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Pécs – HungaryBudapest – HungaryLake Balaton – HungaryEger – HungaryPannonhalma Archabbey – HungaryEsztergom Basilica – Hungary
📍 Pécs📷 Random photos 1989 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Europe🗓️ Best: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct

Hungary ✓

Thermal baths, Danube views and paprika-rich food

🕒 –:– local time5 stories this week2 sources 6 top placesCapital Budapest

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Hungary📸 Photo album · 6 photos · Ultra-HD
Hungary📜 History of Hungary

The story of Hungary

The Carpathian Basin has drawn settlers since prehistoric times, and the Romans made the western part of today's Hungary into the province of Pannonia, building the town of Aquincum on what is now Budapest. Huns, Avars and others passed through after Rome's decline, until the Magyars – a people speaking a language unrelated to their neighbours' – arrived from the east under Árpád in the late ninth century.

In the year 1000 Stephen I was crowned the first Christian king of Hungary, founding a kingdom that became a major European power. It survived the Mongol invasion of 1241 and flourished under Renaissance king Matthias Corvinus. After the Battle of Mohács in 1526, much of the country fell to the Ottoman Empire for over 150 years – a period that left behind Turkish baths still used today – before the Habsburgs drove the Ottomans out.

Read the full history

Hungarians rose against Habsburg rule in the revolution of 1848-49, and the Compromise of 1867 created the Austro-Hungarian Empire, sparking a golden age in which Buda, Pest and Óbuda united into Budapest. After the First World War, the Treaty of Trianon reduced Hungary to about a third of its former territory. The Second World War brought devastation, followed by a communist government; the 1956 uprising was put down by Soviet forces.

In 1989 Hungary opened its border with Austria and made a peaceful transition to democracy, joining NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Today visitors find a country of grand Habsburg-era architecture, thermal spas, wine regions such as Tokaj and Eger, Roman ruins, Ottoman tombs and a deep love of music, from Liszt and Bartók to festivals on Danube islands.

Timeline

  1. 1st century ADRomans establish the province of Pannonia and Aquincum
  2. c. 895Magyar tribes led by Árpád settle the Carpathian Basin
  3. 1000Stephen I crowned first king of Hungary
  4. 1526Battle of Mohács; Ottoman rule begins over much of the country
  5. 1867Austro-Hungarian Compromise creates the dual monarchy
  6. 1873Buda, Pest and Óbuda merge to form Budapest
  7. 1956Hungarian uprising against Soviet-backed rule
  8. 2004Hungary joins the European Union
Hungary 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • Schengen Area – Part of the Schengen Area – 29 European countries with no passport checks between them. Short visits are usually counted under the 90-days-in-any-180 rule across the whole area.
  • European Union – EU member – EU/EEA citizens can travel and stay freely.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for Hungary appears below as soon as publishers report it.

Hungary✨ 10 best things to do in Hungary

Things to do in Hungary

  1. Soak in a thermal bathRelax in the steaming outdoor pools of the Széchenyi or the Ottoman-era domes of the Rudas bath.
  2. Cruise the Danube at nightGlide past the illuminated Parliament, Buda Castle and Chain Bridge after dark.
  3. Explore Buda Castle HillWander cobbled streets to Matthias Church and the fairy-tale Fisherman's Bastion.
  4. Drink in a ruin barGrab a drink in quirky bars set in crumbling courtyards of Budapest's Jewish Quarter.
  5. Swim in Lake BalatonSplash in Central Europe's largest lake and visit the abbey on the Tihany peninsula.
  6. Taste wine in TokajSip the sweet golden aszú wines in historic cellars of this UNESCO wine region.
  7. Bathe in Hévíz's thermal lakeFloat in one of the world's largest natural thermal lakes, warm even in winter.
  8. Watch horsemen on the PusztaSee Hungarian csikós horse shows on the great plain around Hortobágy National Park.
  9. Visit the Great Market HallShop for paprika, salami and lángos under a grand iron-and-glass roof.
  10. Explore Pécs' early Christian tombsDiscover UNESCO-listed burial chambers and a former mosque in this sunny southern city.
Hungary🗺️ Where to visit in Hungary

Where to go in Hungary

  • BudapestCapital · Danube cityOne of Europe's most beautiful capitals, with grand architecture, spas and lively nightlife.
  • Lake BalatonTransdanubia · lake & beachesHungary's 'sea', ringed by resorts, vineyards and the scenic Tihany peninsula.
  • EgerNortheast · castle & wineA baroque town with a famous castle, a minaret and the Valley of Beautiful Women's wine cellars.
  • 📍
    TokajNortheast · wine regionHistoric wine villages producing some of the world's oldest classified sweet wines.
  • PécsSouth · culture & historyA Mediterranean-feeling city with Roman-era tombs, Ottoman relics and the Zsolnay quarter.
  • 📍
    SzentendreDanube Bend · artists' townA charming riverside town of galleries and colourful baroque houses, an easy day trip from Budapest.
  • 📍
    Hortobágy National ParkGreat Plain · pusztaHungary's vast grassland with grey cattle, herders and rich birdlife.
  • 📍
    DebrecenEast · university cityHungary's second city, with a great Reformed Church and the famous Flower Carnival.
Hungary✨ Must-do experiences
  • Soak in a thermal bath like Széchenyi
  • Take a night cruise on the Danube
  • Have a drink in a Budapest ruin bar
  • Taste wine in Eger or Tokaj
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Hungary🍽️ Taste of Hungary
  • Gulyás – hearty beef and paprika soup
  • Lángos – fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese
  • Csirkepaprikás – chicken in creamy paprika sauce
  • Kürtőskalács – sweet chimney cake roasted over coals
Hungary🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Hungary

