Buda Castle District
Region: Budapest
Cultural heritage
Medieval hill with Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion
Tourism in Hungary
Explore notable sights and destinations in this country
Tourist attractions
Danube Banks and Parliament Building
Region: Budapest
Modern architecture
Spectacular Neo-Gothic giant parliament and lighting
Lake Balaton
Region: Transdanubia
Nature
Central Europe's largest lake, called "Hungary's Sea"
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Region: Budapest City Park
Hot spring
Famous for Baroque-style grand baths and outdoor pools
Hortobágy National Park
Region: Great Plain region
Nature
UNESCO cultural landscape. Puszta grasslands and grey cattle
Tokaj Wine Region
Region: Northeast Borsod County
Cultural landscape
Vineyards and underground cellars of world's three great noble rot wines
Eger Castle and Wine Cellar Street
Region: Eger
Cultural heritage
Fortress that repelled Ottoman army and "Bull's Blood" wine
Lake Hévíz
Region: Zala County
Hot spring
Natural thermal water lake allowing year-round lake bathing
Visegrád Citadel
Region: Danube Bend
Cultural heritage
Medieval fortress with observation deck overlooking Danube's great bend
Pécs Old Town
Region: Pécs, Baranya County
Cultural heritage
Multicultural city with early Christian cemeteries and remaining mosques
Suggested itineraries
Pearl of the Danube Budapest Full Experience 3 Days
Duration (days): 3
Highlights: Buda Castle District, Parliament Building, Gellért Hill night view, Széchenyi Bath, Danube River cruise
Tour city on foot and tram, compactly experiencing history, hot springs, and gourmet
Hungary Circuit Tour of Wine, Hot Springs, and Plains 7 Days
Duration (days): 7
Highlights: Lake Balaton, Lake Hévíz, Tokaj, Hortobágy National Park, Eger Wine Road
Traverse from western hot spring resorts to eastern plains by train and rental car
Travel tips
- Spring and autumn are best tourism seasons with relatively affordable accommodation
- InterCity trains between major cities have 1st and 2nd class reserved seating
- Those 65+ and 14- ride domestic railways free (2024 revision)
- Metro and trams have no ticket gates; always stamp to prepare for inspectors
- Restaurant service charge often included in display; if not, about 10% guideline
- Tap water potable but hard water; mineral water common
- Some hot spring facilities require caps on swimwear
- Budapest taxis safer when booked by phone/app from legitimate companies
- Summer lakeside resorts have many mosquitoes; insect repellent essential
- Small stores may be cash-only. Prepare small amount of forint cash
- Credit cards Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
- Supermarkets often closed Sundays; caution advised