Destination attractions things to do in hungary

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Lying at the crossroads of east and west, Hungary has been in the direct path of a range of cultural influences, yet it retains a character that's undeniably its own. Art and history enthusiasts can take in the unique folk art, a multitude of museums and world-class theaters, as well as magnificent Renaissance castles, Baroque towns, and Turkish monuments. The country's abundant thermal waters and elegant, active spas draw visitors from across Europe and the world. The arts and caf scene of the refined yet animated capital, Budapest, is lively and diverse. On the rolling plains and gentle hills of the countryside, travelers can choose from spa resorts, horse ranches, and national parks for wildlife-watching and spelunking. Lovers of gourmet cuisine can indulge in Hungary's world-famous sausages and paprika along with wines of 22 wine districts. From the capital down to the tiniest villages, each community has it's own personality and all offer a unique experience.

Budapest

A complex and turbulent history, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking architecture makes Hungary's capital a must-see for anyone visiting the country. With both broad avenues and inviting, narrow side streets the city is ideal for walking. Stroll along the Danube riverfront, through the City Park, or across Margit Island, then come downtown to wander through art galleries and antique bookshops or satisfy your appetite at any of the small patisseries and cafs. For cultural exploration, museums have been established not only for art and national history but for public transit, the post office, the fire brigade and almost every other institution or interest, as well. When you've had enough walking, stop in to one of the city's many ornately decorated spas to relax in the warm, mineral-rich spring waters.

Szentendre

Just a half-hour's trip from Budapest lies the crafts community of Szentendre. Originally settled by Serb refugees the town's Eastern Orthodox churches and other monuments still give it a South Slav ambience. The laid-back atmosphere makes it an ideal day-trip destination to spend an afternoon getting aquatinted with Hungarian crafting traditions in the many art galleries or relaxing at a riverfront cafe.

Esztergom

Once the location of the royal town, this small settlement north of Budapest was the birthplace of St. King Stephen, founder of the Hungarian State. The Royal palace is the favored attraction, but the approximately 300-foot-high neo-Classic cathedral, with the red marble Bakcz chapel, is also worth a visit. Other sites include a group of monuments on the Castle hill and the St. Adalbert Cathedral. Holy relics can be viewed in the Treasury of the Arch-Cathedral and the Castle museum.

Szeged

The third biggest city in Hungary provides a remarkably cosmopolitan life-style despite its sleepy college town feel. The most significant arts venue here is the Szeged National Theater. Housed in a Baroque/neo-Renaissance building, its frescoed interior can seat up to a thousand people. In summer the open-air theater on Cathedral Square attracts an estimated 4000 spectators every evening to opera, operetta, and musical performances. The local opera also holds its own on the arts scene, being second only to Budapest's opera.

Religious sites and historical monuments such as the gorgeous Votive Church, the Old Synagogue (designed in the Classical style), and the New Synagogue (Secessionist style) can also be toured.

Connoisseurs of fine food can fall in love with Hungarian cuisine at the Pick Szalmi and Szeged Paprika Museum. On the ground floor are exhibits showing the history of the salami and the factory, while the first floor presents the history of Szeged's famous paprika. Tools, photographs, documents, video productions, and 21 realistically-dressed statues all bring the exhibits to life. Samples are also given out to visitors.

Those looking to connect with nature will find inviting beaches, large parks, and a botanical garden to stroll through. The city also hosts speedboat races and regattas on its professional-level rowing course.

Pcs

Renowned for its music, opera, and ballet, Pcs is also home to the most beautiful Turkish monuments in the country.

The Mosque Church, a 16th-century square mosque with an octagonal green copper dome, is the largest building from the Turkish occupation still intact in Hungary and is the symbol of Pcs. Prayer niches in the walls, geometric frescoes on the cupola, and the characteristic ogee arches evidence Islamic presence. Near the Mosque Church is the synagogue. This Romantic style building, erected in 1869, houses galleries and pews of carved oak, murals on the ceiling, and a richly designed Ark of the Covenant.

Two museums also warrant special mention: The Victor Vsrely Museum and the Zsolnay Porcelain Museum. The Victor Vsrely Museum, dedicated to the father of Optical Art, presents many of the artists innovative geometric designs. The Zsolnay Museum displays the history and products of the porcelain factory that led trends in art and design in Europe for over fifty years. Many of the tiles produced by Zsolnay can be seen in the colorful and elaborate roof designs on buildings around Hungary.

The mild climate of this southern town may be responsible in part for the numerous open-air festivals held here. The Spring Festival, the Festival of the National Theatrical Assembly, the Festival of Grapes and Wine, the Drinking Song Festival, the autumn Pcs Days Festival, and the celebrations held by university students all bring locals and visitors out into the streets and public squares.

