About Hungary
Why visit Hungary?
The small landlocked country of Hungary in eastern Central Europe is very much the 'odd one out' in the area, bordered by seven European countries, as Hungary is culturally and linguistically distinct from all of its immediate neighbours. Hungarians today are direct descendants of the Huns that arrived here, by way of Russia, in around the ninth century. Hailing originally from the Central Asian steppe, these Huns brought with them a fiendishly difficult language that has few links to any other, except a very distant relationship to Finnish. Most Hungarians display a quiet, determined but stoic pride for their nation and cling determinedly to the language and the unique culture that remains undiminished despite centuries of foreign domination by Mongols in the 13th century, occupation by Turks in the 16th and 17th centuries, Austrian Habsburg rule in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Communist domination following World War II.
Such pride is not without foundation: the country is home to some outstanding historic towns and cities, numerous elegant castles, palaces and churches, as well as some attractive – albeit mostly flat – countryside. The flat open prairie of the Great Hungarian Plain characterizes the southeast of the country. The smaller Little Hungarian Plain is found in the northwest of the country. In contrast, the Transdanubian region of central and western Hungary is a gently rolling landscape that’s also home to Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest body of fresh water – a popular holiday destination for many. The country’s highest mountains, which rise to a little over 1,000m (3,281ft), are located in the Carpathian Mountains along the northern border.
With the Royal Palace, Heroes Square, and 20 wine regions such as the world renowned Tokaj wine region of the countryside, you may wonder where to begin your trip, but any place is a good start in Hungary; Hungarian itself may be impenetrably foreign, but even if you don’t speak a word you’ll soon feel at home here. Hungarian vacations are packed with culture and all kinds of things to do. Spend the day in the capital city of Budapest strolling around the Castle District, at night relax in a thermal bath, go cycling along the Danube around the picturesque Szentendre, set sail on Lake Balaton or go bird watching at Hortobágy National Park.
Useful informations about Hungary
Budapest Card
Visitors can buy the official Budapest city card, according to the length of their stay. Available for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. This card can give discounts ranging between (FREE and 50%) for certain services such as public transportation, sightseeing, Museums, certain recreational programs such as Budapest Zoo, Palace of Wonders, in addition to Gastronomy as well as some thermal baths and swimming pools located in different areas.
Geography
Hungary, member of the European Union and the Schengen Border-less Europe Agreement. The country offers many diverse destinations: relatively low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts (including Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe), and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this off with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vivid culture and economy.
Language
Hungarian is the official language in Hungary. But since English is now compulsory in schools, if you address people in their teens, twenties or lower thirties, you stand a good chance that they will speak English well enough to help you out.
People
In Hungary, the vast majority of people are Hungarian. Because of the lack of immigration, Hungary is one of the most ethnically homogeneous nations on earth. At any one time, there are a few hundred foreigners to be found, however, most of them are tourists.
Climate
Temperatures in Hungary vary from -20°C to 39°C through the year. Distribution and frequency of rainfall are unpredictable due to the continental climate of the country. Heavy storms are frequent after hot summer days, and rainfall is more frequent in the Autumn. The western part of the country usually receives more rain than the eastern part, and severe droughts may occur in summertime. Weather conditions in the Great Plain can be especially harsh, with hot summers, cold winters, and scant rainfall.
| Month | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average max.temperature (°C) | 1,2 | 4,5 | 10,2 | 16,3 | 21,4 | 24,4 | 26,5 | 26,0 | 22,1 | 16,1 | 8,1 | 3,1 | 15,0 |
| Average temperature (°C) | −1,6 | 1,1 | 5,6 | 11,1 | 15,9 | 19,0 | 20,8 | 20,2 | 16,4 | 11,0 | 4,8 | 0,4 | 10,4 |
| Average min.temperature (°C) | −4,0 | −1,7 | 1,7 | 6,3 | 10,8 | 13,9 | 15,4 | 14,9 | 11,5 | 6,7 | 2,1 | −1,8 | 6,3 |
| Record max.temperature (°C) | 18,1 | 19,7 | 25,4 | 30,2 | 34,0 | 39,5 | 40,7 | 39,4 | 35,2 | 20,8 | 22,6 | 19,3 | 40,7 |
| Record min.temperature (°C) | −25,6 | −23,4 | −15,1 | −4,6 | −1,6 | 3,0 | 5,9 | 5,0 | −3,1 | −9,5 | −16,4 | −20,8 | −25,6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 39 | 37 | 37 | 47 | 65 | 70 | 50 | 50 | 43 | 47 | 60 | 49 | 593 |
| Number of sunshine hours per month | 55 | 84 | 137 | 182 | 230 | 248 | 274 | 255 | 197 | 156 | 67 | 48 | 1933 |
Electricity: 230/50Hz (European Plug)
Internet
Broadband and Fiber Optic Internet access is now widespread in Hungary. It's quite usual to find free Internet access (wifi) in Shopping centers; in Budapest, most cafes and pubs. You'll have wifi access even in small towns. Look for the "wifi" signs, you may have to ask for the access password, however, if you consume, it will be free.
