Ask any of your friends about what Hungary is famous for. Most likely, they will answer you that with wines and paprika. This is a true opinion, but still, each of us wants to purchase the most original and unusual souvenirs during the trip. What tourists bring from Hungary and what local products are a real symbol of this state?
Porcelain and Ceramics
In Hungary, there are immediately two large factories producing porcelain, ceramics and glass. These are Herend and Zsolnay. Many products of these brands, as before, are painted by hand. If you still think that to bring from Hungary a gift to a lover of original and beautiful dishes, choose national porcelain or crystal. Among the assortment of both plants, one can find both traditional products (jugs in the form of girls in national clothes, shepherds and flower-painted sets), as well as modern stylish sets for table setting. The most Hungarian souvenir is deservedly considered miskakancs - a vessel in the form of a brave hussar. In porcelain gift shops you can find very beautiful dolls.
What is brought from Hungary, except branded porcelain? Pay attention to traditional black ceramic items. Another “trick” of local masters is jugs and other utensils with secrets. Any vase can have a small built-in casket, disguised from prying eyes, for embedding love letters.
Embroidery and lace
Hungarian textiles will delight lovers of home comfort and original handmade clothing. Local craftswomen embroider wonderful tablecloths, napkins, pillowcases for decorative pillows and whole bedspreads. Fashionable women who respect ethnic style will be interested in shirts, blouses and other wardrobe items with national embroidery. The most popular floral motifs that turn any product into a fragrant meadow. Today, only 27 colors are used in embroidery. The most popular types of this fabric decoration are called matero and kalochai.
Be careful when choosing gifts for women, each shade has its own mystical meaning. What can a young girl bring from Hungary? Choose embroidery in happy colors: pink, red, orange - they are associated with youth. For mature women, it is better to purchase products designed in a calmer and darker range: blue, green, purple. Folk lace, airy and openwork, looks no less impressive, they surprise with color transitions and a pleasant combination of various shades.
Leather products for every taste and budget
What to bring from Hungary as a souvenir as a souvenir? If you don’t like porcelain and textiles, pay attention to handmade leather goods. They are sold in any souvenir shop and street markets. Hungarian craftsmen make everything from genuine leather: from bracelets and small accessories to jackets and shoes. If you wish, you can find a real exclusive: leather products with national embroidery or painted with durable paints. If you prefer a classic style, feel free to purchase factory-made accessories. These are quite modern, “most ordinary” wallets, bags, belts. They differ only in high quality workmanship and extraordinary softness.
Toys for children and adults
Did you know that the famous Rubik's Cube was invented by the Hungarian Erne Rubik? So why not bring this particular puzzle from Hungary? It is believed that only a very smart and quick-witted person can assemble a toy. Check yourself and surprise your family with a useful and entertaining gift!
What do tourists bring from Hungary as a gift to their children? Popular are dolls in national clothes. These are inexpensive figures intended for the game, and real works of art - souvenir figurines. Parents of boys should look for miniature cars company "Trabant". A similar gift may interest adult collectors. For children, a variety of wooden figures are made, painted in the spirit of national color. In Hungary, there is even its own analogue of Russian nesting dolls. This doll differs from its Russian “sister” in decorative painting and altered facial features.
The most popular souvenirs
One of the most popular types of tourist souvenirs is folk costumes and their individual elements. Only a person who is very in love with this country can wish to have a full Hungarian national dress in his wardrobe. But why not buy some individual elements of the costume as a gift or for yourself? Women's jewelry, belts and stylization of ordinary clothes with folk lace and embroidery - all this looks appropriate with a variety of clothes. Unusual and interesting look souvenirs in a provincial style. Wicker baskets, wooden utensils, a shepherd's whip, a bogr bowler or horns - these gifts will surprise anyone!
Paprika and other spices
The most popular
edible souvenir from Hungary is paprika. This spice in local markets can be found in any form: ground spices, dried pods and even pickled. The cheapest option is factory-made powder packaged in sealed bags. From street vendors, you can buy hand-picked paprika, according to many tourists, it is much tastier and more aromatic. Be sure to take several varieties for testing. Do not be afraid to miscalculate, any local is a real paprika expert. Merchants will be happy to tell you the sharpest and sweetest varieties.
What do people who do not know how to cook bring from Hungary? Of course, cookbooks with national recipes. In tourist shops you can find publications in various languages, including Russian. The Hungarian city of Mako is considered the state capital of onions. Various varieties of this vegetable are grown here, as an addition to the main gifts you can bring along the bulb for friends.
Alcoholic drinks
Favorable conditions of the Hungarian climate make it possible to grow grapes on an industrial scale. Today in this relatively small country there are 22 winemaking areas. Each region pleases with its own palette of tastes and shades. What wine to bring from Hungary to Russia? The most famous drink is Tokai, produced in Tokai-Khedyalya. These wines are made from white grape varieties, insisting on noble mold (they use grapes that began their transformation into raisins). Red lovers will surely like the “Egri Bikaver”, the drink is made according to old recipes in the city of Eger.
What souvenirs to bring from Hungary to lovers of Russian cuisine? Vodka "Palenka" is a strong alcoholic drink that our compatriots will surely enjoy. The uniqueness of this alcohol lies in the combination of a high degree and various fruit flavors. Vodka is insisted on various berries and fruits. The most popular tastes: grapes, plums, cherries, pears. For tourists, "Palenka" is sold in beautiful souvenir bottles. Signature drinks in Hungary are also considered liquors and medicinal herbal tinctures.
What to bring from Hungary: souvenirs, unusual gifts that you can eat
One of the products of Hungarian production, which definitely deserves your attention, is salami sausage. The “Peak” factory is considered the best producer, and Téliszalámi (“winter salami”) is recognized as its branded sausage variety. Those who categorically do not like the above kind of sausages should try meat products from Gyula. These sausages are no less sophisticated and completely unlike salami.
Tasty and very unusual appetizer - palpustai cheese. It is distinguished by a strong salty and spicy taste. Be sure to try it during your stay in Hungary. If you like this appetizer, buy a few pieces as souvenirs. But be careful: the product smells too strong and needs additional packaging.
Sweet tooth will definitely like marzipans. These are sweet figures made according to old recipes. An excellent tourist souvenir - mzeskalcs, this is a heart-shaped gingerbread, symbolizing the kindest thoughts and wishes. Another tasty brand in Hungary is pickles and pickled snacks. Shavanyushag deserves special attention, it is a pickled appetizer from different varieties of pepper.
Where to buy souvenirs at the best prices?
Souvenir shops are available in the center of any tourist city in Hungary. As in any other country, prices in popular stores designed for visitors are somewhat overpriced. If you have enough free time and want to save on the purchase of gifts, go to Szentendre. This is a small town that can be reached from Budapest in just 30 minutes. Since time immemorial, artists and craftsmen have settled here. The town will delight not only with a cozy provincial atmosphere, but also with a variety of products of local craftsmen. Here you can buy any national souvenirs. You know what to bring from Hungary, thanks to our article, so why not buy everything in one place at competitive prices?