Hungary has it all: beautiful cities, great beer, mad festivals and Europe’s largest lake. The wine regions of the south are a great place to spend a week or two on the razz, while capital city Budapest is packed full of bars, cafes, markets and a thermal spa that’s nearly a century old.
Hungary Facts
• Capital City: Budapest
• Currency: Forint, HUF
• Language: Hungarian
• Time Zone: +1 GMT
• Dialling Code: +36
Practical Information
• Total Area: 93,030 square kilometres
• Population Size: 10,049,000
• Voltage and Plug Info: 230 V. European plug with two round metal pins.
• Religions Practised: Christianity (Roman Catholic and Calvinist)
Hungary Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit?
Summer is scorching and crowded in the capital city Budapest; plan your visit for spring and autumn if you like things a bit more chilled. The further south you head, the hotter it gets, while winters are cold, so pack plenty of layers.
Getting There
Direct international flights from the UK and Europe, Middle East, the USA (New York), Canada (Toronto) and China (Beijing) fly into Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport. Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
Accommodation
Hotels are amongst some of the cheapest in Europe and you can find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Getting Around
Travel within Hungary is cheap, especially if you travel by bus. Trains are much less expensive compared to western Europe and run efficiently and regularly. Taxis in the major cities are very reasonable, but double check that you have been charged correctly, as scams are fairly commonplace. There’s also a good value rail and bus network that links Hungary’s major cities with the rest of Europe.
Visas
EU citizens, along with Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Japanese do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Hungary; if you’re planning on staying longer, contact the embassy. Everyone else should contact the Hungarian embassy before they visit.
Budget
Hungary is one of the cheapest countries to travel in Europe!
Festivals
Sziget is one of the most epic European music festivals on the calendar, with tons of the best bands playing every year. If you love music, combine a trip to take in Sziget too! Not many festivals can look titans such as Glastonbury in the eye and say ‘I’m bigger than you’, but Sziget can. Held in August, it attracts some of the planet’s best bands and DJs. View my Sziget festival tips.
Safety
Hungary is a pretty safe country, though police can get a little brusque at border control. Keep your valuables close, especially in Budapest, as pickpocketing is common.
Vaccinations and Health
You shouldn’t need any vaccinations for travel to Hungary, though check with your doctor beforehand.
Hungary Tours
Local and international travel operators offer the chance to see the “Heart of Europe” through city and countrywide tours. Sightseeing excursions in Hungary provide you a fantastic personalised service. Have fun, meet other people and learn more about the places you go. If you are keen to explore Hungary and neighbouring countries search small group adventure tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
Best Things to See and Do in Hungary
Don’t leave Hungary without…
Tour the rather spread-out sights of Budapest. Be sure to visit the thermal baths, which are housed in grand, historic buildings with a maze of pools, spas and treatment rooms. The main sites are Gellért Hill, and the city’s many free museums and galleries.
Lakes
Adventure outside of Budapest and you will find that the countryside in Hungary is just as impressive as its capital city. While it may not have the excitement and lure of the bustling city life, there’s Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe; Lake Hévíz, the second largest thermal lake in the world; Hortobágy, the largest natural grassland in Europe; and much more.
A favorite tourist destination, Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. Millions of people come here every summer to enjoy the “Hungarian Sea”. The silky-green, shallow waters are warm enough to swim in from May to October. Other attractions include windsurfing, sailing, fishing, water sports, as well as wineries on the north coast, and nightlife on the south shore.
Lake Hévíz, located only five miles (8km) from Lake Balaton, is the second largest thermal lake in the world. Covered with water lilies, the lake extends over an area of approximately 30 square-miles. Hévíz, the tiny town next to the lake, is a favorite spa & wellness destination. While thermal bathing is the main attraction, hiking and biking are also popular.
Győr is located halfway between Budapest and Vienna at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, the Rába and the Rábca. The city has an enchanting center with beautiful Baroque mansions and churches. Győr also makes an excellent base for excursions to the thousand-year-old Pannonhalma Monastery, one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary and a famous World Heritage Site.
Szentendre
Szentendre (St. Andrew), the artist village, was named after its mediaeval patron saint. It is a typical Mediterranean village, situated on the slope of a hill, its small and narrow streets are running down to the river Danube.
There are small shops, artists, cafés, restaurants and pubs. If you book a local tour your guide will take you around and tell you exciting stories about the history of Hungary.
Optionally you can visit the Margaret Kovács Museum with the handcrafts of the Hungarian ceramical artist or the famous Confectionary Museum where you can see also the building of the House of Parliament made of marzipan.
Puszta
Plan a trip to the famous Great Plain of Hungary (Puszta) – the largest flatland of Central Europe, which is about one hour drive far from Budapest.
Kecskemét
Kecskemét is considered the capital of the Puszta and is the cultural, economical and administrative centre of the county. There are beautiful richly ornamented ecclesiastical and public buildings, built in different architectural styles as art nouveau, eclectic, romantic and baroque. The trip here is an experience in itself travelling through with colourful flatland of Hungary with corn fields, fruit gardens, cow and sheep herds and plenty of horse studs.
Esztergom
Esztergom is the centre of the Roman Catholic Church and archbishopric seat of Hungary. More than 1000 years ago the first king of Hungary (St. Stephen) was born and crowned here later on. Visit the largest and most beautiful basilica of Hungary that was built in the middle of the 19th century.
Visegrád
Visegrád means good view. The magical fortress on the top of the hill, which was built in the 13th century, is the best panoramic point of the magical Danube bend. The river Danube makes the biggest turn at Visegrád all along the river. Explore the fortress and visit the historical and wax works exhibitions.
Pannonhalma
120 km far away from Budapest, in Pannonhalma you can visit the Arch Abbey of Pannonhalma. The abbey is the “national cradle” of European culture and the Christianity of Hungary; and also being part of the World Heritage since 1996. A guided sightseeing tour of Pannonhalma city is recommended
Eger
Northeast Hungary is like a shy friend who suddenly reveals he’s a world-class composer. And Eger is one of his best tunes. Overlooked by many backpackers, the city offers Baroque architecture, fine wine and nearby hills ripe for trekking.
Sopron
Sopron is situated close to the border of Austria and Hungary. This city is famous for being the “Most Faithful City” of Hungary.
Pécs
Pécs is a lively student town with great nightlife. If you are planning on backpacking Hungary I would recommend adding Pécs to your itinerary.
Food to Try
Goulash
Every child in central and eastern Europe grows up to love this Hungarian beef stew and once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why. The meat is usually very tender and a typical comfort food – one of many in Eastern Europe.
If Hungary appeals as part of a larger European trip, view my Croatia travel guide or tips for visiting Austria.