Eger

Although its claim to fame is the celebrated Egri Bikavr (Eger Bull's Blood) wine, this carefully-maintained Baroque town is also home to 175 protected buildings and monuments. For the best panorama of the city, try the 13th-century Eger Castle. Another worthwhile site is Eger Cathedral on Eszterhzy Square. This is the second largest church in the country and the only neo-Classical building in the town. Stop by to hear the organ concert held here every day in the summer. In the town's Minaret Church, the northernmost Turkish monument in Europe and Eger's highest building, visitors can admire the carved wood furnishing and take a chance on the 100-step spiral staircase that winds its way to the top of the building.

Arts festivals such as the Festival of Baroque Eger, the Open-air Bath Festival, the Festival of the Valley of Beautiful Women (presented by a wine cellar), and a number of folk music festivals and wine festivals go on throughout the summer.

To the southwest of the town, down into the valley, is a selection of cellars and wine bars offering Leanyka, Egri Bikavr, and other local wines.

Mriapcs

This tiny settlement draws a steady stream of pilgrims to a gorgeous Greek Orthodox church that houses the Weeping Black Madonna. This large and intricately designed icon was seen shedding tears in 1696 and has been drawing visitors, including Pope John Paul II, ever since. However this icon is not the original, but a 19th-century copy. The original is kept in St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

The Museum of the History of the Church contains a house maintained with the furnishings of an agricultural family from the early 20th century as a display of the childhood of two significant church figures of the area, Mihly s Mikls Duds. A Gothic-style Roman Catholic temple is also open to the public. If it's outdoor activities you're looking for, though, the town also has a 13-hectare "free time" park with opportunities for boating and fishing.

Lake Balaton

This long, narrow lake situated about 90 miles south-west of Budapest is one of the largest lakes in Europe and one of the largest tourist attractions in the country. The lake's southern shore is a stretch of high-rise resort hotels and pockets of beach. The northern shore, by contrast, provides the quieter pleasures of historical towns, mountain hiking, and quality wine. The towns surrounding Balaton also have no shortage of attractions.

Porcelain collectors won't want to miss the town of Herend, where world-famous porcelain is crafted and hand-painted. Visitors can tour the museum and explore the history of these works of art through documents, photographs, videos, and displays.

In the historical village of Tihany visitors can stroll through an open-air ethnographic museum to get a taste of the lifestyle of 18th century peasant and fishermen. In addition, the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany houses an art gallery and produces a variety of concerts.

At the north-western corner of the lake is Keszthely, the "Capital of Balaton", where Classical music concerts in the Castle of Festetics, folk dance in Goldmark Yard, a July wine festival, and an August beer festival, provide plenty to do. Keszthely's Museum of Hungarian Agriculture presents pictures, documents, farming equipment, and farm buildings demonstrating the way of life of past Hungarian farmers.

One of the oldest and best-known resort towns is Hvz, five miles from Keszthely. Here, in Europe's largest thermal lake, the temperature rarely dips below 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit even in winter.

The most popular resort of the north is Balantonfred. A 19th -century meeting place for politicians, writers, and other cultural leaders, the village retains a sophisticated air and is home to a number of artist's museums in addition to its thermal springs.

At Balaton's southern end is Sifok, the largest of the lake's resorts. Crowds gather here to lounge on the beach and eat and drink their fill in local restaurants. If you tire of the tourists, though, head for nearby Szntdpuszta, where perfectly preserved 18th- and 19th-century farm buildings, barns, and workshops provide a refuge from the urban party scene.

Aggtelek National Park

Spelunkers and those in search of something a little different can plan a stop at the cave system beneath Aggtelek National Park. Located in north-eastern Hungary, at the border of the Slovak Republic, this karst cave system is the most studied, the longest, and the richest cave in the region. The Baradla Cave, known for its length, and its stalactites and stalagmites, is the most prominent cave in the temperate zone. Peace Cave also offers stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones for all willing to explore.

Hortobgy National Park

West of Debrecen, in the Great Plains, lies 80,549 hectares of protected wetlands, marshes and saline grasslands. Bird-watching is the sport of choice in this park, which is home to an estimated 310 species of birds, including many types of heron, egrets, spoonbills, storks, warblers, and eagles. The famous cold-raised Hungarian gray cattle, the racka sheep, Hungarian horses and buffalo can also been seen here.

Every region of the country and every town has its own personality, but all offer a variety of cultural, outdoors, and learning activities. The high culture of the capital and the country towns and the untamed beauty of the rural areas and national parks make Hungary a country that any visitor will want to return to.