20 Best Places in Hungary: Historic Cities, Lakes, Villages & More

It’s no secret that Hungary’s capital is one amongst the loveliest cities in Europe. beyond the intense lights of Budapest, there are countless a lot of stunning places in Hungary that beckon – tranquil spa towns, rugged mountains, charming Danube River outposts, historic cities, and far more.

From natural wonders as well as Central Europe’s largest lake, lake Balaton, to spectacular tiny towns, here are 20 of the best places in Hungary to visit.

20 MOST BEAUTIFUL CITES IN HUNGARY

1. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY’S HANDSOME CAPITAL

King among stunning Hungarian cities, capital of Hungary is replete with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, foremost museums, beautiful design, and after all a legendary nightlife scene.

Whichever aspect of the town you’re standing on, Buda or pest, there’s beauty around each corner: The grand Buda Castle; the stately Parliament building and its dancing Danube River reflection; the covered Matthias Church; the Wes-Anderson-approved historic thermal water baths – and also the list goes on.

To see the Budapest from her best angle, be to the Fisherman’s Bastion for unbelievable views from atop Castle Hill. roam the aisles at the Central Market Hall in search of fiery red paprika and salami, then sit back in one amongst Budapest’s legendary thermal spas. The Gellert Baths boast one of the foremost stunning styles, whereas the steam rising off the outside Széchenyi Baths (the largest medicinal baths in Europe) is nothing in need of iconic.

2. ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY’S SPIRITUAL CENTRE

Seat of the Roman Catholic Church and residential to 1 of eastern Europe’s most spectacular cathedrals, the northern town of Esztergom is one amongst the foremost interesting places in Hungary. Its location on the Danube, a stone’s throw from Slovakia, bestows the complete town with a beautiful watercourse backdrop.

Esztergom Basilica, the biggest cathedral within the country, naturally stands out as Esztergom’s main attraction. Its treasures embody the largest canvas painting within the world – a reredos that remembers the idea of the Blessed Virgin|The Virgin|Blessed Virgin|Madonna|Jewess|mother|female parent} Mary – the red-marble Bakócz Chapel, adorned with Renaissance motifs, and a deep Egyptian-style Sepulcher.

Beyond the church, the episcopal neighborhood of Víziváros dates to the thirteenth century and has an immersive medieval atmosphere. It’s fascinating combination of neoclassical buildings, European parks and Ottoman design reveals everything you would like to understand regarding Esztergom’s history and the way the town has reworked over the centuries.

For your daily dose of Baroque and Rococo, head all the way down to the most plaza, Szechenyi square. Once a medieval open-air market, it’s currently a hub of walkway cafes and heritage monuments.

3. EGER, A MULTICULTURAL CITY WITH EUROPE’S NORTHMOST OTTOMAN MINARET

Also situated in northern Hungary, the historic town of Eger has everything you wish in a very stunning Hungarian city: Thermal baths, Baroque design, a legendary food and wine scene, and after all a shocking castle to high it off.

If there’s one landmark that sets this town aside from its peers, it’s the Eger minaret, the northmost Ottoman minaret in Europe. It harks back to the seventeenth century once this a part of Europe was enclosed by the Turks. In 1687, Eger was free of the Ottoman vitellus and 9 of its ten minarets were eventually destroyed – although one, that stands in its original position. Brave the 100-odd steps to the highest balcony for the most effective views of the town.

Eger Castle is exclusive in that it contains the ruins of a 10th century cathedral. A tour of the grounds additionally reveals a coin deposit and room dedicated to Hungarian masters. No visit to Eger is complete while not throwing back a glass or 2 of Egri Bikavér, virtually ‘Bull’s Blood of Eger’, a neighborhood wine as strong and tasteful because the city itself. If you’re anticipating a lot of, the Eger Wine Region is correct on the city’s doorstep.

