Hungary
Travel destinations and tourist attractions in Hungary center on thermal spas, grand architecture, and the river Danube. The capital Budapest is famous for its Parliament Building, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge and historic thermal baths, while the wider country offers Lake Balaton, wine regions, and charming historic towns.
General information
Hungary is a landlocked country in the heart of Central Europe, split by the great Danube River and famous for its thermal spas, hearty cuisine and grand capital, Budapest. Beyond the city lie rolling wine regions, the vast Great Plain with its cowboy traditions, and Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe and a favourite summer escape. The Hungarian language (Magyar) is unrelated to its neighbours, adding to the country's distinct identity, expressed also in its paprika-rich food and love of music. English is common in tourist areas, and Hungary combines rich history, spa culture and excellent value.
Transport and how to get there
The main gateway is Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD), from which the 100E airport bus and taxis reach the centre. Hungary is a Central European rail hub, with direct trains to Vienna (about 2.5 hours), Bratislava and beyond, and inexpensive domestic trains and buses reach Balaton, Eger and the smaller towns. Budapest's own metro, trams and buses are cheap and easy, and the compact centre is a pleasure to explore on foot.
Prices
Hungary offers excellent value by Western European standards. Expect roughly 25,000-55,000 HUF per night for a mid-range hotel (about 65-140 EUR), with hostels from around 6,000 HUF. A meal at a casual restaurant runs about 4,000-7,000 HUF, and a local beer is only 700-1,200 HUF. A day transport ticket is around 2,500 HUF, entry to a grand thermal bath about 7,000-10,000 HUF, and museums roughly 3,000-4,000 HUF. The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF); prices are approximate and vary by season.
Main attractions
Budapest is the undisputed highlight, with its riverside Parliament, the Castle District and Fishermen's Bastion, and its famous thermal baths such as Szechenyi and Gellert. Beyond the capital, Lake Balaton draws summer crowds to its resorts and vineyards, the baroque town of Eger pairs a hilltop castle with the robust Bull's Blood red wine, and the golden wine region of Tokaj is a UNESCO site. Ride the Danube Bend to artsy Szentendre and the fortress of Visegrad, or head onto the Great Plain to see the horsemen of the Hortobagy.