What are the best places to go and things to do in Hungary?

Hi Shawnee!

Hungary is a small country in the center of Europe that offers rich culture 
with fine museums, medicinal baths, ancient castles with flourishing gardens, 
and over two thousand caves.  I will describe some of the wonderful places to 
go and things to do in Hungary, and then let you decide which is the best!

Central Transdanubia offers historical to-dos in Hungary. “The 
ancient “crowing” town Székesfehérvár lies here as the “capital” of Hungary, 
the town of kings and cradle of the statehood of Hungary but the town of 
queens, Veszprém can also be found here.” You can visit peaceful villages, 
great food, and hundred year old monuments.
Hungary Tourism (http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=ca737491be&articleid=47&titleid=141&subid=143 

If castles are of interest to you, “The most significant castles working both 
as accommodation and museum are the following: Aszód, Fertőd, Fót, Keszthely, 
Kőszeg, Mezőhegyes, Nagycenk, Nagyvázsony, Noszvaj, Parádsasvár, Pécsvárad, 
Szerencs, Szirák, Tiszadob, Vaja and Zsédeny.” 
Hungary Tourism
http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=ca737491be&articleid=64&titleid=108&subid=4876

Budapest is considered the capitol of caves. If you would like to explore some 
of over two thousand caves with impressive stalactite-rich caves, this is the 
place. It also “ensures recreational possibilities for the lovers of extreme 
and modern sports. Sporting flying, parachuting, golf, summer-bob and other 
unique sports are waiting for the visitors. 
Sport events, Europe and World championships are often organized in the region”
Hungary Tourism http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=ca737491be&articleid=52&titleid=141&subid=146

Getting to Know Hungary Offline
Here are some great guides from Amazon.com

The Rough Guide to Hungary (4th Edition)
by Dan Richardson, Charles Hebbert Our Price: $17.95 Used Price: $5.00 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1858283159/qid=1019414400/sr=8-
2/ref=sr_8_67_2/102-1181225-0668165
Book Description
Hungary's capital, Budapest, inspires a feeling of déjŕ vu. It's not just the 
vast Gothic parliament and other monuments of a bygone imperial era that seem 
familiar, but the latest fashions on the streets, or a poster advertising 
something that was all the rage back home a year before. In coffee houses, 
Turkish baths, and the fad for Habsburg bric-a-brac, there's a strong whiff of 
Mitteleuropa - that ambient culture that welcomed Beethoven in Budapest and 
Hungarian-born Liszt in Vienna. Meanwhile a wave of new clubs and restaurants 
and a burgeoning sex industry reflects the advent of nouveau riche 
entrepreneurs, and a massive influx of tourists and foreign investment. After 
Budapest, Lake Balaton and the Danube Bend vie for popularity. The Balaton, 
with its string of brash resorts, styles itself as the "Nation's Playground," 
and enjoys a fortuitous proximity to the Badacsony wine-producing region. The 
Danube Bend has more to offer in terms of scenery and historic architecture, as 
do the Northern Uplands and Transdanubia. The beautiful old parts of Sopron, 
Gyor and Pecs are, rightfully, the main attractions in Transdanubia, though for 
castle enthusiasts the Zempleni range and the lowlands of southern Transdanubia 
also have several treats in store; while in the Uplands the famous wine centres 
of Tokaj and Eger are the chief draw. On the Great Plain Szeged hosts a major 
festival, and its rival city, Debrecen, serves as the jumping-off point for the 
archaic Erd,hat region and the mirage-haunted Hortobagy puszta. See the chapter 
introductions for more details about each region.

Blue Guide Hungary (2nd Ed)
by Bob Dent Our Price: $26.95  Used Price: $15.49
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393318001/qid=1019414400/sr=8-
3/ref=sr_8_67_3/102-1181225-0668165

Book Description 
Arranged by region, with accompanying maps and plans, this comprehensive guide 
offers extensive coverage of provincial Hungary, including many places off the 
beaten track. Filled with useful travel advice, unusual museums, and 
fascinating history. 23 town plans, 17 maps, 32 photographs

Tours
If you decide to go with a tour group instead of booking all your own travel 
and accommodations, you can just go to Google and search under “Hungary 
tours.”  You’ll find the usual travel agents as well many specialty tours for 
bird watchers, choir tours or art lovers.  One of the tour operators you’ll 
find is QUATRA who can be found at:  http://traveltohungary.com/.  Or if you 
want to go all out, looks like Exeter International offers a 5 star 
experience.  You can find them at: 
http://www.exeterinternational.com/tourjewels.html.

If you want to nurture your mind you may consider traveling to South 
Transdanubia.  “Going for a holiday to South Transdanubia means more than a 
simple recreation. It gives a possibility to get into direct touch with nature 
and with the countrymen living close to nature. It gives a chance for a 
friendly chat while tasting the wine of the host. South Transdanubia providing 
accommodating for everybody for centuries reflects the peace, tranquility and 
safety warm to the beloved guests. They who desire a laid table, good wine, 
kind words and friends, are the right place here.” 
Hungary Tourism http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=ca737491be&articleid=49&titleid=141&subid=145

Lake Tisza is a fun place to go if you enjoy the wonders of water! 150 species 
of birds live in this region. You can fish in winter or summer months. You can 
water ski, motorboat, sail, or indulge in one of the regions many thermal 
bathes. “For thousands of years man has used thermal waters for washing, 
cleansing, easing aches and pains, and even for ritual purposes.” 
Hungary tourism
http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=0890e08837&articleid=59&titleid=141&subid=149


Additional Websites that may interest you: 

For the most important bathes in Hungary:
Hungary Tourism
http://www.hungarytourism.hu/index.php?
sid=ca737491be&articleid=295&titleid=121&subid=6427

One informative site on the caves of Hungary:
Caves of Hungary
http://www.fsz.bme.hu/mtsz/barlang/english/0_angol.htm

What to do in Hungary?
Hungarian National Tourist Office, New York:
http://www.gotohungary.com/information/whattodo.shtml


Search Terms Used: 
travel or tourism or "things to do" +Hungary
Hungary and caves
Hungary and castles

I hope this helps!
		~penguin

The answer was well written and provided me with a wealth of information in the
subject
area that I was interested in.

Hi there,

Hungary is a beautiful country. The main city is Budapest, a wonderful 
composite of communistic and western influences. When you go there, you 
certainly should see swimming pools in the main park. Just in the open air, in 
an fairytale environment you can play chess IN the swimming pool on the build 
in chessboards.

Go see a classical concert. All the places those things are held you normally 
see only in a movie. It's so full of detailed ornaments, it's great.

Seeing the country, you can go the east. Here the pusta starts. It's a prairie 
with it's own inhabitants. It's nice and quiet.

In Hungary the also have the biggest lake of Europe. It the Balaton (lake of 
Bala) It's always nice and warm out there, and if you come for parties, this is 
the right place to be.

As you see, Hungary is a great country to go to. Enjoy.


Olav

Also in Budapest, don't miss a visit to the magnificent Parliament! Really 
worth the trouble of waiting a little in the crowd outside. (Hint: Befriend 
one of the guards... You will "probably" wait less than some others... :) 
There also is a very beautiful church on the northern side of the Duna 
(Danube) where you have a beautiful view over the city. Surely you would also 
love a bath in the thermal waters of Budapest (very relaxing after a day of 
walking :).

Hi, there is one mistake in the above, otherwise nice answer.

There is no "Lake Tisza". There is a river Tisza, and a Lake Balaton.
Miklos (native of Hungary)