Hungary may be a small country, but its abundance of culture, history and natural offerings is bound to impress you. There are no fewer than 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites spread across the country, from cultural and historical landmarks to marvels of nature. And with Hungary's capital city, Budapest, being a vibrant and fascinating metropolis, there's always something going on. This means your leisure time in Hungary is going to be well spent.
Experience nature in Hungary
If you love hiking and exploring beautiful scenery, Hungary's got you covered. There are ten national parks and many landscape protection areas, which cover around a tenth of the entire territory of the country in total. These are Hortobágy (which is Hungary's first national park and was established in1973), Bükk, Aggtelek, Fertő-Hanság, Kiskunság, Körös-Maros, Duna-Ipoly, Balaton Uplands, Duna-Dráva, and Őrség. Ranging from fields to forests and caves and beyond, there is something for nature lovers of all stripes – and that's before you consider the first long-distance hiking trail in Europe, the National Blue Trail in the north, which offers enchanting vistas.
In the western part of the country, you'll find Lake Fertő, one of Hungary's UNESCO sites. There are several water sports opportunities there, as well as a beautiful bike path that goes around the lake. Nearby, you'll find the Fertő-Hanság National Park. Another important watery destination is Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. In cold enough winters, you can ice-skate across its surface! In the East, the Hortobágy region is the largest natural grassland in Europe, where you'll have the opportunity to meet grazing animals, ride horses and spend the night in traditional inns.
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You don't have to go everywhere on foot, especially if you're accompanied by small children. There are narrow-gauge railways that pass through breathtaking forest routes, which will help you maintain that feeling of being surrounded by nature.
Experience culture in Hungary
Hungary has played a fascinating role in European history since Roman times. That fact is evident in the various museums and landmarks all around the country, mostly in the capital city of Budapest. Countless museums and Ancient Roman ruins, exhibition spaces and venues for classical music await you, as well as many cultural festivals throughout the year. While a significant portion of the cultural output is in Hungarian, there is a growing presence of English-subtitled cinemas and events, and also a large emphasis on music. There are several museums dedicated to composer Franz Liszt, as well as the prominent Franz Liszt Academy of Music, which the composer helped establish. Music lovers should also flock to the Budapest Opera House, which has been touted as 'the most beautiful building in the world' by the famous Spanish tenor Placido Domingo. With famous musicians like Bartók and Kodály in Hungary's history, it's little surprise that music remains a key part of Hungarian culture to this day. If you love art, you'll find the Hungarian National Gallery at Buda Castle, which hosts the largest art collection in the country.
Experience everyday life in Hungary
You may have heard that Hungary has a rich bath and spa tradition, thanks to the combined influence of Roman and Ottoman rule over the land and the fact that the country is uniquely blessed with the world's largest thermal water cave system (and the second largest thermal lake in the form of Lake Hévíz). In fact, beneath the ground in 80% of the country's territory, you can find some form of thermal water with a unique composition and healing properties. Because of that, Hungary is a big destination for health tourism, and as an expat there, perhaps you'll have the chance to enjoy at least some of its 34 certified health resorts.
Eating out in Hungary
Hungarian gastronomy is also on the rise. Budapest has ten Michelin-starred restaurants, including two 2-star restaurants. Budapest has also previously hosted the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition, and the country also boasts 13 Bib Gourmand restaurants and six Green Star establishments as well. Beyond fine dining, the traditional, hearty dishes you can find here are definitely worth sampling, too. Try the 'töltött káposzta' (stuffed cabbage with sour cream) or the iconic chimney cake dessert (kürtőskalács) that's now becoming famous outside Hungary. Also worth mentioning are Hungary's outstanding local wines, with the Tokaji Aszú being perhaps the most famous.
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