Budapest & Hungary Travel Guide

Hungarian food remains the most sophisticated style of cooking in Eastern Europe. Magyars even go so far as to say there are three essential world cuisines: French, Chinese and their own. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but Hungary's - and especially Budapest's - reputation as a food centre dates largely from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th and, despite a fallow period under communism, Hungarian cuisine is once again commanding attention. So too are the nation's world-renowned wines, from the big-bodied reds of Eger and Villny and white olaszrizling from Badacsony to honey-sweet Tokaj.

Folk Culture

Hungary has one of the richest folk traditions still alive in Europe. With exquisite folk paintings found on the walls and ceilings of the tiny wooden churches of the Bereg region and the wonderful embroidery that the women of Hollk stitch to decorate smocks, skirts and slippers, this is often where the country comes to the fore artistically. Traditional music, played on a five-tone diatonic scale on a host of unusual instruments, continues to thrive as well, especially at tnchzak (dance houses) peasant 'raves' taking place regularly in Budapest and other cities, where you'll hear Hungarian folk music and learn to dance too.

Fishermens Bastion, Budapest | BRIAN KINNEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

By Steve Fallon, Writer

I love both Budapest and Hungary for so many reasons that its impossible to put them into any order. Is it the capital's art nouveau architecture or the Turkish-era baths that are God-given cures for too much plinka (fruit brandy)? Is it the gentle landscape, the rolling hills of the north or the sight- and fun-filled cities like Budapest, Szeged and Debrecen? Maybe its the Jkai-style bean soup But taking pride of place with all those reasons is Hungarian itself. When I sing a song of Hungary today it may be in a beautiful language that I once considered impenetrable, but no longer do.

Budapest can now claim to be the number-one in Europe. Alongside its age-old cafe culture and hallowed music halls, it offers a magical blend of unique drinking holes, fantastic wine, home-grown firewaters and emerging craft beers, all served up with a warm Hungarian welcome and a wonderful sense of fun. Unique are the romkocsmk (ruin bars) and kertek (gardens) that pop up all over town in the warmer months.