Hungarian Tourism Guide

10/02/2025

The Gyula Castle was built in the 15th century and is now the only flatland brick castle in Central and Eastern Europe that is still intact. The castle is situated in a beautiful park and there is a lovely boating pond in front of it. Within the ancient walls of the castle there is an exceptional museum with 24 exhibition rooms that tell the history of almost seven centuries. The rooms include a dungeon, torture room, workshops, kitchen, pantry, a Lady’s Room, the Knights’ Hall, a Chapel, and other residential areas. There is a beautiful view of the city from the lookout tower. On a clear day you can admire the Bihar Mountains of neighbouring Romania from this vantage point. The castle was built by János Maróti and its extension is the legacy of János Corvin, the son of the great Hungarian king, Matthias. It was he, who had the cannon tower (rondella aka Corvin Bastion) built.

History reloaded

This more than 600-year-old fortification, used to be one of the three strongest forts in the country, along with the castles of Eger and Szigetvár. When the Turks attacked the castle, 2000 soldiers fought heroically for an unprecedented 62 days against a huge Turkish army. In 1566 the castle was eventually occupied by the Turks. Visitors can ring the bell of the Chapel in honour of the heroes of the siege. With the aid of interactive digital devices, you can reconstruct and visualise the siege and the layout of the 16th century castle.

27/01/2025

Head to Eger, one of the most beautiful baroque city of Hungary, in a breathtaking natural surrounding, on this private guided tour. Explore this picturesque Hungarian town's castle, learn anout its rich history, see thermal baths, and historic buildings, including the northernmost Turkish minaret. Taste one of the most famous red wine of Hungary, Bull's Blood in a multiple prizewinner Hungarian winery, Enjoy a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.

27/01/2025

Reok Palace Szeged, gem of the Hungarian Secession
The Reök Palace (Hungarian: Reök-palota) is an Art Nouveau building in downtown Szeged. It was designed by Ede Magyar and built in 1907. It hosts exhibitions of modern fine arts.

27/01/2025

Sometimes guests ask: and when we visit the Castle of Buda: well, once upon a time the Buda Castle was actually the walled city of Buda. itself..

24/01/2025

The Tokaj Wine Region is home to some of Hungary's most beloved varieties of wine. The region is spread over a romantic landscape of cellar labyrinths, vines and slopes, nestled at the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains. Its winemaking history dates back over a thousand years. The most famous variety, Aszú – was described by Louis XV of France as ‘Vinum Regum, Rex Vinorum' - the Wine of Kings, King of Wines. There's historic wine, and then there's Tokaj. Made for more than one thousand years, Hungarian Tokaj was served at Versailles and became a favourite of Louis XV, King of France. The reason for its longterm success as one of the world's most beloved libations? This region has a unique microclimate that allows the wine to develop a distinctive taste. As a matter of fact, the world's first vineyard classification system was established here in 1730 by royal decree, followed by the 1757 designation of Tokaj as the world's first appellation. Over the centuries, different ethnic groups settled in the area, bringing influences from places like Swabia, Poland, Romania, and Armenia. They were drawn partly by the unique environment that lent itself to wine production. In the shadow of an extinct volcano, Mount Tokaj, the producers cut their cellars out of slabs of volcanic rock about 500 years ago. The stone creates the ideal setting for the aging of this wine variety.

The region is made up of about 30 villages and towns, each with their own wineries. In the warmer months, grapes hang from the vines that stretch out across the slopes. Stopping at the local wineries, you can taste the different dry and sweet styles and learn about their production. Inside the cool volcanic rock cellars, wooden barrels exude the sense of history that makes Tokaj a must-visit destination. There are plenty of medieval castles, chateaux, nature trails and gourmet restaurants to explore right across the region.

13/01/2025

The members of the Hungarian Wine Writers' Circle awarded the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix in white and red categories after blind tasting.

13/01/2025

https://hungarytoday.hu/happy-new-year-from-hungary-3/

Since public fireworks are not organized in the capital Budapest for the celebrations, we have selected some from times gone by.

