Hungary travel guide : discover history, culture and must-see destinations

Essential Hungary travel information

• Official name: Hungary (Magyarország)
• Capital: Budapest
• Population: About 9.7 million people
• Official language: Hungarian (Magyar)
• Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary republic

Hungary's rich history: from Magyar tribes to modern nation

Hungary has one of the most fascinating histories in Central Europe. Here's a simple timeline:

Magyar origins and medieval kingdom

The Hungarian story begins with the arrival of the Magyar tribes from the east, led by chieftain Árpád, who conquered the Carpathian Basin around 895 CE. The Christian Kingdom of Hungary was established in the year 1000 when Stephen I was crowned with a papal crown, beginning the Árpád dynasty that would rule until 1301. Medieval Hungary grew into a major European power, particularly under King Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490), who created one of Europe's most magnificent Renaissance courts, transforming Buda into a cultural center with one of the largest libraries in Europe.

Ottoman occupation and Habsburg rule

Following the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, central Hungary fell under Ottoman Turkish control for nearly 150 years. After the Ottomans were driven out, Hungary became part of the Habsburg Empire. Hungarian national identity strengthened during this period, culminating in the unsuccessful Revolution and War of Independence against Habsburg rule in 1848-49, led by national heroes like Lajos Kossuth and Sándor Petőfi. The subsequent Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, granting Hungary significant autonomy and ushering in a period of rapid modernization, with Budapest developing into a magnificent capital rivaling Vienna.

World Wars and Communist era

The dissolution of Austria-Hungary following World War I resulted in the Treaty of Trianon (1920), which reduced Hungary's territory by approximately two-thirds and left millions of ethnic Hungarians outside the new borders, a trauma that still resonates in national consciousness. Hungary aligned with Nazi Germany during World War II, suffering massive destruction, particularly during the siege of Budapest. After the war, a Soviet-backed communist government was established. The 1956 Hungarian Revolution against Soviet control was brutally suppressed, but subsequently, Hungary developed "Goulash Communism," a somewhat more liberal form of communism compared to other Eastern Bloc countries, allowing limited free enterprise and cultural expression.

Modern Hungary

Hungary played a pivotal role in the fall of communism when it opened its border with Austria in 1989, allowing East Germans to flee to the West, accelerating the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. Following the peaceful transition to democracy, Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Contemporary Hungary has experienced political transformations, significant economic development, and debates about national identity and European integration. Today, visitors encounter a proud nation with a distinct cultural identity, where historical awareness blends with forward-looking aspirations, creating a rich tapestry for travelers to explore.

Hungarian culture & traditions every traveler should know

Hungarian Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is a Finno-Ugric language unrelated to its Slavic, Germanic, and Romance-speaking neighbors, making it one of Europe's most distinctive languages. With complex grammar featuring 18 cases and vowel harmony, Hungarian presents a significant linguistic challenge for visitors. However, Hungarians greatly appreciate even basic attempts at their language. While English is increasingly spoken, especially in Budapest and tourist areas, knowing a few basic phrases can enhance your travel experience. A Hungary travel guide should always include essential expressions like "köszönöm" (thank you), "egészségedre" (cheers), and "kérem" (please). Hungarian has contributed several words to English, including "coach" (from the Hungarian village of Kocs where a particular type of carriage was first made) and "paprika" (the spice central to Hungarian cuisine).

Art & literature in Hungarian culture

Hungary has produced remarkable cultural contributions despite being a relatively small nation. Composers Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, and Zoltán Kodály created internationally acclaimed music drawing on Hungarian folk traditions. Kodály's revolutionary music education method is used worldwide. Hungary has a rich literary tradition, though much remains untranslated due to the language's uniqueness. Poets Sándor Petőfi and Endre Ady created works central to national identity, while 20th-century writers like Imre Kertész (Nobel Prize winner) gained international recognition. Hungary's contributions to visual arts include the Paris School painters and pioneering photographers like André Kertész and László Moholy-Nagy. Hungarian cinema has experienced several golden ages, most recently with directors like Béla Tarr and László Nemes, whose "Son of Saul" won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2016.

