Hungary vacation rentals

Hungary: there is much to discover beyond Budapest

The best introduction for newbies to Hungary is the capital, Budapest. Landmark neoclassical architecture, steamy mineral spas and Turkish influence make up one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. Beyond the city walls, most Hungarians live a rural life, where old traditions are still alive today including tanchazak, village folk music nights. It's a shame that more people don't make it out to the country. Here, you'll find some fine horseback riding trails across the Great Plains and cycling is popular. Wherever you decide to pitch yourself in Hungary, delve into their cuisine, thought to be the most sophisticated in Eastern Europe.

A treasure trove of history in Hungary

Most visitors to Hungary don't make it past the capital Budapest, which is a shame as there's a whole host of unexplored historical attractions to delve into. At Eger Castle you can see the site where relatively few Hungarians defeated more than 35,000 attacking Turks in the mid-16th century. Alternatively, drive up to the charming UNESCO village of Holloko where the Paloc people have preserved their centuries-old traditions. The elegant Rococo-style Esterhaza was built in the 18th century and is often called the "Hungarian Versailles", while the Skanzen open-air museum showcases old Hungary, through the traditional houses and folks dressed in costume.

For horseback riding in Europe, Hungary is hard to beat

When you stay in a Hungary vacation rental, you can gallop along the Great Plain or through dense forests on horseback. If that's your thing, don't miss the horse-shows in summer, where magnificent creatures are showcased. From one saddle to another, cycling is also popular in Hungary and there is no end to the country lanes to ride along, not to mention the routes that snake around Lake Balaton. There are not the same number of hiking footpaths that you'll find in other European countries, but if rambling is your thing, try Badacsony.

Idyllic temperatures in spring or fall in Hungary

The largest number of travelers hit the streets of Budapest in the summertime, when the weather can reach sky-high temperatures and the chances of rainfall are at their highest. If you're planning to visit between June and August, your best bet is booking you Hungary vacation rental early. For a climate which is, arguably, more idyllic, try March to May or September to November, when it's slightly cooler and the queues at attractions have all but disappeared. The temperature in winter plunges below freezing, but this just makes the city's hot springs even more alluring.

Wildlife-laden national parks in Hungary

Hungary has its fair share of national parks, including Aggtelek, which is best known for its 100s of underground caves, including Baradla, the largest stalactite cave on the continent. The most celebrated is the sizeable Hortobagy National Park, the country's first and recognized by UNESCO. The grassy park takes up a large swath of the Great Plain and plays hosts to a dizzying number of wildlife species, including water buffalo and grey cattle. However, most people come with their binoculars in hand to spot some of the 340 species of avifauna which migrate and nest here.