Discovering Hollókő – A Timeless Hungarian Village
We visited the little village of Hollókő, just northwest of the Mátra Mountains, because several tourist guides said it is one of the most beautiful Hungarian villages.
For people from Flanders I’d compare it best to Bokrijk. Only it’s a more authentic version. In Bokrijk they gathered old buildings from all over Flanders and placed them together in a park, but in Hollókő the historic village has simply been preserved. Most of the houses are still inhabited by the same families who have lived in the area for centuries.
They no longer make their living from farming, but from buses full of tourists. Almost every house is now a shop, café or museum – often all three at once. We visited on a normal weekday outside the high season, so it was fairly quiet, but I wouldn’t want to be there on a peak day. Still, the village is definitely worth a visit.
From the village you can also walk up the hill to the castle. It’s a beautiful building in a wonderful setting. And if you’re a bit sporty, you can walk for another hour along a hilltop to “the Hand of God,” an art installation from which you have a sweeping view over the valley.
During the walk a doe suddenly appeared on the path less than 10 meters ahead of us—but sadly Mazy was faster than I was to grab my camera… We walked back through the forest to our starting point. As we were driving away we saw a family of red deer, father and mother with several young ones, just out in the fields not far from the road.
All in all, a trip more than worth the effort. Not for a day‑trip from our home—it’s probably a bit too far for that—but if you stay somewhere in the Mátra, absolutely.
Cultural / Local Tips:
- In Hungary many villages like Hollókő preserve traditions, architecture and family lineages; the contrast with more curated heritage parks (like Bokrijk) can be striking.
- Tourist‑season: visiting off‑peak (weekday, spring/autumn) gives a more relaxed atmosphere; summer weekends may be crowded.
- Walking shoes: good footwear helps, hiking trails and hilltops have uneven paths.
- Wildlife sightings (e.g. deer) are possible—early morning or late afternoon increase chances.
