Hungary is home to a booming tourist trade that is seeing more and more visitors enter the country each and every year, and with the freedom that EU membership affords for EU nationals this is a market that is bound to be on the increase even more so. Hungarians are a very friendly people and it is by no means a bad thing to admit that you are a tourist, with many natives wanting to talk to and help out travellers in their country.

Budapest is the obvious starting point for most visitors, with the old side of town Buda offering cobbled streets and medieval buildings along with a strong air of grace. Amongst the many pieces of beautiful architecture are attractions such as the National Gallery, the Historical Museum of Budapest and the Royal Palace. Cross over the River Danube to Pest and there is a newer, more commercial city waiting for any visitor to explore, offering the Hungarian National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and Hungary’s oldest temple, Belvárosi Templom. Buda and Pest are both connected with a park between them, which offers a sports stadium, hot springs and other activities and beautiful sights.

A number of national parks and areas of stunning natural beauty are located throughout Hungary, and cruises down the Danube or Lake Balaton are popular with tourists and locals alike to see everything the country has to offer. Lake Balaton is a popular summer resort for all ages, and the sandy beaches and shallow waters see many a visitor year in, year out. The Northern shores of Balaton are probably most popular for Badacsony Hills, home to one of best wine cellars in the country – and definitely a popular region for visitors! The Southern shores of Balaton offer a more party-like atmosphere, with the amount of revelry in Siófok hard to surpass.

Other areas of interest to travellers include the banks of the Danube Bend, popular for cruises which include stop offs in picturesque villages and visits to numerous monuments, amongst other things – including more wine tasting!

Nightlife in Hungary is another strong point for both tourists and locals, and the numerous nightclubs and bars in Budapest offer an experience that shouldn’t be missed, and the resorts along Lake Balaton offer any number of bars, nightclubs and discos for the tourist up for a good time.