4. GYOR, THE PEARL OF BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE

An easy pleasure trip from either Budapest or {Bratislava|Bratislava|capital of Slovakia|Pressburg|Pozsony|capital} in Slovakia, Gyor could be a nice selection for an alternate European getaway. This river city could be a treasure box of Baroque buildings, jactitation hundreds of architectural wonders and heritage-listed properties.

The alleged ‘pearl of Baroque architecture’ is tiny and simple to induce around on foot. As you wander, view the Gyor Cathedral (Nagyboldogasszony-székesegyház), a Romanesque architecture church from the 14-15th centuries, and take a spin in Bécsi Kapu, wide thought of to be Hungary’s most stunning Baroque square.

Wander deeper into the previous city to find rows of pastel-colored facades, smaller churches and pretty palaces. Eventually you’ll end up ahead of the brilliant government building, designed by Neo-Baroque designer Hubner Jeno within the late nineteenth century.

5. DEBRECEN, HUNGARY’S SECOND-LARGEST TOWN AND ALSO THE DEPARTURE PURPOSE FOR HORTOBAGY PARKLAND

One of the biggest cities in European country (second solely to Budapest), Debrecen truly served because the country’s capital for many short years at the tip of WWII. Its stature and standing are proven within the several vital establishments housed here, as well as the University of Debrecen, the nation’s oldest unceasingly operational university.

The lemon-yellow nice Church, an emblem of Protestantism in Hungary, and its adjacent deposit reveal the city’s Calvinist history. Another must-see is that the Déri museum. Not solely is that the building itself an icon, however the gathering of native art and handicrafts on show within is extraordinary.

A short drive west of the town center can bring you to Hortobagy national park, the guts of Hungary’s Northern nice Plain region. Here you’ll realize the biggest continuous native grassland plain in Europe and one amongst Hungary’s 3 Dark Sky Preserve areas. Nature’s beauty is abundant here throughout the year – except for one thing really unforgettable, visit in time of year once the nice crane migration takes place.

6. KESZTHELY, A HISTORIC MARKET TOWN ON THE SHORE OF LAKE BALATON

The charming town of Keszthely sits on the western shore of Hungary’s largest lake, Balaton. Established within the 13th century, it's served as a town since 1421 – which means it had been given the royal alright to host an everyday trader’s market. This set it aside from alternative settlements on the lake and accelerated Keszthely’s development.

One will think of those romantic medieval days within the main square, Fő tér, wherever cute cafes have popped up within the place of market stalls. Our woman of Hungary Church and also the spectacular Premontrei Szakgimnázium (Vocational High School) building hem within the open plaza.

Keszthely’s biggest attraction is 10 minutes’ walk from the square. built between 1745 and 1885, the Festetics Castle could be a Baroque palace of monumental proportions with an English-style garden in the lead. It currently homes the Helikon Palace deposit, wherever you'll be able to discover a number of the extant Festetics family treasures, as well as a colossal collection of books, portraits, and even horse carriages.

7. VESZPREM, ONE OF THE OLDEST HUNGARIAN CITIES

Just north of lake, Veszprem could be a town that’s usually unmarked by tourists despite its wealthy history. one amongst the oldest urban settlements in Hungary, it’s generally referred to as ‘the town of Queens’ – that’s as a result of Veszprem was a favorite of Queen Gisella, the mate of King St. Stephen. The combine area unit immortalized in a very large sculpture positioned atop one amongst the city’s several hills.

Back on street level, uncountable stunning buildings (including the Canon House) mixed in with 13th century ruins like Margit Romok create Veszprem one amongst the foremost distinctive places in Hungary to go to. Enter through the historic Heroes’ Gate to achieve Veszprémi var, Veszprem’s grand bastion that encompasses a sq., many museums and a chapel.

With dozens of crown lookout points and exquisite reserves and lakes on all sides, Veszprem strikes an ideal balance between town and nature.

8. SOPRON, A MEDIEVAL CITY NEAR THE AUSTRIAN BORDER

Nestled within the country’s way north-west, Sopron is simply many kilometers away from the Austrian border and might be reached in beneath an hour from Vienna by road. Its majestic forum belies the city’s history as an outpost of the Holy Roman Empire. Then called Scarbantia, it had been strategically situated on the Amber Road commerce route.

