Introducing Hungary
There is no place like Hungary (Magyarország). Situated in the very heart of Europe, this kidney-shaped country can claim a unique place in the continent's soul. Doubters need only listen to the music of Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók, view the romantic Danube River as it dramatically splits Budapest in two or taste the nation's unique (and paprika-infused) cuisine to be convinced. Hungary's impact on Europe's history and development has been far greater than its present size and population would suggest. Hungarians, who call themselves Magyars, speak a language and form a culture unlike any other in the region - a distinction that has been both a source of pride and an obstacle for more than 1100 years.
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Hungary is the best place to enter both Central and Eastern Europe. While some of its neighbours may have more dramatic scenery or older and more important monuments, Hungary abounds in things to see and do, and those with special interests - fishing, horse riding, botany, bird-watching, cycling, thermal spas, Jewish culture - will find a treasure-trove here. Under the old communist regime, most of the government's focus and money went to Budapest. As a result, foreign visitors rarely ventured beyond this splendid city on the Danube River, except on a day trip to the Danube Bend or to Lake Balaton. These places should be visited, of course, but don't ignore other towns and regions off the beaten track: the tanya világ (farm world) of the Southern Plain, ethnically rich Northeastern Hungary, the Villány Hills in Southern Transdanubia covered in vineyards and the traditional Őrség region in the far west.
The '90s were not a stellar time for the reborn republic. Its economic development was in limbo and serious economic problems affected all aspects of daily life. Thankfully, those days are past and many now view Hungary, with its intelligent, hard-working populace, and rich and vibrant culture, as the star performer and most interesting destination of the new Europe.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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Hungary
Our Top Picks For Hungary
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1 Sopron
One of the most charming medieval cities in Hungary and gateway to the stunning Lővér Hills
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2 Esztergom
Seat of Roman Catholicism in Hungary for a millennium and site of the nation’s most important basilica
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3 Visegrád
Site of a medieval hilltop castle, with sweeping views of the Danube Bend
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4 Budapest
The nation’s vibrant capital and a world-class city of culture, clubs and cafés
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5 Hollókő
A hidden village that nurtures the rich folk traditions so important to Hungary
Fast Facts about Hungary
- Famed and fabulous Hungarians - Paul Erdös If not the greatest mathematician of all time, certainly in the top one and three quarter percentile
- Famed and fabulous Hungarians - Count Ede László Almásy Cartographer, explorer, aviator, double-agent, Iron Cross recipient. Locked away in a Russian camp after WW2 only to be transported to Cairo after intervention by Egyptian royalty. Turns up in the film The English Patient.
- Animals associated with Hungary The Turul, a powerful mythological bird that stands atop the Tree of Life. Related to Attila, the Turul is often depicted carrying the sword of God.
- National anthem
Himnusz, with the music composed by Ferenc Erkel and the lyrics written by poet Ferenc Kölcsey
- Dinosaur bones found in Hungary? Yes! Ankylosaurid among them (you know, the squat, armoured ones with tails like warhammers)
- What did Miklós Zrínyi write? He wrote an epic poem titled Szigeti veszedelem about his grandfather's role in the doomed battle of Szigetvár in 1566
- Population
10.045 million
- What do Hungarians eat? They love strudel, pancakes, stuffed peppers, goulash and kohlrabi soup
- Internet domain
hu
- Hungarian pet? Can't go past the Magyar Vizsla - from an ancient line of hunting dogs. Big, proud, loyal, handsome.
Our favourite Hungary Blogs (beta)
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Budapest, Hungary
Blog: Away We Go! - 3 September 2010
Since the moment my feet touched overseas soil on this trip, I’ve been thinking that this has been a pretty incredible year. We’ve been home from our around-the-world jaunt for barely three months, and already our bags are packed and we’re off again, this time to enjoy beachy evenings in Greece with good friends.
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Budapest, Though Buda more than Pest
Blog: Abandon the Cube - 1 September 2010
Budapest has received a lot of fan fare in recent years for its bohemian settings and casual expat culture. We got to experience a bit of this for the few brief days we were in Budapest.
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Sour cherry soup at Salföld in Hungary
Blog: Heather on her travels - 25 August 2010
On our recent holiday near Lake Balaton in Hungary, we ventured away from the lake a little to the picturesque village of Salföld, where I had a chance to try this Sour Cherry soup. We found a pleasant village restaurant with a large garden called Pajta Galeria on the edge of Salföld. I spotted this [...]
