Hungary: A Country of Castles, Lakes, and Cultural Charms

If you’re looking for a destination that offers rich history, striking landscapes, vibrant city life, old-world charm as well as amazing food and culture, then Hungary needs to be on your travel bucket list.

We recently travelled through this Central European gem, and each stop offered left us loving this beautiful country even more. We honestly believe that Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and Hungary as a whole has so much to see and do that you will want to spend at least a week here. Here’s a look at our journey and a suggested itinerary if you are thinking of visiting Hungary.

Pro tips:

• Hungary has not moved to the euro (at the time of writing this blog) and whilst credit card was widely accepted in most locations it is still advisable to carry cash / the Hungarian Forint with you

• If driving (which we recommend) then you will need to make sure you have an electronic vignette (we pre-purchased this through our rental car company)

• If using the trams and trains then remember to validate your ticket - we saw quite a few inspectors on public transport

• Be prepared for crowds in Budapest - particularly in peak season. And pre-book tickets for key tourist attractions such as the Parliament Building or river cruise

• English is spoken in key tourist destinations (such as Budapest) but outside of Budapest, English is not widely spoken. Recommend learning a few key phrases and have Google Translate handy!

• Restaurants often include a service charge on the bill, (it usually appears on the bill as szerviz). If not, it’s customary to tip around 10%. If you give a banknote that’s more than your bill and say “thank you,” your server will likely see that as an invitation to keep the change.

Day 1 - 4 Budapest

You are likely to start your journey by arriving in Budapest. We spent 4 days in Budapest over Easter in 2025. Here is a link to our suggested itinerary that includes what to see and do, where to eat and stay when in Budapest.

The Buda side has the castle district, which is where Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church are. It is less touristy and much quieter on the Buda side. The Pest side has the rest of the tourist attractions like the Parliament, St Stephens Cathedral, State Opera, etc. If you want to be in the middle of the action, the Pest side is for you!

Where to stay - we highly recommend D8 Hotel. This hotel is on the Pest side and is near the centre of town and close to the river, so it is convenient to all the main attractions. It offers a fantastic breakfast as well.

Day 5 - Drive to Visegrad, Esztergom and Lake Balaton

We rented a car at the Budapest airport through Schiller. We would recommend this car company as they were very friendly and efficient. We also chose this car company as they were one of the few that allowed us to take the car across the border to Bosnia and Serbia.

A short drive north of Budapest is the small town of Visegrád. Visegrad's call to fame is its medieval fortress, perched high overlooking the Danube. There is parking at the bottom of the fortress for 1300 forints (cash only). Inside the fortress are some interesting displays showcasing life in medieval times and the rulers of Hungary.

View from Visegrad Fortress

After exploring the fortress, there is a restaurant / cafe near the parking lot where we stopped for lunch and an ice-cream. After lunch, we walked the few kms up the road to the Visegrad bobsled track. This was a fun activity and highly recommend!

About 30 mins from Visegrad is the town of Esztergom, which is also situated at a bend on the Danube River. Esztergom is considered to be the central hub of Christianity in Hungary, and there’s no shortage of church towers and other religious buildings in the city! A small historical fact: Esztergom was once the capital city of Hungary all the way back in the tenth century! We made a quick stop at this beautiful town to visit the Basilica of Esztergom.

Our final stop was on to Lake Balaton, with our accommodation in Heviz. But would also recommend basing yourself in the quaint town of Keszthely or Tihany.

Where to stay - Nexus Apartmenthotel. This apartment offered us the chance to spread out with the added benefit of a full kitchen and washing machine. Just a few meters from our apartment was a fantastic Italian restaurant La Montanara Ristoriante - highly recommend having dinner here!

Day 6 and 7 - Explore Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake and Hungary’s beloved summer escape. The lake’s northern shore is more laid-back, perfect for sailing or wine tasting in Badacsony, while the southern side, has more of a party vibe. We chose serenity, so we visited the northern side of the Lake.

Lake Balaton

Balaton offers a little something for everyone. Here’s how we spent our time:

Tihany

Tihany is a must. The Benedictine Abbey dominates the town with its iconic twin towers and sweeping views over the lake.

We stopped for a coffee and amazing cake in the cafe Rege Cukrászda. This cafe has the best views of the lake - simply breathtaking! Check our Instagram post here.

We loved Tihany, with its cobbled streets lined with artisan shops and cafes. Make sure you stop for lavender ice-cream or locally made lavender products as lavender is grown in this region.

