Hungary Holidays

How to reach Hungary

• Flight time: Flights to Budapest from London take around 2 hours 30 minutes.

• Transfer time: From Ferenc Liszt airport, take bus #200E to Kobánya-Kispest metro station, which takes around 20 minutes, from where it’s ten metro stops to the centre (Deák tér station).

• Price: A transfer ticket costs HUF 530 from the newsagents at the terminal. An airport shuttle will take you to any address you ask for (typically HUF 3900).

Best time to visit Hungary

This will depend on what you want to do during your Hungary holidays; some events are seasonal, and the weather may also play a part in your decision.

• March to May: Spring brings milder temperatures, rising from 10°C to 20°C, with 30–50mm of rainfall and around 6–9 hours of sunshine. Things get busy in the capital during the Budapest Spring Festival in late March, but elsewhere there are fewer tourists.

• June to August: Expect hot weather with average temperatures between 23°C and 30°C, and around 8–10 hours of sunshine daily. Summer festivals, notably the Sziget Music Festival, draw visitors to the capital from all over Europe, while Lake Balaton can also get very crowded.

• September to November: The weather is still pleasant, with average temperatures between 10°C and 23°C, making this an excellent time for wine tours in regions like Eger and Tokaj. Rainfall varies from 40–60mm, and there are about 5–8 hours of sunshine.

• December to February: Winters can be bitterly cold (temperatures range from -3°C to 5°C), and may be snowy, which can make for a wonderful sight around the festive season, particularly with the markets in full flow. A good time, too, to enjoy the hot thermal waters that the country is famed for.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language. In Budapest, you can survive on English but elsewhere you might need to muster a little German, as well as the polite basics in Hungarian.

• Local habits and customs: Never say “thank you” when paying; this is understood in Hungary as “keep the change”. If you want to leave a tip, 10 percent will do, and, in restaurants, is expected. Hungary’s dominant religion is Catholicism but there are many Protestant churches. Respectful clothing is expected in places of worship.

• Health and safety: Tourists are treated with respect by the police (rendörség) unless they’re suspected of smuggling drugs or driving under the influence of alcohol. Always carry a photocopy of your passport. EU citizens have reciprocal arrangements for emergency treatment, but only at state hospitals.

• Currency: The local currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). ATMs are widely available, and credit/debit cards can be used in most urban establishments.

• Getting around: Public transport in Hungary is cheap and fairly reliable. Intercity trains (marked “IC” on the timetable) are the fastest way of getting to the major towns. Volánbusz runs the bulk of Hungary’s buses, which are often the quickest way to travel between the smaller towns.

• Electricity and plug types: Hungary uses 230 volts with standard European two-pin plugs. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Hungary is on Central European Time (CET), 1 hour ahead of GMT, and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers can enter Hungary without a visa for stays up to 90 days.

Local dishes in Hungary

For foreigners, the archetypal Magyar dish is still goulash, although various foreign influences have helped diversify the country’s cuisine. Hungary’s Slav visitors introduced native cooks to yoghurt and sour cream, while the influence of the Turks, Austrians and Germans is apparent in a variety of sticky pastries and strudels, as well as in recipes featuring sauerkraut or dumplings.

Some typical dishes

• Goulash (Gulyás): The classic Magyar dish, this thick soup comprises hunks of beef along with paprika and vegetables.

• Paprika: An ingredient as opposed to a dish, paprikás is a general name given to dishes seasoned with paprika and served with sour cream sauces, especially fish, fowl and veal dishes.

Meat dishes

• Pörkölt: Similar to a stew, this is a slow-cooked dish made with meat (often beef or pork), onions, paprika and spices and served with nokedli (small dumplings).

• Chicken paprikash (Paprikás Csirke): Classic Hungarian comfort food, tender chicken pieces cooked in a creamy paprika sauce and served with dumplings or rice.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Pike-perch (fogas): This firm, almost boneless white flesh is best tasted fresh on the shores of Lake Balaton.

• Fish soup: The fish (catfish, carp and either sturgeon or pike-perch) is layered in a big pot, then simmered with onions, paprika and water.

Street food

• Lángos: Deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, though you can find versions with garlic, ham and other toppings.

Sweets and desserts

• Kürtőskalács: Also known as chimney cakes, these spiral-shaped pastries are coated with sugar and cinnamon, and sometimes ground walnuts or chocolate.

• Dobos Torte: Named after its creator, József Dobos, this layered sponge cake is filled with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel.

Local drinks

• Pálinka: Potent fruit brandy made from plums, apricots or other fruits, this has to be sampled at least once.

• Tokaji wine: The "king of wines, the wine of kings," Tokaji is a sweet, and very moreish, dessert wine that’s been produced in Hungary for centuries.

Best things to do in Hungary

Fusing old Europe and new in its mix of Habsburg grandeur and Communist-era grittiness, there is a Central European solidity to Hungary’s food, buildings and culture.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest: Constructed in 1902 on the spot supposedly defended in the past by the guild of fishermen against would-be invaders, this is an excellent place for looking out across the river to the splendid Parliament building.

