Discover Undiscovered Hungary: Hollókő and the Carpathians
When traveling to Hungary, most people immediately think of a vacation at Lake Balaton, the country’s largest lake. Indeed, Lake Balaton, along with the capital Budapest, is Hungary’s number one travel destination. However, this country in the heart of Europe has much more to offer. In the north, the Carpathian Mountains stretch out, creating a stunning mountain landscape that delights nature lovers and adventurers alike. Nestled within this hilly idyll is the charming village of Hollókő, where time seems to have stood still. This village is a hidden gem for those looking to explore Hungary beyond the well-known tourist spots.
Trip to Hungary’s UNESCO World Heritage Site
Houses over 100 years old are in the old settlement of the Palóczen who settled here in the 14th century. Hollókő means raven stone, because according to legend, ravens stole everything at night that the inhabitants built during the day. However, the village burned down completely at the beginning of the 20th century and was then rebuilt true to the original. Therefore, today you can find well-preserved houses that take you back to the 14th century. In the alleys of the village, you will meet locals in traditional costumes, visit old workshops and museums and try traditional Palóczen dishes. Here you will encounter rural life before the agricultural revolution in Europe when handicrafts dominated. In addition, there is the Hollókői Vár on a hill that watches over the settlement and in the past guaranteed protection from invading peoples. Today the settlement is protected by the status of UNESCO World Heritage and attracts many tourists every day who want to experience traditional Hungary up close. If you are planning a trip to Hungary, I can warmly recommend you to visit Holloko. Here on my travel blog, I give you a few impressions from the small town and share my experience for a visit. Have fun reading my travelogue.
How to get to Hollókő
Arriving by car
The easiest way to get to Holloko is by car. From Budapest to Hollókő the drive takes 1.5 hours and takes you along the M3 and road 21. For the navigation you can enter “Hollókő Központi parkoló” so that the satnav will navigate you directly to the parking lot (see map). Parking here costs 1200 ft per day or 400 ft per hour. We only arrived around 6 pm in the evening and were therefore able to park for free.
Getting here by bus
Getting here by public transport is also very easy. Buses run every morning (line 1024) and afternoon (line 439) from Budapest to Hollókő. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs around 2000 ft. The last bus from Hollókő to Budapest leaves at 4 pm. Further information, bus timetables and tickets can be found on the website of the bus company. From Hollókő there are also buses (line 3355) north to Szécsény on the Slovakian border.
If you want to learn more about traveling by car or public transportation in Hungary, check out my travel blog about Hungary.
A cultural travel destination in Hungary
Walking tour of the streets of Hollókő
After a long drive from the east of Hungary, the first thing we do is go to one of the local restaurants in Hollókő. Since the menu is only available in Hungarian and the waiter speaks neither English nor German, we try to explain to him with hands and feet that we do not eat meat. After 20 minutes a traditional Palóc soup is on our table. With meat. We eat it anyway and have to admit that it is very tasty. Then we move on strengthened through the beautiful village of Hollókő.
It is now late and most of the tourists have already left Hollókő. The streets are empty, and we can calmly explore the idyllic scenery. White little houses are on the side of the road and are nicely decorated. We reach the center of the settlement where there is a small white church. A wonderful sight in Hollókő. Two streets branch off from here, along which countless white houses are lined up.
If you prefer to travel in a group, there is a possibility to join a guided tour. You don’t have to worry about transportation, excursion planning, or food, but you can completely focus on the beauty of Holloko. I recommend booking a tour through Viator portal, where countless activities around the world can be booked easily and safely.
Hungary’s most beautiful houses
Almost every house in Hollókő seems to represent a special theme of the handicraft, others serve the residents as a home. In some houses there are souvenir shops where you can buy handicrafts. There are also several museums along the street where you can learn more about the traditional life of the Palóczen. Unfortunately, we arrived a little late, so many houses are already closed. Nevertheless, we can say that there are many sights in Hollókő.
Traditional life in Hungary – The museums in Hollókő
There are a variety of museums and other houses where you can see life in the past. We are late and most of the residents are just moving their goods from outside into the warehouse. A cute puppy is waiting for us in front of the pottery house, who is very fond of my camera and tries to grab it. Naughty little dog.
Below is a short list of the museums in Holloko. There are also several souvenir shops and handicraft houses at this travel destination.
Village Museum
Opening times: April to October: 10 am to 6 pm, November to March: 10 am to 4 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 400 ft, Students and Retirees: 250 ft
Postal Museum
Opening times: April to October: 10 am to 8 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 500 ft, Students, Retirees, postman: 250 ft
Dolls Museum
Opening times: March to October: 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 400 ft, Students and Retirees: 200 ft
Craft Printing Museum
Opening times: March to October: 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 200 ft, Students and Retirees: 100 ft
Hungarian folk dance house
Opening times: March to October: 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 200 ft, Students and Retirees: 100 ft
Weaving House
Opening times: March to October: 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 300 ft, Students and Retirees: 150 ft
You can find more information on the website of the village.
