“The pearl of the Danube” is a nickname that is given to Budapest for a good cause. One of the most beautiful rivers in Hungary flows right in the middle of some of the city’s most famous structures, including the high Buda Castle, the spired parliament building created with Gothic grandeur, and the stone-hewn Chain Bridge that is hung peacefully between all of these important landmarks. These remarkable attractions, together with a great number of others, are the key reasons why the most important city in Hungary is the most popular tourist destination in this country located in the center of Europe.
Beyond the borders of the capital city, Hungary is home to a plethora of charming places. The vineyard-covered hills in the northeastern part of the nation and the dazzling waters of the expansive Lake Balaton are just two examples of the numerous unique locations that are waiting for tourists who are interested in venturing off the beaten route. Furthermore, a large number of tourists in Budapest fail to take advantage of lesser-known sites that are readily accessible inside the city borders and are often only appreciated by visitors from the city.
In this post, which is based on the author’s experiences as an American expat living in Budapest for a number of years, the author will highlight some of the most breathtaking vistas that visitors to Hungary typically miss. In addition to seeing natural marvels and historic landmarks, we will also go to wine districts of world-class quality, leisure zones that are known for their athleticism, and relaxing hot springs that provide something for everyone. Continue reading to learn about one of Hungary’s best-kept secrets.
Hollókő
From a bygone period, the Hungarian town of Hollókő showcases European culture. It is a settlement that has been fixed in time. Because of the hard work of the people who live in Hollókő, the rural dwellings that have been meticulously kept seem nearly exactly the same as they did in the late 1800s. These cottages are lined with cobblestone streets that encircle a church that is both modest and magnificent in its wooden-steepled architecture.
This serves as the focal point of the town for a variety of festivities, often including people dressed in floral-embroidered finery from Hungary’s history, participating in ancient rituals in the same manner as their ancestors when they were younger.
In particular, Hollókū comes to life during the Easter celebrations that take place every year. During this springtime event, visitors are allowed to watch a time-honored Hungarian custom. This practice involves guys chasing girls with buckets of water and dousing them mercilessly. In addition to appreciating the energetic performances of folk dance and singing, tourists are also welcome to observe this activity.
Although there are a number of museums, handicraft stores, and restaurants that are available to the public on a regular basis, other traditional events that attract interested people are Pentecost proceedings and a raspberry festival that takes place throughout the summers.
One other remarkable artifact that can be seen in Hollókū is its majestic medieval castle, which is situated on a hilltop in the vicinity. The walls of this castle are made of gray stone and date back to the 13th century. These crenelated landmarks now seem as they must have appeared to the many marauders who traveled through this area over the course of European history. This restoration was carried out in great detail.
Thankfully, this location is tranquil at the present time, and the grounds of the castle provide breathtaking views of the Cserhát Hills, which are located in the mountains of northern Hungary.
Margaret Island, located in Budapest
An oasis of beautiful parkland that includes hundreds of acres and is located in the middle of the Danube River may be found right in the middle of the capital of Hungary. There are rich flower beds that line curved walking pathways and tree-shaded meadows that are great for picnics on Margaret Island, which is a treasured playground for people of all ages. There are several enterprises here that welcome the public for pleasurable diversions, ranging from a big entertainment venue to magnificent Budapest hotels that provide peaceful wellness facilities. However, this is not a typical green area that provides a simple escape from the streets that surround the city.
The enormous Margaret Island Theater is the most popular venue in Budapest for open-air jazz concerts and opera performances throughout the summer months. The outdoor dining establishments provide scrumptious meals and powerful beverages that may be enjoyed while watching riverboats gently make their way down the river. A contemporary spa that has pools filled with Hungary’s well-known thermal waters is attached to two resorts that provide full-service accommodations.
There is a plethora of free attractions waiting for you all over Margaret Island. By its lilypad-dotted pond that is populated by koi fish, a well-maintained Japanese Garden offers a calm area for silent thought. At the same time, the stone remnants of a monastery that dates back to the 13th century give a historical perspective on this island that was previously visited by ancient Romans. In addition, this location is home to the largest musical fountain in Hungary, which has a brilliant light display that enhances the experience of seeing imaginative jets of water dance in accompaniment to amplified music. It is possible to spend a whole holiday on this laid-back island without even being aware that you are in the center of a huge metropolitan area that you are visiting.
Danube Bend
There are some of the most beautiful landscapes in Hungary that the Danube River passes through before it reaches Budapest. This area is characterized by spectacular hills, beautiful towns, and one of the most stunning castles in the nation. The Danube Bend is the name given to the winding length of river that connects the town of Esztergom in the north with the capital of Hungary.
This riparian environment is regarded to be a highlight among Europe’s greatest romance excursions on the Danube River since it has all of these sites within its vicinity.
