The Hungarian Guide - Investing and retiring in Hungary

Charming house in a wine growing region £ 30500 / € 33550

Full description

Description of area

North of Lake Balaton covers the counties Zala, Vas, Veszprém and Fejér. The first 3 is noted for hills and mountains while Fejér is relatively flat. There are several protected areas and National Parks in the area, beautiful forests rich in wildlife. Properties closest to the Lake and the Balaton Uplands National Park are the most expensive, and prices drop realtively the further you get from Balaton. The land is rich and fertile here suitable for farming. There are historic cities and towns in the area like Veszprém, Zirc, Pápa and Tapolca. This are is also very rich in thermal waters, and there are bathes in almost all towns.

In the neighbourhood

• Bakony

  Much of the lush green forest of Bakony forms part of a National Park – a protected nature reserve with lovely beech forests, picturesque valleys and over 1100 caves. Visitors can enjoy beautiful walks and trails and identify deer, wild boar and 104 highly protected rare birds. Perfect for wildlife, nature and bird watchers alike. There are also study centres, forest schools and Hungary’s most advanced planetarium in Bakonybél. On the eastern side of the Bakony mountains there are 5 ski slopes in Eplény, just north of Veszprém approximately 45 minutes drive north of Lake Balaton and during the winter months remain open 9am to 9pm daily. Two of the slopes are lit and there are five ski lifts along with snow machines which are used as necessary.

• Herend

  

  Cafe at Herend by Zsofi

  Herend is a small town short drive from Veszprém, but world famous because of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory. The Manufactory has a visitors centre with a museum, guided tours in a “mini manufactory” where the whole production process is shown and a gorgeous cafe, with delicious cakes and drinks served in stunning china.

• Lake Hévíz

  

  Heviz by heatherontravels

  Very close to the western tip of Lake Balaton lies the world’s largest natural thermal lake – Lake Hévíz. Warmed by the heat of the earth’s interior, it is even possible to bathe in the lake in winter. In summer the water temperature reaches over 35 deg C. Experienced doctors and highly qualified staff are on hand to care for visitors at the medicinal baths, sanatoriums, health spas and wellness hotels which have been built around Hévíz.

• Lake Neusiedl or Fertő

  Lake Neusiedl  or Fertő  is the second largest Endorheic lake in Central Europe, straddling the Austrian–Hungarian border. The lake covers315 km², of which 240 km² is on the Austrian side and 75 km² on the Hungarian side. In 1993 the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel gained international acceptance as an IUCN Category II preserve. In 2001 the national parks in Austria and Fertő-Hanság in Hungary were together accepted as a World Heritage Site. Lake Neusiedl See and its surrounding areas in Austria also enjoy protection through the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
  There are excellent beaches in both countries, and there is a cycle path all the way round the lake. It is also a heaven for bird watchers and nature lovers.

• Pannonhalma Archabbey

  The Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey is the most notable landmark in Pannonhalma and one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary, founded in 996. It is located near the town, on top of a hill (282 m). Saint Martin of Toursis believed to have been born at the foot of this hill, hence its former name, Mount of Saint Martin. This is the second largest territorial abbey in the world, after the one in Monte Cassino. There is a grammar school, a seminary and a retirement home within the abbey. There is also wine and herb production, and souvenirs can be bought at the museum shop. For information on visiting hours and guided tours please visit their website.

• Pápa

  
  Pápa is a small town with a population of 32,000 people. It is called the town of towers as above the houses rise the 6 main church towers. The city’s attractions include the Esterházy Palace, which is now the city library and the classical, baroque style catholic church. Pápa has a large historical centre, with renovated old burgher’s houses, cafes, and museums including the Blue-Dye Museum (Kékfestő Múzeum) which is set up in a former factory. The company concerned produced clothes and other textiles dyed with indigo blue using a unique method known as the wax batik techinque. The town is also noted for its thermal baths, particularly a newly constructed swimming complex. There is an English-Hungarian bilingual school where older children have classes in English and there are native English teachers.

• Sümeg

  

  sumeg by photodiary of an endless summer

  Sümeg is a small town of 6000 people but very popular because of the fantastic medieval fortress perched high on a an otherwise bare hill. The Fortress can be visited and there are many different exhibitions of local history and medieval life.Craft shows are held frequently and every summer there is a medieval festival.

• Tapolca

  

  tapolca by photodiary of an endless summer

  Tapolca is a small town 6 miles north of Lake Balaton. It has a pretty town centre with a small “Mill” pond, a School museum and a unique underground lake: a three level cave system filled with water- accidentaly discovered in 1903 whilst digging for a well. The caves can be accessed from the centre of town and there are frequent tours. Tapolca also has an English-Hungarian bilingual school where older children have classes in English in some subjects and there are native English teachers.

• Veszprém

  

  Veszprem by Attila Nobik

  Veszprém is a stunning city 9 miles north of Lake Balaton. It was built on 7 hills and one of the oldest settlements in Hungary. The city became the first episcopal seat of Hungary in 1009 and an archiepiscopal seat in 1993.Veszprém was the favorite city of Queen Gisela, the wife of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. For centuries, the queens of Hungary were crowned by the bishop of Veszprém and it is still often called “the city of queens”. It has one of the oldest universities in the country and a very successful handball team. Veszprém Zoo lies in two adjacent valleys outside the city. There is a custom designed Kid’s Jungle and Terrarium, and a massive animal themed playground. The zoo also organises multilingual children’s program.