Hungarian novels that tempt you to travel

When we travel around Hungary, we may not even think about the fact that our great writers were inspired by the same places we stare at with our mouths open. The characteristic squares, parks and buildings of towns and cities, both large and small, are seen in a completely different light when viewed through the mirror of a novel or story. Ready to start the journey?

Kőszeg is a real tourist paradise with its beautiful historic town centre and its wild and scenic surroundings. Nearby is the Írott-kő, the first stop of the Blue Tour, the highest point of the Kőszeg Mountains and the Transdanubian region. Walking through the bourgeois houses on the Main Square, it is not difficult to recall Ottlik’s novel. The author went to school in Kőszeg, and it was this experience that inspired him to choose the famous village of the Alpine region as the setting for his novel. If you are in Kőszeg, be sure to visit the Seven Springs, the Kőszeg Castle and the renovated local synagogue. Kőszeg offers events at all times of the year, one of the most special being the autumn Orsolya Day market, where you can taste chestnut dishes, chimney cakes or even different kinds of honey, all from local producers.

Nobody needs to be introduced to the Eclipse of the Crescent Moon, but the city of Eger is worth visiting again and again, because it offers so many experiences and sights that are hard to get bored of. The town has a long history and has a wonderful natural environment, with great hikes in the surrounding Bükk Mountains, the Nagy-Eged Mountain on the outskirts of the town and the Bükk Mountains. Not only at home, but also abroad, many people think of Eger as a wine: the two famous cuvées of the Eger wine region, the Eger bikavér and the Eger star are the reason for several wine festivals. It is worth a visit in mid-July during the Egri Bikavér festival to taste the local wineries’ own variations. In addition to wine, Eger is also a cultural stronghold: besides the castle, don’t miss the minaret, the main cathedral and the Géza Gárdonyi Memorial Museum.

With its long descriptions and slow plot, the Thorn Castle was probably one of the most difficult novels of our childhood. How different it would have been if we had been able to get to know István Fekete’s iconic novel on the shores of Lake Balaton, along the winding paths or by Uncle Matula’s hut. The unique fauna of the region and the almost untouched nature make Small Balaton a unique destination. Especially if you want a break from the mad rush of everyday life. The nature reserve under the Ramsar Convention offers iconic sights such as Kányavári Island with the bridge leading to the island, the Small Balaton Visitor Centre, the Buffalo Reserve or the Árpád-era church of Zalavár. It is worth paying for a guided tour so you can visit parts of the site that you wouldn’t normally visit!

The romance of the largest settlement in the Southern Great Plain is undeniable. The River Tisza, the Art Nouveau monuments of the city centre and the history of the city form a truly impressive blend. Grecsó’s novel not only reveals the depths of family secrets through the psychological struggles of a teenager, but also evokes the milieu of Szeged. When in town, be sure to visit the Szeged Cathedral, the Ferenc Móra Museum, splash in the waters of the Anna Baths and gaze at the fantastic dome of the New Synagogue, which symbolises the world. Szeged’s gastronomy makes it a great destination in itself: eating fish soup here is almost a must, and it is up to you to compare the local fish soup with that of Baja and decide which is better. For some dessert, head to Kárász Street, where several old-fashioned pastry shops are open. Nature lovers can recharge their batteries in the Szeged Botanical Garden, the Wildlife Park or the ZOO!

Is there a Hungarian who is not a fan of Lake Balaton? The diversity of the lake and the emblematic attractions of its southern and northern shores are a magnet for many. It is time to discover its beauty not only in summer, but also in other seasons! Thanks to the Balaton retro thrillers series, the winter Balaton comes to life before our eyes, and we can even travel back in time, as the stories take the reader back to the 1970’s and 1980’s. While we are sure you know the lake inside and out, change your perspective! Climb Csobánc or Szigliget castle, cycle through the hills of the Káli Basin and sample cool beach food on the south shore!