HUNGARY

Budapest (Capital)

Hungary’s capital Budapest is a vivid metropol with the scene of classical music, entertaining nightlife and natural thermal baths. It occupies both banks of the Danube and it has appr. 1,7 million residents. Budapest today is the result of a historic amalgamation of the separate cities of Buda and Pest. Locals are still talking about Buda and Pest as separated objects, Pest covering the eastern side of Danube (districts IV-IX) and Buda western (districts I-III, XI-XII, XXII). The first permanent settlement here was built by Celts before 1 AD. Later it was occupied by the Roman Empire and the Roman settlement called Aquincum here was the capital of the Pannonia Inferior province. Hungarians came here at the end of the 9th century. In 1361 Buda became the capital of Hungary.

Lake Balaton

With a 592 square kilometer surface area, this lake is the largest in Central Europe. It is a popular beach attraction with resorts around the lake. The most important resorts are Balatonfüred, Siófok and Keszthely. Another resort town on the southern shore, Zamárdi, has been the site of the Balaton Sound, a notable techno music festival, since 2007. The peak tourist season extends from June until the end of August and the lake area provides action for multiple tastes.

Baradla Aggtelek Cave (UNESCO 1995)

Address: Aggtelek, 3759 Hungary

This gorgeous cave system is known for its beautiful stalactite formations and is part of the Aggtelek National Park. It is a part of the Aggtelek Karst and is over 25.5 kilometres (15.8 mi) long. It includes the 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) Domica cave.

Guided tours are organised from Aggtelek, the cave’s natural entrance. Baradla, with other caves of the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst,were declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary

This Neoclassical pearl among the Hungarian religious buildings was completed in 1905 and it is one of the tallest buildings in Budapest, with a height of 96 meters (315 feet). The basilica has played an active role in the musical community from the very start, and in the past century it has been home to choral music, classical music as well as contemporary musical performances. The Basilica choir performs often in different parts of Europe as well as at home. In the summer months they perform every Sunday. During these months a visitor can see performances from many distinguished Hungarian and foreign organ players alike.

Halászbástya

Address: Budapest, Szentháromság tér, 1014 Hungary

Built during the 19th century for the Hungarian Millennium celebrations, this mock bastion features pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of the fairytale castles in Disney World.

Gellért Thermal Bath

Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Hungary

For the relaxation-seeking mind, this popular spa offers many kinds of treatment. It has an artsy atmosphere made by Art Nouveau furnishing, mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures. The medicinal spring of the spa has been known since the 13th century.

House of Terror

Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 60, 1062 Hungary

This museum houses an exhibition concerning the tragic part of the Hungarian history, related to the Fascist and Communist regimes in the 20th century.

The exhibition contains material on the nation’s relationships to Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It also contains exhibits related to the Hungarian Fascist Arrow Cross Party. Much of the information and the exhibits are  in Hungarian, but each room has an information sheet in English. Audio guides in English and German are also available.