Hungary
Fast facts
Language: Hungarian (though German is also widely spoken)
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Population: 9,976,062
Size: 35,918 square miles (93,028 square kilometers) - slightly smaller than Indiana
Border countries: Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine
National tourist office: www.hungary.com
At a glance
Hungary, a small, landlocked country in Central Europe, has much to offer visitors. Its capital, Budapest, is referred to as both the "Pearl of Danube" and "Little Paris of Middle Europe." Overlooking the Danube River, the two communities of Buda and Pest were connected by the Chain Bridge in the 19th century forming Budapest. Highlights of the city include Castle Hill on which Buda Castle sits, Hungarian State Opera House, Fisherman's Bastion and Hungarian Parliament Building. Hungary also boasts Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest freshwater lake. A major outdoor destination for locals and tourists, the fifty-mile lake offers countless trails for cycling and hiking along with a wide-range of water sports. Vineyards surround the lake where you can enjoy Hungary’s famous white wines while tasting Hungarian goulash and strudel.
Why cyclists love it
With more than 1,242 miles (2,000 km) of cycle track in the countryside and 124 miles (200 km) in Budapest, Hungary has become a popular destination for cyclists. Traveling through the countryside is a great way to see the diverse landscape. The most popular biking in Hungary is in the Lake Balaton region and along the Danube Bike Path. The Danube Bike Path is Europe’s most popular bike path, traveling through Germany and Austria before reaching Hungary.
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Top regions
Lake Balaton
Called the "Hungarian Sea" by locals, Lake Balaton is an ideal spot for outdoor activities, especially cycling, and family trips. Highlights of the surrounding area include Badacsony Hill reaching 1,312 feet (400 meters), the peninsula of Tihany and the Balaton Uplands National Park.
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Top tours
Castles, Lakes and Spas of West Hungary
This tour cycles along the Danube River, Lake Ferto and Lake Balaton, passing picturesque landscapes, historical wine regions and thermal baths. A highlight of this tour is staying in castles, mansions and historic buildings selected for their unique atmosphere and location.
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Hungarian Danube Bicycle Tour
On this tour you will cycle along the beautiful scenery of the Danube River in Northwest Hungary. Highlights of the tour include the lakes of Tata, medieval castles at Visegrad and Tata and Hungary's largest cathedral in Esztergom.
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Vienna to Budapest Bike Tour (Self-Guided)
Starting in Austria's elegant capital, Vienna, this self-guided tour travels on flat roads with slight hills till it reaches Budapest. Vienna to Budapest Spa and Bike Traveling from Vienna to Budapest, this tour allows cyclists to enjoy a ride in the morning before relaxing in wellness facilities or hot springs in the afternoon.
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Vienna to Budapest Cycling Tour, with Bratislava
This tour's scenery includes the wonderful landscapes along the Danube River while also visiting three cities: Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava, Slovakia. Other highlights of the tour include the Danube Floodplains National Park and the Archaeological Park Carnuntum.
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Wine and Bike in Hungary's Balaton Uplands
Along with cycling through the Balaton Uplands National Park, this wine and bike tour includes lunch and wine tasting at family owned vineyards and homemade traditional Hungarian dishes.
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