Hungarian cuisine: What to eat & drink

Hungarian food features rich, flavorful dishes highlighting the country's agricultural abundance:

• Gulyás (goulash) – a hearty soup of beef, vegetables, and paprika
• Pörkölt – meat stew with onions and paprika, often served with nokedli (small dumplings)
• Lángos – deep-fried flatbread typically topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese
• Töltött káposzta – cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice
• Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) – sweet pastry coated with sugar and spices

Paprika, introduced to Hungary in the 16th century, became integral to national cuisine, with eight grades of quality from mild to fiery hot. Hungarian wine traditions date back over 1,000 years, with 22 wine regions producing distinctive varieties. Tokaji Aszú, a sweet wine made from noble rot-affected grapes, was historically called "the wine of kings, king of wines." Pálinka, fruit brandy protected by EU designation, is traditionally consumed as an aperitif or digestif. Any thorough Hungary travel guide should emphasize that dining in Hungary is not just about food but about hospitality and social connection.

Thermal bath culture

Hungary sits atop one of Europe's largest thermal water systems, with a bathing culture dating back to Roman times and enhanced during the Ottoman occupation. The country has over 1,300 thermal springs and more than 100 public baths, from grand historic spas in Budapest to modern wellness centers. Thermal waters, naturally heated to 30-78°C and rich in minerals, are believed to have medicinal properties for conditions ranging from arthritis to skin problems. Traditional bath etiquette involves moving between pools of different temperatures, with many facilities also offering saunas, steam rooms, and massage treatments. Széchenyi Bath in Budapest, one of Europe's largest thermal bath complexes, features 18 pools in a neo-Baroque setting, while Gellért Bath showcases stunning Art Nouveau architecture. The bath culture reflects the Hungarian appreciation for life's pleasures and communal experiences, with locals gathering to socialize, play chess in the water, or simply relax. First-time visitors to Hungary should always include at least one thermal bath experience in their itinerary, as it provides insight into an essential aspect of Hungarian lifestyle.

Top places to visit in Hungary

Budapest: Essential sights in Hungary's capital

The capital city, often called the "Paris of the East," spans both banks of the Danube:

• Hungarian Parliament Building: The nation's iconic neo-Gothic landmark, stretching 268 meters along the Danube with 691 rooms and 20 kilometers of staircases.
• Buda Castle Hill: A UNESCO World Heritage site housing the Royal Palace, Matthias Church with its diamond-patterned roof tiles, and Fisherman's Bastion offering panoramic views.
• Széchenyi Thermal Bath: One of Europe's largest spa complexes, featuring outdoor and indoor thermal pools in a stunning neo-Baroque setting.
• Great Market Hall: A vast 19th-century covered market where locals and tourists shop for fresh produce, spices, and traditional crafts.
• Jewish Quarter: Home to Europe's largest synagogue, trendy ruin bars in abandoned buildings, and a vibrant culinary scene.

Lake Balaton: Hungary's inland sea

Central Europe's largest freshwater lake, covering 600 square kilometers, serves as Hungary's premier summer vacation destination. The southern shore features shallow waters and family-friendly beach resorts like Siófok, known for its nightlife. The northern shore offers more cultural attractions, including the historic spa town of Balatonfüred and the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany on a peninsula jutting into the lake. The nearby Balaton Uplands National Park provides hiking opportunities through volcanic hills and lavender fields. The Badacsony region along the north shore is renowned for its volcanic wines, particularly whites like Olaszrizling (Welschriesling). In winter, the lake sometimes freezes, transforming into Europe's largest ice skating rink. A well-rounded Hungary travel guide should recommend exploring both shores to experience the lake's diverse attractions.

