What to do in Hungary: TOP-16 best attractions you need to visit. Description, where are they located, photos. Where to go in Hungary in 2024 besides Budapest, a convenient travel route – in the article of good Time for Trip.
Hungary is one of the those countries where you can combine a gastronomic holiday with an inspection of architectural monuments, and at the same time get healthy at thermal baths. Therefore, most of the foreign tourists still come to Hungary just to see famous sights of Budapest. And often they don’t even think about spending time visiting any other cities.
Although there is a lot to do in other regions of Hungary after you see its capital and all the interesting places nearby Budapest. Equally, this European country every year hosts many original festivals and celebrations. The largest of them, the Sziget festival, regularly gathers an audience of several hundred thousand of people.
There are a lot of castles in Hungary, of different levels of preservation. Some of them were built on the site of ancient Roman fortifications, others arose later for protecting the territory from the Ottoman Empire.
There are also beautiful aristocratic and imperial palaces. Well-known are the Festetics residence in Keszthely and Esterhazy Palace in Fertőd
In addition to visiting palaces and castles, in Hungary you can do a lot of other interesting things – the country is famous for its thermal lakes and springs, national parks. Hiking and equestrian tourism is developed everywhere, dozens of routes of different levels of complexity are laid.
Obviously, you can’t help but try traditional Hungarian dishes. Very original and tasty ones
Don’t know where to visit in Hungary after you’ve seen the most interesting places in Budapest? Especially for you, we have compiled a list of iconic sights of this country!
What to See in Hungary First
Once on the shore of Lake Balaton, it is easy to understand why it is called the “Pearl of Hungary”. After driving only about 100 km from the capital, you get to a magical place where there is a vast expanse of water, along which graceful yachts glide like white clouds.
Here you can admire flocks of swans, ruins of ancient fortresses, mountains and sandy beaches, greenery of vineyards and gardens
The uniqueness of Lake Balaton lies in the shallow depth of no more than 3 meters and its surprisingly clean water area, warming up to +26-28 ° C in summer. The latest fact makes Balaton an ideal place for vacationing with small kids – be sure in it by coming here right after visiting in June Budapest.
Numerous thermal and mineral springs on the shores of the lake attract people who want to improve their health. Who hasn’t heard about the unique thermal lake Heviz, the largest reservoir of its kind on Earth?
Anyone will find out on Balaton many opportunities for practicing all imaginable types of water sports: from ordinary yachting and sup-boarding to windsurfing and parasailing.
There is also the necessary infrastructure for playing tennis and football, volleyball and basketball, even horse riding. In short, you can do in this place of Hungary a lot of really fun things.
2. Tihan Peninsula
Perhaps the first places that can remember a knowledgeable person when it comes to the Hungarian Balaton. After all, the Tihan Peninsula is a real and quite official nature reserve, home to rare and even endangered species of animals and plants.
Nevertheless, you can come here on vacation. In summer: to sunbathe and swim, in autumn – to admire the really impressive nature views.
Historical monuments on the territory of the island are also interesting, for example – Benedictine Abbey of St. Aignan that was founded in 1055
If you will visit Tihany with kids, take a look at local museums. The beautiful half of humanity will immeasurably appreciate the local charming Doll museum. The exhibits of the Lapidarium Stone Museum are also of interest.
3. Lake Heviz
This small reservoir enjoys a well-deserved and loud fame far beyond the borders of the country. Therefore, describing the top attractions of Hungary, it is impossible not to mention Lake Heviz, located near the town of the same name next to Lake Balaton.
The uniqueness of Heviz lies in the special composition of water, which includes radon, magnesium, potassium, calcium salts, bicarbonates, iodine. The lake is fed by several underground springs, which completely renew the water every 3 days.
The natural temperature of the lake is +38 °C in summer – during winter months it doesn’t fall below +22 ° C. Thanks to this, Heviz operates all year round.
Clean air also contributes to health improvement, as the lake is surrounded by forest
This natural bath is widely used for the treatment of various diseases: of musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems. The healing water of Lake Heviz has a beneficial effect on the metabolic process, soothes, rejuvenates the skin, it even restores hormonal balance.
Note, that for kids under 14, swimming in radon springs is associated with an undesirable risk. Therefore, pools with purified water have been specially created for them.
- The official website of the unique place: heviz.hu/en/lake-heviz
4. Festetics Palace
One of the best places on the shores of Lake Balaton is the already mentioned Keszthely – it’s located in two-hour drive from Budapest. You need to visit this town in Hungary at least for seeing the stunning architectural complex built there by Krystof Festetic in 1745.
Initially, the palace consisted of only 34 rooms – today there are more than 100 –
over time, new buildings and spaces, including a library, appeared here. More than 100 thousand books are stored in the palace, most of them are rare.
