English family settle in Hungary...and everything that goes with it!
Author:Sue
I am an English Ex-Pat living in Hungary with my wonderful husband and 19 year old son. You can find me frequently writing, reading and taking photographs. We live in a beautiful small rural village surrounded by forests and lakes always appreciating the beauty around us. Life is good.
I used to be an “online junky” I loved the easy, no fuss online way to buy absolutely anything I wanted…of course within reason. But it made me think how much I took it for granted in England, I could sit, search and send in front of my PC and have my items swiftly delivered the next day. All that changed when we moved to Hungary. We were busy furnishing our new home and we found it impossible to find any sort of, easy to follow, Hungarian online shopping presence. Added to that the language barrier issue well and truly hit home. Ahhh well, we have saved a ton of money and I came to the realisation that Hungarian people don’t really do as much online shopping as in the West. It is said they don’t trust purchases where they can’t personally inspect the item first. Those who do use internet shopping and have their parcels delivered use the “Cash on Delivery” system, something they do not do in England.
I can’t leave bread or meat out without eating it immediately…
Our family motto: “Eat it, Or Freeze it”!
An excellent motto. Cooking and eating Hungarian foods is very different from England. Not that there’s anything wrong it’s just different! Soon after our arrival in Hungary we bought fresh bread from the local bakery, sadly within one day it had become dry and hard. It happened again from a different bakery, I suddenly realised, obviously, there are fewer preservatives added to the bread here. We had similar issues with the meat, not keeping it for as long as expected. So as our motto goes – if we are not going to eat it that day it goes straight into the freezer. “Eat it, Or Freeze it”
I can’t browse around an English Bookshop…
I love the smell of books and book shops the actual feel of REAL books. I have lived with my Kindle by my side for the last few years, I left my book collection in England and do miss it. The opportunity to visit a bookshop, indulge in picking up a book and opening its pages and see English text. Or to be able to read the blurb on the back and make a judgement, to buy or not to buy? Of course, there are book shops here, perhaps in Budapest there is an English one to indulge my fantasy. I shall have to broaden my search horizons to Budapest.
Speaking English when negotiating…
Any sort of deal with a Hungarian…. you must speak Hungarian, if not, you may find you pay a higher price because you speak English! We have learnt this through expensive experience. Out in the countryside, the Hungarian people hold regular car boot sales, nobody speaks English, we paid over the odds for items we bought. Later we were advised, next time ONLY speak Hungarian and that advice came from a friendly Hungarian!
We love living in Hungary and have made some major lifestyle changes that we don’t regret. Every country lives a different way of life with lots of cultural differences. Every new experience that we learn from makes us wiser people and ready for the next time.
Do you live in a country with differences that you have noticed…which way of life do you prefer the old or the new? I would love to hear your views.
Known affectionately as the Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton is Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake, it’s about 50 miles long with colourful little towns, quaint rustic villages, and bustling resort towns around its shoreline. You will also spot many magnificent vineyards on your travels around the lake. I have included lots of videos for you to take a look at and give you plenty of ideas for your next visit to the wonderful Lake Balaton in my home country, Hungary – 40 minutes from the lake.
Hungarians love to flock here every summer, to escape the city and for some outdoor fun. This top-rated lake is the most visited family destination in Hungary.
Lake Balaton and some of its surrounding towns
Siófok
Veszprém
Balatonlelle
Tapolca
Balatonfüred
Zamardi
Keszthely
Hévíz
Balatonboglár
Szigliget
Tihany
Fonyód
Csopak
To get a good “feel” of Lake Balaton watch this amazing video.
Siófok
Siófok in every season – beautiful video
Siófok, also known as the Capital of Lake Balaton, is the largest city on the lake’s shore. During the summer months, it boasts an active nightlife, with vibrant bars, clubs and restaurants available to all visitors. People also come for its long coastline, with friendly sandy beaches.
Veszprém
One of the oldest urban settlements in Hungary, it boasts quite an impressive list of tourist attractions definitely worth visiting. If you are here mid-July then catch the famous Street Music Festival, the largest and most colorful of its kind in all of Hungary. Veszprém Zoo is set in a wonderful natural space with a large variety of different species, open every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. There is a daily zoo walk and you can experience life size dinosaurs.
