Ancient castles, fortresses, thermal springs: photos and descriptions of the sights of Hungary. What is worth seeing in Hungary, besides Budapest Hungary what to visit in the country
Amazing and unforgettable Hungary can rightfully be called a true pearl of Central Europe. The most diverse cultures and civilizations that touched the territory of this fabulous country at different stages of its history left their mark on its architecture and customs. An incredible array of stunning attractions make Hungary one of Europe's top travel destinations. We present to your attention the main sights of Hungary– 12 best places with photos and descriptions.
1. Hungarian Parliament building
This pompous building has long won the title of the calling card of Budapest. It is this attraction that is depicted on every second souvenir and postcard, and is also present in the photographs of all tourists who visited the capital of Hungary. The building, which is one of the largest state residences in Europe, was built in 1904, after 19 years of painstaking work involving several thousand people. The author of this architectural work of art is Imre Steindl, who never saw his creation because he became blind before the construction was completed. The monument reaches 270 meters in length and 123 meters in width. At the same time, the highest point of the structure is at an altitude of 96 meters. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the top of the parliament calm was decorated with a red star, reminiscent of those that adorn the Kremlin towers. It was later removed. Today, the parliament consists of 10 palaces and 700 offices and halls. Not a single sightseeing tour of Budapest is complete without at least a short visit to the Hungarian Parliament, or the square in front of it. The building looks especially beautiful in the evening with magnificent illumination, the richness of which is colorfully displayed in the Danube.
2. Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is a majestic architectural landmark of Hungary, located on Holy Trinity Square in Budapest. The building actually serves as an architectural addition to Matthias Church. The outstanding architectural feature of the fishermen's bastion are the 7 towers, which symbolize the 7 tribes that formed the Hungarian people. The fishermen's bastion owes its name to the Buda people who traded fish here. Today, the galleries of the Fisherman's Bastion, where, among other interesting objects, there is a monument to the first Hungarian king, Stephen the Saint, are one of the most visited places by tourists. Besides the deep history and architectural significance, tourists are attracted by the opportunity to admire the most magnificent views of the city and river, which can be seen from the towers and numerous terraces of the bastion.
3. St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest temple in Budapest and the third temple in Hungary. It took 54 years to build and was opened to the public in 1905. It is within the walls of this landmark of Hungary that you can admire not only the amazing mosaic patterns and sculpture of St. Stephen, but also visit the hall where the relics of the first king of the country are kept, which are considered a shrine here. After restoration, an observation deck was created around the huge dome of the temple, with a diameter of 22 meters, from which stunning views of the city and the Danube open. At the same time, thanks to its acoustic capabilities, the organ hall of the temple has become a concert venue, where, at the height of the tourist season, concerts are held almost daily.
4. Matthias Church
The graceful Church of St. Matthias with openwork stained glass windows delights not only with its colorful views, but also with its deep history. The temple, which was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, served as a mosque for 145 years as a result of the Turkish takeover of Hungarian lands. During its history, the temple survived several devastating fires. Today, Matthias Church is one of the most visited Hungarian attractions, where at the same time there is a small museum and an organ hall where concerts are regularly held. The organ in Matthias Church is the largest in the capital, so visiting an organ concert in this church for many tourists becomes a mandatory part of their stay in Hungary.
5. Eger Fortress
Another interesting place in Hungary that a tourist should visit is the Eger Fortress. It was this castle that offered the greatest resistance to the Turkish invasion, but still fell after the second offensive of the Turks. Even later, a significant part of the castle was blown up by the Austrians. Today, several museums operate within the fortress, including a military museum and a wax museum, as well as an art gallery where rare paintings by Austrian, German and Dutch artists are exhibited. Particularly popular among tourists is the reproduction of the mint, where everyone can mint coins for themselves. Tourists are also offered to learn archery or visit ancient wine cellars. And at the height of the tourist season, the Eger Fortress becomes the venue for a large number of historical events, including knightly tournaments.
