Visiting Hungary? Wondering where to go, where to stay, and what to do in Hungary? Confused as to how much time you need to explore Hungary? Well, we’ve answered all your questions in this article. Our 7 days in Hungary itinerary is all you need to plan a perfect trip to Hungary.
Related Read: 7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Hungary
From incredible architecture to famous thermal spas to intriguing traditions to the versatile and exhilarating European capital – Hungary is one of the best countries to visit in Europe.
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7 Days in Hungary Itinerary
Our itinerary for Hungary covers the best of Hungary in 7 days (one week.) We rented a car to explore the country. It gave us much-needed ease and freedom. We love Discover Cars when it comes to renting a car anywhere in the world. Read our guide to renting a car in Europe before you rent a car in Hungary.
PS: You don’t need a rental car in Budapest. Budapest is best explored by public transport or hop-on-hop-off bus or on foot. So, hire a car on your 4th or 5th day to explore Hungary outside Budapest.
Alternatively, Hungary has an efficient public transportation system (buses, trains, and ferries) that makes traveling between the destinations breezy.
This is what a brief itinerary for Hungary looks like:
Budapest (4 nights) – Eger – Keszthely (1 night) – Pécs (1 night)
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Budapest | Explore Budapest | Budapest |
| Day 2 | Explore Budapest | Budapest |
| Day 3 | Explore Budapest | Budapest |
| Day 4 | Day Trip from Budapest to Eger | Budapest |
| Day 5 | Budapest to Keszthely (Lake Balaton) | Explore Keszthely | Keszthely |
| Day 6 | Keszthely to Pécs | Pécs |
| Day 7 | Pécs to Budapest | Fly Back Home |
Read More: The Perfect 3 Days in Budapest Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Budapest | Explore Budapest
Graced by the River Danube, Budapest is sure to bedazzle you as soon as you arrive. Budapest is a tale of two cities – Buda and Pest. The hilly Buda is divided from the flat Pest by the Danube and is united by the iconic Chain Bridge. On day 1, you’ll explore the Buda side of Budapest plus enjoy the classic sunset cruise over the River Danube.
The major attractions of Buda Castle District that you’d cover on day 1 include:
• Buda Castle
• Fisherman’s Bastion
• Matthias Church
• Gellért Hill
Though Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion also offer panoramic views over the city it’s from Gellért Hill that you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful views over the Danube and the Pest side of Budapest.
Sunset Crusie on the Danube River is one of the most classy ways to take in all the major sights of Budapest. It’s amazing to admire the city right from the water.
Recommend the best tours to book on day 1.
• Private Walking Tour of Castle District
• Danube River Cruise
Where to dine and drink in Budapest on day 1?
• Breakfast: Coffee Trad3rs
• Lunch: Csalogany 26 Etterem
• Coffee and Pastries: Ruszwurm Cukraszda
• Dinner: Input Kitchen & Bar
Special Recommendation: Chimney Cake at Cafe Molnár’s Kütrőskalács
Where to stay in Budapest?
Luxury accommodation: Hotel Moments Budapest
Mid-Range accommodation: D8 Hotel
Budget accommodation: T62 Hotel
Day 2: Explore Budapest
Day 2 is all about the Pest side of Budapest. Pest is home to some of the most amazing and iconic attractions. Today, you’ll also discover one of the traditional thermal baths that Budapest is famous for.
The attractions you’ll be visiting today include:
• Chain Bridge
• Shoes on the Danube
• Hungarian Parliament
• Heroes Square
• Budapest City Park
• Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Recommend the best tours to book on day 2.
• Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Fast Track Entrance to Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Where to dine and drink in Budapest on day 2?
• Breakfast: Biarritz Restaurant and Cafe
• Lunch: Varosliget Cafe & Restaurant
• Coffee and Snacks: Café Kara
• Dinner: Robinson Restaurant
Day 3: Explore Budapest
You’ll continue your Pest exploration today. I told you, Pest is where all the action is!
The attractions you’ll be visiting today include:
• St. Stephen’s Basilica
• Dohány Street Synagogue
• Great Market Hall
• Liberty Bridge
• Budapest Eye
Recommend the best tours to book on day 3.
• Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• St Stephen’s Basilica Tour with Tower Access
• Budapest Jewish Heritage Walking Tour
Where to dine and drink in Budapest on day 3?
• Breakfast: Szimply
• Lunch: Great Market Hall
• Coffee and Snacks: New York Cafe
• Dinner: Duran Szendvics
Related Read: Best Things to do in Budapest
Day 4: Day Trip from Budapest to Eger
A 2 hours 30 minutes drive takes you to Eger from Budapest. Settled on the Eger Stream, on the slopes of the Bükk Mountains, Eger is well-known for its ancient monuments, thermal baths, and some of the best wines in Hungary. The town has a delightful medieval vibe to it.
The attractions you’ll be visiting in Eger include:
• Castle of Eger
• Eger Minaret
• Dobo Square
• Eger Basilica
• Valley of Beautiful Women
• Beatles Museum
Where to dine and drink in Eger?
• Breakfast: Radi Pekseg – Ibolya
• Lunch: Macok Bistro and Wine Bar
• Coffee and Snacks: Depresso
• Dinner: 1552 Restaurant
PS: If you don’t want to drive you can book yourself a guided day tour from Budapest to Eger.
