stews. The basis usually consists of either chicken, pork or beef, but there are adventurous chefs that combined several types of meats. The stew traditionally comes with a portion of potatoes.
  

Hungary Travel Tips

• Do not rely on bargaining. Sellers will often not go any lower than the listen price. Discounts are usually only given when purchasing multiple items.
• Carrying cash is a good idea as you will often find cash-only services. Cards or also accepted but not everywhere.
• Best to avoid high season between June and August.
• Do not click your beer glasses. Due to the historical background of Hungary, it is advised to avoid it.