12 bucket list destinations for autumn that are great for cooler weather too

Lake Hévíz is a great destination in all seasons, but nothing beats the sight of a soft mist rising on the surface of the water, which is at least 24 degrees Celsius, even in the coldest weather. It is a meditative and not least healing experience.

Autumn is a time for various gastronomic delights, and in November, for example, many people are in goose fever! No wonder: roasted goose leg with stewed red cabbage and mashed potatoes with onions is a divine and unmissable dish. Let's take part in the St. Martin's Day festivities in Székesfehérvár or the Szombathely area!

Time spent in nature is worth its weight in gold: let's get up and take a stroll through the country's arboretums. The Vácrátót National Botanical Garden houses the most species-rich collection of living plants in our country: here you can observe 13 thousand species on approximately 27 hectares. In addition to the autumn stroll, it is worth visiting the permanent and temporary exhibitions, but you can also participate in open workshops.

After the daily grind, there is nothing better than getting away for the weekend and taking a long walk on one of the countless hiking trails. If you would like to embark on a more organized adventure this fall, it is worth starting to explore the sections of the National Blue Trail or the family-friendly trails in the latest Kajla publications. Order a certificate booklet and start collecting stamps!

Meals based on seasonal and local ingredients are becoming increasingly popular, so it is no wonder that more and more farmers’ markets are opening up, where you can find truly great ingredients. Come to the Őrség and visit the farmers’ market in Őriszentpéter: here every Saturday, from 7 a.m. to noon, you can browse among the products of small producers. It is worth filling up on fig brandy, fruits, delicious sausages, immune-boosting drinks, breads, dairy products and vegetables – and of course, the unmissable pumpkin delicacies.

If you are a real fan of history, set off on a journey of discovery: there are quite a few beautiful castles waiting for you in the country. For example, visit the Wenckheim Castle in Szabadkígyós, whose patinated halls will take you on a real journey through time. To find similar attractions, use HelloHungary's interactive map, where castle/fortress icons will help you navigate, or even the Kajla Castles/Fortresses publication can help you!

If you would rather enjoy the colder weather indoors, get to know new, rural cafes. If quality and experience are important, it is worth looking for the black sheep! The mysterious animal appears in Debrecen, Gyula and Szeged, and the locals see it as a synonym for a quality coffee experience. Black Sheep cafés have been booming with unbroken success in our country since 2016 – no matter which unit you visit, it is worth eating in addition to drinking coffee and refuelling on the brand's founder, Gábor Tóth's own roasted blends.

Autumn is a great time for sightseeing! Explore a Hungarian county seat that you have not been to before: for example, the Art Nouveau palaces of Kecskemét, the banks of the Tisza River in Szeged, or the hilly old town of Veszprém.

Children are passionate about animals, but large zoos may not be the most exciting experience for the little ones. There are many small wildlife parks in Hungary. For example, at the Bőszénfa Deer Farm, you can admire the wild animals of the forest, but the Hatvan or Kecskemét Wildlife Parks are also great choices if you want to introduce children to the inhabitants of the forest.

Rainy weather calls for a sauna! Even a simple weekday can be brightened up with a hearty sauna session, especially if you do it in a relaxing environment. In the southern part of the country, in Baranya County, we find the picturesque town of Magyarhertelend, which is also referred to as the "cradle of Hungarian sauna culture."The Hertelend Thermal Bath and Sauna Park can accommodate up to 50 people in its cabin, where you can take part in different infusions every day: on Thursdays, there are exclusive health or women's sauna evenings, on Fridays, there are more relaxed sessions, and on Saturdays, there are more festive sessions. In addition to these, there are also quiet infusions and relaxing programs – whichever you choose, professional sauna masters lead the detoxification events in Magyarhertelend.

For example, it is worth visiting the magical Szalajka Valley, which is one of the most beautiful natural treasures of our country. You can find crystal-clear streams, waterfalls and forest hiking trails here. Visit the Fátyol Waterfall, trout lakes and the Open-Air Forest Museum! After exploring nature, relax in the unique sauna world of the Szalajka Liget Hotel **** and Apartment Houses! In the wonderful natural environment, you can also book a hotel room, but as part of the “day spa” service, you can also enjoy the beneficial effects of sauna use as an external visitor.

And if it is not so cold, it is time to take out your bike and go for a ride, for example, on the shores of Lake Velence or Lake Tisza. What an autumnal refreshment it is to glide along the shores of a quiet lake!

Finally: let's turn our backs on the world for a weekend, turn off the phone, and sip tea in a cottage on the edge of the forest! Fortunately, there are more and more great accommodations waiting for you, for example in the Danube Bend, Noszvaj, Őrség, or even in the region of Villány.