• Badacsony Hill, Lake Balaton: This volcanic plug offers spectacular views of Lake Balaton, the vineyards and the lush hills beyond.

• Esztergom Basilica: Climb to the top of Hungary’s largest church, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Danube Bend and into Slovakia.

The best districts

• Castle District, Budapest: The crowning feature of the Buda side, this 1.6km long plateau rises steeply from the Danube bank, bearing the imposing Buda Palace, a web of cobbled streets and the Mátyás Church, symbolic of Hungarian nationalism.

• Lake Balaton: The “nation’s playground” plays host to crowded summer party resorts such as Siófok, or gentler Keszthely.

• Hollókő: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the structure of this remarkable little village has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages.

• Puszta: This wild region, containing the biggest area of steppe grazing land in Central Europe and peopled with traditionally dressed herdsmen, exerts a powerful hold over the popular imagination.

Museums

• Statue Park, Budapest: Housing statues of Marx, Engels, Lenin and friends, as well as heroic scenes from Communist legends, this park gives a lively glimpse into Hungary’s Communist past for the uninitiated.

Historical monuments

• Parliament Building, Budapest: The most unmissable sight in the capital by far, this is Hungary’s biggest and arguably most beautiful building.

• Pannonhalma Abbey: Site of the oldest monastery in Hungary, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Benedictine abbey stands on the 100-metre St Martin’s Hill and was founded in 996 by Prince Géza, father of King István I.

Parks and gardens

• Hortobágy National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is the largest continuous natural grassland in Europe. It’s a fantastic spot for birdwatchers, as well as for those interested in other fauna, such as Hungarian Grey cattle and horses.

Things to do in different parts of the region

• Wine tasting in Tokaj: Visit Hungary’s most famous wine region, known for its sweet Tokaji Aszú wine. Take a tour of the vineyards, learn about traditional winemaking, and sample some of the best vintages right where they are produced.

• Thermal baths: Hévíz is home to Europe’s largest natural thermal lake, so go on, have a long, lingering soak in its warm, healing waters.

• Sopron: A captivating town close to the Austrian border, Sopron retains its original medieval layout with no fewer than 240 listed buildings.

• Pécs: Everyone’s second-favourite town after Budapest, its remarkable history is summarised by its landmark mosque, synagogue and cathedral plus a clutch of fascinating Roman-era finds.

Activities for families in Hungary

Budapest offers tonnes for kids, with the likes of the Children’s Railway, the zoo and puppet theatres to keep them going. Outside the capital, the most obvious destination is Lake Balaton, which, with its clean and shallow waters, is ideal for those with young ones.

• Zoos: As famous for its architecture as its animals, Budapest’s fabulous zoo will entertain kids and parents alike – don’t miss the elephant house.

• Aquatic parks: The Aquaticum in Debrecen incorporates water slides and wave pools; and in Budapest, the Palatinus Strand on Margaret Island is a fun spot with pools, slides and fountains.

• Castles and adventure parks: Kids can channel their inner knight or princess at Eger Castle, where reenactments bring history to life. The Buda Hills also have a fun children’s railway, run by kids (under adult supervision), that takes you through scenic forested areas.

Free things to do in Hungary

There are plenty of budget-friendly activities that allow you to enjoy holidays to Hungary without spending a fortune.

• Free walking tours: Budapest Tours offers various free excursions, the most popular of which is the Orientation Tour (daily 10.30 am from Deák tér; 2hr 30min).

• Lake swimming: Balaton’s beaches are located on danger-free stretches and many of them are free of charge. The swimming pools offer facilities such as restaurants, sports and other shops, changing rooms, toilets, boat hire and first aid posts.

• Annual festivals: Hungary, and especially Budapest, is known for its lively festivals, many of which are free to attend. These include the Budapest Spring Festival and the Festival of Folk Arts, or the summer events on Margaret Island, where concerts and performances are often given for free.

Nature and outdoor activities in Hungary

Hungary’s diverse landscape provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking not too steep hills to enjoying water sports on Lake Balaton and horse riding on the Great Plain.

• Hiking: The country’s varied terrain offers a range of hikes. Easier are the trails through the Buda Hills and the picturesque paths around Lake Balaton. More challenging are the Bakony Hills and the Matra and Bukk mountain ranges, the latter two covering much of the country’s northeastern portion.

• Water sports: Central Europe’s largest lake, Lake Balaton is the hub for water-based activities, especially sailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing. Kayaking on the Danube and Tisza rivers offers an alternative way to take in Hungary’s natural beauty.

• Horse riding: Horse culture runs deep in Hungary, and you’ll find many riding schools and ranches on the Great Plain. Guided rides are a special way to experience the landscape, but if you don’t want to ride, traditional horse shows are held at numerous local ranches.