Magical Insta-spots within easy reach of the capital

We can thank a famous and wealthy family for the creation of the Arboretum in Alcsútdoboz, which is now one of the most popular filming locations. Palatine József governed the country as the emperor's deputy during the Reform Era. His love of innovative solutions has not only shown itself in politics, but also in the design of his home. He planted numerous rare plants on the area of the current arboretum, bred sheep with unsurpassed wool yields, and had a fantastic castle built by Mihály Pollack. Walking in front of the castle's remaining facade, it is still easy to travel back in time a few hundred years. Depending on your mood, you can take photos among the aristocratic backdrops, by the spring flower fields, or hugging the ancient trees. Beware, an inexhaustible source of topics!

Two church ruins stand barely six kilometres apart. One is surrounded by houses, in the heart of Zsámbék, the other is lonely in the middle of a field. The church ruins of Tök certainly does not want to compete with the monumental and breathtakingly beautiful Gothic-Romanesque basilica of the Premonstratensians. Its beauty lies precisely in the fact that for centuries it has blended into the landscape in an abandoned, peaceful spot. Although the two buildings, built at about the same time, are very different, their fates still have something in common: they have been unused for hundreds of years.

The church ruins of Zsámbék was built by monks who came from France, while the church of Tök may have once been the village parish. Strangely enough, the settlement suddenly moved higher – there is only speculation as to why. Some say that a flooded stream forced the former inhabitants to retreat towards the hillside, while others say that the locals moved closer to their cellars, where they stored their valuable wine, to escape the constant raids that were commonplace in the Middle Ages. In any case, Tök did not later have a Catholic church, as the locals adopted the Reformed religion, and the former place of worship slowly became a pile of stones. It was only used by those working in the fields: they found a place to rest under its shady walls during the summer work. However, the ruins in Zsámbék, which fell victim to an earthquake in the 1700s, have always played an important role in the lives of the residents of the settlement: according to recollections, children played here a lot, and stones were brought from here in abundance for construction in the village. The iconic ruin is now a listed monument and awaits all those who love romantic locations.

Veresegyház is also an excellent destination for a summer Insta-tour: special experiences and spectacular photo themes await! One of the most famous attractions in the town is the Veresegyház Bear Farm, where you can observe fallow deer, wolves, lynxes, huge, majestic bears and lions up close. If you are taking pictures with a camera, it is worth bringing a telephoto lens, but you can also take excellent photos if you compose with your phone. It is also worth buying a zoo treat at the ticket office so you can take amazing shots up close, but it is important to keep in mind that the animals are fed according to a usual system, so there is no guarantee that every resident will accept the treat.

Hello Hungary-tip: After the adventurous walk, let's head towards the centre of the town, where heavenly taste experiences await! At the counter of the Sissi Ice Cream Parlour in Veresegyháza, you can taste all kinds of flavours, from incredibly delicious classic scoops to bold flavour combinations to award-winning creations. What is more: the serving in the Sissi units is also Insta-compatible, a colourful scoop story or an extravagant ice cream composition can be a worthy end to the day! It is a matter of curiosity, there are several Sissi Ice Cream Parlours waiting for guests across the country: in addition to the two units in Gödöllő, you can now taste Sissi ice cream in Balatonakarattya. 

The National Botanical Garden in Vácrátót can be a real treasure trove for Instagram fans! In the summer months, the 27-hectare garden is covered in a flood of colourful flowers, hydrangeas, fragrant raspberries, coral bells, water lilies and other rose species are in bloom; so wherever you go, beautiful, natural photo backgrounds await you. The romantic English park, with its exotic plants, ponds and waterfalls, is particularly suitable for portrait and nature photos. Do not miss the Gothic-style Artificial Ruin, which is part of the garden, or the Water Mill, built in 1890! While the former was originally built as a ruin, the mill was also used as a decorative garden rest area, and grinding work has never been done within its walls. In addition to independent or guided walks, you can also participate in special programmes, during which the organisers prepare dazzling visual elements and creative activities. The National Botanical Garden is worth visiting not only to relax, but also to post!

The sight of Lake Öreg in Tata with the castle can evoke a person's emotional self for the hundredth time. Anyone who has been here once knows that the place shows a new face almost every step of the way from the slightly more than 7-kilometre walking path around the lake. On the other side, you see a forest, a six-hundred-year-old castle, the imposing Esterházy Castle, and lovely, small houses, and in front of them, sailboats and canoes in the summer, and water birds in the fall. The first artificial fish pond in the country gained its current form in the 1700s by draining swamps. The well-maintained, beautiful body of water has witnessed many lifelong experiences and unforgettable moments. Proposals, water sports competitions, hunts, and gentlemanly entertainments took place here. Whether you arrive at dawn or sunset, in sunshine or under dramatic clouds, the lake and its surroundings offer a magnificent view and plenty to explore.

Last but not least, if you are looking for perfect wellness photos, then the Cardoner Hotel and Conference Centre, which exudes a clean elegance and a natural atmosphere, is an ideal choice! Located in the heart of the Visegrád Mountains, in Dobogókő, the accommodation is in unrivalled harmony with the tranquillity of the surrounding forests: wood, stone and natural light dominate the interior spaces, which in themselves are tempting for photography. The four-star hotel has 57 rooms, a 100-seat restaurant and bar, which just invite you to take a picture together. Whether it is “my morning coffee with this view” or a slow living-type Insta-post, at Cardoner you can create tons of material for social media platforms. And if you feel that you have taken enough pictures within the walls of the hotel, it is worth exploring the hiking trails in the area and catching a sunset, as there is at least as much visually appealing content to be created around the accommodation as there is at the accommodation.

Plus 1 tip: If you want to take 360-degree images, head to the Etyek round cellar row! The special feature of this building complex consisting of 22 cellars, established in the first half of the 19th century, is the form of its construction: wherever you turn, you will find yourself faced with neat cellars. It has no equal in the world! (If you want to take a panoramic photo, it is worth going before the trees are fully leafed out!)