Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe and has 7 neighboring countries: Austria to the west, Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east, Serbia to the south, Croatia to the southwest and Slovenia to the west.

Geographical region of Hungary

Carpathian Basin: Hungary is located in the central part of the Carpathian Basin, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains to the north and east, the Alps to the west and the Dinaric Alps to the southwest. The country is characterized by predominantly flat terrain and hilly plains.

Hungarian Plain (Alföld): The largest lowland region of Hungary, occupying most of the eastern and southern parts of the country. It extends into neighboring Serbia and Romania and is Hungary’s most fertile agricultural area.

Transdanubia: Located west of the Danube, this region is hilly and includes the Bakony and Mecsek Mountains and Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe.

Mountains: Hungary is essentially flat, but there are hilly and mountainous areas, especially in the north. The northern Hungarian mountains include the Mátra Mountains with Hungary’s highest mountain, Kecskes (1,014 m).

Boat tours on the Danube in Budapest are very popular among tourists. There are many different options. Some tourists take a simple 1-hour round trip, others an exclusive dinner tour with a 4-course menu. Many of these tours on the Danube can be booked on the great German website Getyourguide.de.  >>> Link to booking on Getyourguide

2 major rivers in Hungary

The Danube: Hungary’s longest river flows north-south through the country and divides the capital Budapest into two parts, Buda and Pest.

Tisza: Another major river that flows through eastern Hungary and is known for its wide floodplains and fertile soils.

Lakes in Hungary

Lake Balaton: Often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”, it is a major tourist destination with its mild climate and thermal waters.
Lake Velence: A smaller but more popular lake between Lake Balaton and Budapest, known for its birdlife and recreational activities.
Lake Tisza (in the east, Hungary’s second largest lake after Lake Balaton) and Lake Neusiedl (Hungarian: Fertő-tó) are also well known. Most of Lake Neusiedl is in Austria.

Climate of Hungary

Hungary has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Precipitation is moderate, with wetter mountain areas and drier plains.