Hungary: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In Hungary, you can vacation in the picturesque landscapes of the Puszta and perfectly use these steppes for a horseback excursion. Additionally, the flat lakes in the west are particularly attractive for a family stay. Those who wish can relax by Hungary's rivers and try traditional meals in the small towns.
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Hungary - 8 most beautiful natural sights
Balaton Highlands National Park
The Balaton Highlands National Park includes several areas, among them the Pécselyi Plateau, where you can travel through the steppe by bike or on horseback. You will recognize the Halom Hill as a relic of volcanic activity. Also slightly elevated is the Tihany Peninsula, which delights with its forest-rich flora and the Benedictine Abbey. In addition to the landscape formations, the Káli and Tapolca basins are popular travel destinations in the Balaton Highlands National Park. If you want to admire somewhat higher mountains, the Keszthely elevations made of dolomite rock are the right place. You can observe rare bird species in the Kis-Balaton wetland. Here you can go on hikes and rowing tours.
Bükk Nature Reserve
The natural spectacle can only be observed for a few weeks each year. Mainly in spring after the snowmelt or in autumn after heavy rainfall, several bubbling karst springs emerge at the southern edge of the limestone plateau. With a loud roar, the geysers erupt and shoot up as a fountain. To reach the Bükk geysers, a hike is recommended. The easiest way to reach the Vöröskő springs is from Felsőtárkány. These are about 10 kilometers from Eger. Don't miss the chance to taste the crystal-clear drinking water when you arrive at the springs.
Ipoly National Park
Hiking enthusiasts appreciate the many marked trails in the national park. Everything is available, from easy routes with romantic views of the Danube Bend to challenging mountain tours in the High Börzsöny. Families with children enjoy several educational trails and visitor centers that provide information about the park's protected biodiversity. You can also explore the Duna Ipol National Park by bike or mountain bike. Around Budapest, the wild and romantic Dera Gorge is a popular excursion destination. From the hermit caves over Nagymaros, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Danube Bend. The Holdvilág Graben is a reminder of the volcanic origins of the bizarre rock landscape.
Lake Hévíz
According to estimates, Lake Hévíz is about 20,000 years old. As early as the 18th century, the city of the same name on its shore was declared a spa. In the world's largest active thermal lake, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, and other health-promoting substances are dissolved. Even in winter, the lake does not cool below 23 degrees. Not only does the water contribute to your well-being, but the mud accumulated at the bottom is also used as a remedy. A bath in the lake works wonders for many musculoskeletal problems. The water appears romantic because countless water lilies bloom on the surface. In winter, the water steams mystically.
Megyer-Hegy Mountain Lake
The Megyer-Hegy mountain lake is located near the small town of Sárospatak in northern Hungary, northeast of the city of Miskolc. The lake is situated on a 300-meter-high mountain hidden among trees. It is overlooked by a hillside about 70 meters high, offering a particularly peaceful view. Originally, the mountain lake was a quarry that was closed in 1907 and thus left to nature. Over time, water accumulated in the approximately 6.5-meter-deep pit, and it became a standing body of water that enchants with its special location and nature.
Gemenc Forest
As part of the Danube-Drava National Park, you can discover the protected biodiversity of the Gemenc Forest on hiking trails. The pride of the forest is the Gemenc deer. In addition, wild boars, roe deer, and gyrfalcons inhabit the natural area. You can even discover the Purple Emperor butterfly species, which is actually only found in Asia. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the excellent trails in the Gemenc Forest, which offer tours for every level of athletic ambition. You can more comfortably discover the biodiversity with the forest railway, a narrow-gauge railway. The visitor center of the national park near the city of Baja also offers guided tours through the forest, as well as carriage rides and Danube cruises.
Aggtelek Stalactite Caves
With more than 25 kilometers in length, the Baradla Cave is the largest of the approximately 200 caves in the underground network of the Aggtelek National Park. To protect the unique landscape, the area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The fascinating formations of moist, shiny limestone resemble a bizarre museum underground. The formations have names like Turtle or Santa Claus, the largest of which is a 33-meter-high stalagmite. They rise in underground dome halls up to 80 meters high, which visitors appreciate for their acoustics. During tours, you can enjoy classical music performances.
Gánt Bauxite Mine
Interested visitors can watch a demonstration about ore mining or inform themselves on the existing 13 panels along the educational trail. The trail leads you through the Bauxite Geology Park. Furrows on the walls of the individual pits bear witness to the movements and falls of the massive rock formations during mining. In the adjacent museum, you can learn a lot of interesting facts about the heyday of mining. In an open-air exhibition in the courtyard, mining machines and two former bauxite locomotives can be seen. An underground museum storage room displays typical workplaces of bauxite mining and other exhibits. The mine is best reached by car.
Hungary - Climate
The continental climate in Hungary can cause extremely hot temperatures in the summer. Between June and August, peak values well above 30 °C are reached. On average, however, the values are around 27 °C. During this time, there is also little rainfall, which is why the season is often used for swimming and leisure activities. It is relatively mild in spring and autumn with about 15 to 20 °C. This changes significantly from around December. Then you have to expect values below freezing and frequent snowfall.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.