About Hungary
Home to human settlement since the Iron Age, the lands of Hungary were settled by the Magyar tribes in the ninth century AD and the Kingdom of Hungary was founded around 1000 AD by Stephen I. After the First World War, when the Austro-Hungarian empire broke apart, with Hungary declaring its independence on October 17, 1918. After the Second World War, Hungary was mainly aligned with the Soviet Union; in 1956, a national uprising crushed by Soviet troops. During the Cold War, Hungary was considered a Soviet satellite state. On October 23, 1989, the country declared itself the Republic of Hungary and, in 1990, the first democratic elections were held.
Where is Hungary?
Hungary has no sea borders; the country is in Central Europe and its neighbors are Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Ukraine.
Hungary’s capital and other cities
Budapest and numerous other cities in Hungary attract attention due to their historical structures and texture, much of which has been preserved faithfully for centuries. Keep reading to discover more about this fascinating country – we start in Budapest!
The capital of Hungary: Budapest
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, the country’s most populated city, and the darling of Eastern Europe, presents a dynamic setting of culture, art and history, festivals, and nightlife. The city is divided by the Danube River, with its western segment known as ‘Buda’ and the eastern section as ‘Pest’.
Budapest is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, specifically for the Buda Castle district, Budapest’s Danube banks and Andrássy Avenue. Among the city’s highlights are Buda Castle, the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, the Fisherman’s Bastion, The Hungarian Parliament Building (also known as the Parliament of Budapest),St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Dohány Street Synagogue, Margaret Island, and Heroes’ Square. Visitors can also take a boat tour along the Danube River.
A university town: Debrecen
Located 220 kilometers from Budapest, Debrecen is the largest city in Hungary in terms of surface area and the country’s second most populated city. At its center is the University of Debrecen, one of Europe’s most important universities. With lakes, parks and museums, Debrecen has a peaceful and appealing atmosphere. Among the highlights: the Great Protestant (Reformed) Church, the Déri Museum, the Modern and Contemporary Arts Center (MODEM), Hortobágy National Park and Kossuth Square.
Under the influence of different cultures: Eger
Eger is particularly charming, featuring thermal baths, Baroque-style architecture, and a thriving winemaking industry. Ottoman influences can also be seen, a legacy of the city’s time under Ottoman rule. Among the city’s highlights: the Basilica of Eger, Dabo Istvan Square and the Castle Walls.
Sunshine city: Szeged
Szeged is known as the ‘city of sunshine’ due to its bright and usually sunny weather. It is the third-largest city in Hungary in terms of size and approximately 171 kilometers from Budapest. The city is especially popular for summer tourism. Among Szeged’s highlights: the Móra Ferenc Museum, Szeged Synagogue, the Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum, the Open-Air Theatre and thermal baths.
Dining in Hungary
Of course, one of the best ways to get to know a place is to eat the food. Meats, cheese and dairy products, and seasonal fruit figure prominently in Hungarian cuisine.
Among the country’s specialties are the following dishes:
- Goulash (traditional beef stew with paprika-flavored broth)
- Sour cherry soup
- Dobos torte (sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream, topped with caramel)
- Hungarian salami
- Kurtos kalacs (chimney cake – a cylinder-shaped pastry)
- Langos (deep-fried flatbread topped with grated cheese, sour cream and minced garlic)
- Pörkölt (beef stew)
Useful information on Hungary
Some useful information on Hungary, below:
- The capital of Hungary is Budapest.
- The official language in Hungary is Hungarian.
- The currency of Hungary is the forint (HUF).
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the largest airport in the country.
- Hungary has a typical continental climate.
- The ideal times to visit Hungary are spring and autumn.
Getting to Hungary
You can reach Hungary by road and air. You can click here for flights to Budapest; other cities in the country are easily accessible via the Hungarian rail system.
