Unfortunately, many people think of Hungary as a “one-and-done” country, spending a chunk of time in Budapest before setting off for the next central European hotspot like Prague or Vienna. But there are so many great places to go in Hungary besides Budapest that are a must-visit if you’re traveling with the aim of learning about the country’s culture.
The best part is that there are little-to-no super touristy sites in Hungary outside of the capital, so once you leave, you won’t ever have to worry about crowds. So with that said, here are the best cities, towns, and places to see in Hungary.
1. Eger
An idyllic Central European city, Eger is a medieval city with an incredibly well-preserved city center that includes a web of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways extending out to the main Dobo Square.
“All-encompassing” is the best description of Eger, a city that punches well above its weight. Despite a population of fewer than 50,000 residents, this small city is one of the best places to visit and live in Hungary. It’s in the heart of the country’s wine region, so a trip to Bolyki Winery and/or The Valley of the Beautiful Woman, an entire neighborhood street dedicated to wine, is a must. It’s home to the prestigious Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University, so there’s more of a vibrant and youthful feel throughout the city than much of Hungary since the country is aging and declining in population so quickly.
Eger Castle, constructed in the 12th century and home of a historic local resistance against an Ottoman invasion in 1552, is unintimidating but incredibly picturesque, overlooking Dobo Square. But the best views in Eger might be found by walking up the northernmost Minaret in Europe. This 30-meter tower stands out from the Eger skyline given the Muslim-influenced architecture, and the trek up, though claustrophobic for some, will prove to be a memorable experience.
There are so many things to do in Eger that it’s worth more than just a day trip from Budapest.
2. Sopron
Many consider Hungary “Eastern Europe,” even though it’s smack in the middle of Europe and has a central European look and feel, and there’s no better evidence of this than in Sopron, the small city that borders Austria. It has a classic Austrian feel and many of the residents even work in the neighboring country.
Sopron was devastated by World War II, but the old town has undergone an impressive restoration, and sights such as the Fire Tower, Esterhazy Castle, and nearby Ferto Hanzag National Park make it worth the trip if you have time. It’s position so close to Vienna (just over a one-hour drive) means it’s a convenient spot if you’re thinking of a joint Hungary-Austria trip, too.
Despite being renown as one of the nicest areas of the country, Sopron is not one of the main tourist sites in Hungary, so if you’re looking for an escape from the crowds of Budapest and you’re headed to Austria next, consider taking the slight detour and spending a day in Sopron.
3. The Danube Bend Region
There are a handful of places along the Danube Bend worth seeing and spending time in—Vac, Visegrad, Zebegeny, Esztergom, and the Transdanubian Mountains—that it wouldn’t be fair to include just one!
If you look at a map, that area north of Budapest where the Danube curves and makes a sharp turn from running north to south to back north again is considered the Danube Bend. It offers some of the most mountainous terrain in Hungary and is a mecca for outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Trains run from Budapest to the towns on the north side of the river such as Vac, Veroce, Nagymaros, and Zebegeny, and it’s only a 30 to 60-minute ride.
The most notable attraction here is Visegrad Castle, towering 1,000-feet over the Danube. Visegrad Castle is one of the best day trips from Budapest and for good reason, as the views from the top are unbeatable.
For the adventurers, you can explore taking a day trip via boat or train to Visegrad. Ferries typically depart in the morning, give you several hours to explore your destination of choice, and head back in the late afternoon or early evening. Trains leave every hour from Budapest-Nyugati to the town across the river, Nagymaros. From there, you can take a 5-minute ferry to Visegrad.
Personally, I’d highly recommend biking the Danube Bend.
4. Szentendre
Szentendre is only 10 miles from Budapest, but it feels a world away. Visiting gives you a taste of what small town life is like in Hungary. It’s home to colorful streets, unpretentious folk-art galleries and boutique shops, tasty restaurants, and quaint riverside views.
My favorite thing in Szentendre was my visit the Open Air Museum. This is one of my favorite museums I’ve visited in Europe. It exhibits in incredible detail what life was like in eight different regions of Hungary, including areas that remain part of modern-day Hungary—such as the Hungarian Plain—and areas like Transylvania that were formerly part of Hungary pre-World War I.
If you don’t have much time to fill during your visit to Budapest or Hungary overall, you can still make a pleasant half-day trip out of Szentendre thanks to its proximity to Budapest and small, walkable city center.
5. Budapest
Obviously, no list of the best places to visit in Hungary would be complete without Budapest.
The list of things to do and see in Budapest goes on and on. But the three main attractions that are impossible to miss are the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, and Fisherman’s Bastion, all of which are located on the shores of the Danube. This trio exemplifies some of the most stunning architecture in all of Europe.
But Budapest is becoming increasingly popular not just for its architecture and history, but for its food scene and nightlife, and is regarded as one of the best stag destinations across Europe.
