4 romantic forest cabins to hide away from the world

The Tiny House in Nagymaros not only offers a break from the stress of everyday life, but also an insight into off-grid living (i.e. independent of networks). It is a thrilling experience, especially when you are living in a 22-square-metre caravan that looks like it has all the comforts of home. Installed within a 1-hour radius of the capital, the building-like vehicle (after all, a Tiny House is a vehicle) has everything you need, without frills. The cabin is a stone’s throw from the Danube, in the middle of the floodplain forest: the only neighbours are grazing deer and wild boars. This special accommodation is ideal for two people, but the pull-out sofa can accommodate two extra people. You can also ask for a breakfast basket to be delivered to your door, and during the day the attractions of the Danube Bend await you – all year round!

  ZenZug is a forest cabin not much bigger than the Tiny House, at just 50 square metres. Perőcsény, a tidy dead-end village in the Börzsöny Mountains, is home to the peaceful guesthouse.

The cottage is a real refuge from our overwhelmed selves: at ZenZug, everything is tuned to help us find a little peace within. Books, board games, a selection of teas, a yoga mat, a heated hot tub, bright stars, a colourful forest and unforgettable views will help you meditate. The Scandinavian-style chalet can comfortably accommodate four adults, with an extra bed in the living room for two extra people. There are great hiking trails nearby, but if you are looking for even deeper relaxation, you can book a guided forest meditation. To top it all off, you can even request a sunset picnic basket!

Hidden among the vineyards of the Zala hillside is the exciting little building of WoodParadise. In the Chardonnay apartment, pleasure, light, warmth and harmony are the order of the day. Whether autumn, spring, winter or summer, this cosy little retreat is perfect for groups of friends (or even couples). In winter, sit in the sauna with unparalleled views of the vineyards, or in milder weather, hire an e-bike from the nearby Kis-Balaton Visitor Centre and explore the area. If you’d rather drink wine (and maybe you have already run out), you can walk over to the nearby Cézár winery for a tasting. The apartment has a double bed on the gallery and a pull-out sofa bed on the ground floor. We highly recommend watching the Balaton sunset from the vineyard, and returning at dusk to see if you can catch a few grazing deer.      

In the middle of the unique montane beech forest reserve of the Mátra Mountains, in the neighbourhood of Mátraszentimre, lies the so called ‘Vadregényes Házikó’ (Wilderness House). Just getting to the cabin, ideal for two people, is an adventure. You can reach the chalet via a dirt road, while it becomes clear to you that here you will really be away from everything and everyone. Once you’ve warmed up thanks to the stove, take in the surroundings: go hiking (there is a hiking trail nearby) or take a dip in the sauna outside. The nearby villages are also worth a visit. Fallóskút was, for example, the home of Sándor Szél, Hungary’s only “full-time” hermit, but Mátraszentimre is also worth a visit. But if you want to stay away from civilisation, put on your hiking boots and head off in search of the protected animals of the Mátra; the alpine newt or the marsh turtle.