Hostelling in Europe – Visit Beautiful Hungary

An experience hostelling in Europe could see you visiting any number of wonderful countries and cities, to discover parts of this fabulous continent you never even knew existed. Hungary is a place often overlooked when hostelling in Europe, in favour of more famous cities such as Paris and Milan. But for those who head off the beaten track to Hungary, there are some real treats in store.

Highlights of Hungary

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is split into two halves and bursting with things to see and do. Bude is famous for its cobbled streets and wonderful city views from the Fisherman’s Bastion; in Pest, on the other hand, you can explore the modern museums, such as the Hungarian National Museum, and marvel at the Hungarian Parliament building. One of the real highlights of the capital is its thermal springs. There are more than 100 in the city and they're perfect for a relaxing treat. The Gellert Baths with its stunning dome and fabulous frescos is the most famous.

In the northwest of the country are the Caves of Aggtelek, in the national park that bears the same name. While you're hostelling in Europe you may come across many caves to explore, but these ones are particularly spectacular. The natural sinkholes and caverns, over 260 in total, have been dated back over 200 million years. The ruins of the Háromhegyi Pálos church and monastery near Martonyi village are also both well worth a visit.

Also in the northwest of the country, close to the Slovakian border, Gyor is a charming town with cobbled streets and a stunning Baroque centre. Only an hour and half from the capital by train, this makes a lovely day trip.

For something really different, you can travel along the Danube Bend and stop off at the beautiful historic towns of Szentendre, famous for its fabulous architecture, museums and eclectic artists’ colony, Visegrád with its small castle and Renaissance Palace remains, and Esztergom, home to the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed Into Heaven. Here you can also climb St Adalbert, the tallest building in Hungary.

Sóstói is famous for its Open-Air Museum that offers an interesting insight into the rural life of Hungary. Visit in the summer and you may catch one of the festivals held at the museum. The architecture here demonstrates the rural traditions and highlights the importance of culture in the region.

If you're interested in sampling some wines while hostelling in Europe, don’t just consider the offerings of France, Spain and Germany. The vintages of the Eastern European countries deserve some merit as well! Spend time exploring the Szépasszony Valley, the most famous of Hungary’s numerous wine regions, where you can go wine tasting and sample the famous Bikavér. For fabulous red wines head to Villány in the far south, and for dessert wines, Miskolc in the northeast is the place to go.

If you have time while on an adventure hostelling in Europe, it is worth remembering that heading slightly off the beaten path to some of the more low profile countries can offer some delightful surprises.

Looking for a dream travel experience? Jason H. Cunningham works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000 hostels worldwide. For the best experience hostelling in Europe, or anywhere else, join our global community and say hi to the world. From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we are the world’s local hostelling hub.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.