Camping in style: the most beautiful “glamping” sites and tree houses in Hungary

The word first emerged in the UK around 2005 and it took 10 years for it to make it into the dictionary, in 2016. It was coined by combining the words “glamorous” and “camping,” meaning a luxurious tent that combines closeness to nature and comfort, or even luxury. You can spend our holidays in accommodation equipped with all kinds of comfort but which is nothing like the glass and concrete structures of luxury hotels. Camping becomes a special experience not only for those who liked it to begin with, but also for those who have so far been reluctant to enjoy it for fear of a lack of comfort.

The ancient Hungarian yurt tents were rediscovered by glampers in the 21st century, when they combined ancient knowledge with modern amenities. On Dobogókő, for example, you can stay in traditional yurt tents – the way our ancestors lived, in the same space with the whole family. The tents can be winterised with a small wood-burning stove, so guests are welcome in all seasons. You can still keep to your regular hygiene routine, of course, using the bathrooms located in a separate building.

The snow-white yurts lined up on a farm not far from Szeged are truly futuristic, modern forms of accommodation. The opening at the top of the yurt no longer serves to draw the smoke away from the stove (as it did in the ancient Hungarian era), but has become a glass vault through which you can admire the starry sky. The nearby spa offers a thermal pool and massages, while more active visitors can go hiking in the area.

You will find even more futuristic types of accommodation in Noszvaj, where a completely transparent igloo has been created at the height of the tree canopies, with a perfect view of the forest and the stars.

Built into the tree canopy, this accommodation literally lifts you off the ground and offers a different view of the world. We have known this since childhood, so it is no surprise that we envy those who have their own tree house in the garden. And the good news is that you don't have to give up the experience of elevation, the immediate proximity of nature, and the chirping of birds, as adults. You can stay in tree houses built into the canopies of trees in several parts of the country. In Noszvaj, you can choose not only an elevated tent, but also the luxury suites built among the foliage, which are equipped with the same amenities as four-star hotels. In the double suites recommended for visitors without children, you can experience undisturbed peace and relaxation.

In Verőce, a tree house created for especially environmentally conscious guests awaits. It was constructed largely from recycled, natural materials, and comes with a bicycle; likewise, guests are also asked to mind their ecological footprint. In the garden, you can relax and chat while sitting in a five-person, wood-heated barrel tub. But you can also sleep among the branches of the trees in Bodolybér and Lovasberény near Pécs.

The Bodolybér eco-camp also offers traditional glamping tents with terraces, with breakfast provided from organic vegetables grown in the campsite’s own garden. Not far from here, in the Mókus Valley in the Mecsek, a converted, old Csepel truck provides accommodation, while in Bükkösd you can spend the night in a real covered wagon. If you want to try the atmosphere of cave dwellings, you can do so in the 300-year-old Sirok, albeit with a modern kitchen and bathroom, in double accommodation overlooking the Mátra. And fans of the Lord of the Rings can be transported into the legendary story for at least one night in the hobbit dwellings in Üröm.