6. Vajdahunyad Castle
If you don't know what attractions to visit in Hungary, then don't miss out. It is located in Városliget Park in the very center of Budapest. The castle was built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of Hungary. Here you can see miniatures of architectural structures that played an important role in the history of the country. Tourists are especially attracted by the delightful park around the castle and the statue of the unknown writer-sage. Touching his feather, according to Hungarian beliefs, bestows wisdom and intelligence. Also, many guests of the castle are delighted with visiting local wine cellars. The castle, as well as the park around it, become truly stunning when illuminated in the evening and with pleasant music. Many tourists visit Vajdahunyad Castle precisely for the incredible atmosphere of an ancient fairy tale.
Such sights of Hungary as the Szechenyi Chain Bridge are the hallmark of the country. The bridge, built in honor of István Széchenyi, looks like the British Marlowe Bridge, only in an enlarged size. This building survived many important events for Hungary and was even blown up during the Nazi retreat. Tourists coming from different parts of the world love to take pictures in front of the bridge itself, as well as the lion sculptures that decorate it. You can walk along the bridge and reach the royal palace. Over the course of its history, this landmark has more than once become a location for the filming of world-famous films.
8. Buda Castle
Like other fortifications in Budapest, Buda Castle is a must-see place in Hungary. This is a stunning Hungarian landmark located in the old town area of Buda, which served as a royal residence for many years. After the capture of the city by the Turks, the majestic fortress was used as stables and barracks, but after liberation it was restored and regained the status of a castle. Today, the fortress houses a huge library, an art gallery and a historical museum, which contains several thousand exhibits. Among the many architectural highlights of this building, the sculpture of a black raven with a golden ring in its mouth attracts special attention and questions from tourists. It tells the story of a well-known legend in Hungary, when a raven stole a ring right during the king's wedding.
9. Basilica of St. Adalbert
The majestic temple, which is the largest and tallest building in Hungary, is located on a hill right on the banks of the Danube, making it visible from anywhere in Esztergom. Its height exceeds 100 meters, and its total area reaches 56,000 square meters. m. The central attraction of the basilica is the Bakotsa Chapel, built much earlier than the temple itself. The treasury of the basilica, which houses up to fifty sacred masterpieces, attracts special attention from tourists. The largest collection of church relics is also located here, including the cross of the Hungarian rulers, used at coronations. Today, the basilica is a cathedral, and you can also attend stunning organ concerts here.
10. Cathedral of Peter and Paul in Pec
The architectural masterpiece of ancient Pecs is of particular value as a historical and cultural landmark of Hungary. This majestic temple was built over a thousand years ago from one small chapel, when Pecs was a Roman colony. Like many other churches in Hungary, after the capture by the Turks, the Cathedral was converted into a mosque. But after liberation, it began to function again as a Christian church. One of the most outstanding architectural features of the temple is the presence of statues of the 12 apostles. Today, the Cathedral of Peter and Paul has become a must-see for pilgrims, as well as anyone who wants to get to know the rich history, culture and religion of Hungary.
11. Festetics Palace
The luxurious Festetics Palace, located in the resort town of Keszthely, is very reminiscent of the famous Palace of Versailles. The lengthy construction of the palace was completed at the end of the 19th century. The stunning interiors of the structure include 101 rooms and a magnificent park surrounding it. Unlike other significant architectural landmarks in Hungary, Festetics Palace was not damaged as a result of the war. Today, the palace houses a hunting museum, a carriage museum, a historical railway museum-exhibition, a palm house and a luxurious old library, which contains more than 80,000 rare books. By the way, the library was saved by a Soviet officer from looting by seekers of war trophies.
12. Hungarian National Museum
Sights of Hungary
1. Buda Castle
Buda Castle or Royal Palace is the palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. Buda Castle was built on the site of an older castle that was destroyed during the siege by the Turks in 1686. The new royal palace was built in the 17th century for the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Habsburg monarchy. Buda Castle is rightfully the main attraction of Hungary. Today the palace houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the History Museum and the National Library of Hungary.
2. Esztergom
Esztergom combines fascinating history with small-town coastal charm. Esztergom is one of Hungary's most historically important cities, it was the capital of Hungary for over 250 years and was the birthplace of the first king and saint, Stephen, who was crowned in the city in the 11th century. It is located on the right bank of the Danube in northern Hungary, 50 kilometers from Budapest.
