Most sustainable destinations in Hungary

When most lockdowns open, we all want to spread our wings and finally travel far away from our couches and home office chairs. But most of us also want to make sure that exploring the wonders of the Earth won’t add to the negative change in Earth’s climate. With that in mind, we put together a small list of places in Hungary that you can visit without damaging the planet.

Only a few places in Europe will take your breath away like Hungary’s natural sights. Putting a good pair of shoes on and taking a stroll through mostly undisturbed nature will clear your head after all the stress and worrying of COVID times, and there are lots of places to do that. Climb the mountainous Bükk National Park and retrace the steps of its prehistoric inhabitants or immerse yourself in the traditional culture of the great Hungarian plains of the Hortobágy National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uniquely, Hungary has another UNESCO site made of a complex system of some 712 caves spread over a vast area of Slovak Karst and Aggtelek Krast on the border with Slovakia. And when you’re done exploring the depths of the Earth, go to Lake Tisza, Hungary’s largest artificial lake, for a nice swim and relaxing sunbathing. These few places are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to natural beauties in Hungary, but you can already see there’s a lot to enjoy.

Sometimes, an excellent way to choose an eco-friendlyrip is to stay in an urban area and candhoose a different city than the capital. This is where Eger shines. This town offers the quintessential Hungarian experience while leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the capital. Enjoy wine tasting in the wine cellars of the Valley of Beautiful Women, bathe in the curative and sulphurous thermal waters of the Eger Thermal Bath or take a walk up to the Eger Castle and Museum from which you can see the rest of the town. Since it’s relatively tiny, Eger is easily navigable on foot or bikes and makes for a beautiful sustainable holiday.

Hungary has its version of environmentally conscious accommodation for tourists – the so-called eco-hostels. These are usually locally owned and operated, refurbished traditional farmsteads and lodges that offer Hungary'sngary's more authentic and tradition-minded experience. You don’t just pay for bed and breakfast, but you also pay for learning more about the local customs, agriculture, and industry. Taking a trip to a small village such as Kiskassa and staying there for a few days to soak in the atmosphere will clean your head and help you see the history of living with nature.