Hungary’s border lies against countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. The Danube River largely divides the country between west and east. The country has known a Turkish occupation that ended after the Siege of Vienna in 1683. At that time, the Austrians drove the Turks away and Hungary came under the rule of the Habsburgs. Many uprisings and finally the freedom struggle in 1848 did not bring the Hungarians very far. It was not until 1989 that Hungary acquired the status of Republic of Hungary. Present and modern Hungary is increasingly visited by tourists. Many of them come for the rich culture, the pleasant summers, the beautiful landscape, varied nature parks, Hungarian goulash, not to mention the very popular festivals. Every year the organizers of events such as Sziget, Balaton Sound and Stand Festival manage to surpass the previous year. Visitors flock from home and abroad and Hungary enjoys its well-deserved popularity. Seaside resorts around Lake Balaton such as Siófok and Gyenesdiás are certainly worth exploring. But cities such as Budapest, Pécs and Debrecen also have a lot to offer. Hungary is a country with a lot of diversity, where modern life seems to go well together with the many cultural and historical sights. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Hungary.
Hungary ‘s Top 10 Things to Do
#1. Budapest
The capital and largest city of Hungary, Budapest, is located directly on the Danube. This cultural city is full of historical sites, including the Millennium Monument, Buda Citadel, St. Stephen’s Basilica ‘Szent István Bazilika’, the City Park ‘Városliget’, Andrássy Boulevard, several bathhouses and the Great Market Hall ‘Nagycsarnok’ in the ninth district. The city is originally made up of three parts. The oldest part is known as the eighteenth century Buda Castle District, which is located on the right bank. The other districts are Pest and Óbuda. In Pest, the business district predominates with, for example, the Parliament building, the city park and the Heroes’ Square. buda, located in the north, has an old amphitheatre, remains of the Roman city of Aquincum, the Kassák Museum and the Óbuda town hall. Together, these three districts form the increasingly popular and modern Budapest. Check simplyyellowpages for mass media and culture of Hungary.
#2. Lake Balaton
The largest lake in Central Europe is Lake Balaton in Hungary. This nearly six hundred square kilometer lake is located in the national park of the same name in the west of the country, near the towns of Siófok, Keszthely and Veszprém. It is especially busy in and around the lake during the summer months. Swimming competitions are held from time to time, you can surf, spot birds to your heart’s content including the black stork, take part in rowing races, compete for the biggest fish there is to catch or simply relax in, on or on the edge of the water.
#3. Pécs
The southwestern city of Pécs is known as a university city. The atmosphere there is very pleasant compared to other big cities. Already during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the city of Pécs was on the rise. The university and the public library generated a lot of fame early on. And the Turkish influences can still be seen. The green-domed mosque on Széchenyi Square is an excellent example of this. Also striking are the many museums in Pécs. There is an ethnographic museum, a mining museum, an archaeological museum, a renaissance museum and the Csontváry museum. The latter museum is entirely dedicated to the Hungarian painter Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry. The Cathedral of Pécs ‘Pécsi székesegyház’ is a beautiful church, the oldest parts of which date from the eleventh century. In the nineteenth century, the church was rebuilt and designed to its current appearance. No expense has been spared in the interior either.
#4. Debrecen
The second largest city in Hungary is Debrecen. This city is located in the east of the country about thirty kilometers from the border with Romania. In the past, the city was also known as ‘Calvinist Rome’. The most central square of Debrecen is ‘Kossuth ter’. Here is the beautiful millennium fountain, the coat of arms which is made of mosaic and the Reformed Great Church ‘Református nagytemplom’. The city of Debrecen has also been known for centuries for its wonderful thermal baths. The minerals in this water are said to have medicinal effects on various ailments. The largest and most famous bathhouse is Aquaticum Spa in Debrecen. You can even stay here for several days and then return home as “new”. During the annual ‘Flower Carnival’ festival in August, visitors from home and abroad come to Debrecen to see the well-dressed and flower-decorated wagons. This is a real spectacle every year.
#5. Sziget
One of the most famous festivals in Hungary is the Sziget Festival. This seven-day musical festival usually takes place in the first week of August. The Sziget Festival is held in Budapest on the Óbuda Island. Every day, up to eighty thousand visitors come to party in this lively city of Hungary. The first time the Sziget festival took place in Budapest was in 1993. Now so many years later we speak of one of the biggest music festivals in Europe. In addition to music, there are also circus artists, street theater, dance performances and fashion shows to admire.
#6. Hortobágy National Park
The oldest park in Hungary is ‘Hortobágyi Nemzeti Park’. The landscape of this nearly twenty-five-hundred-hectare park consists mainly of large plains with steppe, swamp, rivers and meadows. The Hortobágy National Park is part of the Tisza plain in eastern Hungary. Around the fourteenth century this region was abandoned and the peoples moved to the cities in the area. In the visitor center you can find all kinds of information about the routes, the sights, which animals you can spot and the cultural history of the park. Real adventurers can explore the park on horseback or by bicycle, but walking is of course also an option.
#7. Miskolc
The industrial town of Miskolc is located in the northeast of Hungary. Modern city life is characterized by nice shopping areas, cozy bars and restaurants and the liveliness around the universities. However, the cultural attractions of Miskolc make the city a fascinating destination. You can visit the hot springs in the cave of Miskolctapolca, which was already well known in the thirteenth century. Or you can explore the impressive Diósgyõr castle. And don’t miss the National Theater of Miskolc. If the opportunity arises, be sure to check out the inside. At Lake Hámori you have the opportunity to admire the artificial Lillafüred waterfalls.
#8. Szeged
On the right bank of the Tisza River is the town of Szeged. At a short distance are the borders with neighboring countries Serbia and Romania. Szeged is a city that was almost completely destroyed by a flood during the nineteenth century. Many of the buildings are therefore from after this period. The most striking buildings are the Art Nouveau style Reök Palace, the Votive Church with the statues of apostles on the facade, the town hall ‘városháza’ and the New Synagogue. The nicest shopping areas are located in and around the ‘Kárász utca’. And you can drink the best coffee in coffee houses such as Virág-Kávéház on Klauzál tér.
#9. Danube Bend
The hilly area around the Danube Bend is a wonderful part of Hungary. The Danube Bend or Danube Bend is a bend in the River Danube that starts at the northern city of Esztergom and winds through to Budapest. The area surrounding this Danube Bend is characterized by medieval fortresses, castles and, for example, Hungary’s largest cathedral, the ‘Esztergom Basilica’. The tour is of course also very easy to do by boat.
#10. Aggteleki National Park
In the north of Hungary lies Aggteleki National Park. Since 1995, the natural park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area that belongs to this park covers almost two hundred square kilometers. You can visit the Baradla cave here. The stalactites and stalagmite formations here are truly spectacular. You can also take beautiful routes in the Aggteleki National Park by horse, canoe or bicycle. And even visiting a museum is possible.
