Budapest and beyond: Hungary's best places to visit

Budapest is on many travellers' lists of the top places they want to visit in Europe, and for good reason, but the rest of Hungary rarely gets a second look. Beyond the ruin bars, thermal baths, and other top things to do in Hungary's capital, you’ll find charming baroque towns, a rich history of wine-growing (and drinking), hiking trails, and lakeside retreats — you only need to know where to look.

Budapest

Budapest is the kind of place that surprises you in the best way. Mornings start with rich coffee in a quiet courtyard and end with warm lights dancing on the Danube. You’ll find thermal baths tucked behind grand architecture and neighbourhoods that invite you to slow down and explore. You’ll want to dive into the history, of course, and a walk around Buda Castle should do the trick. Don’t miss out on seeing the city from above from St. Stephen's Basilica, whose dome offers panoramic views, or climb the fairy-tale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion.

Looking for something to fill your evenings? Budapest’s ruin bars are calling. Known as romkocsma in Hungarian, ruin bars get their name from the abandoned buildings they call home. Starting in the early 2000s, these bars began to pop up in District VII, the Jewish Quarter. Over time, they’ve become the nightlife staples of Budapest, each one charming in its own unique and dilapidated way. To start where it all began, head to Szimpla Kert, the original romkocsma, and see where the night takes you.

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Eger

Eger is one of those cities that feels like a well-kept secret, with just the right mix of history, charm, and local flavour. Located in Hungary’s wine country, it is famed as the place where a group of Hungarians stalled the Ottoman Empire’s advance through the country in the 1500s, and it has a Turkish tinge to its architecture to prove it. If you’re into wine, you’ve come to the right place. Eger is well known for its "Bull’s Blood," a wine whose history links back to those same brave Hungarians — be sure to taste it for yourself. This charming city is also a great place to dive deeper into Hungarian food. Try lángos, fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, or indulge in all the traditional Hungarian cuisine your heart desires at a local favourite right on the main square.

Lake Balaton

Outside of the cities, Hungary’s beauty will surprise you. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and is easily accessible from Budapest in just a couple of hours by car or public transport. On the north shore, you can wander through the vineyards around Badacsony, hiking your way from viewpoint to viewpoint and tasting to tasting, or visit Tihany, which hosts a Lavender Festival every July. It also has a Benedictine abbey with a view that’s worth the climb. If you're more into swimming, sailing, or stand-up paddleboarding, the south shore — especially around Siófok — is all about lake life, with long beaches, calm waters, and plenty of spots to just float and take it all in.

Pécs

In Hungary’s southwest corner, close to the Croatian border, Pécs is a culture-rich city where Roman ruins sit down the street from a 16th-century mosque that’s now a church, and it all fits together. The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter is a standout: part art space and part historic tile factory, with workshops, cafés, and quirky exhibits that keep things interesting. If you like museums, the Csontváry Museum is home to some of Hungary’s most unusual and brilliant paintings. When you’re ready to take it slow, head up to Tettye for a walk in the hills and a view over the city and then grab dinner at a tucked-away spot in Király Utca. Pécs doesn’t shout for attention, but with a lively nightlife scene, fascinating history, and a cool cultural undercurrent, it should be getting more.

Szentendre

Szentendre is an artists' colony a short hop from Budapest, and it’s a day-tripper's dream if you’re into cute streets, art, and sampling local food. The town is known for its colourful buildings, cobblestone streets, and cozy cafés, perfect for strolling around and soaking in the atmosphere. Have a sweet tooth? Spend an afternoon at the Marzipan Museum sampling candies of all kinds and learning about the Szentendre-born confectioner who pioneered the craft of marzipan-making. If you’re more into exploring the savoury culinary scene, Szentendre is a great place to try Hungarian food. From April to September, take a scenic cruise upriver and watch the sunset from the Danube.

Sopron

Known as the "most loyal town" for its role in staying with Hungary after World War I, Sopron is full of charm and old-world character. Wander through its medieval streets, admire the beautiful town square, and climb the Firewatch Tower for a killer view of the city and surrounding countryside. If you’re a wine lover, Sopron is also famous for its vineyards, and a little wine bar-hopping won’t go amiss here.

Hollókő

A visit to Hollókő is like stepping into a living fairy tale. This UNESCO World Heritage village in Hungary feels frozen in time, with its traditional stone houses that date from the 17th century. Visit the old Hollókő Castle for epic views of the surrounding countryside, or explore the open-air folk museum to see how people used to live. If you’re in town during a holiday, like Easter, you’re in for a treat because Hollókő comes alive with colourful celebrations and traditional Palóc folk performances. Escape the usual tourist spots and get a real feel for Hungary’s rural beauty and heritage in Hollókő.

Hortobágyi National Park

Located on the Great Hungarian Plain in the eastern part of the country, Hortobágyi National Park contains the largest grassland remaining in Central Europe. It can be explored in ways you might not expect: on foot on its many hiking trails and also by Jeep or on horseback. Sunsets here are at their best in fall, and toward the end of September, Hortobágyi becomes a stopping point for cranes on their migration to Africa. The park is home to gray wolves, a thriving population difficult to find in Europe, as well as wildcats and white-tailed eagles. In 2011, Hortobágyi received a Dark Sky Park designation from the Dark Sky Association, thanks to its undisturbed nighttime landscape. Pack up your tent and hit one of several campsites. Out here in this vast grassland, you might be lucky enough to see the Milky Way.

Tokaj

If you’re heading to Hungary and are interested in wine, Tokaj should be at the top of your list. It’s a charming little town that’s all about wine, especially the sweet golden Tokaji Aszú that it's famous for, which has been called the "wine of kings." Spend your days touring centuries-old wine cellars, enjoying tastings right where the wine is made, and walking through the cool underground labyrinths filled with aging barrels. The town itself is cozy, with cute streets and great cafés. If you're up for it, hike up Tokaj Hill for an all-encompassing view of the vineyards and the rivers meeting below. Plus, there are boat rides on the Bodrog River and festivals if you time it right. The Tokaj Wine Festival takes place every June, and a visit in October could line up with Tokaj Harvest Days, one of Europe’s oldest harvest festivals.

Győr

Győr's old town is full of stunning baroque architecture, with winding streets that lead to little galleries, local shops, and great spots to grab a bite or a drink. If the weather is on your side, you can walk along the Rába River, rent a bike, and explore the green spaces. Travellers into history should visit Bishop’s Castle, which runs alongside the river. The thermal baths are a great way to wind down after a day out, and there’s even an Audi factory museum that’s more engaging than it sounds.