Budapest & Hungary

This is the Budapest chapter from Lonely Planet’s Budapest & Hungary guide-book.

There’s no other city in Hungary like Budapest; everything of importance either starts or ends here. But it is the beauty of Budapest that makes it stand apart. See why unique, passionate, vibrant Budapest remains so unmissable.

• take in the views of the Danube and the rest of the city from Fishermen’s Bastion
• maps
• soak the afternoon away at Rudas Baths, a thermal bath dating from the days of the Turkish occupation
• transport
• ogle the sinuous curves and asymmetrical forms of the city’s incomparable art nouveau architecture at Royal Postal Savings Bank
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: History, Sights, Activities, Courses, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Around Budapest, Gö-döllő.

This is the Lake Balaton & Southern Transdanubia chapter from Lonely Planet’s Budapest & Hungary guidebook.

Lake Balaton is not only a happy, sunny expanse of opaque tourmaline-coloured water in which to play – step beyond its beaches and you’ll encounter vine-filled forested hills, a national park and a wild peninsula, nearly cutting the lake in half.

• wander the wild peninsula of Tihany, poking around in the Abbey Church and sipping a home-brewed beer in Hungary’s most picture-perfect lakeside village
• maps
• sail, paddleboard, swim and cycle in the Lake Balaton capital of Balatonfüred, then hit lakeside restaurants and bars by night
• transport
• check out the excellent museums, craft beer bars and coffee shops of Pécs, marvelling at the greenish- and goldish-hued ceramics at the famous porcelain factory.
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Lake Balaton Region, Balatonfüred, Tihany, Keszt-hely, Southern Transdanubia, Pécs, Mohács.

This is the Northern Hungary chapter from Lonely Planet’s Budapest & Hungary guidebook.

Forested hiking trails, superb wine regions, traditional folk culture and hilltop castle ruins beckon you to what are called the Northern Uplands. In a country as flat as a pancake, these foothills of the Carpathians soar above most of Hungary.

• savour Eger, the unequalled jewel of the Northern Uplands, celebrated for its legendary wine, baroque architecture and easy-going temperament
• maps
• spend the night and listening to the silence in the tiny village of Hollókő, where folk art and tradition live on
• transport
• taste the famous ‘wine of kings and the king of wines’ in the picturesque little town of To-kaj
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Hollókő, Eger, Tokaj, Bereg Region, Vásárosnamény, Tákos, Csaroda, Tarpa, Szatmárcseke.

Your journey to Budapest & Hungary starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on thermal baths and spas.

• tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
• list of highlights and best experiences
• everything you need to know about local food and drink
• user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Budapest & Hungary, Budapest & Hun-gary’s Top 15, Need to Know, First Time Budapest & Hungary, If You Like: Architecture, Cuisine, Thermal Spas, Folk Art, Festivals, Scenery, Month by Month, Itineraries, Travel with Children, Eat & Drink Like a Local, Thermal Baths & Spas, and Regions at a Glance.

This is the The Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia chapter from Lonely Planet’s Budapest & Hungary guidebook.

The Danube Bend is a region of peaks and picturesque river towns to the north of Budapest. It is the most beautiful stretch of the Danube along its entire course, where several historical towns vie for visitors’ attention.

• stroll the cobbled backstreets of Szentendre, where life remains largely untouched by the town’s tourist tumult
• maps
• climb up Visegrád’s medieval citadel and enjoy the wonderful views of the Danube
• transport
• explore 1000-year-old Pannonhalma Abbey, the architecturally splendid spiritual heart of Hungary, in a lofty hilltop location
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Best Places to Sleep, The Danube Bend, Szentendre, Visegrád, Esztergom, Western Transdanubia, Sopron, Őrség National Park, When to Go.

This is the The Great Plain chapter from Lonely Planet’s Budapest & Hungary guidebook.

The Great Plain and its spellbinding big-sky country holds a romantic appeal for Hungarians. The Hortobágy region is where the myth of the lonely shepherd, the wayside inn and Gypsy vio-linists – kept alive in literature and art – was born.

• birdwatch and sample the namesake meat-filled pancake in a century-old inn in Hortobágy National Park
• maps
• enjoy Kecskemét’s wonderful art nouveau architecture and pretty pedestrian squares
• transport
• take to the Tisza in a boat and seeing the culture-filled town of Szeged from an entirely new vantage point
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Kecskemét, Kiskunság National Park, Szeged.

All the info you need on everything from history, architecture and wine to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get hints on the gay and lesbian scene and tips for women travellers, travelling with kids and travellers with disabilities, as well as handy language guide and glossary.

• a rundown on Hungary’s famous and historic wines
• info on the country’s arts and architecture, from folk art to Petőfi and Liszt
• full coverage of horse riding, birdwatching, hiking and other outdoor adventures
• details on the history of the country and the people who shaped it

Coverage includes: Budapest & Hungary Today, History, The Arts, Art Nouveau Architecture, The Wines of Hungary, The Hungarian People, Outdoor Activities, Direc-tory A–Z, Transport, and Language.