Explore Hungary - Unveiling the Wonders

All About Hungary

Hungary History

History

The history of Hungary is a story of relentless conflict, invasions and resilience that has moulded the nation into what it stands as today. The Magyar tribes were the earliest known settlers of Hungary and their presence dates back to the year 1000.

Led by Árpád, the Magyars established Hungary as a state and converted it to Christianity under King Stephen I. Hungary was a cultural and economic hub in Europe during this era and Buda was its capital.

During the 16th century the Ottomans vied for power in Hungary and this resulted in it being split into two distinct parts. The Habsburg and the Ottoman regions.

After World War II Hungary fell to the communists and became a part of the Eastern Bloc. It was only in 1989 that Hungary truly gained independence and became a democratic republic.

Local Customs

Customs

Hungarian customs have been shaped by many settlers that lived here through the ages. These traditions have evolved over time and shaped the way of life we know today. Hungarian hospitality is extremely warm and sees guests bringing gifts of flowers and chocolates for the hosts. Whereas the hosts go out of their way to make the guests feel comfortable and well-fed with authentic Hungarian delicacies.

The calendar is full of festivals and celebrations that span the entire year. Events like Easter see men sprinkle perfume or water on women that symbolises fertility and renewal.

Name days see a very unique ritual take place in Hungary. Each day is named after a saint from history and people with the same name or names derived from it receive well wishes and even host small gatherings

Embracing Local Culture

Culture

As stated, Hungarian culture is a result of this region being influenced by many civilizations like the Magyar tribes, Ottomans, Communists and many more. Today, the country sees many uphold the old ways and others shift over to more contemporary options. Whatever the choice may be, the culture of these lands are truly unique.

Hungarian folk dances and songs are very popular amongst the locals and a fantastic experience for tourists. They are traditionally performed during festivals and religious gatherings. Hungarian cuisine is famed to be very hearty and flavourful. Traditional preparations like Goulash which is a stew with meat and vegetables. It is also the nation’s national dish. The architectural heritage of this country is quite diverse as well which can be seen in the Roman ruins, Baroque castles, Art Nouveau buildings and much more.

Traditional Languages

Languages

Hungarian is the official language of the state and all government information, media and education is carried out in the same. It is a part of the Finno-Ugric language set and helps Hungary stand out in an European crowd. At present, the majority of the people amongst the local population converse in this language and it is also the mother tongue for most of them.

Other major languages spoken by a substantial chunk of the population includes English and German. Other minor language pockets include speakers of Bulgarian, Armenian, Croatian, Romanian and Greek. However, the majority of the population in Hungary is monolingual. The government is making strides towards making English speakers more common as the country has become a very popular tourist destination.

Currency and Payment

Currency

Although it is a part of the European Union, the official currency of Hungary is called the Hungarian Forint which is denoted by the letters ‘HUF’. It uses the sign ‘ft.’ as well. The forint is the only accepted currency across the country and it is available in banknotes and coins. As far as coins are concerned you can use 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 forint valued ones. Whereas banknotes can be found with higher denominations like 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 forints.

Major credit cards like MasterCard and VISA are widely accepted in urban areas and large shopping districts. You can also use the many ATMs, that can be found pretty easily, to dispense cash, as and when needed. Contactless payment systems like Apple and Google Pay are also accepted.

Shopping in Hungary

Shopping

Shopping in Hungary is a relatively delightful experience as it sports a blend of unique local crafts, high-end shopping complexes and traditional markets. The Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) in Budapest is an iconic market and a popular landmark for tourists.

Local handicrafts make for great gifts and showpieces for loved ones back home. The most popular choices in the markets of Hungary include goods made with Herend Porcelain. Other handicrafts made by the locals include Matyō and Hungarian embroidered goods.

Váci street in Budapest is known for its assortment of high-end boutiques and designer stores. You can find great clothing, accessories and jewellery here. Additionally, there are also some upmarket handicraft stores here. If you are solely interested in fashion, you should visit Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc utca) which is also located within the capital city.