Balatonlelle
Balatonlelle is a cheerful, well-kept small town, which offers countless attractions for visitors. Located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, about 35 km west of Siófok. Attractions include a (paid) sandy beach and a long public (free) grass beach, an aqua-park, go-cart course, and in the first week of August, the town holds an annual wine festival.
Csopax
Csopak is one of the most well known outstanding wine districts of Hungary, where grape growing and winemaking has been in operation for more than two thousand years. In the village, you can take part in the wine days held during August, with folk music and tasty food made by the locals. A very jovial way to spend a day.
The Strand (beach) of Csopak is famous for being the number one sandy beach for the last few years.
Csopak also offers a wealth of sailing opportunities and there are also boat trips to Tihany village, on the northern shore. Well worth visiting.
A beautiful video showing you the delights of Fonyód.
Fonyód is a holiday resort on the southern shore of Lake Balaton and can boast the first ever dog beach at the lake. A very well maintained beach that you can let your dog run, swim and have fun. It is forbidden at other beaches around the lake.
The town is famous for its mineral water which is bottled there under the name Fonyódi.
Balatonfüred
Photo: FuniQ
Balatonfüred is a bustling Hungarian spa town on Lake Balaton’s north shore. Esterházy Beach is considered to be the most “elegant” beach in the city. It has well kept lawns, blooming flower beds and pretty park benches. For the energetic you can play volleyball and streetball on the beach pitches, or sunbathe on platforms and swing chairs can be rented. The summer months in Balatonfüred are popular times with visiting tourists.
Keszthely is situated on the western shore of Lake Balaton. It is the largest city by the lake. The town boasts 3 wonderful quality beaches each gaining a prestigious Blue Waves Flags award.
After the city’s waterfront, the main attraction of Keszthely has to be Festetics Palace. This sensational Baroque palace is positioned just north of the city centre and yet feels wholly secluded. While you have to pay to take a tour of the palace interior, visitors are free to roam the expansive English gardens at the front and back of the palace.
Hévíz
Hévíz is a spa town in Zala County, Hungary. The famous Lake Hévíz is located here and offers the ultimate in wellness experiences. The local inhabitants have known about its healing properties since the Stone Age. The lake is dotted with picturesque water lilies, and it’s inhabited by a variety of bacteria and algae that contribute to its healing properties. This is definitely the highlight of Hévíz. So apart from being a haven for relaxation, Hévíz town is also teeming with cultural events, arts and crafts and many gastronomical delights.
Tapolca attracts many tourists to this little town due to its surrounding green hills, relaxed atmosphere and laid back pretty country lifestyle. The Mill Pond is a small romantic part of Tapolca and is great for a leisurely amble around its quaint streets.
The main attraction has to be The Lake Cave, the winding 300m underground limestone cave system, navigable by boat along a subterranean lake. It weaves under the houses of Tapolca, discovered over a hundred years ago, fascinating and truly atmospheric. More information can be found here: https://bfnp.hu/en/tapolca-lake-cave-visitor-centre-tapolca
Balatonboglár is a small resort town situated on the south shore of Lake Balaton. It is the official centre of the Balatonboglár wine region, and is often called the “town of grapes and wine.”
Ferenc Vejtey Promenade is a lovely beach with a gorgeous romantic setting especially enjoyed at sunset.
Sphere Lookout is an observatory up a small hill. The hill is slightly steep in places so may be hard for less able bodied people but well worth the views when you get up there. Definitely need to visit for the staggering 360 degrees views across the lake – there is a small entrance fee.
Szigliget
Fortress of the Balaton
The village can be found on the northern bank of Lake Balaton established on a small hill. The castle, nicknamed the “Fortress of the Balaton”, sits proudly overlooking the lake. Withstanding the test of time since its construction in the 13th century, Szigliget is a slice right out of history, and you will enjoy taking a step back in time. Szigliget Castle is definitely a must-see if you’re in the area.