13/01/2025

https://hungarytoday.hu/producers-from-tokaj-and-eger-triumph-at-prestigious-wine-grand-prix/

The members of the Hungarian Wine Writers' Circle awarded the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix in white and red categories after blind tasting.

06/01/2025

Returning the Crown of Saint Stephen to post-Cold War Hungary
President Jimmy Carter made the controversial decision to give the crown back to Hungary based on evidence that it had improved its human rights record and allowed for travel of its citizens. On Epiphany, January 6, 1978, a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and including Senator Adlai Stevenson, Congressman Lee Hamilton, and Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi, returned the crown to Hungary.
For centuries, it was the national symbol of a nation. For decades, it was kept in Fort Knox for safekeeping. The Crown of Saint Stephen dates back to the year 1000, when Stephen, a devout Christian and the patron saint of Hungary, became King and Pope Sylvester II gave him the crown as a gift. From the twelfth century onward, the Crown of Saint Stephen was used in the coronations of some fifty kings. At the end of World War II, the Hungarian crown jewels, along with the Crown, were eventually given to the United States Army by the Hungarian Crown Guard to keep them out of the hands of the Soviet Union. The Crown was kept at held Fort Knox, Kentucky alongside the bulk of America’s gold reserves and other priceless historical items.
Relations between the United States and Hungary subsequently improved, which helped pull Hungary even farther from the USSR and allowed Hungary to be granted Most Favored Nation status with the U.S. This meant reduced tariffs and increased trade and an eventual liberalization of the economy. The Crown of Saint Stephen is now on display in the Hungarian Parliament.
“This was all part of Carter’s policy to loosen Moscow’s grip”
Philip Kaiser
Ambassador to Hungary, 1977-79
“The regime felt that until we returned the crown, normal relations were not possible”
Stephen F. Dachi
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Information Service, Budapest , 1973-1977

05/01/2025

05/01/2025

Do you think it is somewhere in Italy? No, just a cozy coffee in Budapest downtown in the Palace quarter,😍

05/01/2025

Life-size LEGO tram at Deák Ferenc tér
This Advent season, you can find a truly unique vehicle at Deák Ferenc tér: a life-size LEGO® tram has arrived in the heart of the capital. Built from nearly 1.8 million LEGO bricks, the 11.5-metre-long, 2-metre-high and 2-metre-wide structure is not only a symbol of transport, but also of playful creativity. The joint initiative of BKK, BKV, Budapest Brand and LEGO is not only promoting public transport but also raising awareness of the importance of play.

05/01/2025

As part of the Liget Budapest Project, the reconstructed, former Olof Palme House is opened as House of the Hungarian Millennium. This is the oldest building in the City Park (or Városliget) and it is one of its most precious monuments. The House of the Hungarian Millennium is a symbol of the Liget Budapest Project, becoming a real community meeting place, connecting the park with the arts The name of the house is a direct reference to the era and time when the Hungarian celebrated the 1,000 year anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian state, i.e. 1896.

28/12/2024

https://tastehungary.com/journal/magyar-szilveszter-new-years-rituals-in-hungary/

In Hungary, you’d be doing yourself a disservice for the rest of the year if you didn’t eat plenty of lentils to ring in the new year.

28/12/2024

https://nagyfatalkonyhaja.hu/en/typical-hungarian-new-years-eve-dishes/

As Christmas approaches, not only the festive lights, but also the delicious flavors arrive in the Hungarian kitchen, including the Hell'a Kitchen in Budapest

25/12/2024

https://hungarytoday.hu/szaloncukor-edible-ornaments-hang-on-hungarian-christmas-trees/

One of the Hungarians' favorite Christmas sweets, the Szaloncukor, is a highlight on every family's Christmas tree every year.

25/12/2024

https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarys-christmas-spirit-19-magnificent-trees-across-the-counties/

At the start of the Advent season, Hungary's county towns proudly displayed their Christmas trees, each with its own story.

25/12/2024

Áldott, békés karácsonyt kívánunk!

Fotó: Régi László