Sopron’s breezy downtown space was encircled by a high wall and moats throughout the center Ages, and this over up taking part in a giant role in however the contemporary town streets took form. This distinctive urban coming up with is best ascertained from on top of – climb the 200-step spiral steps of the 13th-century watchtower for the most effective views. 2 a lot of attractions, the Gothic ‘Goat Church’ and Eggenberg House (now the Sopron town Hall) are each at intervals walking distance of the main square.

Further abroad, the tiny city of Ferod close to Sopron is home to the 18th-century Esterhazy Palace – AKA the ‘Hungarian Versailles’. This grand Rococo royal residence and palatial garden incorporates an extraordinary deposit.

9. PECS, An EU CAPITAL OF CULTURE

Much like Eger, pectoralis has perpetually been a doctrine Hungarian town due to its centuries-worth of Celtic, Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian history. The near Mecsek hills were once strip-mined for his or her metals and mineral waters – these days, they kind a fine-looking background for the town, that is boxed by rolling plains on one aspect, and also the ambling Drava watercourse (which forms a part of the Croatian border and flows all the thanks to Belgrade) to the south.

Pecs is that the home of Pyrogranite, a decorative ceramic developed in 1886. Used wide beneath the name Zsolnay, the colorful tiles dress dozens of vital buildings within the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as Matthias Church in Budapest, the Bishop’s Palace in near Novi unhappy, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.

One of the foremost underrated European cities, pectoralis finally got the eye it deserves once it had been named a UNESCO European Capital of Culture in 2010. Festivities centered on pectoralis Cathedral, one amongst the foremost stunning churches in European country. Associate in Nursing Early Christian sepulture and also the 16th-century masjid of authority Gazi Kasim are also counted among Pecs’s high sights.

10. SZEGED, THE HOUSE OF HUNGARIAN PAPRIKA!

Hungary’s third-largest town sits on the Tisza watercourse at the trilateral border with northern geographic region and Rumania. simply 45 minutes by road from Subotica and 2 hours from the Romanian town of Timisoara, Szeged shares similarities with each.

Art Nouveau is that the order of the day in Szeged, wherever jaw-droppingly stunning Succession buildings stand with pride on virtually each turning point. If you’re an architecture-lover, then Reök Palace, Gróf palace, the Szeged reservoir and also the Ungar-Mayer Palace ought to all air your list. characterized by flowing lines and dripping with pretty floral motifs, each could be a true work of art.

Another issue that places Szeged among the highest Hungary tourist spots is its association with a far-famed foodstuff, paprika. Naturally sweet Szeged spice paprika is prized throughout the country. Legend says that Széchy Mária, the mate of the native Count, took a feeling to the spice and began growing it within the gardens of Szeged’s Franciscan cloister within the 1600s – creating this the ‘birthplace’ of paprika in Hungary.

BEAUTIFUL SMALL TOWNS IN HUNGARY

11. HOLLOKO, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

In the valley of the Cserhát Mountains, just below 100 kilometres northeast of Budapest, lies the gorgeous village of Holloko. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it had been registered in 1987 because of its 700-plus-year-old castle that was designed shortly once the Mongol invasion as a defense against future onslaughts.

For the romantics inside, there’s a legend hooked up to the castle – one that's still wide considered true. The story tells of a lord who built the castle, then snuck over to the squire living on the land next to his and snatched his stunning bride, keeping her as his trophy, an unfortunate person among the castle walls. What the lord didn’t apprehend, however, was that a witch who happened to be friends with the devil was once the bride’s nurse. The witch persuaded the devil to rework his sons into ravens who then scarf stones from the castle till the gorgeous unfortunate person was unfettered finally. the gathering of stones was then accustomed build a brand-new castle named Holloko, that in Hungarian suggests that ‘Ravenstone’.

