Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Hungary
 |  | Destination Guide : Hungary |
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| | | Breathtaking beauty |  | Why go on holiday to Hungary?
The capital, Budapest, is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. The Danube bend, to the north, is a breathtaking stretch of peaks, resorts and river towns. Lake Balaton is Europe's greatest inland body of water.
Western Transdanubia has important churches, castles and monuments. Much Romanesque and Gothic architecture survives, along with an alpine feel to the west. The Great Plain to the east is a must for nature fans.
How much does it cost?
City breaks to Budapest start at about £250 for two or three nights. Flights can be as little as £180 in low season, rising to £300 in the summer. Be prepared to shop around as prices can vary.
When should I go?
The temperate climate means that Hungarian summers are long and warm, if a little wet at the outset. Resorts get extremely crowded in July and August. Spring is glorious all over Hungary, and autumn in the hilly regions is lovely.
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| | | Fantastic architecture |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Budapest, with its fantastic architecture and picturesque setting, is the natural starting point - great views, the State Opera, the Central Market Hall, thermal baths, the Ecseri flea market. There is more to Hungary than its capital, though.
There are many baroque-style towns like Eger and Gyor, and medieval towns like Sopron and Koszeg. For monuments from the Turkish occupation go to Pecs. Beautiful churches and synagogues are everywhere.
What about the great outdoors?
Hungarians are keen birdwatchers, particularly in the Hortobagy region. There's hiking in Zemplaen, riding the narrow-gauge railway through the Bukk Hills, canoeing in the Tisza River, caving in Aggtelek and cycling in the Danube Bend area.
And museums and galleries?
The Christian Museum in Esztergom has terrific Gothic paintings, the Paloc Museum in Balassagyarmat has an interesting folk collection, Pecs has the Csontvary and Zsolnay Museums - the latter boasts a fine collection of Romanesque and Gothic furnishings.
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| | | Hunt for bargains | | What's good for nightlife?
Obviously, the bigger the town, the more choice there'll be. Hungary prizes its cultural life highly and there are many festivals comprising theatre and music.
Budapest has great nightlife, and there's plenty going on in the other bigger towns, such as Pecs, Eger, Sopron, and Kecskemet. Discos are very popular, whether in a rough-and-ready sports hall, or a palace in Budapest.
What's the food like?
There's no doubt that food in Hungary is substantial. Vegetarians should wear their thickest skins; the Magyars love their meat, eating vast portions of pork and beef, preferably cooked with cream or fat aplenty.
Artery-blocking delights include porkolt (goulash), gulyas (hefty beef soup) and toltott (anything stuffed with rice and meat and cooked in cream).
There are many different kinds of eating place. Top of the range is the etterem - which boasts a wide choice of dishes, including international food. A vendeglo is smaller and cheaper; a csarda is a country inn with gypsy band et al.
For really cheap eats go to a butcher's shop. Most have a 'bufe' inside, where you can eat hearty sausages, roasts, pickles and bread while standing.
There's plenty of ale about for beer-monsters, either interesting local brews or quality imports from neighbouring countries.
What should I buy?
Forget the poverty of Eastern Bloc days, Hungarian shops have plenty of goods to interest visitors. Traditional embroidery and ceramics make fine gifts, as do wall hangings, wooden toys, basketry and porcelain.
Goosedown pillows and duvets are quality bargains, as are many of the foodstuffs on offer. Go for goose liver, caviar, salamis and strange varieties of paprika; some of the local wines are of terrific quality at rock bottom prices.
What is there for children to do?
When in Budapest, take them to the Grand Circus or the Puppet Theatre (but be aware that these are both closed in summer).
Tourist office
Hungarian National Tourist Office, 46 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8AL. Tel. 020 7823 1055.
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| | Available rental properties in Hungary |
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| |  | | Spa Apartment
Spacious apartment in the beutiful hot spring and spa town of Heviz close to the lake Balaton
|  | | Spa Apartment 2
Spacious apartment in the beutiful hot spring and spa town of Heviz close to the lake Balaton
|  | | Nice apartment in the Heart of Budapest
Nice, furnished 2 roomed apartment in Budapest City Center with good public transportation
|  | | Holiday Apartment Egry
Queit Holiday Apartment in the Center of Budapest, Hungary, with online reservation possibility.
|  | | Rocky
The area West of Budapest is famous as an unspoilt area with the wide puszta, the plains dotted with lakes such as the large Tisza lake, also called '
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