5+1 places to discover in Hungary
Excursion tips: Bükkszentkereszt
Bükkszentkereszt is located in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, in the Bükk region. Visitors to the area will find many wonderful places to visit.
One of the most interesting places in the village is the forest in which the mysterious stoneof the Blessed Virgin Mary is located. According to the locals, the stone has healing powers, as many have recovered from illnesses after visiting and resting by the rock. The healingpower of the stone is linked to the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that she was passing through the area when she became tired and took a rest by the stone. In doing so, she gave the rock extraordinary power. Some people say that they feel numbness in their limbs near the stone.
There is another, lesser-known excursion site in Bükkszentkereszt. The Herb House and Herb Garden is a huge area filled with medicinal plants. This is the garden of local herbalist, Gyuri Szabó. The aim is to preserve the values of folk medicine with different herbs and plants. The herbs are in season from May to September, so it's well worth a visit.
Who doesn't love lookout points and their spectacular panoramic views? The Little South Lookout is a wooden lookout in Bükkszentkereszt, offering a magnificent view of the countryside. The lookout can be reached by car, so it is also recommended for those who
prefer to enjoy the view without hiking.
Ipolytarnóc Fossils
Excursion tips usually include the most popular places. However, Hungary hides many places that very few people know about. For example, the Ipolytarnóc Fossils Nature Reserve, which is a veritable time machine.
In the blink of an eye, this place transports us back to 17 million years ago, to a world of primates and dinosaurs. Interestingly, unlike most exhibits, the remains displayed here are not copies. The petrified trees, leaves and footprints of primitive animals are all real, preserved for us by nature. Kids who love dinosaurs will adore this world, the exhibit and the 3D cinema about the age of the dinosaurs.
Somoskő
The settlement is located on the border with Slovakia. Two of its main attractions are the castle of Somoskő and the amazing basalt organ. In the Middle Ages, large quantities of basalt were mined to build the castle. This is when the regular pentagonal and hexagonal basalt columns were discovered, which still decorate the slopes of the castle hill. Interestingly, these basalt formations are not found in many places. They can only be seen in very few places in the world.
The castle of Somoskő stands majestically above the Medves Plateau. The road to the castle is lined with beautiful green trees, which give a magical atmosphere to the hike to the castle. It is of historical interest that the castle has been damaged by several wars over the centuries. It was initially rebuilt for defence, but in the 1680s it lost its military function for good. Restoration work was first carried out in the 1970s, saving the castle from further deterioration.
Aranyosi Valley
The Aranyosi Valley is one of the best places for hiking, as it has everything you need to make a trip enjoyable. The fresh air of the 15 km long valley floor cleanses the lungs of urban air pollutants. The trees in blossom and greenery, and the spring with its drinkable
water, create the atmosphere of a real enchanted forest. There's even a tarmac road for those looking for a more active holiday and wanting to cycle the route. In addition, several rest stops have been established in the forest, providing the opportunity to rest between
two longer stops. Here, picnic lovers can enjoy the delicious snacks they have packed for the trip.
Those who don't want to walk miles to the forest don't have to miss out on the experience either. The valley can also be reached by car. From the car park, it's just a few hundred metres on foot to the nature reserve.
Old Village of Hollókő
Hollókő is one of the country's great prides, as it is the only Hungarian village on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Therefore, it isn’t just Hungarians stopping by for visit. The village was not turned into a museum, but remains inhabited to this day.
The village has preserved its traditional layout and architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. Another interesting fact is that the people who live there are keeping their traditions, so most of the buildings are still in use centuries later.
Excursion tips: Lake Tisza Ecocentre
Hungary is home to several wildlife parks, including the little-known Lake Tisza Ecocentre. The Ecocentre located in Poroszló is much more than a wildlife park. It is home to the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. Thanks to its tunnel-like design, the 1 million-litre aquarium is an extraordinary experience for young and old alike. It's just like walking underwater to see a variety of small and large fish species. Visitors can also feed small animals and watch the feeding of the 3 otters living at the Ecocentre. In the leisure park,
little ones can have fun in the playground and enjoy a boat trip from the centre's own marina.
The region beyond the Tisza is also home to Poroszló and other sightseeing destinations. Some are very close to each other and to the Outlet Hotel, so if you're planning a multi-day trip, distance won't be a problem. Book a room in our hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner in our restaurant after a pleasantly tiring excursion. In between two days of excursions, you can recharge in the wellness area of the Outlet Hotel.