The village consists of one street and is home to a calculable 400 people. though most homes are created trendy within, they're all still of the old-style design outside – and really well preserved at that. most so whereas strolling down the most (and only) road, it’s simple to imagine you’re back within the 18th century.

12. KOSZEG, THE JEWEL BOX OF HUNGARY

In the valley of the Cserhát Mountains, just below 100 kilometers northeast of Budapest, lies the gorgeous village of Holloko. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it had been registered in 1987 because of its 700-plus-year-old castle that was designed shortly once the Mongol invasion as a defense against future onslaughts.

For the romantics inside, there’s a legend hooked up to the castle – one that's still wide considered true. The story tells of a lord World Health Organization designed the castle, then snuck over to the squire living on the land next to his and snatched his stunning bride, keeping her as his trophy, a prisoner among the castle walls. What the lord didn’t apprehend, however, was that a witch who happened to be friends with the devil was once the bride’s nurse. The witch persuaded the devil to rework his sons into ravens who then scarf stones from the castle till the beautiful prisoner was unfettered finally. the gathering of stones was then accustomed build a brand-new castle named Holloko, that in Hungarian suggests that ‘Ravenstone’.

The village consists of one street and is home to a calculable four hundred individuals. though most homes are created trendy within, they're all still of the old-style design outside – and really well preserved at that. most so whereas strolling down the most (and only) road, it’s simple to imagine you’re back within the 18th century.

BEAUTIFUL LAKES IN HUNGARY

13. LAKE BALATON, CENTRAL EUROPE’S LARGEST LAKE

The biggest lake in Central Europe, lake Balaton – that may be a freshwater lake – is one of the highest resort cities within the country. although some might associate lake with high-rise hotels and stylish beaches, there's a softer aspect to the lake in its romantic spa cities and rolling volcanic hills that stretch into the gap from the Transdanubian bound.

The northern regions contain the lake Uplands Park that, along with hiking trails and protected wetlands, is wherever a number of Hungary’s most prestigious vineyards are situated. in fact, the largest attraction here is water activities: swimming, row and rafting are all offered on the lake throughout the hotter months.

14. LAKE BOKODI, A FLOATING VILLAGE STRAIGHT FROM A STORY BOOK

Lake Bokodi and its floating homes seem to be drawn straight from a book of Hungarian fairy tales. the little A-frame cabins stretch out for 3 kilometers, suspended over the water and connected to the bound by long, indirect boardwalks.

Below the surface, the made marine surroundings is the right breeding grounds for fish. Bokodi quickly became a paradise for anglers, who started building their cabins on stilts over the lake.

You wouldn’t comprehend it by observing it, however Lake Bokodi is man-made: Specifically, it had been created as a cooling pond for the Vertes power station in 1961. Cold pond water was circulated in and quandary free out, therefore the lake never froze, even within the depths of the foremost bitter Hungarian winter. This recently modified; however, and therefore the lake currently freezes over, limiting the sportfishing trade and touristry opportunities for locals.

15. MEGYER-HEGY TRAN, AN OLD MINE TRANSFORMED INTO A HIKER’S PARADISE

Situated within the Sarospatak Nature Reserve, Megyer-hegy lake is one among the foremost common hiking spots in Hungary’s volcanic Zemplen Mountains. Originally a millstone mine, Megyer-hegy was created once rhyolitic tufa stone was saturated by silicic acid and hardened as a result. The natural post-volcanic formations created the blob-shaped lake we tend to see these days.

If you have a combined love for nature and wine, there's a four.5-hour hike here that showcases each, leading you initially to the incredible Nagy-Bot rocks geyser cones, and then to the Gomboshegy & Kőporos historical cellar systems.

BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN HUNGARY: NATURE & SCENERY

16. DANUBE BEND (DUNAKANYAR), ONE AMONG THE BEST VIEWS OF EUROPE’S SECOND-LONGEST STREAM

Northern Hungary is all regarding the natural scenery – and it’s laborious to beat the panoramic views of the Danube from the world around Visegrad, north of Budapest and Szentendre. Here, the stream makes a natural horseshoe bend because it momentarily dips in towards Danube-Ipoly Park.

