Hungary Travel Guide

It says something for the unique culture and people of Hungary that playing chess while soaking at an elegant thermal bath complex is a favourite activity. Taking to the waters in Hungary (there are hundreds of spas) is a tradition and one not to be missed especially in Budapest, the nation’s stately capital.

The River Danube flows through the centre of the city, separating the ancient towns of Buda and Pest. As you explore the city’s medieval heritage, don’t be frightened by the crazy-looking names. Your pronunciation may not fool the locals, but they’ll be thrilled to hear you try and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome. For something completely different head to the Statue Park, the last resting place of more than 40 statues from Hungary’s Socialist past. You’ll find Marx and Lenin here and gigantic heroic monuments to the “workers”.

Beyond the city lie lakes and spa towns and the vast Hungarian Plain that still pounds with the sound of hoof-beats – the Hungarians love their horses. Join them on a ride, or watch the Magyar cowboys demonstrate their awesome abilities. Meet Hungary’s dynamic young generation in the university city of Szeged and wander the cobblestone streets of arty Szentendre, one of several towns along the picturesque Danube bend.

Hungarian cuisine reflects this country’s unique heritage. The Turks introduced coffee and paprika and it is from here that hearty, rich goulash soup originates. Live life to the full the way the Hungarians do, and try turkey roasted with fruit, and for dessert, chestnut cream.

Budapest Highlights
Terror Museum - this illustrates the decades of Nazi and Communist repression. It is in the former headquarters of the secret police of both these governments and is also a memorial to the victims. It is fascinating and while presenting the horrors it also makes people understand that the sacrifice for freedom was not in vain.

Communism St atue park (Memento Park Budapest) - displayed in the park are 42 pieces of art from the Communist era between 1945 and 1989, including monuments and statues of famous personalities.

Baths - Budapest has some of the world’s finest Turkish baths. They boast original Ottoman architecture with wonderful octagonal pools, stained glass windows and mosaics. Some are pretty elaborate, and are as they were when built in the early 1900’s. Romkocsma - this translates to Ruin Pubs. They are bars and pubs in courtyards and gardens of empty houses, ruins and old factories that were doomed for destruction. They are really really cool, although maybe more suited for the young (or young at heart!)

Royal Castle - on the hill on the ‘Buda’ side the castle overlooks the city. It houses the Hungarian National Gallery and has certainly had many facelifts over the past seven centuries due to fires, bombings and just plain old renovations.

Labyrinth - under the castle is a 1200 metre cave system that were created from hot water springs almost half a million years ago. They have been used as cellars, storage & rooms for the castle. During wartimes in the 1930’s it was able to shelter up to 10,000 people.