Starting from the north and working your way south, the breathtaking panoramas begin with the Esztergom Basilica, which is the largest cathedral in Hungary and is famous for its enormous green dome.
Visegrád, which is home to an impressive hilltop fortress that is steeped in Hungarian history, is the next destination on the Danube. Before arriving there, the Danube swirls and bends between lush mini-mountains that are surrounded by peaceful communities on the water’s side.
From its strategically important vantage position, this medieval monument has been a vital backdrop for much of the country’s turbulent history. It is even thought that Vlad the Impaler, the murderous inspiration for Dracula, was imprisoned here for years during the 15th century. This is because of the location’s strategic importance.
Not only is the remaining portion of the journey down the Danube Bend to Budapest very picturesque, but there are also river cruises that last for a single day that go between the capital city of Hungary and Esztergom.
On the other hand, it is worthwhile to explore this area if you are able to do so by automobile or by bicycle.
At the same time that you will have the opportunity to take your time touring Visegrád’s castle, you will also have the chance to explore the charming villages that are located along the riverbanks. These towns include the heaven for hikers known as Zebegény and the hideaway for artists known as Verőce.
Eplény
The highest point in Hungary is just a little over a half mile in height, hence the country does not contain many mountains altogether. Because of this, skiers and snowboarders often choose to avoid Hungary in favor of exploring the more stunning slopes of Austria, which is located close. They may even choose to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is Europe’s mountainous treasure that is often overlooked.
Magyars, on the other hand, have a lovely home option for winter activities in the form of a town that is located north of Lake Balaton and is covered in forests.
In spite of the fact that the ski resort at Eplény will never play home to the Winter Olympics, it is well worth the hour and a half trip from Budapest for anybody who is looking for a laid-back weekend filled with excitement in the snow. In addition to being served by a total of nine lifts, Eplény has close to five miles of slopes that are, for the most part, simple to navigate. However, there are a few lines that are so steep that they are better reserved for extreme athletes.
In general, this is an ideal location for families or groups of people that include individuals with diverse degrees of professional expertise. During the summer months, Eplény converts its slopes into downhill mountain biking routes, and one of its chairlifts is able to transport bikes alongside people. This adds to the thrill of the experience.
The area of Tokaj wine
The terrain that is now the Tokaj wine region in Hungary was a hotspot of volcanic eruptions around 15 million years ago. These eruptions filled the soil with mineral-rich rocks, which are now used to feed the world-class vines that are crisscrossing this section of the country’s northeastern corner.
The production of wine has been going on in this region for generations, and ever since the 1600s, Tokaj has been internationally recognized for its exceptional sweet variety known as aszú, which is a unique type that can only be grown in this particular environment. Many historical figures, such as King Louis XIV of France, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, are said to have been admirers of aszú.
Long before comparable terroir-classification systems were formed in France or Italy, the importance of these vines was officially recognized in 1757 when Tokaj was proclaimed as the world’s first wine appellation. This is a significant milestone in the history of winemaking. Under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the whole territory around the town of Tokaj was designated as a World Heritage Site in the year 2002.
A continuous stream of foreign connoisseurs are drawn to Tokaj these days due to its labyrinthine wine cellars and tranquil grape-growing landscape. These experts are also able to enjoy sips of superb native dry white wines such as furmint and muscat.
This region is known for its wine tourism, but it also has hills that are covered in forests and are perfect for hiking and cycling, as well as wonderful restaurants that serve contemporary Hungarian cuisine. For those who are passionate about cuisine, this is an ideal location to include on your list of places to visit in Europe that are not well recognized.
Szentendre
From Budapest, you may make a quick day excursion to the picturesque riverbank town of Szentendre, which has been a sanctuary for artists for a very long time. From the capital of Hungary, one can reach Szentendre by taking a scenic ferryboat ride on the Danube or by taking the commuter train that departs from Batthyány Square. Through the winding hillside streets of Szentendre, one can find charming churches, intriguing museums, and numerous cafes that are ideal for scribbling, sketching, and people-watching.
Looking beyond the major streets of this town will bring you to galleries and boutiques that exhibit true inventions by current Magyar creatives. This town undoubtedly has its fair share of visitors and schlocky souvenir stores, but if you explore beyond the main streets, you will find these places.
The Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum, which has hundreds of different sculptures and ceramic pieces, and the Ferenczy Museum, which is housed in a magnificent villa and exhibits both 20th-century luminaries and modern visionaries, are two of the most fascinating art exhibitions that can be found in this location.
Climb upward to reach the Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish Church, where you can observe paintings created by local artists that are inspired by the Bible. Additionally, you can take in the views from the surrounding plaza that extend over the red-tiled roofs of the neighborhood.
