Planning a trip to Hungary with family? We are sure our guide to the most beautiful places to visit in Hungary will come in handy to plan a superb Hungary itinerary.
From mind-blowing architecture to historical treasures to thermal spas to rich folk traditions to the most lively European capital – there’s no dearth of the best places in Hungary. Let’s go, then!
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Best Places to Visit in Hungary
Budapest
Talk about Hungary and Budapest crosses your mind. It’s that obvious. One of Hungary’s finest cities, Budapest is also one of the most beautiful in Europe.
From stunning architecture to historical landmarks to amazing museums to lush open spaces to vibrant street art to spectacular thermal baths to incredible food scenes, you name it, Budapest has it! The city is a traveler’s delight.
Fisherman’s Bastion and the Hungarian Parliament are two of the most beautiful highlights of Budapest.
Budapest needs at least 3 to 4 days to explore, though if short on time and plan well, you can discover the best of the city in 24 hours. In fact, Budapest is one of the best day trips from Vienna.
You can plan to combine Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, and Budapest in one trip, as all these beautiful Central European capitals are super close and can be covered by road.
For more insights, read our complete Budapest travel guide, which covers the best areas to stay, how to structure your days, must-see attractions, local food, and practical travel tips for first-time visitors.
Recommended Hotel: InterContinental Budapest
Not your style: Search for more stay options in Budapest
Recommended Tour: Danube Night Cruise with Parliament View and Champagne
Looking for something else? Search for more tour options in Budapest
Lake Balaton
With its gorgeous 50-mile-long shoreline sprinkled with lush vineyards, sweeping volcanic hills, charming villages and towns, and stunning thermal spa resorts, Lake Balaton has to be on the list of the best places in Hungary.
A favorite summer getaway for Hungarians, Lake Balaton is fondly called the ‘Hungarian Sea’ and is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe.
Apart from an ample dose of vitamin sea, Lake Balaton offers innumerable water sports, wine tasting, and a great experience for connoisseurs of good food. On its hilly northern shore, vineyards galore, while beaches and quaint towns on the southern shore invite locals as well as tourists.
You can’t miss HévÃz Lake (the world’s largest thermal lake), Lake Cave Tapolca, Balaton Uplands National Park, Siófok, and Keszthely when in the Balaton region.
Lake Balaton is just about an hour outside of Budapest and can easily be done as a day trip from Budapest, but of course, there’s no match to spending a night or two in the region.
Recommended Hotel: Mala Garden Design Hotel
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Recommended Tour: Lake Balaton Full-Day Tour from Budapest
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Eger
The historic city of Eger is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Stroll its historic center, Dobó István Square, or explore its medieval castle, Egri Vár or discover the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Apostle or climb Eger minaret for the panoramic views over the city or shop at Széchenyi Street or relax in thermal baths or enjoy a glass of Egri Bikavér (local red wine) at Valley of the Beautiful Woman (Szépasszony-völgy) – whatever you see or do, Eger is sure to surprise you!
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Senator-Ház Eger
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Recommended Tour: Eger Countryside, Culture, and Wine: Full-Day Tour
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Read More: Stunning European Road Trips
Visegrád
A tiny sleepy castle town on the Danube Bend, Visegrád (Vee-sheh-grod) beautifully reverberates its past.
In ruins mostly, the town is best known for its medieval hilltop citadel and early Renaissance summer palace, one of the finest palaces in Hungary.
Visegrád comes from a Slavic language and literally means ‘high castle.’
A hike up to Sibrik Hill promises beautiful views over the town and the Danube Bend.
Recommended Hotel: Rózsa Vendégház
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Recommended Tour: Budapest: The Fabulous Danube Bend Full-Day Tour
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Read More: Best Road Trips in the World
Pécs
Located on the Mecsek Mountain slopes, close to the Croatian border, Pécs is one of the most beautiful cities in Hungary. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000, the city was founded by the Romans, and you can see the influence of varied rulers on it.
There’s so much to explore in Pécs, from its gorgeous Old Town to architectural and historical landmarks like Pécs Cathedral, Sopianae Early Christian Mausoleum, Mosque of Pasha Qasim, Gallery of Modern Hungarian Art, Csontváry Museum, and Király Street.
Recommended Hotel: Palatinus Grand Hotel
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Recommended Tour: Day Trip from Budapest to Pécs
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Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape
One of Hungary’s seven wine regions, Tokaj is a UNESCO World Heritage site and lies between Hungary and Slovakia. The region is home to 28 villages and about 11,149 hectares of vineyards. The region is famous for Tokaji Aszú, the world’s oldest botrytized wine.
Apart from visiting vineyards and tasting wine, you can climb Kopasz-hegy (Bald Mountain), visit the Tokaj Museum, or explore the wine country by canal boat on the River Bodrog and Tisza.
If you are a connoisseur of wines and happen to visit Hungary in May or June, plan around the Tokaj Wine Festival to immerse yourself in the winemaking culture of Tokaj.
Recommended Hotel: Fakapu Pince és Panzió
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Recommended Tour: Tokaj and Sárospatak Private Day Tour from Budapest
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Hortobágy National Park
UNESCO World Heritage site, Hortobágy National Park, lies between the Tisza River and the city of Debrecen. Into its heart lies the traditional village of Hortobágy, which proudly carries its folk art traditions and cultural history.
Once known for cowboys, the village still hosts an annual fair that showcases horse shows. You can visit a folk art museum to learn more about its rich folklore traditions.
One of the most iconic sites of the national park remains the Nine-holed Bridge. Hortobágy Wild Animal Park, Narrow Gauge Railway, Puszta Animal Park, Lake Tisza Boardwalk, Cégénydányád Castle Park, Tiszakürt Arboretum, and many beautiful nature trails dot the national park.
A part of the national park is a dark sky preserve, so it’s your chance to go stargazing.
Recommended Hotel: Hortobágyi Kemencés Vendégház
Not your style: Search for more stay options in Hortobágy
Recommended Tour: Full-Day Private Tour to Debrecen and Hortobagy National Park from Budapest
Recommended Read:
- Renting a Car in Europe
- Schengen Visa for Europe
- How to Plan a Trip to Europe
- Hungary Itinerary: 7 Days 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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