Top Destinations in Hungary
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe famous for its capital Budapest, but did you know that Hungary has many other touristic areas worth visiting? From mountains to rivers and lakes and picturesque towns, Hungary is a top destination for travel enthusiats who want to explore more of Central Europe. There are many outdoor activities to be enjoyed in nature in Hungary as well as many resorts and spa towns and wine terraces. Enjoy the Hungarian culture and traditions, together with Visit Hungary we will guide you along 5 main touristic hubs in Hungary for more insights into the country.
Where are some of the best places to visit in Hungary?
1. Budapest
While in Hungary it is, of course, a great idea to visit the capital Budapest. Whether on a long weekend or for a longer stay the city offers many activities for tourists of all ages. A must-do activity in Budapest is to enjoy the Roman Thermal Baths, you can choose from over 123 thermal baths in the city alone! Famous for the waters rich in dissolved minerals, the most popular location is the Széchenyi Thermal Bath which is open 13 hours a day, 7 days a week.
During your stay, enjoy the sights of Hungarian landmarks such as the 19th century Chain Bridge above the Danube river which connects Buda to Pest. Visit the Great synagogue, the impressive baroque palace of the Buda castle, the grand neoclassical buildings along Pest’s Andrássy Avenue, the indoor Central Market Hall, the Ruin bars, the Hungarian National Museum for Hungarian historical relics, The house of Terror exhibiting Hungary’s fascist and communist history and much more..
We recommend taking a boat tour on the Danube River to enjoy the city from a different perspective, diring the tour you will be informed of the sights and history of places you will pass by.
2. Greater Budapest
The city center of Budapest has a lot to offer to tourists and the surroundings of the city have many sights that we highly recommend visiting. The Danube river which crosses Budapest and splits Buda from Pest, is the second largest river in Europe. The river runs across Hungary and amongst 10 other countries to finally end in the Black sea. In the Budapest area, the river allows for great hiking trails in the region. Wind around between the hills of Börzsöny, from Szob all the way to Nagybörzsöny, on the Transbörzsöny narrow-gauge railway. Nature lovers are welcome on the 20.8-kilometre line through the hills. Fans of this kind of forest hiking should also visit the 11.5-kilometre-long section of the Királyrét Forest Railway, in the valley of Morgó Creek.
On the Buda side of the city, visit the Római beach, a popular beach for locals since it is one of the few spots along the Danube river that is approachable. Once at the beach you can follow the path up to the town of Szentendre (picture below), known for it’s baroque architecture and colourful houses. On the Pest side, you will find the neighbourhood of Népsziget, an up and coming hip bohemian place with nice bars and restaurants and fantastic walks. About 11 kilometers north from the neighbourhood you will fine the Lupa Island located on the Lupa Lake. The island preserved it’s authentic bygone era feel, it seems almost frozen in time with it’s 30s look and feel. This is because the island is only accessible by boat! The lake itself is worth walking around as you will be amazed by the beautiful intimate sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees. It is a fantastic promenade!
3. Balaton
The Lake Balaton is a popular holiday destination, especially in the warmer months of the year when you can swim in the water. The lake is impressive as it is 200 km2. It's a family friendly place with activities for all ages. You can also enjoy the lake on a boat to admire the sights of nature all around the lake. Balaton Uplands is a world heritage site rimmed with volcanic mountains. The region is famous for its’ beaches, volcanic hills and resort towns, and it is located only around 100 kilometers from Budapest! You can cycle around the lake by renting a bike, a very pleasant bike ride from spring to autumn. The lake can be observed from the Globe Observatory in Balatonboglár. Other popular activities in the area include going bobsledding in Balatonfűzfő and riding rollercoasters in Zalaszabar.
Have a relaxing time in Hévíz in Europe’s largest thermal lake (visible in the picture below) where you will be able to swim surrounded by nature and impressive trees. An incredible gift of nature! The spa town is a must-do in Hungary. In the area, you can also experience rowing through the passageways of the Tapolca Lake Cave, naturally carved by the blend of hot and cold waters over thousands of years. An impressive natural sight that is worth the visit. For a culinary experience around the lake, we highly recommend heading to Badacsony, where you will find wine terraces with unbeatable views on the lake - enjoy the locally produced wine and food.
4. Debrecen and surroundings
Debrecen is Hungary's second largest city, enjoy walking around the city and learning about its history. Walk around the City Park - one of Debrecen’s most popular destinations for families. There you will find a variety of activities, ranging from a five acre wood playground for children, whilst you will find petanque and chess with giant chess pieces for the rest of the family. Visit the City Park Water Tower, an adventure center for the whole family. For adults, there is a wine terrace in the park and you can lounge on sunbeds nearby the Békás Pond to relax and catch the sun!
The park offers many activities, take the family on the train that goes around the park and through the Debrecen zoo and the amusement park. Another great way to explore the park! Moreover, from early May to late September you can enjoy musical and theatrical performances in the City Park Open Air Festival lodged between impressive oak trees and pines…
In the area, you can visit Europe’s largest spa complex in Hajdúszoboszló, located 22 kilometres away from Debrecen. There, you will be able to relax in this idyllic small town resort and enjoy the variety of swimming pools, thermal spa and baths, saunas and water slides as well as the 40 types of treatments you can choose from. Around the resort, enjoy the Mátyás Király Promenade for a breath of fresh air in nature where you will be able to taste more local delicacies. Finally, enjoy walking and cycling around the Lake Tisza for beautiful nature sights and take a dip in the water on one of the beaches around the lake!
5. Tokaj and Nyíregyháza
Do you crave historical and wild sights? Head to the region of Tokaj, Upper Tisza, and Nyírség, located in the northeast of Hungary. It is a diverse region appreciated by nature and wine enthusiasts. The local wine is one to taste from hundreds-of-years-old cellars! You can taste the wine in the vineyards of Mád to grasp the feel of the Hungarian wine region with scenic views on hills and vineyards.
For a historical walk, visit the Boldogkő Castle from which you will admire scenic views of the romantic landscape of the region. You can rent a bike to explore the region of Upper Tisza where you will find many preserved medieval churches and buildings. For more nature, go canoeing on the river Tisza in the impressive natural surroundings with towering trees and enjoy resting on the many sandbanks of the Tisza.
Finally, head to the Zemplén Mountains a place rich in castles and fortresses and authentic woods. The most important trail to follow when walking in the mountains is the National Blue Trail. It is 1100 km long and passes key lookout points such as the Nagy-Péter-mennykő and the Kis-Milic. An Ideal destination for any nature enthusiast! For more adventure, you can visit the Zemplén Adventure Park, located in the Magas Hill, this park offers thrilling zip lining activities that are as high as 100 meters above the ground as well as Hungary’s longest bobsled track.