Today Esztergom remains the religious center of the country with the largest church in Hungary dominating the town, next to the ruins of a medieval royal palace, now a castle museum.
Official website: www.esztergom.hu
3. Fisherman's Bastion
Built in 1905 on the remains of medieval fortress walls, in neo-Romanesque style, the bastion was named after the fishermen of the city, whose duty it was to protect this side of the hill in the Middle Ages. But the existing bastion never served for defensive purposes. It served a purely decorative function, with sparkling white stairs and walls connecting seven towers symbolizing the seven tribes of the Magyars who conquered the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century. The towers are reminiscent of Disney castles and create a fairytale atmosphere. In the center of the Fisherman's Bastion there is an equestrian statue of King Stephen, the founder of the Hungarian nation.
The view from the Fisherman's Bastion, across the Danube to the Chain Bridge and the Parliament building is simply stunning. Illuminated at night, the bastion itself is also a sight to behold when viewed across the river; it is worth visiting the Fisherman's Bastion twice, once at night and once during the day. There are two restaurants on the battlements where you can relax with beautiful views of the river and eat good local food.
4. Lake Heviz
Lake Heviz is the largest thermal lake in Europe and the second largest in the world. This is the most unusual lake in Hungary with a milky blue surface covered with water lilies and steam in winter. Warm water rises from the volcanic crater and makes it possible to enjoy the water all year round. The mud along the shores of the lake is healing.
Official website: www.heviz.hu/en
5. City of Keszthely
Keszthely is a pleasant university town that has its own life outside of the tourist season. The modern history of Keszthely dates back more than 760 years, but the territory of the city has been continuously inhabited since the times of the Roman Empire. The main attraction of the city is the Festetics Palace, the residence of the wealthy Festetics family. The Helikon Palace Museum and library are located in one of the wings of the Baroque palace. Keszthely likes to describe itself as the capital of Lake Balaton and is the best city for exploring the surrounding lake areas, including the nearby nature reserve - great for bird watching and the thermal lake of Heviz.
Web site: www.keszthely.hu/en/
6. Danube
Another iconic landmark of Hungary and Budapest is, of course, the country's main river, the Danube. The Danube flows through Hungary from north to south, and flows through Budapest, splitting the city into two parts. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country is the Danube Bend. This is where the river winds through the heavily forested Visegrad Mountains before turning sharply south towards Budapest. This area is popular among tourists and nature lovers and is included in the top of all river cruises on the Danube.
7. Tihany
Tihany is a village on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, on the Tihany Peninsula. The peninsula is a historical area and one of the most popular resorts in Hungary. The iconic landmark of Tikhon is the 17th century Benedictine monastery. The monastery grounds offer breathtaking views of Lake Balaton and its surroundings.
8. Lillafüred
Lillafüred is a town in the Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen district in the Bükk Mountains. This city is one of the most famous resorts in Hungary, but is also famous for its caves, waterfall and hotel built in the 1920s in the neo-Renaissance style. Artifacts from Paleolithic times, such as arrows and rock paintings, have been found in caves near the city.
9. Sopron
Sopron, a city in northwestern Hungary, in the eastern foothills of the Alps. The city is famous for its numerous and well-preserved medieval and baroque buildings. With over 100 officially registered monuments and over 200 protected buildings alone, the city is said to have one of the finest collections of medieval buildings in Europe. All buildings in Old town are located within the medieval city wall, built on the ruins of a Roman fortress.
10. Eger Castle
Hungary has many amazing historical forts, castles and palaces with their own unique history, but one in particular stands out - Eger Castle. Eger Castle is located in the beautiful spa town Eger on the southern slopes of Mount Bükk, the castle once protected the gateway to northern Hungary. The castle is famous for its exceptionally heroic defense against the Turks in 1552. The castle was founded by order of the Eger bishop in the 13th century.
