Vacation Rentals in Hungary
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Travel destination Hungary.
You can choose from 472 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
Search within this region with detailed search options.
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Destination
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(3)
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(424)
Abrahamhegy (19), AlsÓÖrs (8), Badacsony (13), Badacsonytomaj (6), Badacsonyörs (5), Balatonakarattya (1), Balatonalmádi (116), Balatonederics (4), Balatonfüred (16), Balatongyörök (43), Balatonkenese (46), Cserszegtomaj (11), Csopak (2), Gyenesdias (30), Heviz (18), Kaptalanfüred (2), Keszthely (36), Lovas (2), Szigliget (2), Tihany (6), Vonyarcvashegy (35)
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(3)
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Overview of Hungary
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| Size |
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93,030 sq km (32,377 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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10,100,000 |
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| Language |
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Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language. German and English are widely spoken. Some French is also spoken,
mainly in western Hungary. |
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| Time Zone |
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GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). |
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| Electricity |
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220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard. |
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| Clothing |
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Normal summer clothing in summertime, light coat in autumn and spring. Winters are firmly cold.
You should rather have a raincoat with you against surprises! |
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| Religion |
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68% Roman Catholic, 21% Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant, 6% Evangelical (Lutheran), 5% other. |
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| Currency |
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Hungarian Forint (HUF) Currency Converter |
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Location of Hungary
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Hungary is located in Central Europe, in the Carpathian Basin, sharing borders to the north with the Slovak Republic,
to the northeast with Ukraine, to the east with Romania, to the south with Croatia and Serbia and to the west with
Austria and Slovenia. There are several ranges of hills, chiefly in the north and west. The Great Plain stretches east
from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in the CIS, to the mountains of Transylvania in
Romania, and south to the Fruska Gora range in Croatia. The biggest rivers are the Danube and the Tisza, which
divide the country into thirds, and the Dráva, which forms the southwestern border with Croatia. Hungary has over
1000 lakes - the largest, Balaton, is strewn with thermal springs.
For those in search of the heart and soul of Europe, there's nowhere better. Hungarians, who call themselves
Magyars, speak a language and form a culture unlike any other. Away from the cosmopolitan charms of Budapest,
life in the provinces is more redolent of times past - simpler, slower, often friendlier. The countryside offers
endless opportunities for those with special interests - from horse riding and cycling to bird-watching and
'taking the waters' at the country's many thermal spas. |
Climate in Hungary
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There are four seasons, with a very warm summer from June to August. Spring and autumn are mild, while
winters are very cold. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with snowfalls in winter. |
Best Time to Travel to Hungary
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Spring is just glorious in Hungary. The Hungarian summer is warm, sunny and unusually long, but the resorts are very
crowded in late July and August. Like Paris and Rome, Budapest comes to a halt in August (called 'the cucumber-growing season'
here because that's about the only thing happening). Autumn is beautiful, particularly in the hills around Budapest and
in the Northern Uplands. November is one of the rainiest months of the year, however. Winter is cold, often bleak
and museums and other tourist sights are often closed. |
Attractions in Hungary
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The treasures of their culture have drawn travelers from distant lands throughout the centuries.
The wonderful panorama of the capital, Budapest (also known as the "Pearl of the Danube") prompted UNESCO
to place it on the World Heritage list.
The Land of healing waters has the second-largest reserve of surface thermal water in the world with hundreds of warm springs
spouting forth curative waters that have assisted many thousands in regaining health. Or, if you prefer,
Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest freshwater lake, will provide a veritable paradise for families
with small children, as well as lovers of yachting and resort life. To the North, the Tokaj region provides
the world-famous Tokaji Aszú, titled "Wine of Kings, King of Wines". Made from grapes of high sugar content
which are ripened till late Fall on the sunny southern slopes, the wine was widely used as a medicine during
the Middle Ages.
Every season has its special events. To celebrate New Year's Eve, concert halls and churches offer excellent
music concerts. February is the Feast Season. During the spring season, festivals, cultural and folklore
programs overlap each other. In Budapest, the Spring and Autumn Festivals, the Budapest Fair, the BudaFest
Opera and Ballet Festival, and the Sziget, the largest multicultural event in Central Europe, draw thousands
of guests from all over the world. The Budapest Spring Festival extended its venues into other big cities.
Each region has its special, seasonal cultural and folklore festivals. The prominent castles of Eger, Visegrád,
Kőszeg, Gyula, Sopron evoke the heroic times of history, when beautifully restored mansions host regular concerts
and music festivals. The Mohács Busó Procession in the end of February, the Szeged Open Air Festival in July,
the Debrecen Flower Carnival in August, the Wine and Folklore Festivals along the historic wine-regions in
autumn offer something for people of all ages. |
Society in Hungary
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Most Hungarians enjoy modern music and dance, although older people still preserve their traditions and
culture, particularly in small villages. Handshaking is customary. Both Christian name and surname should
be used. Normal courtesies should be observed. At a meal, toasts are usually made and should be returned.
A useful word is egészségünkre (pronounced ay-gash-ay-gun-gre), meaning ‘to our health’.
Gifts are acceptable for hosts as a token of thanks, particularly when invited for a meal. Casual wear is
acceptable in most places, with the exception of expensive restaurants and bars. Formal attire should be
worn for important social functions, but it is not common practice to specify dress on invitations. Smoking
is prohibited on public transport in towns and public buildings. Travellers may smoke on long-distance trains.
Tipping: Restaurant prices in Hungary generally do not include a service charge and it is therefore
customary to give a tip, generally equivalent to 10-15% of the bill. Not leaving a tip, or leaving a very
small tip, is a strong signal that you were less than impressed with the service. Bargaining is not the
done thing in Hungary, but you can try a little gentle haggling in flea markets or with individuals
selling folk crafts. |
Cuisine of Hungary
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The Hungarians are hospitable people, always ready to offer guests delicious food and excellent wines.
The traditional Hungarian dishes abound in piquant flavors and aromas. Dishes are flavourful, spicy and often
rather heavy. People with a sensitive stomach, should be careful. Flavours of Hungarian dishes are based on
centuries old traditions in spicing and preparation methods. The exquisite ingredients are produced by local
agriculture and husbandry. Paprika and garlic is to be found everywhere. In the autumn, a fascinating view
is the strings of red paprika (unground red pepper) hung on the white walls of the houses in the villages.
National staples include pörkölt (stew, and what everyone calls 'goulash' abroad); gulyás (a thickish beef soup);
and halászlé (spicy fish soup cooked with paprika). If you keep your eyes open for jókai bableves (bean soup),
hideg gyümölcsleves (cold fruit soup made from sour cherry) or palacsinta (stuffed crepes) your tastebuds will
thank you for it. Sauces rich in sour cream, delicacies such as goose liver and an emphasis on meats, including
game such as boar and venison, are often on the menu. Fish - especially Lake Balaton Pike, eel stew or a thick
and sometimes peppery fish soup - is also quite popular. Fabulous desserts, served with strong espresso, include
strudels, tortes and the legendary Gundel pancakes with chocolate rum sauce.
Hungarian wines have earned a reputation for high quality, garnering first prizes in a number of international
competitions. The beer is good, and the brandy pálinka veeeeery strong. |
Visa for Hungary
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Citizens of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, some asian countries and most European countries
don't require visas. Nationals from these countries can stay in Hungary for a maximum period of 90 days
during the six months following the date of first entry into Hungary. A separate permit is required for
longer stays. Visas are not available at the Hungarian border or Hungarian airports. |
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