REASONS WHY EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT HUNGARY AT LEAST ONCE

Fifteen years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and almost a century after the dismantling of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the land of the Magyars has never attracted more visitors. There are obvious reasons for adoring this central European country, from the Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture to its summer Sziget Festival and delicious gulyàs. In fact, there are so many of them that we’ll skip what you already know and instead guide you through the most exciting and unique stuff you can find and do in Hungary.While Hungary is famous for its goulash and paprika it’s known for much more than that, including world-class fine wines and its pear liqueur, an orange-colored sweet dessert treat, sometimes known as palinka.

Buda Castle

The main structure of the Buda Castle, known as the Royal Palace, is rather austere compared to its predecessors; the interior in particular is completely devoid of ornamentation and none the magnificent royal apartments have been reconstructed. But despite its lack of authenticity, the Buda Castle is still an imposing complex, and its more than three hundred meter (1000 ft) long facade facing the Danube is particularly impressive. The palace consists of a number of wings  arranged around the Lion Courtyard. The courtyard is bordered by the National Library and two museums, the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. There’s plenty more to see around the palace, such as several statues and fountains. Below an overview of the most important sights and attractions in and around Buda Castle.

Budapest spas

Indoor or outdoor, modern or medieval, steam bath or sauna, the amazing array of spas in Budapest offer satisfies all your water-related needs. There are literally dozens of choices in the city, that sits above a huge reserve of thermal waters.

Pécs

Pecs is the treasure house of science and art. The value and the souvenir of the roman age, middle ages, Turkish subjection and the achieving of middle class status is visible in the city.Houses from the Gothic and renaissance, Catholic Church, Muslim mosque, and bath; they all can be found in the city of Pecs.The Pécs wine region extends over the southern slopes of the Mecsek Mountains. This small, 1,300-hectare region has a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine during hot and dry summers followed by mild winters. The Mountains provide ample protection for the vineyards, making it possible to grow grapes at higher altitudes.  The region produces quality red wines, even though its soil and climate may be better suited for growing white grapes. White wine production has decreased significantly over the past years.

Eger Castle

Hungary has many delightful historic forts, castles, and palaces, each steeped in history. One of the best known is Eger Castle. Located in the lovely spa town of Eger on the southern slopes of the Bükk Mountains, Eger Castle once protected the gateway into northern Hungary. Extended in the 16th century, the new design was based on contemporary Italian fortresses, and was again added to after the Turks took over in 1596. Visitors today can explore the remaining towers high above the town, as well as many ruins, all of them providing a sense of the size and strength of this once great fortress. It also serves as a convenient place from which to explore the old medieval and Baroque architecture in the lower town, with its excellent restaurants and cafés.

The Buda Hills

The Buda Hills, on the western outskirts of Budapest, rise to heights of more than 518 meters and are crisscrossed by an extensive network of trails, perfect for walking or biking. Numerous bike rentals can be found throughout the city, or you can take the tram to the terminus of the Cog Railway that climbs to the lovely residential neighborhood Széchenyi-hegy. From here, the narrow-gauge Children’s Railwayfollows a scenic route to Hűvösvölgy. There are walking trails from any stop, or you can get off at the highest stop, János-hegy, and ride the Budapest Chairlift down for some of the finest views over the city.

Aggtelek National Park and Caves

One of the largest and most impressive stalactite caves anywhere in Europe and the largest in Hungary, Baradla Cave is protected by Aggtelek National Park, on the Slovak-Hungarian border about 2.5 hours by car from Budapest. The park covers almost 200 square kilometers, much of it also protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Baradla Cave stretches for more than 25 kilometers, with a main tunnel seven kilometers long. Its passages were formed over thousands of years as rain and melting snow eroded away the limestone. Dripping mineral-rich water has formed giant stalactites and stalagmites in fantastic shapes and bizarre colors. Excavations show that the cave was used as a shelter for humans for more than 7,000 years. Three other caves have recently been opened to visitors: the Imre Vass Cave, the Béke Cave, and the Rákóczi Cave.