During the tour of the ensemble, be sure to pay attention to the luxurious decoration of the halls, frescoes with gilding, antique fireplaces, take a walk in the magnificent park surrounded the Festetics Palace
Opera performances are often held in the former palace dining room, turned into a concert hall. And with a little effort, you can enjoy yourself with a show of world stars.
- Official website – helikonkastely.hu
5. Bükk National Park (Miskolc)
When choosing places to visit in Hungary first, you should pay attention to the park Bükk, where you can endlessly admire the beauty and quirkiness of plants collected and brought here from different continents. Also, the Miskolc Zoo where more than 130 species of animals live is located nearby.
The park is situated on the hills of the same name, overgrown with oak and larch forests. There are walking and cycling paths on the slopes, and you can’t get lost on them – there are signs everywhere. They have not even forgotten about the benches for recreation here.
At the foot of the hills there are gardens and vineyards, which produce wonderful wine
Due to the fact that the Bükk Mountains mainly consist of limestone rocks, there are numerous caves in them. In some of them, archaeologists have discovered artifacts proving the residence of prehistoric people in this area.
Thus, the Bükk National Park occupies an area of 431 km2, it is impossible to get around it entirely on foot. Therefore, you can rent bicycles here (for a small fee).
- Official website: en.bnpi.hu
6. Eger Fortress
belong to the number of not only the most notable sights of Hungary, but is also a monument of the national spirit.
The heroic history of the Eger fortress began in 1552, during the attack of Turkish troops. According to the documents, at that time there were a little more than 2,000 defenders in the fortress, but they managed to resist the enemies and didn’t let them into the town.
But in 1701, the Austrian army managed to get close to the structure and blow up most of it. Restoration of the destroyed began to be carried out only in 1925
Now there is the Military Museum in the fortress where are gathered objects and documents telling about its history. Some visitors will be interested in the local Art museum with a collection of paintings by Austrian, German and Dutch painters.
Tourists with a stable psyche can visit the prison exposition located in the dungeon. The instruments of torture and murder used in the Middle Ages are on display here.
Kids perhaps will be interested in the excursion to the Ьint, where everyone can personally mint a coin and take such unique souvenir home
As an entertainment program, visitors to the castle can try their hand at archery, attend a stylized jousting tournament. As well as tasting fine wines from local cellars!
7. Aggtelek National Park
For those whose heart freezes at the mere mention of caves, there is not even a question of what else to visit in Hungary. The answer will be unequivocal — Aggtelek National Park. Which, like a magnet, attracts speleologists and just lovers of natural (underground) beauty.
There are more than 200 karst caves on an area of 199 km2
It took thousands of years for water to dissolve rocks and create cavities in them. Which seven centuries ago served as a refuge for scattered tribes and hermits living here.
Many caves are now unsafe, so you can only get into them in the company of an experienced guide.
The most famous is the Baradla Cave, where you will find the largest stalactites in Europe
No less spectacular are the local underwater caves, where you can dip in the company of diving cavers. During the immersion special lamps are used, turning everything around into a fantastic show.
People suffering from asthma in Aggtelek Park can alleviate the symptoms of this disease. After all, some caves are equipped with sanatorium halls, as their microclimate has a huge beneficial effect on the human respiratory system.
- Official website: anp.hu
8. Esterhazy Palace
Looking now at the largest and most beautiful palace in Hungary outside Budapest, it’s hard to even imagine that it has gone through hard times. And its beautiful halls were used as stables and a military hospital.
Tourists who decide to see the Esterhazy Palace in the small town of Fertőd near the Austrian border will be told about this sad page of history
First, visitors are greeted by a wrought-iron gate. From a distance, it may seem that they are entwined with some kind of bizarre plant. But, coming closer, it becomes clear that each leaf and flower is forged from metal by a talented blacksmith-jeweler.
Once on the territory of the park, the paths of which lead to the main building of the palace, you can see a lot of flower beds and lawns of bizarre shape. As well as fountains and statues, carefully trimmed trees and shrubs.
The main building can be accessed by climbing one of two huge staircases decorated with statues and columns in the Rococo style. There are also several other structures in the architectural ensemble, they practically close in a ring near the park gates.
There are 126 halls inside the Esterhazy Palace, each of them is a work of art. In one wing there are hotel rooms where you can stay a night on a truly royal scale
In the early autumn of 2023, the Haydn Festival was held in the palace – against the background of such scenery, classical music was especially impressive. So, if you will be in Hungary in September, think about including in your travel route Fertőd.
9. Cave Bath of Miskolctapolca
belong to the famous sights of Hungary created by nature itself. They are a real masterpiece! Just imagine the huge caves formed as a result of the leaching of rocks by water and an open warm lake, constantly fed by thermal springs, in the water of which salts of various minerals are dissolved.
Even the air itself around these reservoirs is curative, having a healing effect on those suffering from bronchial asthma and other diseases of the respiratory and immune systems. This is facilitated not only by gases released from the water, but also by the presence of giant beech forests around the resort, saturating the air with oxygen and purifying it from harmful impurities.
