HUNGARY TRAVEL GUIDE
Hungary is one of the many underrated gems of Europe. Compared to pricey Western Europe, Hungary offers incredible value. It boasts beautiful landscapes, rich history, hearty food, and affordable nightlife. You’ll find fewer crowds, cheaper prices, beautiful national parks, historic city centers, and friendly people. It’s one of my favorite places to explore in Europe!
While most people only visit Budapest, there is so much to see elsewhere around the country. It always surprises me that, for a country in the middle of Europe, so few people actually bother to explore it.
This travel guide to Hungry can help you visit the country on a budget and ensure you have an epic trip without breaking the bank.
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Hungary
1. Explore Budapest
With its cheap accommodations, multitude of thermal baths, castles, Budapest is always a big hit with travelers. It has lots to do, cheap food, and a lively atmosphere. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world!
2. Visit the ruin bars
After World War II, many buildings in the city were left ruined and abandoned. Squatters, then artists, and now hipsters moved into them and have turned them into eclectic “ruin bars” that even the locals love. Szimpla Kert, and Fogasház are among my favorites.
3. Soak in the largest thermal lake in the world
Hévíz is located near Lake Balaton and is home to the largest thermal lake in the world, Lake Hévíz. There isn’t much to the town beyond this, but it makes for a neat day trip if you’re in the area. Single entry tickets are 3,500 HUF for three hours and there are a range of spa services available too.
4. Hike Gulács Hill
This inactive volcano stands around 400m high and makes for a wonderful hike. The path is rugged and often covered in dense forest or fallen trees, so it’s not ideal for children. You’ll get stunning views of the entire area and it’s only a 2-mile (3km) trek. It makes for an easy day trip from Budapest.
5. Take a trip to Eger
Tucked away in northern Hungary, this town is known for its historic castle, stunning Baroque and architecture and Turkish ruins, thermal baths, and the best red wine in the country. You can buy wine directly from those who make it, so this is a good place for souvenirs — or to stock up for yourself!
Other Things to See and Do in Hungary
1. Dance at the Sziget Music Festival
The Sziget Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe. It takes place every August for one week on Margaret Island in Budapest, right on the Danube River. Because of its size and international popularity, tourists and locals alike flock to Budapest to take in the scene. With over 1,000 performances, there is something for most musical tastes. You can book tickets online. Prices start from 24,000 HUF for a one-day pass.
2. Relax at Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is the biggest freshwater lake in Central Europe and is known affectionately as the Hungarian inner sea. It’s a popular tourist destination both for visitors and nationals thanks to its beaches and volcanic hills. In Tihany, you can visit a Benedictine Abbey that dates to 1065 CE (admission is 1,200 HUF). Towards the north of the lake is a wine-growing region, wetlands, and some epic hiking trails. For those looking for more relaxation, you’ll find over 1,000 hot springs famed for their medicinal properties here. One of the most popular is Héviz Lake (mentioned above) which also offers visitors a whole range of different spa treatments. Treatments start from 2,100 HUF for a 30-minute massage.
3. Cruise along the Danube
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe (the Volga is the longest). The river runs through the entire country and you can visit many of the small towns that line its coast by taking a boat cruise (you can even cruise into Germany if you have time). Expect to pay around 22,000 HUF for a full-day cruise that includes lunch. For a shorter 4-hour cruise without food included, prices start at 4,000 HUF.
4. Visit the Necropolis in Pécs
Located just a couple hours from Budapest, this UNESCO World Heritage site dates to the 4th century. It’s the largest necropolis in Europe, with several burial chambers open to the public, including multi-level chambers. Admission is 1,700 HUF.
5. Take a food tour
Hungarian cuisine is both delicious and hearty. If you’re a foodie like me and want to sample the country’s most popular dishes (while learning about their cultural importance), take a food tour. Food Tour Budapest runs in-depth guided tours around Budapest that can introduce you to the region’s best dishes and teach you how they came to be. Tours last a few hours and start at 27,000 HUF.
6. Admire the National Gallery
Established in 1957 and located in the Royal Palace in Budapest, the National Gallery is home to works from prominent Hungarian and European artists. There are a lot of paintings and sculptures here, as well as a collection of altarpieces from the 1400s. You can also tour the building’s dome for views of the city. It’s not a huge gallery, so you only need a few hours to take it in. Admission to the gallery is 3,200 HUF per person and an audio guide is 800 HUF.
7. Go birdwatching
Hungary is home to a surprising number of bird species. Hot spots for birding include Hortobágy, Lake Ferto, Kiskunság, Lake Tisza, Bükk and the Zemplén Mountains. In these places, you have a fair chance of seeing great bustards, sakers, imperial eagles, pygmy cormorants, woodpeckers, and even Ural owls. There are several companies that can arrange small group trips to these places (often combined with other activities, like wine tastings). Tours aren’t cheap, though — multi-day tours cost upwards of 240,000 HUF — so consider a self-guided trip if you’re on a budget.
8. Visit the House of Terror museum
Hungary is infamous for the brutality of its leaders under the Nazi and Soviet regimes. This building is both a museum and a memorial paying homage to the thousands of people who were tortured and brutally killed here. It’s not a light way to spend your afternoon, but you’ll get heaps of insight into Hungary’s complex history. Admission is 3,000 HUF.
