Budapest and its Surroundings- Central Danubia (Közép-Dunavidék)

Budapest is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Visiting Budapest you'll experience a 2 cities in 1 vacation because the Danube divides the city into two different parts, the hilly Buda and the more cosmopolitan Pest. Plenty of attractions, including historic monuments, museums,the rmal baths, a zoo, restaurants, cafés and a vibrant nightlife scene welcome tourists in the Hungarian capital. Read more on our sister site, Budapest Tourist Guide.

• the Danube Bend (Dunakanyar)

Budapest's surroundings also offer lots of attractions. Right to the north of Budapest you'll find some exciting holiday spots starting with the charming Szentendre with its cobble-stoned, crooked streets and artistic atmosphere. The Visegrad Hill towers above the Danube bend providing a breathtaking view. Once having been a royal seat, Visegrad is rich in historical and cultural sights: the former Royal palace, Solomon's tower. You can explore the natural beauties of the hill on meandering hiking tracks. The more adventurous and active can try the bob-sleighing course in summer.

The imposing Basilica is the most famous attraction of Esztergom a city on the Danube bank some 25 km up from Szentendre. Read more about the attractions in the Danube bend.

• Gödöllő

Gödöllő lies 30 km northeast of Budapest. Its Palace, once home of Sissi, wife of Ferenc József Emperor is one of the largest Baroque palaces in Hungary.

Central Transdanubia (Közép-Dunántúl)

Major Cities & Attractions: Székesfehérvár, Veszprém, Tata, Lake Velence, Herend, Pápa, Sümeg

This hilly and diverse region of Hungary, bordered by the Danube, lies west of Budapest and north-northeast of Lake Balaton.

Tiny villages hiding in valleys vary with historic cities and romantic lakes.

Small inns and restaurants offer traditional Hungarian dishes characteristic of the region: Bakony-style pork chop with noodles.

The Bakony Hills abound in game and mushrooms. You can taste excellent Hungarian wines in the Ászár-Neszmély, in Badacsony or in Balatonfüred-Csopak wine regions.

Read more about Central Transdanubia.

Lake Balaton - the largest fresh water lake in Hungary and in Central Europe

Major Cities & Attractions: Keszthely, Balatonfüred, Balatonalmádi, Tihany, Siófok, Zamárdi, Szántód,

Lake Balaton, the "Hungarian Sea", offers not just summer pleasures like bathing, rowing, but it has its charm and attractions in winter as well. More and more wellness hotels welcome guests during the colder seasons with thermal pools and a variety of medical and wellness treatments.

A bycicle route goes around the alke so you can explore the attarction by bike. Both the northern and the southern shore are famous for their wines because the favourable climate allows wine growers to produce high quality wines. Look for wineries in the Badacsony area on the northern shore or around Balatonboglár in the southern shore.

Read more about Lake Balaton.

Western Transdanubia (Nyugat-Dunántúl)

Major Cities & Attractions: Győr, Sopron, Fertőd, Pannonhalma, Ják, Kőszeg, Szombathely, Zalaegerszeg

This region of Hungary occupies the north-northwest area of the country. A variety of attractions make this area a popular vacation destination: thermal springs at Sárvár, Bükfürdő, Zalakaros, Hévíz, Baroque castles, churches, romantic ruins, rivers, lakes and wetlands.

The gastronomy of the region is rich in simple but delicious peasant foods that you might not find in any other part of the Hungary.

Read more about Western Transdanubia.

Southern Transdanubia (Dél-Dunántúl)

Major Cities & Attractions: Pécs, Szekszárd, Harkány, Kaposvár, Mecsek Hills

This region, south of Lake Balaton and bordered by the Danube, is a little Mediterranean island within Hungary. No wonder it gives home to the top two Hungarian wine regions Villány and Szekszárd.

Pécs can be called the capital of this region with its rich history and art life. Szekszárd has a relaxing southern atmosphere where you can taste full bodied Hungarian red wines.

Read more about Southern Transdanubia.

Northern Hungary (Észak-Magyarország)

Major Cities & Attractions: Eger, Hollókő, Miskolc, Lillafüred-Szilvásvárad, Sárospatak, Tokaj, Palócland

Northern Hungary boasts with the highets peak of Hungary, the 1014 m high Kékestető mountain top. Hollókő village and the Caves of Aggtelek are under the protection of the by the UNESCO's world heritage program.

Two world-famous wine regions tempts you to taste delightful Hungarian wines: Eger is mostly noted for its Bull Blood (Bikavér) while in Tokaj you can taste one of the best wines of the world, the Tokaji aszú dessert wine.

Colourful folk art and traditions are also highlights of this region. The Bükk and Mátra Hills are perfect for hiking.

Read more about Northern Hungary.

Lake Tisza

Major Cities & Attractions: Tiszafüred, Abádszalók, Tiszanána, Poroszló, Beregfürdő, Karcag,

Lake Tisza is the homeland of my husband and his parents so we are especially fond of this region and know a great deal about it.

Lake Tisza is the second largest lake in Hungary. Vast area of still water, small bays and beaches, cnaoeing, rowinng, angling, bird watching and a host of other natural beauties welcome visitors to this area.

Thermal springs, healing waters can be found around Lake Tisza, too: Beregfürdő, Tiszaörs fürdő.

The lake is a paradise for water motorsports lovers because motoric vehicles are allowed only on Lake Tisza in whole Europe. Small inns and restaurants cater for your appetite and offer you a taste of the regions gastronomic delights.

Read more about Lake Tisza.

Northern Great Plain (Észak-Alföld)

Major Cities & Attractions: Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdúszoboszló, Nyírbátor, Nyíregyháza, Szolnok

The Puszta at Hortobány National Park was a major tourist attraction in the Communist Era and it worth a visit today if you want to experience the endless grassy landscape with sweep-pole wells and grazing herds.

Lovely villages have unique treasures for the visitors, but the region abounds in historic cities, as well. A variety of cultural events and food festivals provide for entertainment throughout the year.

Read more about the Northern Great Plain.

Southern Great Plain (Dél-Alföld)

Major Cities & Attractions: Szeged, Gyula, Békéscsaba, Kiskunhalas, Baja, Kalocsa, Kecskemét

River Tisza is the focal point of the Southern Great Plain region of Hungary. This area has the highest number of sunny hours a year in the country thus became an agricultural treasureland.

The Castle in Gyula town

Szeged and Kalocsa are the center of Hungarian paprika production, while Makó is famous for onions grown there. In Kecskemét you can taste the most luscious apricots ever. Other lure of the Southern Great palin include thermal waters, historic cities, cultural events.

Read more about the Southern Great Plain.

Return from Regions of Hungary to Homepage of Hungary Tourist Guide.