Eger Castle is home to the Dobó István Museum, which is one of the most popular museums in Hungary and has exhibitions on the history of the city and the castle. The castle also houses the Hall of Heroes, which houses the tomb of the famous Hungarian leader, Dobo István, as well as a prison museum. The castle offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Official website: www.egrivar.hu/en
11. Cathedral of St. Peter
St. Peter's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in the town of Pécs, which lies at the southern foot of the Mecsek Mountains. St. Peter's Cathedral dominates the cityscape and is the symbol of the city of Pécs. Built on the site of an ancient Roman chapel, the cathedral, like many other historical sites in Hungary, shows the influence of different cultures on the development of architecture in Hungary.
12. Visegrad Royal Palace
Above the beautiful old town of Vysehrad in a bend of the Danube, just 40 kilometers north of Budapest, are the ruins of Visegrad Royal Palace and the old citadel. The first royal palace on the site was built by Charles I after he and his court moved to Visegrad in 1316 and over time gained a reputation as one of the finest palaces in Europe.
13. Szechenyi Baths
The lemon-white palace in the neo-Baroque architectural style houses the Széchenyi Baths. The Széchenyi Baths are the perfect place for a luxurious holiday. They were built in 1883 and are the first spa resort in Hungary.
14. Hollókő
There are many villages in Hungary where the traditional way of life is still alive, but Hollókö stands out among them. The picturesque landscape, beautiful old houses and colorful traditional costumes make a visit to this village unforgettable. Here you feel completely immersed in old Hungary during the Habsburg Empire.
15. Jewish Budapest
Did you know that Budapest has the largest synagogue in Europe. Hungary has experienced a real renaissance of Jewish life in the last decade, and Budapest is now the traditional center of Jewish life in the capital's 7th district.
16. Aggtelek
Aggtelek is the largest cave system in Central Europe. It looks like a strange combination of an enchanted forest and a fairy queen's palace. No wonder it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
17. Tokaj
Tokaj is an area where the so-called “wine of kings”, a dessert wine, is grown. The grape juice from these hills in north-eastern Hungary is said to be as good as that from Burgundy.
Every year millions of tourists flock to Hungary. Here, in the homeland of the inventor Erno Rubik, who created the popular puzzle, and the composer Edvin Marton, who won the Eurovision Song Contest with Dima Bilan, travelers most often stop at. And they can be understood. The majestic Danube, along the embankment of which you can walk in the evenings. The Hungarian National Gallery, amazing with its collection. Ancient castles and temples. All of this is truly worth visiting Budapest, but today we'll tell you how you can spend your time in Hungary after you've explored its most famous city.
115 kilometers from Budapest is Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe and the main Hungarian resort. Local health resorts specialize in the treatment of heart diseases and spinal diseases. In addition to wellness, people come here to have a picnic overlooking the lake, play tennis, football and water skiing. The small towns along the shores of Balaton have some beautiful old buildings: the Abbey of St. Anyos, built at the beginning of the 11th century, the Gothic Franciscan church in Keszthely and hotel buildings from the late 18th century.
Every summer, from July to August, the international festival “Valley of the Arts” is held on the northern shore of the lake. Traditionally, its program includes art exhibitions, literary evenings, screenings of original films and performances by musicians. Most often, jazz, blues and rock are played at the festival, although sometimes representatives of other genres also appear.
The lake is shrouded in legends. If you believe one of them, then on the sandy bottom of the reservoir there is a church altar, at which a young girl constantly cries because of unrequited love; and while she cries, the lake will not dry up.
In the vicinity of the lake there is the Balaton Upland National Park, home to rare species of birds and animals. While walking through the protected area, you can explore caves, “basalt organs” (bizarrely shaped rocks), winding ravines and much more.
In western Hungary, 5 kilometers from the city, there is the largest European thermal lake. Its water is rich in minerals and has a healing effect. For this reason, along the coast of Heviz there are dozens of health resorts specializing in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis and other joint problems.
It is surprising that the water in the lake can be completely renewed in 28 hours. This happens thanks to a powerful underground source that feeds the reservoir. In winter, the temperature in Heviz stays at +26°C, so the flow of tourists does not dry out all year round. Due to the fact that the water temperature is quite high, there are no plants or living organisms in the lake, the only “decoration” of the lake is water lilies, specially brought here from India.
