Travel Destination: Hungary
About Hungary
A landlocked country with beautiful lakes and a capital regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful urban landscapes, Hungary deserves to be in the top 15 most popular destinations in the world. Hungary has been through good and bad times, from its medieval past to Ottoman conquest to ravages of war to communism to present parliamentary republic, but its true treasures remain, beauty and life.
Budapest is the capital and largest city in Hungary. Tracing its beginnings from a Celtic settlement called Aquincum, the city has evolved to be one of the world’s most beautiful, boasting four World Heritage Sites, the Andrassy Avenue, the Buda Castle Quarter, the Millennium Underground Railway (the first of its kind in the European continent) and the banks of the Danube. Attracting 20 million visitors a year, the city is cosmopolitan, has impressive sights and historic buildings and places. It was in Budapest that the largest thermal water cave system in the world was discovered in 2008. Europe’s largest synagogue, the Dohány Street Synagogue and largest medicinal bath, Széchenyi Medicinal Bath are also found here. Another favourite tourist spot is the Royal Palace of Gödöllõ in Pest county which is world’s second largest Baroque castle. There are buildings, churches, museums, squares and streets that are both historic and significant to the residents here as well.
About 50 kilometres to the north-west of Budapest is Esztergom, one of the oldest towns in the country and here is where the third largest basilica in Europe is located, the Esztergom Basilica. Worth the trip is the early Christian necropolis, Pecs, Hungary’s fifth largest city.
Hungary’s scenic landscape is a combination of flat and rolling plains. The mountainous part is the Carpathians while Transdanubia is the hilly part. The largest thermal lake in central Europe, Lake Balaton, is a favourite tourist spot while the largest thermal lake in Europe, Lake Heviz, is the centrepiece of Hungary’s health tourism programme.
The spa culture is one of the reasons international tourists flock to Hungary. Known as the land of thermal water, passion for spa and medicinal bath has been identified with Hungarians as far back as history goes. Its spas reflect Turkish, Greek and Roman architecture. These multicultural influences are apparent even in today’s baths and spas. There are about 50 out of 160 public baths that are considered as spa. Services offered are primarily for healing purposes. Modern facilities and additional balneal and physical therapy services have been added to present-day spas. To take a bath in Hungary means to dip into its waters that are believed to have curative powers. Popular spas are Gellért Baths in Budapest which offers Turkish-style relaxation; Lukács Baths in Margit hid is functional and provides a hot but relaxing experience; Széchenyi Baths in Hõsök tere has outdoor pools in their neo-Baroque courtyard complete with hot tubs and steam rooms; and Rudas Baths has for men only baths located in Buda bridgehead of Erzsébet híd. Hungarians believe that a trip to the baths will soothe arthritis, muscle pains and ease up breathing difficulties. This relaxing pastime is one way foreign tourists can experience the Hungarian lifestyle. There are 1,000 hot springs around the country and about 300,000 spa slots available.
For some gastronomic treats, never miss the world-famous Goulash, a traditional Hungarian soup. Its cuisine is usually flavoured with paprika (ground red peppers) so expect a spicy serving of meat, chicken and steaks. Soups, desserts, pastries and pancakes are the typical Hungarian fares.
Hungary is a land of beauty, relaxation and serene landscape. If that description fits what you’re looking for, pack your bags and discover more.