The castle bears over 750 years of history and represents a valuable legacy to the Hungarian people. There are many events held at the castle grounds, including the Castle Festival and the renowned Historical Archery Competition. Szigliget Castle also features various thematic exhibitions, emphasising the daily life of people living in medieval times. You can capture amazing views from the top.
Tihany
Tihany is located on the northern shore of the lake, on a charming peninsula overlooking the majestic Lake Balaton. It is one of the best loved destinations around the lake. It becomes quite crowded during the summer season. The lush walkways, appealing houses, the famous Tihany Abbey and the adventurous nature trails are all part of the Peninsula’s charm.
One of the biggest attractions in the region is the yearly Lavender Festival. In the second half of June, many people arrive in Tihany from all over the country to admire the pretty fields of violet.
Zamardi
Kohegyi Kilato – Stone Hill Lookout video gives you wonderful panoramic views from the tower across Lake Balaton and a taste of the beach life in this resort.
Zamardi is also very well known for its glorious beaches and incredibly popular music events, particularly Balaton Sound. It is held in July every year and is one of the largest open-air electronic music festivals. This four-day festival held on the southern bank of Lake Balaton, is a great place to dance the night away and then recover the next day on the sun loungers by the water.
So there you have it, 13 super places to visit around Lake Balaton. If, like everyone else in the world, you have restricted travel, you can play the videos and take part in exploring these areas virtually whilst planning your next visit. Are there any places I have missed, please let me know in the comments?
There are so many interesting places to go and attractions to see in Hungary definitely worth exploring as either a tourist or a resident like me.
Hungary has numerous epic castles, volcanic mountains, spectacular lakes and fragrant lavender fields. The amazing countryside is scattered with attractive blossoming fruit trees in the spring through to the autumn when classic sunflower fields and abundant grape filled vineyards burst into life. The air is exhilarating, the hiking is legendary and the famous thermal waters are full of healing properties.
I asked my Hungarian friends to recommend places to go that they thought were worth visiting. I have listed a variety of interesting places and a little about each one. Hopefully, there is something for everyone.
I shall follow this up with more posts detailing my next 7 unique places, to visit, as recommended by the people of Hungary.
My first seven recommendations for places to visit in Hungary
Szentendre
Veresegyházi Bear Home
Benedictine Tihany Abbey
Lillafüred
The Waterfalls of Miskolc
Lake Hévíz
Sopron
Beautiful Colourful Town
Szentendre
Szentendre is a picturesque art-filled Hungarian town on the Danube River, north of the capital, Budapest. It’s known for its baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow cobbled streets. The main square Fő Tér, and the alleyways around it are lined with art galleries, museums and shops.
Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum: The Hungarian Open Air Museum is Hungary’s largest outdoor collection, founded in 1967. The open-air museum shows Carpathian folk architecture and life in various areas of Hungary.
Retro Design Center: Lots of old cars you would find in Hungary in the 70’s and also household items from the same period.
ArtMill: A nice exhibition space in a former industrial building, offering an insightful view of Szentendre’s magnificent art scene.
The Kovács Margit Ceramics Museum: Regarded as the most popular museum in Szentendre. Opened in 1973, presents the lifework of Kossuth Prize-laureate ceramic artist Margit Kovács (1902–1977). The collection was donated in 1972 by the artist, who is considered to be the innovator of Hungarian ceramic art.
The Veresegyházi Bear Home is the only bear shelter in central Europe that opened in 1998.
Located in Veresegyház, just some 25km from Budapest, this 5.5-hectare farm and petting zoo features bears, tame wolves, reindeer and raccoons. The bears live in a large enclosure, with 3.5 acres of continuous runways and have access to a lake, can roam a huge forest with open ground and numerous caves. Visitors can feed the bears with honey from long handled spoons. There is also a convenient car park close by.