9. Cycle the countryside
There are over 1,243 miles (2,000km) of cycling paths in the Hungarian countryside (and 125 miles/200 kilometers around Budapest). Lake Balaton has a popular cycling route that runs all the way around its perimeter. For those looking to go further afield on a multi-day excursion, the paths in Hungary also connect with routes in Germany and Austria. The routes are easy to navigate, though if you prefer to take a guided tour there are plenty available. A one-day guided tour costs between 22,220-55,550 HUF per person. If you are traveling with a bicycle, it can be transported by train within Hungary.
10. Explore Tengerszem Nature Preserve
This nature preserve is in an old stone mine, which closed in 1907. Nature has slowly reclaimed the area and water has filled the massive gorge. The site was declared the most beautiful area in all of Hungary in 2011. It a unique location to spend the day as its protected status means there are all kinds of incredible flora and fauna to be seen. The preserve is near Sarospatak in the northeast of the country (it’s just 20 minutes from the border with Slovakia).
11. Soak in the baths
Thermal baths are a big part of Hungarian culture. Whether you’re relaxing in the famous Szechenyi Baths in Budapest or checking out a small hot pool in the countryside, you can’t leave Hungary without partaking in this local pastime (there are over 1,300 thermal baths in the entire country). Weekday admission is around 6,800 HUF per person, with prices rising slightly on the weekend.
12. Visit the Royal Palace (Buda Castle)
They call it a castle, but the Royal Palace in Budapest is more of a palace complex than a proper ‘castle.’ Though it was originally constructed in the 13th century, the huge Baroque complex you see today was built between 1749 and 1769. The palace’s days of being a luxurious living space ended in World War II when Nazi (and then Russian) troops looted it. Today, it’s home to a collection of museums. Beneath the castle, there is a spooky labyrinth that tourists were once free to wander, however, it’s now closed (which is too bad because it was really neat!).
13. Wander the Great Market Hall
At the head of Budapest’s Vaci Utca, the kitschy shopping street in town, is the Great Market Hall. Built in 1897, this is the oldest and largest indoor market in the country. Its incredible exterior is covered in the same ceramic tiles as are on the roof of Matthias Church on the top of Buda Hill. Walk the aisles and check out local produce and artisanal crafts, buy local spices like paprika, and sample the tasty food stalls. This is the perfect place to people watch, have lunch, and pick up souvenirs. Food tours are also available at 11am every Saturday and cost around 9,000 HUF for a two-hour tour. The market is open Monday-Saturday.
14. Soak in the Cave Bath
If you enjoy spas and are in need of some pampering, the Cave Bath at Miskolctapolca is a must. Located within a natural cave system two hours east of Budapest, here the water is rich in natural minerals and is said to contain healing properties. The water is a relaxing 86°F (30°C) and there are several different pools to enjoy as well as reasonably priced spa treatments available. The baths are open year-round (except January) and admission starts at 3,500 HUF.
15. Attend the Busójárás Festival
This slightly scary festival happens annually in the lead up to Ash Wednesday in the town of Mohács. During this time, locals parade through the town dressed in traditional clothing and wearing demonic face masks. No one is 100% certain where the tradition comes from as there are two very different stories, so it really depends on who you ask. One story is that it stems from an attempt to frighten off the Ottoman invaders. The other is that it’s part of a pagan tradition to frighten away the winter. Either way, it’s an interesting festival to witness. The dates of the festival change each year to coincide with Easter.
16. Tour the wine region
If you are a wine fan, the region of Eger in northern Hungary is where you’ll find the country’s best wines. There are many vineyards here where you can take a tour as well as sample and buy wine. A private wine tour and tasting costs upwards of 60,000 HUF so if you are on a tight budget keep an eye out for special wine tasting evenings. Here you can tour the cellars and enjoy plenty of samples at a discount. Two of the most popular wineries to visit are the Gál Tibor winery and Bolyki Pincészet.
17. Explore the Caves of Aggtelek Karst
The Caves of Aggtelek Karst are part of Aggtelek National Park, one of the only UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. There are 712 caves spread out over 138,000 acres that run along the border of Hungary and Slovakia. The site is made up of seven areas with five in Hungary and two in neighboring Slovakia. Within the caves, you can see some of the largest stalactites and stalagmites in Europe. You can also book a tour that takes you across the border to see the caves in Slovakia. To enter the caves, you must be part of a guided tour. Admission is 2,200 HUF. For more information on tour times check the official website.
18. Go hiking in Hortobágy National Park
Located in the eastern part of Hungary, this is the largest protected landscape in the country. The park was created in the 1970s and became a World Heritage Site in 1999. The grassy plains (also known as a steppe) are home to all sorts of domestic animals, including cattle, horses, and water buffalo tended to by traditional herdsmen. Some of the rarest animal breeds can be found here, including great bustards, lesser white-fronted geese, white-tailed eagles, and falcons. The landscape is incredibly stunning.
19. See the Bokod Floating Houses
Bokod and Oroszlány are two towns located around 80km outside Budapest. The towns are home to a collection of cottages and cabins on stilts that line the coast of Lake Bokodi. The cabins and cottages are popular with the locals in the summer months, though there are some fishermen who spend time here in the winter as well (the lake is famous for almost never freezing, even though Hungary has cold winters). It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination that few tourists visit.
20. Visit the Hungarian Versailles
Eszterháza is a vast palace located near the border with Austria and is often considered the Hungarian version of France’s Versailles. Constructed in the late Baroque style, the palace was built throughout the 18th century after being commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, who wanted a palatial getaway for his hunting expeditions. There are 126 rooms in the palace and the library houses over 22,000 books. Daily tours are available in English if you want to see this decadent getaway with your own eyes. Admission is 5,300 HUF and guided tours are 6,350 HUF.
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