Day 5: Budapest to Keszthely (Lake Balaton) | Explore Keszthely
An easy 2-hour drive is all you need to reach Keszthely from Budapest. The largest city by Lake Balaton, Keszthely is brimming with history, culture, and nature. The famous spa town of Hévíz is just about 10 minutes away from Keszthely.
Tapolca, a little town well-known for its Lake Cave and Balaton Uplands National Park is only 30 minutes away from Keszthely. The city’s strategic location and easy accessibility make it one of the perfect spots to explore the Lake Balaton region.
The best things to do in and around Keszthely include:
• Lake Balaton
• Festetics Palace
• Thermal Lake of Heviz
• Lake Cave Tapolca
• Balaton Uplands National Park
Where to dine and drink in Keszthely?
• Breakfast: Tulipán Kávéház
• Lunch: Tompos
• Coffee and Snacks: Caffe Macchiato
• Dinner: Vitorlás Bisztró
Where to stay in Keszthely?
Luxury accommodation: Kiss-Henézi Guest House
Mid-range accommodation: Hotel Bacchus
Budget accommodation: Violetta Vendégház
Must Read: How to Explore Lake Balaton in Hungary
Day 6: Keszthely to Pécs | Explore Pécs
Set up by Romans on the Mecsek mountain slopes, the ancient city of Pécs is known for its architectural landmarks. It has been designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2010. It takes a little over 2 hours to reach Pécs from Keszthely.
The best things to do in Pécs include:
• Pécs Cathedral
• Sopianae Early Christian Mausoleum
• Mosque of Pasha Qasim
• Zsolnay Fountain
• Király Street
• The Bath of Pasha Memi
• Lake Pécs
• Hiking Mecsek
Where to dine and drink in Pécs?
• Breakfast: Reggeli
• Lunch: Bagolyvár Restaurant
• Coffee and Snacks: Pécsi Coffee
• Dinner: Streat Burger & Sandwich
Where to stay in Pécs?
Luxury accommodation: Adele Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range accommodation: Palatinus Grand Hotel
Budget accommodation: Grey Suites Pécs
Day 7: Pécs to Budapest | Fly Back Home
A short drive (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes) from Pécs will take you to Budapest.
The day is at leisure. You can spend some more time in Pécs or leave for Budapest early and explore the sights you missed in Budapest or shop for souvenirs to take back home or relax at one of the best cafes (preferably near the airport) in Budapest depending upon your flight timings.
We sincerely hope our Hungary itinerary helps you craft yours with perfection. If you’ve any questions about this 7 days in Hungary itinerary, comment below and we’ll be more than happy to help you 🙂
Read More: How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Europe
Hungary Travel Essentials
Here are the essential resources I personally use and recommend for planning a trip to Hungary.
Visa for India: iVisa works great for applying for a fast e-visa online. Also, OneWayFly is great if you need to show proof of onward travel (flight itinerary) or hotel reservation.
For travel insurance: Heymondo. It’s the most affordable travel insurance with maximum coverage. You get 5% off if you use my link.
For Connectivity: Airalo. It’s the first-ever eSIM global website where you can buy an eSIM at affordable prices and stay connected while traveling.
For booking flights: Skyscanner and WayAway. They are the best search/comparison flight booking sites that help you find the best and cheapest flight deals. And with the WayAway membership plan, you’ll get cashback for every booking. Plus, with the special promo code “MELODIES” a 10% discount is activated.
International money transfer & currency exchange: Wise. With competitive exchange rates, fast transfers, and a 9.1/10 rating on TrustPilot, it’s the only service you should use every time you transfer and exchange internationally.
For finding accommodations: Booking.com and Agoda. They are the pioneers among hotel booking websites that give you a lot of choices with their huge selection of properties reviewed by travelers.
For rental car: Discover Cars. It’s the best international car rental platform for all your car rental needs.
For ground transport: Omio, RailEurope, and Bookaway. Best sites for booking bus and train tickets in Hungary.
For tours & day trips: Viator, Get Your Guide, and Klook. They offer the best city tours and day excursions in Hungary.
For guidance on the go: A Lonely Planet Guidebook for Hungary comes in handy here.
Recommended Read:
- Renting a Car in Europe
- Schengen Visa for Europe
- How to Plan a Trip to Europe
- 7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Hungary
- 10-Day Central Europe Itinerary
- Best Things to do in Budapest
- 3-Day Budapest Itinerary
- Lake Balaton in Hungary
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Hi,
Enjoyed your article. My wife and I are planning a trip to Hungary from 13/5/22 to 21/5/22.
Can you please suggest a wonderful itinerary for us to enjor our stay in Hungary. Thanks.
Hey
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad that you liked our article.
Hungary is a beautiful country. You’d love it there.
You can add more day trips from Budapest to the itinerary (there are some amazing options like Bratislava, Vienna, Novi Sad, Sopron, Visegrád, and many more) or spend some more time around Lake Balaton (visit cities like Balatonfüred, Siófok, and Tihany by the lake apart from Keszthely) or can visit one of the 10 national parks in Hungary (we found Hortobágy National Park the most beautiful). And, if you are a wine lover, Tokaj Wine Region is for you!