Calling code: +36
Time Zone
Hungary is in the Central European Time zone, being one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time GMT +1 in the winter months starting the last Sunday in October. Then shifted forward one hour (GMT +2) in the summer months, starting on the last Sunday in March.
Smoking
The protection of non-smokers is very important in Hungary, resulting in very tight smoking restrictions, especially compared to other countries in the EU. Smoking is forbidden in most areas, including all closed public areas (e.g. pubs, schools, playgrounds, parks, bus stops, clubs). In case of buildings, smokers must keep a minimum of 5 meters of distance from the entrance. Breaking the rules can result in an expensive fine.
What to buy?
Apart from classical tourist souvenirs like postcards and trinkets, here are some things unique to Hungary or just hard to find elsewhere.
- Cold-smoked sausages
- Spices: Paprika and Hungarian Saffron.
- Wines: Tokaji, Egri Bikavér (see Liquor), red wine from Villány area etc.
- Pálinka: very famous and strong brandy made from fruits.
- Unicum: a herbal digestif liqueur.
Stay Healthy
- Food and water are generally safe, even in remote villages.
- Private health care providers are high quality but limited in scope once outside Budapest.
- Public health care is free for qualifying (insured) people and is of adequate quality in urban areas.
- The country has joined the EU, so basic coverage is present for EU citizens.
- Pharmacies are everywhere, you may expect high prices, but very good pharmaceutical coverage. The only problem might be communicating with the pharmacist as most of them speak only Hungarian outside Budapest. Even some rusty Latin might come handy quite unexpectedly.
Respect
- The 1956 Revolution continues to be a sensitive subject with the right wing community and many of the elderly. You shouldn't discuss the Treaty of Trianon (1920) with nationalists - they can take it pretty sensitively.
- Open display of the Communist red star and hammer and sickle symbol, the Nazi swastika and SS symbols, and the Hungarian fascist Arrow Cross, is prohibited by law. Make sure your clothing does not have these symbols on it, even if it's just a joke. You can be fined for it. One possible exception is displaying shirts and symbols with Josip Tito's, Yugoslavia's best-known leader, known in Hungary for straying from Stalin's path.
- As a rural tradition, Hungarians affectionately refer to themselves as "dancing with tears in our eyes", as in a bittersweet resignation to the perceived bad luck in their long history. Avoid mocking Hungarian history and Hungarian patriotism.
- When entering a home, shoes should generally be taken off.
Uncommon Customs
- Even if you meet someone of the opposite sex for the first time, it's not unusual to kiss each other on the cheeks instead of shaking hands as a greeting.
- It's an old tradition that Hungarians do not clink beer glasses or beer bottles. This is due to the legend that Austrians celebrated the execution of the 13 Hungarian Martyrs in 1849 by clinking their beer glasses, so Hungarians vowed not to clink with beer for 150 years. Obviously, this time period has expired, but old habits die hard.
- Buying drinks to ladies: in some bars and clubs girls might come to you to lure you into buying drinks for them. Politely turn them down, otherwise the staff might surprise you with an exorbitant bill.
- Pickpockets are most active on public transport vehicles, on escalators leading down and coming up from the metro, in crowded shops and popular touristy places (Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion, Parliament, Danube promenade, Váci Street, and the Zoo). So kindly Keep your money, documents, mobile phone safe and secure; in a belt bag at the front of your body or in an inside pocket. Keep your camera in a bag with a strap wearing it across your shoulder.
Tipping in Hungary
Tips are given in Hungary for some services: in restaurants, in bars, to cab drivers, to hairdressers, and often to people that fix things around the house, like plumbers and electricians. Tips are called “borravaló" which is “a little something for wine", in Hungarian. Although not legally required, social norms encourage that tips are given. The amount varies by profession: in restaurants the normal amount is around 5% to 10% of the total bill, but hairdressers can expect 25% or more in tips, since they are expected to make more money in tips than in wages.