Ticket prices valid from 1 January 2020
Adult: 1500 HUF / person,
Child (3-14 years old): 1000 HUF / person
Student (between 15-18 years) 1200 HUF / person
Family (2 children, 1 adult): 1000 HUF / person
Pensioner: 1000 HUF / person
Children (under 3 years): FREE
Parking (valid for the whole day): car: 300 HUF, bus: 1000 HUF
Tihany is a beautiful village on the northern shore of Lake Balaton on the Tihany Peninsula. The whole peninsula is a historical district with the Benedictine Tihany Abbey in the centre, founded in 1055 AD by András I, who is buried in the crypt. Opposite the Abbey, you can visit where the monks cultivate herbs in the enclosed gardens. The calendar-inspired views are staggering across the stunning Lake Balaton. A beautiful area to visit, in fact, Tihany in 2014, was the recipient of the most beautiful renovated village in Europe award.
Opening Hours for the Abbey:
May – Sept : 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 11.15am-6pm Sun
Oct – April: 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11.15am-5pm Sun,
Nov: 10am-4pm Mon-Sat, 11.15am-4pm Sun
Price: Adult/Concession/Family incl abbey museum 1200/700/3200Ft
Lillafüred, is surrounded by one of the most beautiful natural environments in Hungary, in the Eastern part of the Bükk Mountains next to Hámori Lake, often referred to as the “Pearl of Bükk”.
Chairlifts Park in Lillafüred
If you are keen to get some spectacular aerial sights then a ride on a chairlift is a must. The chairlift starts the route from 333 metres above sea level and ends at 606 metres high. The travelling time takes 11-12 minutes.
Opening times 10 am – 6.00 pm
Ticket prices: One way ticket/adult:1100 Forints
Return ticket/adult:1400 Forints
One way ticket/child, student: 900 Forints
Return ticket/child, student: 1200 Forints
The Palace Hotel Terraced Gardens, Lillafüred
The stunning Palace Hotel was built between 1927 and 1930. The building is a spectacular piece of Hungarian architectural art. The hillside below the hotel was designed as a replica of the hanging gardens. The interesting terraced walkway system leads to the entrance of Anna Cave, which is a sinter cave. Open to the public. The history of the large-scale construction works of the buildings and gardens is reflected in the reports from the period.
Szinva Stream, which originates from Lillafüred, and is almost twenty kilometres long, crosses Miskolc from east to west and falls into the Sajó river. More than 70 bridges are built over the stream and in parts of the city centre it flows underground. The highest waterfalls in the country (20 metres high) can be found on the Szinva Stream. The waterfalls are beautiful in the summer months and in winter too, the icicles form on the frozen waterfall providing a perfect photographic setting.
This is a beautiful spot with lots of interesting and relaxing areas to explore. Easy to get around on foot, suitable for all the family.
Top Tip: Bring your walking boots and visit after the rains.
Lake Hévíz is located in Hévíz, Hungary, near the western end of Lake Balaton, 8 km from Keszthely. It is the largest thermal lake in the world with biologically active, natural medicinal water which is available for the public to bathe in. Its temperature is affected by the combination of cold and hot spring waters coming from underground. The medicinal water breaks out from the spring cave on the surface at the rate of approximately 410 litres per second and with a temperature of up to 40°C. The water in the lake changes every three and a half days and keeps it uniformly clean.
The thermal lake is absolutely magical and a must visit for anybody, you bathe in healing waters amongst ancient flowering water lilies in gorgeous surroundings.
Sopron is a significant wine producing region, one of the few in Hungary to make both red and white wine.
The architecture of the old section of the town reflects its long history, walls and foundations from the Roman Empire are still common, together with a wealth of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque structures, often artistically decorated, showing centuries of stability and prosperity.
You will find lovely old buildings, narrow cobbled streets and beautiful churches in the town. The old town is well preserved and feels very medieval. It offers a labyrinth of beautifully coloured streets and interesting pretty squares. Medieval historical buildings include The Fire Tower, The Goat Church and lots of ancient ruins. The Trinity statue in the middle of the old town is the crown of this beautiful Baroque town.
This post is my first of several, detailing the many recommendations I received from the people of Hungary. So a BIG thank you to them for making this series possible.
If you have any places that you think are worth visiting in Hungary please let me know in the comments. Very much appreciated. 💚
Making Hungary Home 