The Times named two Hungarian cities among the best for mini vacations!

It is always an honour for Hungary to be featured in articles and lists about the best places for sightseeing, thermal bathing, eating, among others. However, when it is not one but two Hungarian cities that make it to a prestigious list, it is even more of a happy news! This is exactly what happened now, as The Times – more precisely, its sister title, The Sunday Times – featured two Hungarian cities on its list called ‘The best mini-breaks in Eastern Europe’.

‘The best mini-breaks in Eastern Europe — plus where to stay, eat and visit‘ is the full title of the article of The Sunday Times, a British conservative weekly. Despite Budapest usually being on top of these lists, the 3rd place was not taken by the Hungarian capital. It was awarded to the second largest city of Hungary: Debrecen.

Debrecen, Hungary takes 3rd place

Belga Boutique Hotel, Debrecen. Source: belgahotel.hu

“Hungary’s unsung second city has a Budapest-style line-up of trundling trams, ruin bars and beautiful churches — not least the canary-yellow St Anne’s Cathedral. Thermal spa centres await here too, this time with a large student population injecting extra energy. Frequent festivals enliven the pedestrianised heart of town and guides offer excursions to the Tokaj region, which produces world-famous sweet wines, and the vast Puszta grassland patrolled by cowboys and strange-looking sheep. Back in Debrecen, the deluxe Belga Boutique Hotel is implausibly affordable.”

The description of The Sunday Times perfectly summarises what Debrecen is all about: lively atmosphere, breathtaking sights, relaxing thermal spas, friendly people, great wine and excellent accommodation. One should absolutely not miss this gem of a city when visiting Hungary.

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Budapest, Hungary takes 20th place

Aria Hotel Budapest
Source: Varrodesign

Scrolling a bit further down, we meet the Hungarian capital. In the case of Budapest, The Sunday Times highlights sightseeing and thermal baths.

“Thanks to Hungary’s weak currency, a day’s soak at the belle époque Szechenyi thermal bath currently costs from just £21 (szechenyibath.hu). And after climbing up to green-domed Buda Castle and exploring the growing number of cultural attractions in Varosliget park, you may need it. New additions include impressive music and ethnography museums plus a 150m-high fixed balloon to ride (£15; ligetbudapest.hu). Dine at the plant-focused, waste-free Twentysix° (mains from £8: twentysixbudapest.com) before a sound night’s sleep at the palatial Aria Hotel.”

Let us take the advice of The Sunday Times and visit these two beautiful cities as soon as we get the chance to!

Read alsoBudapest one of the top European wellness hotspots!

Source: The Sunday Times