Curious about the best places to visit in Hungary? Hungary is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and deservedly so. It has so much to offer to its visitors.

The country boasts gorgeous architecture, and it’s rich in history and culture. Its capital city, Budapest, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has a lively atmosphere and a great nightlife which attracts so many tourists from all around the world.

But Budapest is not the only place worth mentioning. Here in Hungary, you’ll find UNESCO listed national parks, beautiful medieval towns, stunning nature, hearty cuisine and well-known wines.

Do you plan to visit Hungary? Then you have found yourself in the right place.

We’ve created this list of some of the best places to visit in Hungary to help you with the task of planning your trip to Hungary.

7 best places to visit in Hungary

Budapest

Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary.

Known for its collection of stunning historical buildings, thermal baths and an abundance of fun things to do, Budapest is by far the most popular destination in Hungary.

Separated by the river Danube, Budapest consists of two parts — the hilly Buda and the flatter Pest. The two parts are connected by 8 bridges.

The most notable landmark in Budapest is the magnificent Hungarian Parliament. Rising above the Danube river, it features a whopping 365 smaller and bigger towers for each day of the year.

This architectural masterpiece is the largest building in Hungary.

Do not miss Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion — some of the most important tourist attractions in Budapest.

Thermal baths in Budapest are famous not only among the locals but also attract a large number of foreign tourists. Szechenyi Bath is the biggest and most popular thermal bath in Budapest. Also, it is one of the biggest natural hot spring spa baths in Europe.

Budapest is also known for its Jewish heritage. Visit Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives to learn more about the history of the Jewish experience in Hungary. Visit the Great Synagogue in Erzsébetváros, the historic Jewish quarter of Pest. With a capacity of 3000 people, it is the largest synagogue in Europe.

Being one of the most photogenic cities in Europe, Budapest is one of the best places to visit in Hungary.

Szentendre 

Located some 25 km north of Budapest, Szentendre is a popular day-trip destination.

This artsy riverside town is known for its historic architecture and museums, especially the ethnographic museum.

Explore Szentendre’s gorgeous colourful buildings and cobbled streets. Get lost in its galleries and enjoy a cup of coffee in one of its many cafes.

Visit the Hungarian Open Air Museum. Founded in 1967, it is Hungary’s largest open-air village museum. The museum has eight areas. Each of them is showcasing life in various areas of Hungary.

Visegrád 

Visegrád is a small castle town north of Szentendre and Budapest.

Dating back to the 11th century, Visegrád is one of the historic towns in Hungary popular with tourists.

Visegrád is best known for its medieval fortifications and the remains of the royal palace.

The fortifications of Visegrád consists of two parts — the Upper and Lower Castle. These fortifications date back to the 13th century. The Upper and Lower Castle are open to the public.

Dating to the 14th century, the royal palace houses exhibitions on the history of the palace and reconstructed historical interiors.

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is a resort town popular with visitors and local tourists alike.

With an area of 592 km², Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe.

Due to its size, it is often referred to as the Hungarian inner sea.

Featuring a 235km shoreline, the lake is surrounded by villages and volcanic hills. Its beaches are dotted with hotels and restaurants.

Lake Balaton is a great place to spend a couple relaxing days exploring the area.

Eger

Eger, a city in Northern Hungary, is home to a medieval castle, stunning Baroque architecture and its Ottoman minaret.

Eger is where you can find the best red wine in the country.

Dating back to the 10th century, Eger has a very rich history. The early settlement was an important place among the Hungarian towns even then. Later it was ruled by the Ottomans and Habsburgs. Evidence of these rulers can be found around the city.

Do not miss Eger Castle which is known for repelling the Turkish attack in 1552 during the Siege of Eger. 

Explore the narrow alleys in the old part of the town for which Eger is famous for.

For the best views of the city, head to the Eger minaret. With a height of 40 m, it offers unique views of the surrounding city. There are 97 steps on the spiral staircase, which leads to a balcony with a height of 26 meters.

The Eger minaret is the most northern minaret left from Ottoman rule in Europe.

Pécs & Mecsek

Located close to the Croatian border, Pécs is a lively city with an ancient history.

The area has been inhabited since ancient times. The ancient city was founded by Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century. In the 4th century, it became a significant early Christian centre. The early Christian necropolis from that era became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000. Now it attracts history buffs from near and far.

The Mosque Church that stands at the heart of the city’s main square is evidence of Ottoman rule in Pécs.

Do not miss Mecsek — a mountain range located not far from Pécs. These forested mountains are great for hiking and recreation.

Aggtelek National Park

Aggtelek National Park is a national park in the Aggtelek Karst region in Northern Hungary.

The national park is best known for its unique limestone surface formations and limestone caves.

Aggtelek National Park consists of 280 caves of different sizes. The largest stalactite cave of Europe, the Baradla cave, is situated in this national park.

The national park is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage along with the Slovak Karst caves.

Hungary travel tips

1. It’s easy to travel around Hungary. Hungary has an efficient network of public transport. There’s an extensive rail network that connects all the major cities. Buses are a cheap and efficient way of getting to further-flung places.
2. Like Budapest, the capital of Hungary is a short bus ride from Vienna, we suggest you combine a trip to Hungary with a trip to Austria, or at least to Vienna. Also, it may be cheaper to fly to Vienna and take a bus from there to Hungary. FlixBus offers cheap tickets (as little as 9 EUR).
3. In Budapest, you must purchase transport tickets at newsstands, ticket booths or machines beforehand and validate them once aboard.
4. If you are visiting Hungary during June, July and August, expect crowds and queues, as it’s the peak season.
5. Consider visiting during the shoulder season when Hungary receives fewer crowds. The best months for a quieter holiday are March, April, May, September and October.
6. They don’t use the Euro in Hungary. Hungary has its own currency called the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
7. If you want to withdraw money, look for ATMs of the local banks. We do not recommend you to use non-bank ATMs (e.g., EuroNet ATM). These ATMs charge big fees and offer bad exchange rates.