Hungary is home to 6 species of snakes. It is important to note that bites to humans are very rare. 2 species of Hungarian snakes are poisonous, but these are not very common.

Adder (Vipera berus):

Poisonous: Yes, but rarely dangerous to humans.

Appearance: Typically has a distinctive zigzag pattern on its back.

Habitat: They prefer forests, meadows and moors.

Behavior: Generally shy and avoids humans, bites are rare.

Meadow snake (Vipera ursinii):

Poisonous: Yes, but weak poison
Appearance: Very similar to the adder, small
Habitat:  Meadows, moors, pastures, grasslands.
Very rare species of snake in Hungary. For this reason alone, bites are very rare

Buy tickets for the Great Synagogue in advance: Since a lot of tourists come to the synagogue, the queues at the ticket office can be very long. That’s why more and more visitors buy their tickets, including a guided tour in German, online in advance. Tickets and more information are available at this link

Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca):

Poisonous: No, non-poisonous.

Appearance: Slender with a smooth, gray-brown body and often with two dark stripes on the head.

Habitat: Found in dry, sunny areas such as rocky hills, forest edges and heathland.

Behavior: Not aggressive

Grass snake (Natrix natrix):

Poisonous: No, non-poisonous.

Appearance: Olive green or brown with a yellow or white collar behind the head.

Habitat: Prefers wetlands, rivers, ponds and sometimes gardens.
Behavior: Often seen swimming and harmless to humans.

Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus):

Poisonous: No, non-poisonous.

Appearance: Long, slender, with a uniform brown or olive color.
Habitat: Found in forests, hedges and sometimes near human habitation.
Behavior: Climbs well and is not aggressive.

Dice snake (Natrix tessellata):

Poisonous: No, non-poisonous.
Appearance: Olive or grey with darker spots or stripes.
Habitat: Very aquatic, often found near rivers, lakes and swamps.
Behavior: Feeds mainly on fish and amphibians.

Summary: Snakes are rarely encountered in Hungary. Bites to humans are rare. The two poisonous species are not particularly common. A poisonous snake bite is very rare in Hungary, similar to ours in Central Europe. So you don’t have to be afraid of snakes when hiking or doing other outdoor activities in Hungary. In the unlikely event of a snake bite, you should seek medical attention immediately. This applies to Hungary and Germany.

Boat tours on the Danube in Budapest are very popular among tourists. There are many different options available. Some tourists take a simple 1-hour tour, 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 the website Getyourguide