Charming Instagram spots within easy reach of the capital

Let’s start with a huge favourite! The sight of the Old Lake of Tata with the castle evokes our emotions for the hundredth time. Anyone who has been here, knows that we see something new on the 7 km long path every minute around the lake. On the opposite side, you can see the forest, the 600-year-old castle, the block imposing Esterházy Castle, and charming little houses, with sailing boats and canoes in summer and waterbirds in autumn. The country's first artificial fishpond was created in the 1700s by draining marshes to create the pond we can see today. And the beautiful, well-maintained water mirror has witnessed many life-changing experiences and unforgettable moments. There were proposals, water sports competitions, hunts and high-toned amusements. Whether you arrive at dawn or sunset, in sunshine or dramatic clouds, the lake and its surroundings offer spectacular views and plenty to explore

We have another famous and wealthy family to thank for the creation of the Arboretum of Alcsútdoboz, which is now one of the most popular filming locations. During the reform era, Archduke Joseph governed the country as deputy to the Emperor. He loved the innovative solutions, not only in politics but also in the design of his home. In the area of the present arboretum, he planted numerous plant curiosities, bred sheep with unsurpassed wool production and built a fantastic castle with Mihály Pollack. Walking in front of the castle's remaining façade, it's easy to travel back in time a few hundred years. Depending on our mood, we can take photos in the aristocratic scenery, in the spring flower fields or hugging the ancient trees. Lookout, an inexhaustible source of topics!

Two ruined churches stand less than six kilometres apart from each other. One is surrounded by houses, in the heart of Zsámbék, the other in the middle of arable land, lonely. The ruined church of Tök certainly doesn't want to compete with the monumental and breathtakingly beautiful Gothic-Romanesque basilica of the Premonstratensian monks. The secret of its beauty is that it has fit for centuries into the landscape in a secluded, peaceful spot. Although the two buildings, built at roughly the same time, are very different, they have something in common: they have been disused for hundreds of years.

The ruined church in Zsámbék was built by monks from France, while the church in Tök had been the parish of the village in its time. Strangely, the settlement suddenly moved upwards – there is only speculation why. Some believe that a flooded stream forced the former inhabitants to move to the hillside, while others say that the locals moved next to their cellars, which held precious wine, to escape the constant ravage that was commonplace in the Middle Ages. In any case, Tök did not have a Catholic church, as the local people converted to Calvinism, and the former place of worship slowly became a pile of stones. Only used by workers in the fields: they found a place to rest under its shady walls during the summer work. However, the ruins of the church, which suffered an earthquake in the 1700s, have always played an important role in the lives of the inhabitants of the village: according to the memories, children used to play here a lot, and stones were brought here in abundance for the construction work in the village. The iconic ruin is now a prominent monument and welcomes all those who love wild places.

1 place: And if you're looking for 360-degree images, head to the circle-shaped cellars in Etyek! This complex of 22 cellars, built in the first half of the 19th century, is unique because of the shape of the instalment: everywhere you turn, you are confronted with neat cellars! Unrivalled in the world! (If you want to take a panoramic photo, you should go before the trees are in full leaf!