The uniqueness of the Mishkolts-Tapolts bath lies in the special density of the water, which allows you to swim in it for a long time. While in other radon sources, the stay time is very limited and most often does not exceed 15-30 minutes.
The thermal baths are open all year round due to the special microclimate of the caves, in which the temperature remains constant. Therefore, even visiting Hungary in December or January, you can safely choose this resort.
- Official website: barlangfurdo.hu/en
- Top-8 Thermal Baths of Budapest
10. Royal Palace of Gödöllő
Gödöllő is a small town in the center of Hungary, thirty kilometers from Budapest. It is inhabited by only about 30 thousand people but can boast of such a large and unique attraction as the Summer Royal Palace.
The building of the residence began in the first half of the 18 century, when the local count wanted to impress everyone with magnificent architecture. The construction lasted more than a quarter of a century, resulting in a structure in the style of Hungarian Baroque, around which was spread no less luxurious park.
The palace became the property of the royal family when the ancestral line of the count was suppressed. Since the middle of the 19th century Emperor Franz Joseph often spent the summer months here with his wife, Empress Elizabeth (Sissi).
When the Second World War began, the palace was partially destroyed. Then it housed warehouses, a nursing home, and a military unit. But since 1994, the Hungarian authorities have carried out the restoration of the building and fully completed it by 2007.
- Official website: kiralyikastely.hu
11. St. Adalbert Cathedral
The city Esztergom near Budapest is often featured in the itineraries of foreign travelers. And there is at least one – very explainable – reason for this.
The fact is that the largest Catholic church in Hungary is located in the city – the Esztergom Basilica, which was built on the foundations of much older churches, has a height of 100 meters. It is perfectly visible from almost anywhere in Esztergom, as well as from neighboring Slovakia.
Inside you can visit the crypt, which has become the burial place of famous religious figures. And then climb to the observation deck, from it opens impressive panoramic views.
- Official website: bazilika-esztergom.hu/hu
12. Szentendre
a nice and very cozy town located on the banks of the Danube in the immediate vicinity of Budapest. Rare traveler will not include it in his list of places that must be visited in Hungary.
And he certainly won’t do it because Szentendre is easy to get to. By no means – this town deserves a much longer trip, because it seems to be stuck in the very “good old time” that many people miss so much today.
Numerous museums and art galleries should be visited in Szentendre. There are also many churches here, and any tourist who has been in this town mentions the beauty of local houses and streets.
Keep in mind that Sentendre is good not only in the warm season, but also in winter. Especially at Christmas and New Year!
If you want to bring back some original souvenirs from Hungary – buy them in Szentendre!
13. Visegrad Fortress
is definitely worth visiting for those who plan to go to Szentendre – these Hungarian attractions are located near Budapest on the right bank of the Danube.
The main tourist magnet and business card of the little town (about 2 000 inhabitants) is the Visegrad Fortress, once the residence of the Hungarian king. Only a small part of it, the Tower of Solomon, has survived unchanged to this day
This tower for a long time was used as a prison – in particular, it contained Vlad the Impaler, who became the prototype of the vampire Count Dracula.
14. Sopron
is an ancient Hungarian city with more than two thousand years of history. The historical heritage of Sopron has been preserved largely due to its location on the western border of the country, in a relatively inaccessible region for invasions from the East.
The first mention of the settlement dates back to the Roman era, when the legendary Amber Trade Route passed here. Merchants carrying amber to Rome sometimes stopped in Sopron, then called Scarbantia.
Pay attention to the ruins of the ancient Roman forum, there is also an ancient Fire Tower. It is worth visiting the Storno house with a collection of applied art objects.
15. Abbey of Pannonhalma
is oldest Benedictine monastery still operating in the country. At the end of the 10th century, when paganism still reigned in Hungary, Prince Geza began the Christianization of his possessions. And the Benedictines built the Abbey of Pannonhalma on a high hill near the town of Gyor.
The monastery remains active, now it is home to about 50 monks. Among its important attractions, which are worth paying attention to, is the Basilica of St. Martin and the huge monastery library. As well as a Baroque refectory, a functioning gymnasium, museums with permanent and temporary expositions, a botanical garden, a wine cellar and a factory.
By the way, Abbey of Pannonhalma now is under UNESCO protection – whc.unesco.org/en/list/758/.
16. Village of Hollókő
Northeast of Budapest is an amazing place – the village of Hollókő. Its inhabitants carefully preserve ancient customs, dress in traditional clothes and communicate in a special dialect of the Palots people.
Therefore, the village of Hollókő today is a unique open–air museum illustrating how provincial Hungary looked a few centuries ago
Today, along the only rural street there are about 70 houses, where workshops are equipped, introducing visitors to folk crafts. There are also several museums here. And yes, it was also included in the World Heritage List!
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