Hungary (Interrail Countries)

Hungary is located in Central Europe in the Carpathian Basin. The country is famous for its hospitality. The country is neighboured by Austria and Slovenia to the west, Croatia and Yugoslavia to the south, Ukraine and Romania to the east and the Slovak Republic to the north. Main attractions of Hungary are Castle Hill and the Royal Palace in Budapest, as well as the immense Lake Balaton.

Country characteristics

Budapest
With the River Danube as its pulse, Budapest beats to a rhythm of indomitable spirit cloaked in beauty and charm. And no wonder. The Hungarian capital is exquisitely laid out on both sides of the Danube, claiming one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Europe.

Castle Hill
Castle Hill on the Buda side of the Danube - with the neo-Gothic Matthias Church surrounded by quaintly restored medieval homes on cobblestone streets, with the imposing Royal Palace, which houses the National Gallery and its precious works of art, with the turreted Fishermen's Bastion that rounds it all off - deserves to be a part of the World Heritage. 
Once in Budapest, the spa capital, do not miss the shooting thermal spring baths such as Rudas, Gellért, Széchenyi Baths.

Shops and Museums
A light stroll through the sights of Buda is perfectly complemented by darting through the bustle of Pest. The glittering Vaci utca (street) offers up some of the best shops of the city. Office buildings, shopping malls and supermarkets are set in perfect harmony with the elegant St. Stephen's Basilica, as well as the sprawling Heroes' Square, bordered by the neo-Classical Museum of Fine Arts.

Belle Epoque of Pest
Pest also invites you to Café Gerbaud, Café New-York, grand icons of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with the charming atmosphere of the ‘Belle Epoque’.

Danube Bend
Just half an hour north of Budapest is a special area where the Danube changes course, known as Dunakanyar, or Danube Bend. Situated here is the lovely town of Szentendre, impeccably preserved in vivid Baroque architecture and colours. The town is so much a visual delight that many painters, sculptors and writers have chosen to live there.

Sopron, Györ, Pecs, Szeged, Debrecen
Each of them being also centres of their regions, these delightful places with ancient walls, narrow streets and Baroques churches can be reached easily by InterCity trains departing from Budapest every three or four hours, offering you one day trips in the country.

Danube and Tisza
Half of Hungary’s country area is flat plains with a mountainous region spanning it diagonally. The two largest rivers are the Danube and the Tisza, which traverse Hungary from north to south.

Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton, the warmest Lake in Central Europe is located in the middle of hilly Transdanubia, the region west of the Danube. Balaton makes the conditions just right for a pure enjoyment vacation with swimming, sailing, windsurfing or even fishing.

National parks
‘Magyar Puszta’ the plain occupying the entire eastern part of the country awaits those interested in folk traditions and characteristic domestic animals at the popular Hortobagy National Park or the Kiskunsag National Park during organised equestrian shows.

Hungarian cuisine
Once in Hungary, do not miss to taste the specialities of Hungarian cuisine, such as gulash, paprika chicken or stuffed cabbage, and all those delicious wines of Tokaj, Balaton or Villany regions.

Source http://www.interrailnet.com