Water polo, the national sport
In Hungary, water polo is not just another sport: it's a real national pride. The national team's matches are often front-page news, and the star players are adored. The national team is the most successful team in the world, with 3 world championship titles, 13 European championship titles and 9 Olympic titles, even though it failed to make the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Public swimming pools in spa towns and seaside resorts are often equipped with water polo fields.
On December 6, 1956, at the Melbourne Olympics, in the midst of the Cold War, the semi-final between Hungary and the USSR became a political duel. A few weeks earlier, the Soviet army had violently crushed the Hungarian Revolution (or Budapest Uprising). In the swimming pool, the match degenerated and the Hungarian player Ervin Zádor left the pool with a bloodied face after being hit by a Soviet opponent. The scene went viral, earning the match the nickname Blood in the Water . The match was interrupted to avoid a riot, but Hungary won 4-0 and went on to claim the gold medal! A historic moment of resistance and national pride.
Long live soccer!
Hungary made soccer history with its legendary 1950s team, nicknamed the Aranycsapat ("Golden Team"). Led by the legendary Ferenc Puskás, this revolutionary team reached the 1954 World Cup final. Even if the country is no longer at the pinnacle of soccer, the passion of the people for a team that ranked 37th in the world in the summer of 2025 remains intact.
Venerable equitation
As an ancient nomadic people, Hungarians have retained a deep attachment to horses. Kisbers, lipizzans, huculs, nonius, furioso North Star are just some of the breeds found in Magyar country. The horse has remained king in Hungary, so much so that it is the only country in Europe, along with Ireland, that imposes no restrictions on outdoor riding. On the international scene, Hungarians are best known for their driving prowess. The csikós (horse guardians), the traditional cowboys of the Puszta, the Hungarian plain, are famous for their incredible equestrian mastery, notably the "póstakocsi" (Hungarian post technique), where a rider stands on two galloping horses. They embody a heritage that is still very much alive. You can still admire their skills at the Máta stud farm in Hortobágy, the Tanyacsárda stud farm in Lajosmizse or, on weekends during the high season, at the Bugac Shepherds' Museum. At the Biczó Csárda stud in Izsák, you can stay for a riding holiday.
Chess, a collective passion
Following in the footsteps of 20th-century grandmasters such as Richárd Réti and Lajos Portisch, Hungary's current national and world chess renown is due to Péter Lékó, Zoltán Almási, Ferenc Berkes and the phenomenon of the talented Polgár sisters. Zsuzsa was a world champion, Zsófia a female grandmaster and international master and, above all, Judit is considered one of the best players of the turn of the 21st century, if not the best player of all time. Trained according to a unique apprenticeship method by their father, the sisters saw the youngest challenge and beat the greatest male champions, including Garry Kasparov. She became a grandmaster at the age of 15, a record at the time. Chess is an integral part of everyday life in Hungary. In parks, cafés or thermal baths, players can often be seen playing against each other.
The spa destination par excellence
Hungary is one of Europe's richest countries for thermal waters, with over 1,300 identified springs, including around 100 in Budapest. A veritable European spa capital, Budapest draws on the exceptional richness of its soils, which supply some fifteen establishments. These waters, known since Celtic times, were exploited in Antiquity by the Romans, then magnified under the Ottoman occupation: the Turkish baths are still today the finest evidence of this era. But thermal activity in Hungary is not limited to its curative aspect. It's a true art of living. The baths - Gyógyfürdő (pronounced [diod-furdeu]) - are an institution in everyday life. People go there to relax, play chess, chat or simply recharge their batteries. Numerous establishments, such as the elegant Széchenyi baths, the Gellért baths or the Lukács baths, built during the Belle Époque, or the Veli Bej baths, the Király baths or the Rudas baths, dating from the time of the Ottoman pashas, bear witness to this living, centuries-old tradition. In Budapest, some baths even stay open almost all night. More widely, over 70 municipalities in the country have built their economies around medicinal beaches and spa centers, not to mention the spectacular Lake Hévíz, Europe's largest natural thermal lake.
Hit the trails!
Although Hungary has no high mountains, there are many signposted trails winding through varied and magnificent landscapes. Just the thing for curious walkers in search of authenticity and fresh air! With over 11,000 kilometers of marked trails, Hungary has one of the densest hiking networks on the continent. The markings are standardized and very well maintained, thanks to the work of local associations. And it's a very popular activity with Hungarians themselves come the weekend.
The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the National Blue Trail (Országos Kéktúra). Created in 1938, it is the oldest signposted trail in Europe. It crosses the country from west to east over almost 1,200 km, linking the Austrian border with the northern hills. A mythical trail that alternates between dense forests, traditional villages and breathtaking panoramas.
Walkers will also find plenty to do in the Bükk Mountains National Park, in the Mátra and Zemplén mountains in the north-east, in the Börzsöny and Pilis mountains near Budapest, ideal for short day hikes, or in the Upper Balaton National Park (Balatonfelvidéki Nemzeti Park), offering superb views of Lake Balaton and its ancient volcanoes. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, and multi-day tours can easily be organized in inns, rural guesthouses or refuges for a well-deserved rest in the evening. Spring and autumn are the ideal periods for walking, with their mild temperatures and beautiful light.
Bike
For those who prefer to pedal, the country offers over 4,000 km of signposted cycle paths, notably around Budapest, along the Danube or around Lake Balaton. An excellent way to discover the Hungarian countryside!
Water sports to cool off
While there's no access to the sea in Hungary, water sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do, thanks to the country's many lakes, rivers and hot springs.
Nicknamed the "Hungarian Sea", Lake Balaton is the largest in Central Europe and a must-see destination. Along its shores, seaside resorts such as Balatonfüred, Siófok and Keszthely offer numerous possibilities. Yachtsmen can sail in the many marinas, windsurfers and kitesurfers can explore the windier parts of the lake, riders can put on water skis and wakeboards, while everyone can explore the creeks and villages along the water's edge at their own pace, between two life-saving swims. Elsewhere, kayak enthusiasts can take to the Danube (also popular with rowing crews) and Hungarian rivers such as the Tisza, Rába and Dráva.
