Erasmus Incoming

Area: 93,030 km2
Population: 9,982,000 inhabitants
Official language: Hungarian
Capital city: Budapest
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Time zone: Central European time (GMT+1)
EU accession: 1 May, 2004

There is no place like Hungary (Magyarország). The country is a European Union member situated in the heart of Europe, with a unique culture and language in the region. The country is small, but it is filled with various opportunities for studying, business and leisure. Mother Nature gave vast plains for agriculture, mild hills for wine, thermal water for spas and Central Europe s largest lake – Balaton. Magyars (as locals call themselves) are proud of their 1100 years history and heritage. Beside the vibrant capital, Budapest, lovely historical towns welcome visitors offering a lot to explore.

Climate of Hungary can be described as typical European continental climate with warm, dry summers and fairly cold winters. Spring and autumn are mild.

The location of the capital is determined by its exceptional features. The river Danube splits the city into two parts (Buda and Pest) creating lovely banks on both sides with spectacular historical buildings. Budapest is vibrant, lively and multicultural. Thanks to its location people can even ski in winter or hike in summer just within the territory of the city. The capital is the centre of business in the country and it is also famous for its diverse cultural programmes.

The region got its name two thousand years ago, when the Roman legions were stationed there. Situated west of the Danube it has everything that makes exploring the country and recreation pleasant and diverse. Blessed with natural beauty and full of history, it is ideal for boat trips and cycling and also offers a wide selection of excellent wines. In the region there are plenty of possibilities for hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, relaxing in spas, trying water sports, visiting museums, enjoying festivals and much more.

Bakony Hills offer great pastimes and activities for bike lovers, those who long for hiking, look for horse programmes and also for the lovers of skiing and sledging during wintertime. In the Bakony Hills hikers will find beautiful, romantic pathways and excellent places to gather mushrooms and herbs. Mountainbikers like the steep, shady slopes and the downhill track in Eplény, which can be a real challenge. For those wishing for other types of challenges, it seems to be a great idea to try the adventures offered by the attractions of the Sobri Jóska Adventure Park.

Hungarians love their Balaton, which they call the “Hungarian Sea”. It is Central Europe’s largest lake. In summer it provides perfect holidays with a water temperature between 20-25 degrees Celsius. Bike lovers can go for a ride around Lake Balaton, through picturesque landscapes. The small towns around the lake are cosy and offer enticing dining facilities. Balatonfüred, right on the shore, only 20 km from Veszprém, is rich in historic memorial places, mansions and villas. Tihany, located on a small peninsula, bears beautiful relics of the folk architecture and is famous for its abbey and lavender fields.

Veszprém is a medium sized town with around 60 000 inhabitants. As the centre of Veszprém County, it offers all the possibilities a student would need. There is the county library; two theatres; several shopping facilities including a shopping mall with cinema; a zoo; charming cafés and restaurants.
Veszprém is known as the “City of Queens” since in the early years of the country’s history the castle of Veszprém was the residence of the Hungarian queens. The main square of the castle is surrounded by wonderful baroque buildings, museums, galleries and the Archbishop’s Palace. Close to the historical downtown, Veszprém is a modern university town.
In 2008 the Arena was built, which is the country’s second largest sport and event hall and the “home” of the famous Veszprém handball team. In the industrial parks of Veszprém numerous international companies operate, many of whom rely on the freshly graduated students.

Distance from Budapest: 110 km (easily accessible by train or bus) / Distance from Lake Balaton: 15 km