Eger

This picturesque Baroque town in northern Hungary is famous for its castle, successfully defended against Ottoman forces in 1552 in a battle celebrated in Hungarian literature and film. The town features a beautiful Basilica, the northernmost Ottoman minaret in Europe, and charming pedestrian streets lined with pastel-colored buildings. Eger is the center of one of Hungary's major wine regions, renowned for its Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood), a robust red wine blend. The "Valley of the Beautiful Women" (Szépasszony-völgy) on the town's outskirts features dozens of wine cellars carved into the hillside, where visitors can taste and purchase wines directly from producers. Eger's baroque architecture, thermal baths, and gastronomic offerings make it an essential stop on any Hungary itinerary.

Pécs

This southern city near the Croatian border reflects Hungary's multicultural heritage through its Roman, Ottoman, and Habsburg influences. The UNESCO-listed Early Christian Necropolis features 4th-century burial chambers with well-preserved murals. Pécs Cathedral dominates the main square, while the former mosque of Pasha Qasim in the city center illustrates the Ottoman legacy. The Zsolnay Quarter celebrates the famous local porcelain manufacturer whose colorful ceramic tiles adorn buildings throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Home to Hungary's oldest university (founded 1367), Pécs maintains a youthful, creative atmosphere and mild climate that earned it the nickname "the city of Mediterranean impressions." The surrounding Villány wine region produces Hungary's most full-bodied red wines.

Tokaj Wine Region

This UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape comprises 27 towns and villages where wine has been produced for over 1,000 years. The region's unique microclimate, created by mist rising from the Bodrog and Tisza rivers, fosters noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) that concentrates grape sugars, essential for producing the legendary Tokaji Aszú dessert wine. Traditional wine cellars carved into volcanic rock maintain ideal conditions for aging. The picturesque main town of Tokaj offers cellar tours, tastings, and a wine museum. Beyond wine, the region features hiking opportunities in the Zemplén Mountains and charming small towns with preserved folk architecture. Any Hungary travel guide focused on culinary experiences should recommend spending at least two days in this historic wine region, allowing time to visit multiple cellars and understand the complex wine classification system.

Natural wonders & landscapes of Hungary

• Hortobágy National Park: UNESCO-listed "puszta" (great plains) landscape covering 800 square kilometers, showcasing traditional pastoral life, unique wildlife, and the longest stone bridge in historic Hungary.
• Caves of Aggtelek Karst: A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Europe's largest stalactite cave system, with the Baradla Cave extending 25 kilometers (partly into Slovakia).
• Tisza Lake: Hungary's largest artificial lake, created in the 1990s, now a paradise for birdwatchers with over 200 bird species and unique wetland ecosystems.
• Bükk National Park: A forested mountain range with 900 caves, deep valleys, limestone formations, and Hungary's highest peak outside the Alps at 960 meters.
• Danube Bend: A picturesque curve in Europe's second-longest river, where the Danube turns sharply south between the Börzsöny and Pilis Mountains, creating one of Hungary's most scenic landscapes.

Fascinating Facts About Hungary

Hungarians have won more Olympic medals per capita than any other nation, with 511 medals across summer and winter games.

The Hungarian language has 14 vowels (compared to 5 in English) and is considered one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn.

Hungary has the world's second-largest thermal lake suitable for bathing (Lake Hévíz), which remains warm enough for bathing even in winter.

The Hungarian invention list includes the Rubik's cube, ballpoint pen, holography, vitamin C isolation, and the word "coach" (from the Hungarian village of Kocs).

Budapest has the world's third-largest Parliament building and Europe's oldest underground railway line (opened in 1896, second globally only to London).

Hungarian contributions to world culture

• The Rubik's Cube (invented by architect Ernő Rubik in 1974)
• The ballpoint pen (invented by László Bíró, whose name became synonymous with the pen)
• Vitamin C isolation and identification (by Hungarian scientist Albert Szent-Györgyi)
• Computer science pioneers (John von Neumann's computer architecture and programming)
• Holography (invented by Dennis Gabor, who received the Nobel Prize for this work)