Isten hozott a Hungary! Budapest is by far and away the most popular tourist destination in Hungary, but if you have time there’s plenty more off the beaten path places to visit, including national parks, lakes, lovely cities and quaint towns.
We’ve been to Budapest several times and it’s become one of our favorite cities in Europe. We love the architecture, thermal baths, ruin bars and sheer volume of fun touristy things to do. Budapest is a place we always recommend to friends and family, and it’s also a place that often comes up in conversations about the best European cities. We need to explore more of Hungary, but Budapest is such a fantastic city that we always struggle to leave!
- Capital City: Budapest
- Population: About 9.7 million
- Language: Hungarian
- Currency: Forint (HUF)
- Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC +1) and Central European Summer Time (UTC +2)
Top Places To Visit In Hungary
Budapest – Hungary’s undisputed crown jewel is the wonderful city of Budapest. You can walk along the banks of the Danube, visit castles, enjoy striking architecture, relax in thermal spas, eat delicious food and party the night away in colorful dive bars.
Lake Balaton – The largest lake in Central Europe is a major holiday resort destination in Hungary. Small towns, beaches, hills, festivals and vineyards line the shores of the freshwater lake, which is busiest in July and August.
Eger – Compact, beautiful, tourist-free and filled with hot water spas, Eger is arguably the most attractive city in Hungary. It’s doable as a day trip from Budapest, but it’s far enough away to mean it’s usually quiet.
Pecs – Located in the south of Hungary, Pecs is one of the most culturally diverse and attractive cities in the country. It has a Mediterranean climate and it’s home to various historic buildings.
Esztergom – Within easy day trip distance from Budapest, Esztergom is located on the shores of a bend in the Danube. It has a gigantic basilica that you simply can’t miss, a quaint downtown and too many great photo spots to count.
Sopron – Located in the far west of Hungary near the border with Austria, you’ll find Sopron in the lower foothills of the Alps. It has a beautiful cobbled Old Town, which would make for a great romantic getaway for a few days.
Budapest
We love Budapest. It really is one of our favorite cities to visit in Europe and we’ll definitely be back again in the future. There’s so much to do, the food is amazing and the nightlife is so much fun. And the best part is that Budapest is an incredibly affordable place to visit. Here are our travel guides to get you started:
4 Days In Budapest, Hungary: The Perfect Itinerary For An Amazing City
Szechenyi Baths: A Guide To Budapest’s ‘Hottest’ Thermal Spa
Szimpla Kert: Budapest’s Flagship Ruin Bar
Most Popular Tours In Hungary
How Many Days Do You Need In Hungary?
If you’re only planning to visit Budapest, we recommend spending 3-4 days in the city on a first trip. You’ll be surprised at how much there is to see and do in the city. And we’re sure you’re going to enjoy the affordable food scene. You can then add more time for day trips to Lake Balaton, Esztergom or Eger.
For longer trips of 7-10 days in Hungary, we recommend you consider visiting Sopron, Budapest, Eger, Lake Balaton and Pecs. You’ll likely want to include Vienna, Bratislava and/or Zagreb to your itinerary along with Hungary, so be sure to plan well. If you have even more time, consider heading east to visit Debrecen or spending time in national parks.
Best Time To Visit
Hungary’s best weather is between May and September, so if you want warm sunny days you should plan to visit in peak season. The good news with Budapest is that it never gets too expensive, even in peak season. So don’t worry too much about prices being inflated if you visit in July or August.
We’ve been to Budapest in June, July and September. And it was hot every time we visited! We think June and September are the best times of year to visit, so that you benefit from a nice balance between costs, crowds and weather. With that said, you’ll find more activities happening in July and August, including huge music festivals in Budapest and Lake Balaton.
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