Six Great Places To Visit Outside Budapest
A panoramic view of Tihany Abbey with the inner lake and Lake Balaton in Hungary.
If you’re looking to discover Hungary beyond its capital city, here are six great places that are definitely worth a visit!
Eger
At the foot of the Bukk Mountains lies the town of Eger, one of the most beautiful and most frequently visited areas in Hungary. Attractions include the great castle of Eger and its historical complex, the Archbishop’s Cathedral, baroque and rococo palaces, thermal baths and more. Eger is also well-known for its wine growing region. It produces the famous Egri Bikavér also known as “Bull’s Blood”, an elegant red blend mainly based on Kékfrankos. According to legend, the drink was established after the Turks try to invade the town of Eger. It was rumoured that soldiers drank bull’s blood mixed with wine to frighten off their enemy.
Lake Balaton
Lake Ballaton is where the Hungarians’ vacation. Nicknamed the Hungarian sea by locals, Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Europe stretching over 70 km long. Visitors come every summer to enjoy it’s remarkably clean, milky green waters, from which, with an average depth of only 3m, are warm enough to swim in from May to October. The area is also known for its vineyards, resorts, and thermal baths.
The Danube Bend
One of the most picturesque areas in Hungary is the Danube River. Visitors can take a cruise along the blend to explore its incredible landscape. Clusters of charming towns on the Bend such as Esztergom, Visegrád, and Szentendre have an amazing collection of history, culture and architecture. Travellers with more time in Budapest can easily make a day trip to the Bend.
Hollókö
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Hollókö and its surrounding area is a ethnographic village comprising of beautiful and vibrant historical houses and dwellings mainly from the 17th and 18th century. Its name means “Raven-stone” in Hungarian. The village is currently home to 400 residents who are a Palóc ethnic minority group in Hungary. Beside their special dialect, the residents retain their traditions and colourful decorated folk costumes. Hollókö also has a variety of festivals throughout the year. Perhaps the most spectacular festival is Easter at Hollókõ, when residents celebrate the arrival of spring.
The Hortobágy National Park
The Hortobágy is Hungary’s largest protected area and the largest natural grassland in Europe. It is a living heritage museum, with roaming animals and cowboys demonstrating their traditional customs and equestrian skills. The area also provides habitat for various species including a large numbers of birds.
The Aggtelek National Park
Located in Northern Hungary bordering Slovakia, the Aggtelek National Park comprises an area of 20,000 hectares. Trove of caves, combining echoing passageways with intricate limestone structures are found beneath the grounds. Excavations in and around the cave have proved that it has been a shelter to man for more than 7 000 years. Above ground, the quiet, forested landscape is a haven for birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles, as well as the occasional brown bear or lynx. Guided tours are available in the area.
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- Budapest Statues
- The legend of Bull’s Blood
- Bridges of Budapest
Category: Hungary
Eger is lovely but Pecs is much more interesting to me …Hortobagy is pure boredom and one can see those attractions somewhere else as well . on a horse farm …