Folt is a popular hangout in Szentendre that features artwork by up-and-coming artists and open-air performances in the evenings. If you want to get a glimpse into the current culture in Szentendre, you should head there.
Lake Tisza
Even among Hungarians, Lake Tisza is sometimes disregarded since it is not as large as Lake Balaton and does not have the same geographical advantages. This man-made reservoir, which is divided into many sections, did not even exist prior to the 1970s, when a dam was constructed on the Tisza River in the middle of the eastern plains of the nation.
On the other hand, Hungary’s second-largest lake is a recreation area that is underappreciated and should be explored for the purpose of enjoying leisurely days or sporting activities.
This lake is a favorite location for fishermen due to the abundance of river fish, which is a result of the presence of many full-service bathing areas that provide amenities that are suitable for families to enjoy splashing about in.
Lake Tisza may also be considered one of the greatest places in the United States to go bird watching. In this protected portion of Tiszavalk Bay, visitors have the opportunity to witness a wide variety of the lake’s magnificent avian residents, including herons, eagles, ospreys, and many more.
Additional investigation of the lake, which is twenty miles long, may be carried out on motorboats or canoes that have been leased, which opens the door to the possibility of direct encounters with otters and beavers.
Campgrounds, a freshwater aquarium, and a petting zoo are just some of the recreational opportunities that may be found along the beach itself. tourists may also explore the paved bike roads that ring the whole lake, with the greatest circuit reaching approximately 60 miles. These pathways are available for tourists to explore.
You could rent a bicycle and the essential bike gear in the town of Tiszafred, and then take your time exploring this rural paradise that is devoid of crowds. Along the way, you should stop at restaurants or watering holes that tickle your interest.
Tihany
Hungary is home to the biggest lake in Central Europe, and with approximately 150 miles of scenic coastline, it is the most popular domestic tourism destination in the country. However, it is also becoming more popular with tourists from other countries.
A wide variety of warm and inviting locations can be found in and around Lake Balaton, ranging from the steep wine-country settlements located on the north shore to the family-friendly beaches located on the southern side of the lake. However, in the midst of everything, there is a spectacular peninsula that is home to the medieval town of Tihany. Tihany is a place that is so breathtaking that it is often only viewed from a distance.
One of the most well-known attractions in Tihany is the Benedictine Abbey, which was established around a thousand years ago. Tihany is home to a multitude of other attractions as well. Visitors are able to take a tour of the magnificent Baroque church of this still-functioning religious monument, which has spectacular ceiling murals, exquisite wood carvings, and a pipe organ topped with angel statues. Today, the abbey’s twin steeples serve as a prominent tourist attraction along the lakefront.
Alongside the abbey, there is a wide boardwalk that provides tourists with the opportunity to take in breathtaking views of the turquoise seas of Balaton and sailboats that are gliding over the water.
In addition, there are a multitude of additional fun attractions in the vicinity of Tihany, one of which is a really pleasant fragrant attraction. This has been the most prominent location in Hungary for the cultivation of lavender for close to a century now, and a trip around the peninsula during the summertime will provide opportunities to take in views of lavender fields that are covered in fragrant blossoms. In the vicinity of Tihany, there are a number of stores that sell a wide variety of lavender-infused items, ranging from soap to syrup to gin.
Hévíz thermal lake
The mineral-rich waters that are found under the surface of Hungary are continually bubbling higher. A dip in one of these spas is an absolute need, since these hot springs are used to fill the pools at the old thermal baths in Budapest and around the country.
But Lake Hévíz is in a league of its own; it is one of the biggest natural lakes of hot water in the world, and swimmers are able to immerse themselves in it without fear of injury.
Lake Hévíz, which is located a short distance to the west of Lake Balaton, has a surface area of around 11 acres and a depth of approximately 125 feet. However, every three days, the whole lake’s water is totally refilled by a flowing hot spring located below.
Due to the fact that the hot water is abundant in minerals that are believed to give treatment for a wide range of bodily illnesses, the Hungarian practice of bathing goes back hundreds of years.
Evidence suggests that ancient Romans were swimming at Lake Hévíz; nonetheless, it was not until 1795 that the first bathing facilities specifically designed for this purpose were constructed.
The water temperature seldom falls below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the depths of winter, and a large wellness complex is now being erected right above the lake’s surface. This complex offers guests the opportunity to take use of pools, saunas, and other health-enhancing services which are accessible throughout the entire year.
A layer of mist that covers the surface of the lake may even provide allergy relief to swimmers because the steam that is produced by the mist destroys airborne pollen. In addition to being encircled by trees and offering sufficient lodgings in the neighboring town, Lake Hévíz serves as a natural sanctuary, as shown by the flourishing flora and animals that can be found here.