Car Hire Hungary - Mini guide to Hungary

With lovely Budapest as its centrepiece, Hungary has emerged from its Soviet-era past to become one of Eastern Europe’s most visited and prosperous countries. With a thousand-year Magyar history, the country has a proud heritage on display.

Budapest was once one of Europe’s most auspicious cities during its Hapsburg heyday, and you can see why. South of the lovely Danube, historic Buda, sit on a distinctive ridge affording an excellent view of the newer, flatter, Pest. The Old Town, the Royal Palace (14th C), and 700-year-old St Matthias Church are all impressive sights.

Óbuda, with its remarkable Roman ruins, is the oldest suburb. Budapest is also known for its hotsprings and baths, found all around Buda, notably the Gellert baths.

Across the river, the Gothic Parliament buildings are distinctly Westminster-like, several impressive bridges span the Danube and an astonishing collection of fine museums and neo-classic buildings are found throughout this dated but otherwise charming city. Reminiscent of Paris, the Andrássy Boulevard, together with the old-fashioned trams add a touch of elegant old Europe to Budapest, and Heroes' Square is impressive with statues of Hungary's greatest leaders. All the Soviet statues have been banished to a curious park out of town.

Pécs has an illustrious past. Renowned for its music, opera and ballet, this city has some of the finest Turkish monuments in the country. Most noticeable is the 16th C ‘Mosque church’, with its octagonal green copper dome, and confusing denomination-switching history. Erzsébet Town is the charming old Jewish quarter, with its Byzantine-looking synagogue.

The Victor Vasarely Museum is the most memorable of the many museums here.

More details on Budapest.