Tapolca

The town of Tapolca offers visitors plenty of exciting things to explore. There are many old and beautiful buildings in the town centre, but the main feature that we came to visit was the Lake Cave, with its amazing underground limestone cave system that we explored by boat. Check out our Instagram post on our visit here.

Boat ride in the lake under Tapolca.

Balatonfured and Balaton Bob

We loved the outdoor bobsled that we did in Visegrad that we decided to try it again at Lake Balaton Bob. Balaton Bob also has other outdoor adventure and playgrounds so it is a great option if you are travelling with children and to keep them entertained.

Other suggested things to see and do around Lake Balaton:

Wine Tasting - If you love wine, Badacsony on the northern shore is paradise. The volcanic soil here produces fantastic white wines, especially Olaszrizling.

Swimming and Sailing - The southern shore, especially towns like Siófok and Balatonfüred, is more developed, with beaches, marinas, and plenty of action.

Szigliget Castle - is just a short drive away, offering stunning views over Lake Balaton. To get to the site requires a steep(ish) walk up the hill, but an easy enough task for anyone with reasonable fitness and mobility.

Festetics Palace - This Baroque beauty was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest and most stunning aristocratic residences in Hungary. With its manicured gardens, ornate architecture, and lavish interior, it's easy to see why it's often referred to as the "Hungarian Versailles."

Day 7 - Pecs (1 hour 45 mins drive from Lake Balaton)

In Pecs there is so much to see and do, here are just a few of the highlights:

• Begin your journey at the heart of the city with the Pécs Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture dating back to the 11th century. Located in Szent István Square, this imposing structure has undergone various renovations, each adding to its architectural richnes

• A testament to Pécs' Ottoman heritage, the Mosque of Pasha Qasim was built in 1580. Its octagonal main body was converted into a Catholic church after the Habsburgs reclaimed the city. The building bears hallmarks of Ottoman architecture, including alternating rows of dark and light stone on its arches. Inside, you can find inscriptions from the Koran on the walls

• Discover the rich Jewish heritage of Pécs at the Pécs Synagogue, magnificently preserved and located south of Széchenyi Square. During World War II, approximately 2,700 Jews from the city were deported to death camps in May 1944, and today, only about 100 remain in the community.

Where to stay - Konig Hotel

Day 8 - Szeged

Located in the sunniest region of Hungary near the Serbian border, Szeged is a university town with architectural grandeur, a buzzing café culture. It’s walkable, photogenic, and we loved its laid-back atmosphere.

The beating heart of Szeged is Dóm Square, a vast open space flanked by university buildings, arcades, and cafes—but it’s the Votive Church that steals the show. The Votive Church of Our Lady of Hungary, also known as the Szeged Cathedral, is one of the most iconic landmarks of Szeged. It is a magnificent example of Hungarian art nouveau architecture and one of the largest churches in Hungary.

Szeged is known across Hungary for one thing: paprika. The region produces the richest, deepest red paprika you can imagine. Visit the Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum to learn the story of Szeged’s most iconic flavors.

If you're into history, anthropology, or natural sciences, the Móra Ferenc Museum is worth a visit. Set in a neoclassical building near the river, it hosts rotating exhibits ranging from archaeology to modern photography, all curated with surprising flair.

We spent an afternoon at the Szeged Napfenyfurdo Aquapolis. This indoor / outdoor waterpark was fantastic and highly recommend. If you also go after 5pm like we did you get cheap tickets.

Where to stay - Hotel Piano

Day 9 - Debrecen

Debrecen is Hungary’s second-largest city but with a more relaxed, scholarly charm. Walking around you can feel that it is a university town with young students walking around. Debrecen feels more “Hungarian” in a traditional sense—not as polished for tourists, but all the more authentic. The Great Reformed Church dominates the main square and reflects the city’s Calvinist roots.

If you are looking to cool off and keep the kids entertained there is also the Aquaticum indoor and outdor waterpark close to town. We visited for a few hours.

Where to stay - Hotel Lycium Debrecen

Day 10 - Drive back to Budapest (3 1/2 hrs)

On the way back to Budapest make a stop by Adrassay Castle

Hungary offers much more than just Budapest - from castles and shimmering lakes to ancient cities and surprising border towns. Every region has its own personality, and together, they paint a vibrant, unforgettable portrait. If you're looking to dive deeper than the usual capital-city stopover, highly recommend renting a car and exploring all that Hungary has to offer. You won’t regret it!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

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