Hungary Highlights Beyond Budapest

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

There's no doubt that Budapest is a magnificent place: a city of contrasts, of beautiful bridges and medieval architecture. But Hungary is of course far more than just its capital. There is a lesser known side of the country which, if you can, you should not miss the chance to explore.

For example, in northeast Hungary is the Pannonhalma Monastery, a World Heritage Site founded over a thousand years ago.  You can see deep marks left by the passage of time upon its facade, which is an eclectic mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Ottoman styles.

Do not miss the city of Pesc, an important heritage site and testimony to the era of Ottoman rule over Hungary.

A few kilometers away from Budapest is Szentendre, a lovely small town full of picturesque houses, museums and art galleries: a must-see! Its main attractions are its cathedral, the Kovacs Margit Museum and the Szabó.

Another unmissable place to visit is Lake Balaton, one of the largest lakes in the whole of Europe, surrounded by little villages and impressive monuments, both old and modern, making it very attractive indeed.  In warm weather all kinds of water sports are practiced on the lake shore, as colossal cruise ships pass by.

Gödöllő is a small town around 30km from Budapest. It is very popular with tourists who come to visit the Baroque-style Habsburg residence, built in the 1740s by Antal Grassalkovich.  He was an aristocrat at the Viennese court who was close friends with the royal family and the Empress Elizabeth (known as “Sisi”).

Martonvásár is a small, quiet town a few kilometers from Budapest, in whose center can be found of the most beautiful and peaceful parks you could ever visit, within which is the Brunswick residence.

Vác is the largest city in the area surrounding Budapest, located on the left bank of the Danube.   If you visit Vác, make sure to see the stone bridge, the neoclassical style cathedral and the triumphal arch – the only one in Hungary – built in 1764 in honor of Empress Sisi’s visit to the city.

And last but certainly not least, why not go on a rustic cruise down the Danube, passing beautiful towns and villages that you will fall in love with.

As you can see, Hungary has plenty to offer. Will you be able to manage it all?

 

“Hungary is one of the most beautiful destinations in Central Europe and the Mediterranean thanks to its thermal springs and many bathhouses, for which its capital Budapest has come to be known as the “city of spas“. IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has a hotel in Budapest: the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Budapest, which has 5 stars. It has a privileged location, surrounded by important buildings, embassies and shopping areas.The hotel was built in 2011 and its suites are absolutely luxurious.”