Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its capital, Budapest, is bisected by the Danube River.
Its cityscape is studded with architectural landmarks from Buda’s medieval Castle Hill and grand neoclassical buildings along Pest’s Andrássy Avenue to the 19th-century Chain Bridge.
Here are top attraction sites in Hungary
Hortobágy National Park
Located in the eastern corner of the country, Hortobágy National Park is what you might call quintessential Hungary. Here, you can explore a variety of superb attractions and fun things to do, all while soaking up the rich culture of the country’s people and their traditions.
Established in 1973, the park is part of Hungary’s Great Plain, an area that’s protected as Europe’s biggest natural grassland. Highlights of a visit include catching glimpses of its diverse animal life-everything from an abundance of birdlife to herds of horses can be seen-or spending an evening in its dark sky preserve, which offers incredible stargazing opportunities without the distraction of city lights.
Buda Castle, Budapest
When you first set eyes on the spectacular Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) in Budapest, you’ll appreciate why so many people consider the city the “Paris of the East.” This spectacular historic landmark-now a UNESCO World Heritage Site-ranks right up there with Versailles in terms of its majestic proportions and wonderful design.
Built on the site of a palace destroyed during the Siege of 1686, this newer structure was rebuilt in the 18th century for the Habsburg monarchy and includes more than 200 rooms. Its symmetrical layout focuses on the lovely 61-meter-high central dome facing the Danube, where you can get stunning views of the castle and the other buildings on Castle Hill.
Parts of the original medieval building have been reconstructed, including the Buzogány Tower and the impressive 15th-century South Tower.
Historic Spa Towns
If you’re looking for a vacation that combines some downtime with a rich cultural experience, Hungary certainly delivers. There are many historic spa towns and facilities throughout the country offering everything from simple bathing in regenerative waters to longer stays in lovely spa resorts.
Hungary’s reputation for its hot springs and baths dates back more than 2,000 years to the time of the Romans, who highly valued the healing effects of Hungarian thermal waters. Then, in the 16th century, it was the turn of the Turks who built the many Turkish Baths still in use today.
All told, more than 1,000 springs provide medicinal and thermal water to natural and medical spas, one of the most popular being Lake Hévíz with its 25 degrees Celsius yearly average water temperature, the largest biologically active thermal lake in Europe.
Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest
It’s hard to miss the spectacularly proportioned Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház) when exploring Budapest. Whether you’re taking a tour boat ride along the Danube (highly recommended) or viewing this huge structure from Castle Hill on the opposite bank, you won’t fail to be impressed by its palatial appearance and dimensions, a particular treat at night when it’s lit up beautifully.
The building is flanked by the no less impressive Ministry of Agriculture building and the Museum of Ethnography, and it’s fun just to spend time wandering around the exterior as you take in the details of one of the largest parliament buildings in all of Europe.
The Caves of Lillafüred
Lillafüred in the Bükk Mountains is another very popular spa destination in Hungary. It’s also famous for its many spectacular caves, all within an easy walk of the town. Some of the most interesting to explore are the István Cave with its fantastic stalactite formations, and the Petofi Cave, famous the world over for the impressions of extinct plant species left in its limestone walls.
For a more adventurous hike, take the trail to the Szeleta Cave with its relics from the Ice Age, including skillfully made arrows and spears. When you’re done with all that exploring, take a ride on the old narrow-gauge railway through one of the most rugged parts of the mountains.
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