The Danube River Bend or Dunakanyar because it is thought is each a strategic spot and an area of amazing beauty. Fortifications dots the hills, once charged with keeping a watchful eye out for enemy forces. Castle Visegrad is that the most noted and in conjunction with the Visegrad Royal Palace, it makes for an excellent base for exploring the remainder of the landscape.

Various marked viewpoints like Juliánus Kilátó is reached via simple hiking trails. For a more difficult walk – however a good higher panorama of ‘Danube’s Knee’ – summit the 639-metre-high Prédikálószék peak and its lookout tower. The scenery isn't dissimilar to the professional dancer Strada Viewpoint over Lake Skadar in geographic region.

17. TIHANY, HOME OF HUNGARY’S LAVENDER FIELDS

Just once you thought lake couldn’t get any longer stunning, summer arrives and therefore the lavender fields bloom, throwing a dusky purple blanket over the lake’s edge. Immortalized by innumerous Hungarian poets and musicians, Tihany is while not a doubt one among the foremost stunning places in European country.

French Lavender was 1st planted on the Tihany land on the lake’s northern go up the 1920s. What started as little fields happiness to the Benedictine Abbey before long grew into massive plantations, bringing slightly of Provence to Hungary!

The annual Lavender competition draws thousands of tourists from across Europe who come back to select flowers, frolic within the fields, and sample delicacies seasoned and scented with lavender. Since this is the busiest time of year on lake, it’s the right chance to try and do a road trip and explore the lake’s edge at your own pace.

18. TOKAJ, HUNGARIAN WINE COUNTRY

One of the seven main wine regions in Hungary, Tokaj may be a historical viticultural space that lies within the northeastern a part of the country. because the birthplace of a wine once coveted by royalty, Tokaj has deep cultural worth and attracts in several tourists to its historical cellars as a result.

Tokaji sweet wines created in Hungarian cellars are like those found in Slovakia’s counterpart wine region. conjointly known as Tokaj, it stretches over the 2 countries’ borders, uniting the neighbors and their love of wine. Tastings and tours are offered at little and bigger cellars.

19. POROSZLO, A QUIET TOWN ON LAKE TISZA

Situated on the proper bank of the Tisza River in northern Hungary’s Heves County, the ancient village of Poroszlo was declared an official town in 1445. though it should not be a preferred destination quite nevertheless, it’s a rewarding travel expertise for those willing to drift the crushed path.

The most ancient (as well because the richest) expertise for guests to Poroszlo is horseback riding. Trails lead through one,000-plus-year-old oak forests to the tranquil banks of the stream Tisza. A summer destination, there's conjointly a swimming beach, fishing, canoeing and seafaring on provide. come back winter, you'll tour the landscape during an equid sleigh, and participate in ice fishing, sledding or skating.

20. THE SZALAJKA VALLEY, LIPIZZAN HORSES & FOREST HIKING

Sitting 400 meters higher than water level, west of the Bükk chain in northern Hungary, the treasured Hungarian village of Szilvasvarad is splendidly the home of the Lipizzan horses. Eight stocks of the 400-year-old stallions are bred here. guests will learn additional regarding Szilvasvarad’s equine history on a tour of the historic stables or throughout a visit to the Lippizaner history exhibition.

You’ll have to be compelled to have confidence your own 2 feet to get Szilvasvarad’s different attractions: this is often the entry to 1 of Slovakia’s most stunning natural and cultural landscapes, the Szalajka-völgy or Szalajka natural depression, a part of Bükki park. one among the most effective hiking spots in Hungary, the valley options a 17-metre-hill water, Fátyol, caves, springs and glades – and dense forests that modification color with the seasons.

The journey is half the fun: Ride the narrow-gauge railway from Fatelep on Hungary’s steepest railway track while not cogwheels, passing pretty fish ponds and scenic picnic spots. Completed in 1930, Lillafured Palace on Hámori Lake now homes a 4-star hotel for slightly of luxury amidst nature.