This advertorial is an edited extract from Monocle’s forthcoming Hungary guidebook, produced in partnership with Visit Hungary.

1.
Retail
Vass Shoes
Budapest

The scent of leather welcomes you into this handsome shop. A familyrun business with a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, Vass Shoes was founded in 1978 by master shoemaker László Vass. His daughter, Éva, runs the shop today, while her nephew continues the shoemaking tradition, offering classic Oxfords, Derbys and Budapest-style brogues. With off-the-rack and bespoke options, customers arrive with one mission: to walk home in a pair of Vass Shoes.

At Budapest’s Vass Shoes, three generations of craftsmanship come together in every pair – a quiet testament to technique, tradition and timeless style.

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2.
Wellness
Thermal Bath Hagymatikum
Makó

A sense of continuity – and democracy – sets Hungary’s wellness offering apart. Where other nations have elevated thermal bathing to a level of performance or privilege, here it is grounded in the everyday. People bathe not to brag about it on social media but because it works. Thermal Bath Hagymatikum, with its striking central cupola, was designed by celebrated Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz.

Thermal Bath Hagymatikum designer Imre Makovecz was a master of organic architecture. “From the very beginning I wanted to build a single building: the one that existed even before the creation of mankind,” he said.

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3.
Hospitality
Kollázs
Budapest

At the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace’s Kollázs restaurant, a wideranging menu takes in favourite Hungarian dishes such as chicken paprikash alongside French brasserie mainstays like a delectable beef tartare, dressed and served table-side. Crucially, what’s thoroughly Hungarian are the ingredients. “We source as locally as possible because there is strength in seasonality,” says general manager Agustina Sanchez. “We want to keep a Hungarian touch.”

Hungary hardly struggles to entice people into sampling its staple dishes – the trick for restaurateurs lies in finding the perfect balance between respecting tradition and adding a contemporary flair.

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4.
Hertiage
Pannonhalma Archabbey
Pannonhalma

Pannonhalma Abbey, with its austere geometry and Benedictine calm, offers something rare in modern times: space to think. Hosting concerts, workshops and creative residencies, it’s part of a shift towards attracting a more discerning crowd seeking spiritual spaces for secular reflection. So, whether you join the prayers or explore the Scent Museum, you are encouraged not to spectate but to engage.

Hungary’s Christian heritage began at Pannonhalma Archabbey, from which the Benedictine Order has spread the gospel since 996. Construction on this church began in 1224 and it has since undergone many restorations.

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5.
Architecture
Reök Palace
Szeged

Hungary’s idiosyncratic interpretation of art nouveau drew on international examples but also, crucially, Hungarian folk art. One example is Reök Palace, designed by Ede Magyar, who was nicknamed the “Hungarian Gaudí”. Magyar conceived Reök Palace as a gesamtkunstwerk – a total work of art – visible in every detail from the ornate facade to the intricate railings. Today, it is a vibrant museum.

Reök Palace is a masterpiece of art nouveau. The Reök family’s former mansion in Szeged is the magnum opus of architect Ede Magyar, who studied in Paris and was deeply influenced by the Franco- Belgian strands of the style.

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6.
Culture
Hungarian State Opera House
Budapest

Sitting proudly on Andrássy Avenue, the Hungarian State Opera House is the work of the 19th-century architect Miklós Ybl. Opened to the public in 1884, this is the country’s foremost venue for new productions and long-established revivals. Be warned, however, that distractions are plentiful. The ceilings are a work of art, while watching the colourful audience members in their boxes can often be as entertaining as the on-stage action.

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7
Wellness
Melea
Sárvár

This five-star wellness hotel reinterprets Hungary’s restorative traditions through a modern, international lens. The property also brings nature into the experience. Spa treatments are complemented by cold baths and quiet zones, while the dining menu – thoughtfully curated and allergy-conscious – reflects a wider philosophy of care. Melea’s service is polished but personal, with welcoming staff happy to tailor every part of a stay to your wellness needs.