140 kilometers from Budapest there is a small town famous for its medieval fortress. It was built back in the 12th century and is perfectly preserved. The fortress became famous in 1552, when a 40,000-strong Turkish army was unable to break the resistance of 2,000 defenders of Eger under the command of Captain Istvan Dobo.
Now there is a museum on the territory of the fortress. Its exhibitions tell about the history of the city and fortifications. In addition, in the Eger Fortress you can shoot archery in a special shooting range, visit the mint and go down to the old wine cellar, where tastings of the best local wines are regularly held. You can view the fortification any day of the week from 10:00 to 18:00.
Just half an hour from the capital of Hungary is a city famous for its luxurious castle. It was built in the 18th century according to the design of Andras Mayerhoffer, an architect from. The castle was rebuilt and expanded several times: a chapel, a greenhouse, stables and even a theater room were added to it.
In 1867, the castle became the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife. It remained in this status until the end of the First World War, after which it gradually fell into disrepair.
During World War II, the northern part of the palace served as a bomb shelter. During the recent reconstruction, the royal chambers and numerous luxurious halls were restored and are available for inspection. Nowadays, exhibitions and concerts are constantly held on the territory of the palace.
20 kilometers from Budapest in the city there is a marzipan museum dedicated to all those with a sweet tooth. It was opened in 1994 by local culinary specialist Kara Szabo. All museum exhibits are made of marzipan. Here you can see the parliament building, a portrait of Mozart and many other works of art made from unusual materials. On the ground floor, in the confectionery shop, tourists can buy their favorite sweets and watch how the chefs work.
The already mentioned city is located two hours away from Budapest. It’s worth coming here if only to see the stunningly beautiful historical and architectural complex founded by Kristof Festetic in 1745. Initially, the palace consisted of only 34 rooms (now there are 101); over time, new buildings and halls appeared here, including a library. Today, the palace houses more than 100 thousand books, most of them rare. While touring the ensemble, be sure to pay attention to the luxurious decoration of the halls, frescoes with gilding, ancient fireplaces and a magnificent park where the pride of the estate is located - a fountain in the form of a lion.
Hungary can rightfully be considered one of the most interesting countries in the world. Photos of its unusually beautiful places, taken by the local population or guests, delight millions of people who have never even visited them. Of course, for lovers of fabulous photographs, Hungary is exactly what you need. Photos of ancient cities, wonderfully preserved architectural monuments, the picturesque Danube, the huge Lake Balaton and other unique places will long become an unfading memory of a wonderful time spent.
Beautiful country
Today Hungary is an economically developed modern state that has preserved centuries-old historical and The territory of this country is inhabited by Hungarians, Serbs, Slovaks, Romanians, Gypsies, Croats, Poles, Germans, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, and Armenians. Naturally, each nation made its contribution to the development of the state.
Plains, mountains, and large bodies of water are surprisingly compactly located on it. In addition, the climate is characterized by fairly warm summers and mild winters. This is what makes Hungary irresistible. Photos of its attractions, unfortunately, do not always convey their real beauty. Seeing all this with your own eyes is, of course, much more interesting. Therefore, this state has been and remains popular among tourists all over the world.
Fairytale capital
It is better to start traveling around the country from the fabulous capital, which is adored by all of Hungary. Budapest... A photo of this city will never compare with seeing its beauty with your own eyes. Panoramas of the capital, after recognition by UNESCO, are classified as part of the world heritage. Even through the times of numerous wars and political repressions, many ancient cathedrals, architectural buildings, fortresses and basilicas, as well as luxurious, majestic parks were incredibly preserved in Budapest.
The representative Andrássy Avenue and the city park, the Freedom Bridge and Heroes' Square, the Danube embankment and Gellert Mountain, the Great Synagogue and the Holocaust Museum, the parliament building and St. Stephen's Basilica, Vaci Street - is it really possible to list all the unusually beautiful, significant places and historical monuments of the capital? You should not only know them, but also be sure to see them at least once in your life.
Briefly about the sights of Hungary
Of course, every tourist visits the numerous attractions of Hungary with interest. Photos taken during such excursions are sometimes as irresistible as the objects photographed. And there are many of them. These are entire ancient Hungarian cities, such as Visegrad, Eger, Esztergom, Gyor and others. Fans of medieval romance have the opportunity to admire numerous castles, of which there are more than 3,500, and the largest of them cover an area of tens of hectares.
