Hidden in the centre of Europe, sharing its borders with Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine, Hungary is a landlocked country yet called the “Land of Waters” where water rolls under the earth and erupts to the surface, hot and healing. Low mountain ranges, lakes and rivers, endless plains and more are spread across the country, as are many small, centuries old quaint villages, charming towns and luxurious castles.
Millenia of occupiers have left their footprints in the country with Roman ruins, Baroque castles, monuments of the nomadic Magyar, medieval Turkish baths and hot springs once worshipped by Romans for their curative properties. But there is a thriving modern nation bursting into life and a flourishing metropolis with bars, restaurants, nightclubs and bathhouses that have grown into splendid architectural wonders.
The capital, Budapest is an elegant and lively city that is historic yet contemporary, classical yet cosmopolitan. Made up of two settlements on either side of the Danube River, hilly Buda is home to graceful Habsburg and neoclassical buildings, while sprawling Pest is its commercial centre with a generous scattering of art nouveau architecture. Explore Buda’s elevated cobbled streets and take in the spectacular views of the city and the river below from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Over the Chain Bridge, in Pest, admire the grand Hungarian Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Hungarian National Museum and the House of Hungarian Art Nouveau.
Beyond Budapest, there are fascinating cities of Pécs, named as one of the European Capital of Culture cities, brimming with culture and history and architecture from Ottoman period like Pasha Qasim Mosque; Eger known for its Ottoman heritage and Egri Bikavér red wine (Bull’s Blood); Györ with a splendid Baroque City Centre; and many natural delights like Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake where families spend summer holidays along its 236 km coastline swimming, sipping wine and unwinding at a music festival.
May through September are the best months to visit Hungary. Temperatures are mild and the cultural scene is active. Fall and spring are worth a visit as well, although temperatures drop around 20 degrees.
