Why go to Hungary with children? It was actually a curiosity we had wanted to satisfy for a long time, even before our daughters were born.
We always liked to find alternative itineraries that went a little bit outside of the classic sightseeing tour, and that is why when we were planning the trip to Slovenia, we decided to devote a few days to discovering Hungary, researching places that were a little less known but no less fascinating.
Of course, a visit to the Hungarian capital could not be missed.
Hungary with children: Budapest and beyond. Information
Florin coin.
Document ID card for citizens of the European Union.
Toll payment: those entering Hungary are required to have a vignette. It can be bought at service areas within half an hour of entering the highway
Our itinerary in Hungary
Our tour in Hungary lasted 7 days. We arrived from the wine road in Slovenia and stayed overnight in an apartment in Zalakaros.
The first stop on our trip was Bella Stables and Animal Park in SIÓFOK, a zoo with many animals kept really well. Here our daughter decided to have her saddle christening.
We then continued on to Szentendre, which is very nice, and from there our itinerary touched on Danube Bend, Budapest, Lake Balaton, Kis-Balaton and then back to Marburg to finish our trip in Slovenia.
Where to sleep in Hungary with children
Having small children for convenience we always booked in apartments so that we could prepare our own dinner and not have time constraints.
Our accommodations have been apartments (with separate entrance, garden, sometimes also equipped with barbecue) in cottages of locals.
The people are very friendly and helpful, we have never had any particular problems except perhaps poor cleanliness in a couple of apartments.
You will find directions to the ones we liked best.
What to see in Ungheria with children
Bella Stables and Animal Park at SIÓFOK
Premise, we are not lovers of zoos in general, it makes us a little sad to see animals in cages, but when we searched for information on the net, we read several rave reviews about this wildlife park therefore we decided to pay it a visit. Expectations were not disillusioned. The zoo covers an area of 30,000 square meters, the park is clean and neat, and some animals (camels, donkeys, dogs) are allowed to roam freely among visitors, we can see that they are healthy and well cared for. Other animals such as goats, alpacas, and bunnies are enclosed in pens but you can go in and pet them.
You can also take short rides on ponies and camels (with an escort) by paying about 3 euros. Very nice for the kids!
The visit lasts approximately one and a half to two hours if you decide to stop and have something to eat at the little kiosk inside.
Informations
The park is located next to the M7 highway, is well marked, and has free parking in front of the ‘entrance.
Opening hours: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Ticket: 5.50 euros adult, free children under 2 years old. The ticket office is located at the entrance of the park.
Check the hours on the website.
What to see nearby
A ten-minute drive from the town of Székesfehérvár is Bory Castle.
The castle was built by Jenő Bory (1879-1959), a sculptor and architect, as a proof of love for his wife. We only took a peek from outside. Truly fascinating. to be amazed!
Address: Bory Castle, Székesfehérvár, Máriavölgy 54, 8000 Hungary.
Hungary with children: Budapest and beyond. Szentendre
Szentendre is a small town located on the right bank of the Danube in Pest province, 20 km north of Budapest. It is known for its many museums and art galleries. It was very relaxing to take a stroll through its beautiful old town and along the banks of the Danube.
If your children also have a sweet tooth, you cannot miss a visit to the Marzipan Museum.
There are several small rooms where these extraordinary artworks such as the Budapest Parliament, Disney characters, Lady D, several castles, Elvis, Muppet Show puppets, etc. are displayed. In order to be best preserved, they are enclosed in display cases and covered with a thin layer of sugar.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ticket: 450 forints.
Where to sleep
We found a really nice little apartment that we want to point out, it has no real kitchen just a microwave so in the evening we ordered a tasty goulash from a nearby restaurant using the equivalent of our Just Eat.
Bükkös Apartman – 2000 Szentendre, 42 Kovács László utca, Hungary. Book here.
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Hungary with children: Budapest and beyond. Duna-Ipoly Nemzeti Park and Ansa of Danube
Duna-Ipoly Nemzety Park is the second largest national park in Hungary by geographical extent.
We decided to see the Danube Bend from an exceptional vantage point, walking the Prédikálószék (Pulpit or Preacher’s Chair) trail in Pilisszentlaszlo. Continue reading…
Budapest
Budapest is nicknamed the “Pearl of the Danube,” it is an elegant and refined city; the imposing river runs through it separating Buda, on the hill, from Pest, lying on the left bank.
We decided to spend 3 days in the Hungarian capital. Continue reading…
Lake Balaton
With an area of nearly 600 km2, Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. Its waters warm up very easily in the summertime therefore its shores in July and August are taken by storm by tourists.
There are 120 bathing “beaches” around the lake, almost all of which are paid and well equipped. In addition to swimming, at Balaton one can fish, sail, ride pedal boats, and thanks to a large and well-marked bicycle path, one can enjoy a nice bicycle ride.
The landscape surrounding the southern shore has no particular attractions vice versa to the northwest Lake Balaton is surrounded by vineyards and orchards, and there are several interesting excursions in which to stop. Continue reading…
Hungary with children: Budapest and beyond. Kis-Balaton
Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) is a protected natural area that remains some 20 km from Lake Balaton in a southwesterly direction.
It includes meadows and forests surrounding a marshy area which is the habitat of more than 250 species of waterfowl.
What to see
The route is well-marked; you leave your car in the large paid parking lot and walk to the information board where the most important stops are indicated.
The entire tour will take you a couple of hours at most. Trail is not particularly difficult, it is almost entirely flat, you need a good repellent though!!!
There are tables where you can picnic or, if you do not have a sack lunch, there is a kiosk from the parking lot. Opening hours, March to October 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nearby
A 5-kilometer drive from Kis-Balaton is the Buffalo reserve Zalakomár; it is a nice stop for families with children. Buffalo are among Hungary’s oldest animal species.
In the early 19th century, there were at least 100,000 animals living in Hungary, but because they were used as draught, beef and dairy animals, their numbers had dwindled to 16.
With the establishment of the reserve, the number was restored to more than 200!
Inside the park there is also an observation tower, a small museum and the ever-present children’s playground.
Address – Zalakomár, Zalakomár és Balatonmagyaród között (Kápolnapuszta), 8751 Hungary.
Where to sleep
Our itinerary continued into Slovenia so we decided to stop for the night in Maribor.
We recommend the Pension Black Baron hotel, which has apartments and connecting rooms, in-house restaurant and breakfast included. Added value if you are staying with children, it has a huge park with a nice playground, a drinking fountain and some donkeys. You can have dinner sitting at the small tables in the garden, it is the ideal place if you want to relax at the end of the day. Book here.
Hungary with children: Budapest and beyond. Conclusions
When we set out on this adventure, our little girls were just under 1 and 3 years old, the little one was always in her backpack or baby carrier, the “big one” on the other hand who is used to walking, went on her own little legs.
We never had any problems finding necessities for the little one who was in the process of weaning, and we felt welcome everywhere.
Even in the planning stages of the trip, we were impressed by the many attractions Hungary seemed to have to offer, and now, with the trip over, we can only confirm that we loved it and that it remains a feasible destination for a trip with children.
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Hungary guide
