Hungary is arguably most well known for its capital city, Budapest, yet this country has so much more to offer travellers willing to explore beyond! A trip to Hungary will keep you coming back for more as it draws you in with its ancient castles, thermal baths, natural attractions, and rich history and culture.
Without further ado, let’s get into the details of this awe-inspiring country.
Currency: the Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the official currency of Hungary.
Language: Hungarian is the official language of the country, but most people speak English too. Learning how to say, “hello,” “please” and “thank you” in Hungarian will earn you brownie points with the locals!
Save when buying your bus or tram ticket beforehand: self-service ticket machines are ideal for saving on fees that work out more expensive when buying directly from the drivers.
Carry cash: bank cards are popular in Hungary but not used everywhere, so having a few Forints is handy when travelling.
Capital city: Budapest (pronounced Bu-dah-pesht) is the capital city of Hungary.
From an abundance of Nobel laureates to a wealth of natural springs, Hungary is swimming in rich culture, attractions and an interesting take on food. We’ve listed some of these below:
Natural springs
Be sure to take your swimming costume along, because Hungary has more than 1,000 natural springs and the largest thermal lake in the world at Hévíz! The capital city of Budapest boasts 118 natural springs alone.
Nobel laureates
Hungary has a high number of Nobel laureates per capita, with 13 Nobel Prize winners dating back as early as 1905!
Hungarians are big on inventions
From the Rubix cube to computer science and the Ribo ballpoint pen, Hungarians proudly sport a number of inventions that have stemmed from its locals.
Goulash is served differently in Hungary
While the rest of the world knows goulash to be a stew, it’s actually served as a soup in Hungary. Hungarians pride themselves on having the “best recipe” of their unique version, with many locals and restaurants serving up the dish and an annual goulash festival taking place in Szolnok
While we will touch on Budapest due to its exquisite beauty and popularity amongst tourists, it’s worth mentioning that there are many other places to visit in the country. Here’s our list of top places to see in Hungary:
Budapest
Brimming with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a renowned nightlife scene, mesmerising architecture and a plethora of world-class museums, Budapest has it all. As the capital city of Hungary and known as the “City of Baths”, Budapest has beauty lurking around every corner. Places to visit here include the majestic Buda Castle, the Széchenyi Baths, Central Market Hall, and the St. Matthias Church.
Gyor
One of the most breathtaking cities in Hungary, Gyor is the sixth-largest city and is known as the “Baroque Jewel” due to its long-standing history. Visit the city centre to ogle at the beautiful monument buildings and the captivating Baroque architecture, pay a visit to the many cafes, and enjoy a stroll around the charming town.
Eger
Eger is both a multicultural and historic city rolled into one. It features a revered food and wine scene, the Eger Minaret that dates back to the 17th century, and Eger Castle with its 10th-century cathedral ruins. Enjoy a tour of the castle to witness the art gallery and coin museum while here, and enjoy the fruits of the vine when you visit the Eger Wine Region.
Lake Balaton
As the largest lake in Central Europe and Hungary’s biggest water reservoir, Lake Balaton is also called the “Hungarian sea.” Travellers who enjoy water sports activities will revel in a short getaway here, with many little villages and towns scattered along the lake. Siofok is one worth mentioning as it’s the most popular holiday resort here. Other activities you can look forward to include hiking in the hills, touring the wineries and exploring the caves.
Travel with peace of mind with Allianz Travel. You can get coverage for up to USD 50,000 in emergency medical expenses for injury, sickness and other medical-related instances. In addition, Allianz Travel includes up to USD 300 that covers you in the event of the loss or theft of your travel documents. Another cover of USD 5,000 is included to help you in case of personal accidents.
Get in touch with us with us today to speak to one of our highly-experienced consultants about our services as you start planning your trip to Hungary!
