Situated in the centre of Europe, Hungary is an array of cultural influence and grand architecture.
If you’re looking for fascinating architecture, majestic cities and an exciting nightlife, Hungary is the perfect place for you. And what better way to travel than by river cruise? Our range of river cruises in Hungary offer you the chance to discover its Roman and Ottoman influenced cities, whilst relaxing on an incredible five-star vessel.
Our expert Cruise Directors and local guides will be on hand to give you the most authentic introduction to a culture that’s steeped in folklore and tradition. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Hungary’s magnificent capital is a collage of grand buildings, visualising galleries and quaint Baroque churches. Sightseeing is a must when visiting the city, as are the delicious dishes. While you’re here, why not try gulyás (chunks of beef, vegetables, potatoes and paprika) or a scrumptious dish of paprikas csirke (chicken in paprika sauce) – we’re seeing a theme here. We’ll meander past the Blue Danube’s spectacular landscapes and enjoy the luxuries onboard as we set sail along the Danube - enjoying the immaculate cityscape - to explore more of Hungary and beyond to Austria, Slovakia and Germany. So, how about choosing Hungary for your next holiday?
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While Hungary is in the European Union, they do not use the Euro as currency, Hungary’s currency is the Forint. Some shops and restaurants in the city centres will accept EUR, however we recommend using Forint as the exchange rate is typically better.
Budapest
Divided by the majestic river Danube, the capital of Hungary is made up of two cities: Buda and Pest, which sit on the banks either side of the river. Budapest is known as the ‘City of Spas’, and visitors are drawn to the city’s many thermal baths, including the stunning architecture of Széchenyi. Budapest boasts a wide array of amazing architecture including the Hungarian State Opera House, considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, and the Hungarian Parliament building. Keep an eye out for one of the city’s ruin pubs - bars and restaurants that have emerged in derelict spaces to offer a unique experience. Finally, the Chain Bridge was the first bridge to connect Buda and Pest, with this imposing structure linking the Danube’s imperial cities.
Kalosca
Many legends surround this historic city, from heroes and villains to marauding invading forces, but it’s also famous as being the centre of the paprika industry, an essential part of Hungarian cuisine. Visit the Paprika Museum to find out more about the fascinating history of ‘red gold’ and its cultural and economic importance. The city is also home to an impressive baroque cathedral and an elegant palace that was once home to archbishops.
Visegrad
This beautiful medieval town nestling on the banks of the Danube is renowned for its historic citadel and the remains of the Early Renaissance royal palace of Matthias Corvinus. The 14th Century palace has been beautifully restored, giving visitors an insight into this incredible period in the country’s history. The castle sits high on a hill overlooking the town and the river, and was once the centre of the royal court, ruling over the medieval kingdom of Hungary. You can also see the remains of a 4th Century Roman camp, once part the frontier of the vast Roman Empire.
Discover the Danube
Running through much of Central and Eastern Europe, the river Danube spans 10 countries and four capital cities - more than any other river in the world. A cruise down the Danube is a great way to experience Hungary, connecting the capital of Budapest with other major cities in Europe while touring the gorgeous castles encountered along the way. The river connects Hungary’s cities to the country, offering a full taste of this nation’s history and scenery, from Budapest and Szentendre to the beautiful countryside on the famous Danube Bend.
Gödöllő Palace
Heralded as one of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary’s favourite places, the Royal Palace of Gödöllő is an important piece of Hungarian architecture. The palace was designed in the Baroque style by András Mayerhoffer and became the designated resident for the Hungarian royal family upon their coronation. Having been carefully renovated and restored over the years, its regal charm is a treat to all who visit the grounds and the ornate halls of the palace.
Sziget festival
Held every August in northern Budapest, Sziget festival is one of Europe’s largest music and cultural festivals, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually. Starting off as a way to provide arts programming to students after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the festival now takes over the entirety of the 266-acre Óbuda Island, hosting over 1,000 performances. As well as international artists like Ed Sheeran, the festival also features many smaller venues including circus acts, theatre, and art. Not for the faint-hearted, Sziget festival has become one of the major cultural events in the European calendar.
Hungary enjoys a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The east is slightly more continental that the south where the winters are milder. Generally speaking, average winter temperatures are around freezing (0°C) whereas summer temperatures (July and August) average 22°C, sometimes reaching as high as 35°C on the hottest days of summer.
As with the culture and architecture of the country, Hungarian cuisine is a blend of different flavours and backgrounds. Perhaps the country’s most significant contribution to food is paprika, with the Hungarians bringing the spice to the new world in the 1500s. Hungary is also famous for goulash, a rich stew that varies significantly across regions, while its other national dish, Halászlé, is lesser known, with this fish soup made from mixed river fish and hot paprika.
The mouth-watering Lángos is a must-try for anyone visiting Hungary, with this deep-fried flat bread served with various toppings. Try it with the Hungarian sour cream called tejföl, which makes just about everything taste delicious. Hungary is also well-known for its sweet treats, including kürtös kalács the beloved ‘Chimney cake’, somlói galuska - a sponge layered with chocolate cream, walnuts and rum - and the Dobos torte, which features thin layers of sponge cake, chocolate buttercream and caramel.
In terms of drink, Hungary has been making wine since the Roman Empire, and has a wide range of excellent red and white wines. For the more adventurous, try Hungary’s signature fruit brandy, Pálinka, made from plums, apricots and cherries.
As with the culture and architecture of the country, Hungarian cuisine is a blend of different flavours and backgrounds. Perhaps the country’s most significant contribution to food is paprika, with the Hungarians bringing the spice to the new world in the 1500s. Hungary is also famous for goulash, a rich stew that varies significantly across regions, while its other national dish, Halászlé, is lesser known, with this fish soup made from mixed river fish and hot paprika.
The mouth-watering Lángos is a must-try for anyone visiting Hungary, with this deep-fried flat bread served with various toppings. Try it with the Hungarian sour cream called tejföl, which makes just about everything taste delicious. Hungary is also well-known for its sweet treats, including kürtös kalács the beloved ‘Chimney cake’, somlói galuska - a sponge layered with chocolate cream, walnuts and rum - and the Dobos torte, which features thin layers of sponge cake, chocolate buttercream and caramel.
In terms of drink, Hungary has been making wine since the Roman Empire, and has a wide range of excellent red and white wines. For the more adventurous, try Hungary’s signature fruit brandy, Pálinka, made from plums, apricots and cherries.
Tipping is not mandatory in Hungary, but it is greatly appreciated. It’s standard practice to tip 10%-15%, especially in restaurants with table service, however you might notice that many establishments include a 12.5% service charge already, so check your bill – if a service charge is included, there’s no need to leave extra.
Christianity is the main religion in Hungary with 37% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic and 12% as Calvinist but interestingly, nearly a fifth of the population identify as having no religion, while nearly a third did not choose to specify a religious affiliation.
