Hungary Travel Guide

Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by Johan

Hungary lies in Central Europe. It borders Austria to the west, Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east, Serbia to the south, Croatia to the southwest, and Slovenia to the west. The country has no coastline but is rich in rivers and lakes, with the Danube and Tisza flowing through its territory. Budapest, the capital, sits on the banks of the Danube and is the cultural and political centre of the nation.

Explanation of the name: Hungary

The name Hungary comes from the medieval Latin Hungaria, which referred to the people known as the Hungarians. In Hungarian the country is called Magyarország, meaning “land of the Magyars.” The Magyars were a Finno‑Ugric people who settled in the Carpathian Basin in the late ninth century. Over time the name Hungary became widely used in international contexts, while Magyarország remains the national designation.

History: Hungary

Hungary was part of the Austro‑Hungarian Empire until its collapse during World War I. After the war the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 reduced Hungary’s territory significantly. During World War II Hungary allied with Germany but later attempted to switch sides, leading to occupation by Nazi forces. After the war Hungary fell under Soviet influence and became a communist state.

In 1956 a popular uprising against Soviet control was crushed by military intervention. Under János Kádár the country introduced limited economic reforms known as “Goulash Communism.” In 1989 Hungary transitioned to democracy, holding its first free elections in 1990. It joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Hungary is a parliamentary republic divided into 19 counties and the capital city Budapest. These counties are further divided into districts and municipalities. For statistical purposes Hungary is grouped into seven regions, but the counties remain the main administrative units. The 19 counties of Hungary are: Baranya, Bács‑Kiskun, Békés, Borsod‑Abaúj‑Zemplén, Csongrád‑Csanád, Fejér, Győr‑Moson‑Sopron, Hajdú‑Bihar, Heves, Jász‑Nagykun‑Szolnok, Komárom‑Esztergom, Nógrád, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs‑Szatmár‑Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprém, Zala. And in addition to these counties, Budapest is an independent capital city with county rights.

Tourist information: Hungary

Hungary is known for its thermal baths, historic towns, and natural landscapes. Budapest offers a mix of history and modern life, with the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge as highlights. The city is also famous for its thermal baths such as Széchenyi and Gellért.

Beyond Budapest, Eger is known for its baroque architecture and wine cellars. The town also hosts the Marzipan Museum, where visitors can see sculptures made from marzipan by artist Lajos Kopcsik. Pécs in southern Hungary is rich in Roman and Ottoman heritage. Debrecen in the east is a centre of Protestant culture. Lake Balaton, often called the “Hungarian Sea,” is the largest lake in Central Europe and a popular holiday destination. Hévíz near Balaton has the world’s largest biologically active thermal lake.

Hungary’s countryside offers castles, fortresses, and national parks. Hortobágy National Park preserves traditional pastoral life on the Great Plain. Aggtelek National Park is famous for its caves. Tokaj in northeastern Hungary is renowned for its sweet wines.

Attractions

  • Hungarian Parliament Building, Kossuth Lajos Square, Budapest. This neo‑Gothic building on the Danube is one of the largest parliaments in the world. Visitors admire its grand halls and the Hungarian Crown Jewels.
  • Buda Castle, Castle Hill, Budapest. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the castle complex includes museums and offers panoramic views of the city.
  • Fisherman’s Bastion, Castle District, Budapest. Known for its fairy‑tale towers and panoramic views of the Danube. It is one of the most photographed sites in Hungary.
  • Great Synagogue, Dohány Street, Budapest. The largest synagogue in Europe, it is a centre of Jewish heritage and history.
  • Lake Balaton, Veszprém and Somogy counties. The lake is surrounded by resorts and vineyards. Visitors enjoy sailing, swimming, and wine tasting.
  • Hortobágy National Park, Hajdú‑Bihar county. A UNESCO site, it preserves the traditional life of herdsmen on the Great Plain. Visitors see grey cattle, racka sheep, and historic bridges.
  • Aggtelek National Park, Borsod‑Abaúj‑Zemplén county. Famous for the Baradla Cave, one of Europe’s largest stalactite caves. Guided tours reveal underground formations and chambers.
  • Tokaj Wine Region, Tokaj. Renowned for its sweet wines, especially Tokaji Aszú. Visitors enjoy tastings and vineyard tours.

Museums

  • Hungarian National Museum, Múzeum körút 14‑16, Budapest. It presents Hungary’s history from ancient times to the modern era. Visitors see archaeological finds, medieval artefacts, and documents from the 1848 revolution.
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Dózsa György út 41, Budapest. It houses European art from antiquity to the 20th century. Collections include works by El Greco, Goya, and Rembrandt.
  • House of Terror Museum, Andrássy út 60, Budapest. It documents the fascist and communist regimes in Hungary. Exhibits include prison cells and multimedia displays.
  • Marzipan Museum, Dobó Square, Eger. Created by Lajos Kopcsik, it displays sculptures made entirely of marzipan, including famous artworks and everyday objects.
  • Zsolnay Museum, Káptalan Street, Pécs. Dedicated to the Zsolnay porcelain factory, it showcases decorative ceramics and innovations in design.

Fun things for children

Families can enjoy the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, which has animals from around the world. The Tropicarium in Budapest features sharks and exotic fish. Lake Balaton offers beaches and water sports suitable for children. The Marzipan Museum in Eger delights young visitors with sweet sculptures. Adventure parks near Budapest provide climbing and outdoor activities.

Local events in 2026

  • Budapest Spring Festival, Budapest. Scheduled for April 2026, it features concerts, theatre, and dance performances.
  • Debrecen Flower Carnival, Debrecen. Held in August 2026, it includes parades of flower‑covered floats and cultural events.
  • Sziget Festival, Óbuda Island, Budapest. Taking place from 11 to 18 August 2026, it is one of Europe’s largest music festivals with international performers.
  • Tokaj Wine Festival, Tokaj. Planned for September 2026, it celebrates Hungary’s famous sweet wines with tastings and cultural programmes.
  • Christmas Market, Vörösmarty Square, Budapest. Held in December 2026, it offers crafts, food, and festive atmosphere.

Culinary destinations

Hungarian cuisine is hearty and flavourful. Goulash is a national dish made with beef, paprika, and vegetables. Pörkölt is a meat stew, while halászlé is a spicy fish soup. Lángos is fried dough often topped with sour cream and cheese. Tokaji wine is world‑famous, especially the sweet Aszú variety. Local markets in Budapest and other cities offer fresh produce, sausages, and pastries.

Cycling and walking routes

Hungary has an expanding network of cycling paths. The Lake Balaton Cycle Path circles the entire lake for 210 km. The Danube Bend near Visegrád provides scenic cycling routes along the river. The Őrség region has numbered cycling trails through forests and villages. Walking routes include trails in national parks such as Aggtelek and Hortobágy. The Buda Hills near Budapest are popular for hiking.

Seasonal activities

Winter brings ice skating in Budapest and skiing in the Mátra Mountains. Spring is ideal for hiking and cycling. Summer offers swimming at Lake Balaton and festivals across the country. Autumn is harvest season with wine festivals and colourful landscapes.

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