Hungary is also famous for its unique bridges. Photos only partially highlight their greatness. These are the bridges of Freedom and Szechenyi, Elizabeth and Margaret, Arpad and Lagimanosi.
Thermal springs
Undoubtedly, Hungary is a very unusual and interesting country. The inexplicable combination of European customs and original national customs and traditions never ceases to amaze. Recreation here is just as multifaceted - it includes walks along the ancient city streets, and enjoying the wonderful and visiting interesting places. One of them is allowing you to have a wonderful time and improve your health. Here it will cost much less than in other European countries. And this approach attracts Hungary even more. Photos taken while visiting thermal resorts will complement the pleasant impressions of vacationers.
To date, about sixty thousand such water sources have been discovered, more than a thousand of them with a temperature of more than thirty degrees. The only medical cave bath in Miskolc-Tapolca in Europe is located on Hungarian territory. Lake Heviz is also still famous for its natural volcanic origin, the healing hot water of which reaches thirty-three degrees Celsius. Even in the capital of the country, Budapest, there are about one hundred and thirty springs. In general, they provide up to seventy million liters of water per day, the temperature of which ranges from twenty-four to eighty degrees.
Of course, the basis for treatment at resorts are the favorable characteristics of the waters, the many years of experience and knowledge of local specialists, and traditional national hospitality.
Wellness Heviz
(Hungary), the photo of which may not be known to everyone, is a large geothermal reservoir of natural origin. Formed as a result of a volcanic eruption, this spring has two springs with hot and cold water. Swimming in the healing waters of the lake is good for treating joints. The effect of such procedures is quite long-lasting. It is important for vacationers to know that with this method of treatment you need to move more. However, swimming in the lake is not advisable for children under fourteen years of age due to the estrogen hormones present in the water, which can negatively affect the child’s body.
The symbol of Heviz is lotuses, which bloom all year round. This resort is most suitable for people who want privacy, walks in forest areas, enjoying the smells of flowering trees, as well as for everyone who cares about their youth and body beauty.
Fresh sea of Hungary
Lake Balaton (Hungary) - a photo of this reservoir will never fully replace its natural picturesqueness. Very often called the Hungarian freshwater sea due to its impressive size, it has made millions of people from all over the world fall in love with it. On its shores you can endlessly relax from the bustle of the city, admire nature, fish or simply swim in clear water.
In the winter season, the surface of the lake freezes quite strongly and then freedom begins for fans of iceboating. Although it was invented in Holland, it turned out to be an excellent find for Hungary.
Also in the vicinity of Lake Balaton you can visit many historical attractions. These include the twin towers of the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, the Baroque palace of the Festetics family, the thirteenth-century Szigliget fortress, the famous wine-growing region of Badacsonytomaj, and the house-museum of the artist Jozsef Egri, as well as other amazing places.
Hungary, located right in the center of Europe, may not compare in popularity with such colossi as Italy and France, but it constantly has its share of tourists. And every year their number is growing, because there are a lot of attractions in Hungary, and prices for housing and excursions are affordable. What can you see in this European country?
Sights of Hungary: Budapest and its architecture
Budapest has a lot to show tourists; its majestic buildings and temples are amazing. What is the value of St. Stephen's Basilica alone - the largest temple in the city.
A huge dome with an observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of Budapest, a mesmerizing interior, a large hall where classical music concerts are held, and, of course, church services - this is what attracts travelers to St. Stephen's Square.
In the city park there is an incredibly beautiful one. In its courtyard you can find copies of the Romanesque monastery, the Shegeshwar fortress, and the Tower of the Apostles. The castle itself now houses an agricultural museum, a collection of hunting trophies and a wine cellar.
Danube
Hungarians are very sensitive to their customs and crafts. Throughout the country, various festivals and fairs are held annually, which are interesting for tourists to visit. It would be a good idea to take a few photos as a souvenir. It is almost impossible to describe the sights of Hungary in one short article. Better come here and see everything for yourself!
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