Short Facts for your Trip
The main season in Holloko runs from April to October. During this time, all museums, restaurants, and shops are open daily. The opening times differ in winter. A visit is particularly worthwhile at Easter, because then the annual Easter Festival takes place, where you can experience the traditional customs of the residents up close. We traveld in Hungary in July, and it was very hot and dry. Lots of tourists come at this time, so I recommend visiting early in the morning or in the evening.
You can plan half a day for the visit to Hollókő. If you want to visit all the museums and houses, you can stay here all day. There are enough possibilities. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to stay longer, because this region of Hungary promises an idyllic landscape that is best explored on a hike. There are a few suggestions for hiking trails on the following website.
There are a few accommodations in Hollókő* that could be described as homestays. Here you stay in one of the white houses right in the center. But most of the hotels are in the surrounding villages, which are just a few kilometers away. We stayed in Alsótold* during our journey and were very satisfied.
The easiest way to get around Hungary is with your own car. If you prefer to travel by bus and train, the following websites for buses and for trains will help you navigate through Hungary.
No special equipment is required to visit Hollókő. Pack what you would take with you for a normal city trip. Because of the white houses, I definitely recommend sunglasses. The castle is located on a rock, so sturdy shoes are recommended for the ascent. Since it can be fresh and windy in the walls of the fortresses, a sweater could come in handy.
In order to get the full splendor of the courtyards of the castle in your pictures, it is best to take a wide-angle lens with you. But this lens is also suitable for the streets in the old town. A tripod and filter could be interesting if you don’t want tourists in your pictures.
Travel guides for Hungary worth reading
The castle of Hollókő
The fortress of Holloko is located on a hill west of the village and can be reached on foot via several hiking trails. When we arrive at the castle, it is deserted because the gates are already locked. But the mighty “Hollókői vár” is also worth seeing from the outside and we are very impressed. In addition, from this attraction up here you have a wonderful view of the landscape of Hungary. Anyone coming to Hollókő should definitely see the castle.
Opening times, prices, and access to the Hollókő Castle
Inside the medieval castle you get an impression of life in a castle. The rooms are furnished with figures, old weapons, and other props to create an ancient atmosphere. You can also get inside the tower of the fortress and enjoy a wonderful view.
Opening times: March to October: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Entrance Fees: Adults: 900 ft, Students and Retirees: 600 ft
The legend of the castle of Hollókő
The castle was built in the 14th century. According to legend, a gentleman once lived here who kidnapped the wife of another ruler. He locked her in a room surrounded by stone walls. But a witch who was a member of the woman’s family had made a pact with the devil. And so it happened that the sons of the devil in the form of ravens carried away the stones of the walls in the night so that the woman could escape. The settlement was therefore named after the ravens, because Hollókő means something like raven stone.
A Visit to Hollókő: A Glimpse into Rural Life and Unspoiled Nature
Our visit to Hollókő was truly fascinating, offering an authentic glimpse into rural life from the past. It’s best to visit the village in the early morning or late evening, when the tourist crowds have yet to arrive or have already left. Be sure to check the opening hours if you plan to visit the village museums, as some houses are closed in the winter or have different hours. Hollókő is a bit off the main travel routes, but it is easily accessible by both car and bus. There are several hotels in the village, but plenty of accommodation options can also be found in the surrounding area. The traditional food in Hollókő is a real treat and definitely worth trying. If you want to learn more about the village, it’s best to visit the official website. I would definitely visit this idyllic settlement again, as the surrounding landscape is perfect for hiking. Hollókő is truly a worthwhile destination on your Hungary trip.
Accommodations and hotels in Hollókő
In Hollókő you can stay in one of the white houses right in the center. For example in the Kemencés Porta* or Nefelejcs Vendégház*, where you can experience ancient life up close. But there are also some hotels outside the center*. However, most of the accommodations are in the surrounding villages, which are only a few kilometers away. We stayed in Alsótold* during our round trip in Hungary and were very satisfied.
I hope you enjoyed my travelogue about Hollókő. On my Hungary blog I show you other beautiful travel destinations in Hungary and share valuable tips and experiences for your trip to Hungary. Did you like my blog post? Was I able to help you? Then I would be happy if you recommend my travel blog, leave a comment, or follow me on Instagram. Thanks for reading and have fun on your vacation in Hungary.
If you need more details or are looking for more hikes in Hungary, then take a look at this book. It enabled me to discover great hikes that I would not have found without the book. I personally like this series of hiking guides very much. The book is small and handy, offers useful information about hiking and detailed descriptions of the hikes. The book is in German, but I think the hiking routes are understandable even without knowledge of German.
The references marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called commission links. If you click on such a referral link and buy something, I get a small commission from the provider. For you, the price does not change! I see it as a small thank you for my work and look forward to any support.
