Hungary might not be up there with everyone’s first-choice of TEFL destination, but boy is it a hidden jewel. Set in the very midst of Central Europe, it’s got a rich history wrapped up with the great Hapsburg dynasty – it was once the epicenter of a mighty empire. On top of that, you can throw in wild beer bars and gorgeous Neo-Classic architecture, and whole swathes of countryside that go from winelands to glistening volcanic lakes. Appetite whetted? This guide hits some of the hotspots you’ll want to visit if you go in for teaching English in Hungary.
Budapest – obviously!
No trip to go teaching English in Hungary could possibly be complete without at least a pitstop in the amazing capital city. In fact, it’s likely you’re going to be based here, along with a third of the whole population. There’s a real buzz about the place, as the Danube snakes through, dividing the metropolis in two. On one bank is quiet and historic Buda, topped by a grand castle-palace and bastions of old fishing militias. On the other is gritty Pest, where you can unravel dark tales of communist rule, hit the City Park, and party the night away in mind-boggling ruin bars. Oh, and we didn’s even mention the spas – they steam and bubble everywhere.
Eger
Tree-peppered avenues link up with gorgeous Neo-Baroque churches in Eger, a town that’s got the looks, and most definitely has the wine. Yep, the winelands that flow over the undulating hills around the city are famed for their Egri Bikavér, also called Bull’s Blood. It’s a full-bodied, earthy tipple which is known for carrying the flavor of the local soils. Try that, but maybe check out 1,000-year-old Eger Castle and its Turkic remnants before you do.
Lake Balaton
The largest lake in Central Europe and one darn striking destination to boot, Balaton dashes its way through ancient volcanic hills on route to the Slovene border. It’s a hotspot for summer partying, with the north-eastern town of Siofok coming alive with pumping EDM festivals when the weather’s warm. The northern banks are famed for their sweet wines and age-old castles. But, best-known of the lot, is the spa facility that straddles the mineral-rich waters of Lake Heviz near Keszthely. Go there to cure all the stresses of teaching English in Hungary.
Szentendre
Draped over green and wooded hills on the winding Danube River just north of Budapest, the quaint town of Szentendre is all about going back in time. It’s got wiggling cobbled streets that go this way and that, pint-sized plazas with coffee shops, and more art galleries than you can shake a bowl of steaming goulash at – but don’t do that. Highlights include the Blagovestenska Church and the half-ruined fortress that crowns so-called Castle Hill, a remnant of the medieval age. Anyone teaching English in Hungary should find this one easy to check off the list – it’s a mere 30 minutes from the capital.
Esztergom
Overlooking the Danube on the cusp of the Slovakian border, Esztergom is one of the most prestigious religious centers in Central Europe. You won’t be able to miss the great Basilica of Esztergom, which holds one of the largest single-canvas paintings in the world. Around it, formidable Esztergom Castle is worth a visit, eventually spilling into the chocolate-box of an old district that is Watertown – think little taverns, goulash houses, and cobbled lanes.
Of course, this list touches on just a few of the amazing places that await folk who opt to go teaching English in Hungary. If you’ve anything to add, we’d sure love to hear about it in the comments below. Alternatively, check out our 120-hour online TEFL course, which can get you on the road to bagging jobs in Hungary in no time.
There are a few features that location-independent tutors will look for in the crème-de-la-crème of destinations for online TEFL teachers. Internet being quick and accessible is numero uno, of course. But then there’s cost of living, climate, local cuisine, café culture – the list goes on. The curated selection below reveals a just few of the hottest spots to hit the laptop and teach right now…
Canggu, Bali
The star of Canggu has risen and risen, and this bustling quarter of the Bali south coast is now nothing short of legendary on the digital nomad circle. Fast web? Zingy fibre optic lines will mean you don’t miss word on those Skype lessons. Good accommodation options? How does a private Balinese villa with a tropical garden laced with orchids and its own swimming pool sound? Those combine to make this a corker of a destination for online TEFL teachers, but that’s still not mentioning the crashing surf swells, the beach bars, the excellent boho coffee shops.
Bangkok, Thailand
There was a time when it would have been Chiang Mai and not Bangkok flying the flag for the Land of Smiles on this list. But the sheer number of online workers who’ve flocked to Thailand’s northern hub might just have pushed things over the edge. That gives the capital its chance to shine. Score yourself a swish penthouse in Bang Rak with its own infinity pool overlooking the cityscape. Enjoy the lightening-fast net. And prepare for weekends of trawling hawker markets, sipping Chang beers with backpackers down Khaosan Road, or hiking the green Tenasserim Hills.
Budapest, Hungary
Bubbling bathhouses and steaming spas pepper the Hungarian capital, while long boulevards with a Parisian vibe run this way and that around the snaking Danube. The place is a looker, no questions. And it’s cheap, with beer prices lower than many of its Central European compadres. On top of that, there’s a great balance between quick internet and local transport connections – you could be skiing in Austria in a matter of hours or taking selfies outside the castle of Bratislava.
Lisbon, Portugal
When it comes to great destinations for online TEFL teachers that have it all, Lisbon surely comes darn close. The Portuguese kitchen sets the food a-rolling in a medley of sizzling sardines and sugary pastel cakes. Cobbled lanes weave around Alfama and the Bairro Alto (two gorgeous neighborhoods) like a web, showcasing a town that’s indelibly handsome with its blue-tiled churches and open plazas. There’s al fresco living everywhere. There are festivals. And just down the coast? Get ready for golden bays of picture-perfect sand and surf.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
If you can handle the seasonal crowds of red-in-the-face spring breakers and college partiers, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit that extends to the north of it makes a darn fine place to settle. That’s especially true if you’re a fan of lovely Pacific beachfronts, surfing weekends, and spicy food. On top of that, Mexico is relatively easy to get around (check out those VIP buses) and has modern internet links. Think about settling in the Romantic Zone or heading north to little surf villages like Sayulita and San Pancho for something quieter.
Taipei, Taiwan
The city where everything works and everyone’s happy, Taipei is on the rise as a destination for online TEFL teachers precisely because of how well-planned, how efficient, and how easy it makes life. The internet is some of the fastest in the whole world. There are affordable, clean flat rentals in vast suburbs. And you get that infusion of mysterious East Asian culture thrown in the mix. A hop down the street and you’re in a soy-scented food court. A hop on the train and you’re in holy mountain ranges that steam with hot springs.
The Canary Islands, Spain
Long associated with package holidays and sunburned Europeans, the Canary Islands have undergone a bit of an image change in recent years. They’re now being listed alongside the best adventure travel destinations of the planet. It’s easy to see why. There’s Lanzarote – the so-called Hawaii of Europe – with dusty volcanic cones, trail running, and wild surf breaks. There’s Fuerteventura, a land of white-sand beaches and blue lagoons. What’s more, any intrepid online TEFL teacher will still benefit from the built-up infrastructure that made vacations here so easy in the past, from good roads to quick internet connections.
If it’s time you got qualified and thinking about teaching in some of these amazing destinations for online TEFL teachers, be sure to head over to our courses page for more information. If you’ve got somewhere great to add to this list, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below…