Hungary’s Hidden Treasures: Food, Drinks & Culture You Must Try

Hungary is not only about stunning architecture and the Danube’s lights (although, yes, our Parliament is basically the Beyoncé of buildings). It’s also about flavors, traditions, and unforgettable experiences. Here are five things you simply can’t miss when you visit Hungary, plus a secret way to take the vibes home with you.

1. Taste Pálinka

Pálinka is Hungary’s legendary fruit brandy, often called the spirit of hospitality. Traditionally, Hungarians welcome their guests with a shot of pálinka. It can be made from apricots, plums, pears, or cherries, but let’s be honest, no matter the fruit, it’s basically fire in a glass. 🔥

Picture this: you sit at a rustic countryside table, there’s fresh bread, smoked kolbász, and paprika strings hanging on the wall. Someone shouts „Egészségedre!” and suddenly you’re holding a tiny glass that looks harmless, until it hits like a dragon breathing down your throat. 🐉

Pálinka is not just a drink, it’s an experience. It’s how Hungarians celebrate weddings, birthdays, or, honestly, Tuesday mornings if needed. It keeps you warm in winter, it makes you dance at festivals, and it will definitely give you a story to tell when you get back home.

👉 Pro tip: Don’t sip it slowly like wine. Hungarians drink it in one shot… and so should you. Bonus tip: if you see grandma bringing her homemade pálinka from the cellar, prepare… it’s at least twice as strong as the shop version.

2. Explore Tokaj Wine Region

Tokaji aszú is often called “the wine of kings and the king of wines.” Legend has it that even Louis XIV of France was a fan – and let’s be real, if it was good enough for a French king with a golden wig, it’s good enough for us. This golden sweet wine is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage, not bad for a drink that also makes cheesecake taste like heaven. 🍇

Visiting Tokaj is like stepping into a postcard: rolling hills covered in vineyards, tiny wine cellars that look like hobbit homes, and locals who will definitely insist you try “just one more glass.” Spoiler: it’s never just one.

👉 Pro tip: Take a 2-hour train ride from Budapest for a wine tasting. Just… book a seat. After a few glasses, standing in a moving train becomes an Olympic sport.

💡 Inspired by Tokaj’s vineyards, Miaamor created a wine-themed candle  the safe way to enjoy Hungary’s grape magic without missing your stop on the train back to Budapest. A Jar of 40 hours love.

3. Relax in Thermal Baths

Hungary is world-famous for its thermal bath culture, we basically bathe in history and minerals. The country sits on a treasure trove of thermal waters, and over 1,000 springs feed our spas. Whether you want to soak in a palace-like building or in a cave under the mountains, Hungary has it all.

Budapest must-tries:

• Széchenyi Thermal Bath – the iconic yellow palace with outdoor pools, perfect even in winter (Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Budapest).

• Gellért Thermal Bath – Art Nouveau gem with mosaics and elegance (Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Budapest).

• Rudas Thermal Bath – Ottoman-era bath with a rooftop jacuzzi overlooking the Danube (Döbrentei tér 9, 1013 Budapest).

• Paskál Thermal Bath – Budapest’s youngest thermal bath, modern and family-friendly, with both indoor and outdoor pools (Egressy út 178/F, 1149 Budapest).

Beyond Budapest:

• Miskolctapolca Cave Bath – swim through natural caves filled with warm thermal water (Miskolctapolca, 3519 Miskolc).

• Hévíz Thermal Lake – Europe’s largest natural thermal lake, open year-round (Dr. Schulhof Vilmos sétány 1, 8380 Hévíz).

• Egerszalók Salt Hill Spa – famous for its unique limestone terraces that glow white like snow (Ady Endre út 5, 3394 Egerszalók).

• Debrecen Aquaticum – modern water complex with thermal spa, indoor adventure park, and wellness (Nagyerdei park 1, 4032 Debrecen).

• Gyula Castle Spa – relax by the medieval castle walls with medicinal waters (Várkert u. 2, 5700 Gyula).

So yeah, in Hungary, “taking a bath” is basically a national sport. 🛁

👉 Pro tip: Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel. Or do, and buy a souvenir one at the entrance for three times the price…

💡To capture that pure relaxation, Miaamor created candles designed for wellness and balance, perfect for recreating the thermal bath mood at home. Bonus: no wrinkly fingers.

4. Try Hungarian Street Food

Hungry in Hungary? (Yes, we’ve heard that joke a million times – we still laugh politely.) From lángos (fried dough with sour cream and cheese) to kürtőskalács (chimney cake) and hearty gulyás, our street food is as addictive as TikTok.

Where to try it:

• Lángos: Retro Lángos Büfé – deep underground at Deák Ferenc tér metro station, the ultimate local experience (Deák Ferenc tér M3, 1052 Budapest).

• Kürtőskalács: Molnár’s Kürtőskalács – the most famous chimney cake shop in the city (Váci utca 31, 1052 Budapest).

• Gulyás: Central Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) – the biggest indoor food market with authentic gulyás soup and plenty more (Vámház körút 1-3, 1093 Budapest).

• Street food vibe: Street Food Karaván – a courtyard packed with food trucks and festival vibes (Kazinczy utca 18, 1075 Budapest).

• Beyond Budapest: Try a lángos by Lake Balaton – nothing says Hungarian summer like eating one at the beach in Siófok or Balatonfüred.

👉 Pro tip: Don’t visit when you’re “a little hungry” – you’ll walk out with six lángos, two chimney cakes, and an urgent need for stretchy pants.

💡At Miaamor, our sweet and cozy candles are inspired by Hungarian desserts – light one, and suddenly your living room smells like grandma’s homemade apple pie fresh from the oven.

5. Discover Budapest Icons

Budapest is full of landmarks that look like they belong in a Disney movie – except here, the castles are real, and no one bursts into song (unless you’ve had a few pálinkas). From fairytale towers to bridges lit like Christmas trees, the city is stunning day and night.

Must-see icons:

• Hungarian Parliament (Országház) – the crown jewel of the Danube, basically our version of Big Ben but prettier (Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Budapest).

• Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya) – the place where every tourist gets their new profile picture (Szentháromság tér, 1014 Budapest).

• Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) – the oldest bridge over the Danube, and the only one where you’ll definitely end up taking 100 photos of the same view (Clark Ádám tér, 1013 Budapest).

• Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) – historic castle with museums and a view worth climbing the hill for (Szent György tér 2, 1014 Budapest).

• St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) – impressive church, plus a rooftop terrace with 360° views (Szent István tér 1, 1051 Budapest).

• Gellért Hill & Citadella – the best panoramic view over the city; bonus workout included if you climb it (1118 Budapest).

👉 Pro tip: Take a night cruise on the Danube. Trust me, it’s the closest thing to starring in your own romantic film – minus the dramatic soundtrack (so bring your own playlist).

✨ Loved these experiences?
Bring a piece of Hungary home with you. No luggage overweight, no customs questions. Just light a Miaamor candle and relive the flavors, lights, and vibes of Hungary anytime.