The city park, Varosliget, is where you’ll find the famous Heroes Square, Szechenyi Bath, and Dracula Castle (Vajdahunyadvar). Yet, the rest of the 302-acre park, designed by a French architect in the 19th century, too often goes unexplored despite its beauty, grandeur and quantity of activities. Locals flock to the park on weekends and in evenings, but it’s so massive that you’ll still feel some semblance of isolation.
You will have a spectacular time in Budapest no matter which type of traveler you or your group are, ranging from families with kids to luxury travelers to budget travelers.
When deciding where to stay in Budapest, there are a few worthy districts to choose from, so make sure to do your research before going.
6. Pecs
Just north of the border with Croatia lies Pecs, the 5th-largest city in Hungary.
Pecs offers a glimpse into Hungarian city life, minus the tourists. But just because it’s not on the travel-junkie radar doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. Pecs is a history lover’s paradise. It was first inhabited by the Romans in the 2nd century and was even the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia before becoming a hub of Christianity. But the Sunni Islam period and influence are still recognizable. Old Turkish ruins are scattered throughout the city making it a really unique place to visit. Pecs Cathedral, the Early Christian Mausoleum, and the Mosque of Pasha Qasim expose just how much of a religious center this part of Hungary was and still is to an extent.
The University of Pecs is the oldest university in Hungary, further signifying the importance of this city to the nation as a whole, even in comparison to Budapest.
7. Bukki National Park
Near Eges lies Bukki National Park. This area stands out as it’s one of the few mountainous areas in an otherwise flat country, meaning it’s a go-to destination for outdoors lovers who prioritize activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, birding, and camping when traveling. The park is home to standout features such as large ravines and incredibly deep caves.
Lillafured, an old resort nestled in a tiny valley in the mountains on the doorstep of a small lake, is a must-stop if you’re in the park.
Due to their proximity, pairing Eger with Bukki National Park can be a great choice, perhaps spending two days in Eger and one full day hiking and exploring the park. Do note that there’s little in the way of public transportation throughout the park, so you’ll likely need a car to explore properly.
8. Lake Balaton
Hungarians aren’t boastful people, but they will proudly brag on Lake Balaton, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the country and the largest lake in Central Europe.
Spanning nearly 50 miles, Lake Balaton has countless coastal towns and sights and is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Hungary has the 4th-most all-time Olympic gold medals in swimming in the world, evidence of the importance this body of water has on society here.
Whether it’s swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, kitesurfing, or waterskiing, you’re not going to have a difficult time finding jumping-off points around the entire lake.
Some of the most notable places on the shores of Lake Balaton include:
- Tihany: A charming town on a land peninsula stretching halfway across the lake – widely considered the most picturesque place on Lake Balaton.
- Balatonfured: A resort and spa town that attracts numerous tourists, though mostly domestic tourists. A great spot for biking but also complete relaxation.
- Siofok: The “party” hub of Lake Balaton. A slightly larger town (26,000 residents) that has the highest concentration of nightlife-related activities.
- Keszthely: The 2nd-largest settlement on the lake and an important cultural center of the region. Situated near the famous spa town of Heviz, this town is less commercialized than many popular places on Lake Balaton.
9. Tapolca
Tapolca is a town best known for Miskolctapolca (“Lake Cave”), a 300-meter underground cave system. The cave, surrounded by limestone, is a truly breathtaking display of physical geography and can be thoroughly explored by boat.
But there’s more to Tapolca than the cave system. The town is small enough to explore entirely by foot, and its Neo-Romanesque architecture gives it a really welcoming feel. In the center of town is the Church Hill neighborhood, which has been occupied since the Middle Ages. In the middle of Church Hill is the romantic Mill Pond, a thermal spring that was made use of by the Romans inhabiting the town centuries ago.
Nearby in the Balaton Hills, there are exceptional views of Lake Balaton and the surrounding landscapes, most notably on top of Csobanc Vara (Csobanc Castle) and the Bazaltorgonak viewpoint.
There’s not much in the way of nightlife in Tapolca, but if you’re looking to experience a charming village setting with a folky-feel, you shouldn’t miss out. You’ll feel like you stepped back in time!
In-Summary: Best Places to Visit in Hungary
There are abundant places to go and things to do in Hungary. While Budapest is a must-visit, it’s unfortunate that so many merely start and stop there.
If you’re an outdoorsy person, look into places to stay and activities around Lake Balaton, Bukk National Park, and the entire Danube Bend region, the latter of which is a must-visit.
Eger is a can’t-miss and would be my top choice for the best place in Hungary besides Budapest. Pecs and Sopron should be on your radar as well, particularly if you’re heading in the direction of Croatia or Austria, respectively, for your next stop. And finally, if roaming the streets of a quaint town is an emphasis of your excursions, take a day trip from Budapest to Szentendre or head to Tapolca.
