Why Hungary?

Hungary is a small country, but has so much to show you. It has a language and culture completely different from its neighbours inCentral Eastern Europe and many unique sights and attractions. It can be said that ours is a land of great contrasts:

Although Hungary is a landlocked country, it is a land of waters, featuring the largest lake in Europe, 
and crisscrossed by mighty rivers which divide and define its regions.

Even the capital city Budapest can be divided into Buda on one side of the Danube River and Pest on the other. In addition, Hungary has more than a thousand thermal water springs, and bathing in these waters for relaxation or as part medical treatments, is an important part of the Hungarian Lifestyle.

Hungary’s location in the low-lying areas of the Carpathian Basin gives it a landscape of rolling hills mostly and plains, including one of the largest uninterrupted grasslands in Europe. Underground, Hungary also has wonders to show you; the same forces that created its thermal springs, also carved out hundreds of kilometres of limestone caves, some of which are open to the public as part of organised tours.

The culture of the Hungarian people shows great variety too. Strong traditions and regional specialities have built up in all aspects of life from food to music and dance, from clothing to decor. These traditional values have been maintained through the ages, though of course the modern world also has an influence. The larger cities and particularly the capital, are powerhouses of groundbreaking innovation, contemporary art and modern music.

Finally, although Hungary is so exotic, it is closer to the rest of Europe than you might think and can be reached in many ways! Most international flights come to Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, which is served by via conventional and budget airlines. The capital also has numerous rail connections, and is just 3 hours drive from Vienna and can even be visited as part of a Danube river cruise. Part of the European Union since 2004, no special visas are required for those arriving from within Europe. It has never been easier to experience the Hungarians’ love for life!

The Capital – Budapest

Budapest, the capital and largest city by far, is alive day and night with cultural attractions, sights and a vivid lifestyle to compete with many other far larger European cities. With a magnificent river in the middle. As the country, it is hilly in the West (called Buda), and flat in the East (called Pest.) It is never, never boring. Moreover, how mesmerizing the city is at night with the illuminated sights. There is quite a dense public transport system, especially in Pest. The collection of vehicles is both intriguing and varied: metro, trams, buses, trolley buses, boats, chairlift, funicular, and cogwheel train. In addition, free bikes are on the horizon, expected in 2014.

There are fourteen repertory theatres and seven symphony orchestras (two of them world class!), a rich art cinema program and over eighty museums (most of them very small, you are pampered by the staff if you show up!), a thriving gallery and auction scene. Information about the events is abundant in English as well. 

Budapest is just the right size

It is small enough to get to know it in a month, and big enough to offer all the sophistication of the Old World. With 1.74 million inhabitants, it is varied enough for most venues and services providers to recruit young, English speaking staff members.

It is a Big City and a Spa City at the Same Time

Spa cities tend to be in far-away, mountainous, small places, where there is hardly anything else to enjoy. Budapest is a metropolis and a spa city, with old style grand baths and state-of-the-art wellness centres.

It feels like “Spring, Recently Unleashed”

If you are in Budapest, you can still feel the thrill about not-expected, sudden liberty. Though the Transition took place more than two decades ago, the itch of Budapest people to launch new restaurants, to take untrodden paths is typical. It subsided a bit in the first years of crisis, but it soon returned. It somehow lingers in the air.

It is physically beautiful and varied

With a magnificent river in the middle. As the country, it is hilly in the West (called Buda), and flat in the East (called Pest.) It is never, never boring. And how mesmerizing the city is at night with the illuminated sights, oh, boy. You can dispense with a car There is quite a dense public transport system, especially in Pest. The collection of vehicles is both intriguing and varied: metro, trams, buses, trolley buses, boats, chairlift, funicular, and cogwheel train. And free bikes are on the horizon, expected in 2014.

It is an over-cultured city

There are fourteen repertory theatres and seven symphony orchestras (two of them world class!), a rich art cinema programme, and over eighty museums (most of them very small, you are pampered by the staff if you show up!), a thriving gallery and auction scene. And information about the events is abundant in English. 

General Information

Country information, capital, language, electricity, climate, time zone, religion, European Union.