Hungary & Budapest

Those who have ever been to Hungary experienced a special, exciting atmosphere of the country and its capital, Budapest. Hungary was one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the past decade, with a capital regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its relatively small size, the country is the home to numerous World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Biosphere reserves, the second largest thermal lake in the World (Hévíz), the biggest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the widest natural grassland in Europe (Hortobágy).

Hungary is situated in Central Europe, within the Carpathian Basin. Its landscape consists of flat plains, hilly regions and mountain ranges, divided in two parts by river Danube, its main waterway. Hungary has 10 national parks, 35 landscape protection areas and 145 minor reserves.

In the heart of Europe, Hungary is a meeting point of cultures. The culture of Hungary has a distinctive style of its own, diverse and varied, involving a rich folk tradition: embroideries, decorated pottery, buildings and carvings. The music of Hungary consists mainly of traditional folk music and works by prominent composers such as Liszt, Bartók or Kodály. Notable architectural styles include Historicism and several variants of Art Nouveau, the latter is based on the national architectural characteristics and oriental impacts. Among Hungarian innovations, decorative porcelains of Herend and the Zsolnay Manufacture of Pécs have worldwide recognition. The capital and other regions of the country can be proud of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, either. Among them, outstanding historical monuments are: the Castle District of Budapest, the Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs and the Medieval Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma. The historic cultural landscape of the Tokaj Wine Region and the Caves of Aggtelek Karst have also been declared as World Heritage Sites. In addition, Hungary is undoubtedly a country of great variety of festivals arranged for the entire year.