Best time to visit Hungary

Hungary has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Rainfall is moderate year-round, with late spring and early summer often the wettest periods.

BestApril-June and September-October – pleasant temperatures for city walks, wine harvests in autumn and fewer crowds than midsummer.
ShoulderJuly-August – hot and busy but great for Lake Balaton and summer festivals; December brings Christmas markets.
AvoidJanuary-February – cold and grey, though thermal baths make winter trips surprisingly cosy.
3°💧Jan
6°💧Feb
12°💧Mar
17°💧Apr
22°💧💧May
26°💧💧Jun
28°💧Jul
28°💧Aug
22°💧Sep
16°💧Oct
9°💧Nov
4°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Budapest (approximate averages).

Hungary🎉 Festivals & events in Hungary
  • August
    Sziget FestivalOne of Europe's biggest music festivals, held on an island in the Danube in Budapest.
  • 20 August
    St Stephen's DayHungary's national day ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the Danube.
  • February (before Lent)
    BusójárásMen in fearsome wooden masks parade through Mohács to chase away winter, a UNESCO-listed tradition.
  • Late November-December
    Budapest Christmas marketsFestive stalls fill Vörösmarty Square and St Stephen's Basilica with mulled wine and crafts.
  • August
    Debrecen Flower CarnivalHuge floats decorated with flowers parade through the streets.
Hungary🧭 Hungary itinerary ideas

How many days in Hungary?

4 daysBudapest break

Day 1 explore Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and a thermal bath. Day 2 tour Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica and the Jewish Quarter's ruin bars. Day 3 take a day trip to Szentendre on the Danube Bend. Day 4 visit the Great Market Hall and take an evening river cruise.

10 daysBudapest, Balaton and wine country

Day 1-4 Budapest and the Danube Bend. Day 5-6 head to Lake Balaton, Tihany and Hévíz. Day 7 visit Pécs. Day 8-10 travel northeast to Eger and Tokaj for castles and wine cellars.

Hungary🎒 Backpacking Hungary – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $35–55 a day

  • Budapest's District VII (Jewish Quarter) and VIII have the best concentration of hostels and cheap nightlife.
  • Trains and buses connect most towns cheaply; buy a Budapest travel card for unlimited public transport.
  • Eat a cheap, filling lunch with a set menu (napi menü) at local restaurants on weekdays.
  • Try lángos, kürtőskalács and paprika-laced stews at markets for budget bites.
  • Many thermal baths offer cheaper evening or weekday tickets; check before you go.
Hungary🛡️ Safety & money in Hungary

Stay safe

  • Hungary is generally safe; watch out for pickpockets on busy trams, metros and in tourist areas.
  • Check bills carefully in bars and restaurants, and avoid places where touts invite you in.
  • Use official taxis or apps instead of hailing cars on the street.
  • Always validate public transport tickets, as inspectors issue fines.

Money

  • The currency is the Hungarian forint, not the euro; euros are accepted in some tourist spots at poor rates.
  • Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted; use bank ATMs and avoid independent cash machines with high fees.
  • Tipping around 10-15 percent is customary in restaurants if service isn't already included.

Emergency: 112 general · 107 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire

Hungary🛬 Getting to Hungary

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the main gateway. Hungary is also well connected by rail and road to Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and other neighbours, and Danube river cruises stop in Budapest.

✈️ Cheap flights to Hungary: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Hungary💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Hungary
  • Budapest sits on more than a hundred thermal springs, earning it the nickname 'City of Spas'.
  • The Rubik's Cube was invented by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik.
  • Hungarian is a Finno-Ugric language, distantly related to Finnish and Estonian.
  • Budapest's Millennium Underground, opened in 1896, is one of the oldest metro lines in the world.
  • Hungarians write names surname first, just like in East Asia.
Hungary❓ Hungary travel FAQ

Hungary travel questions

Is Hungary safe for tourists?

Yes, Hungary is generally very safe for travellers. The main issues are pickpockets in busy areas and occasional bar overcharging scams in Budapest.

What is the best time to visit Hungary?

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is great for Lake Balaton and festivals, while winter has Christmas markets and thermal baths.

How many days do you need in Budapest?

Three to four days is ideal to see the main sights, enjoy a thermal bath and take a day trip. Add several more days to visit Lake Balaton or the wine regions.

Do people speak English in Hungary?

English is widely spoken by young people and in the tourism sector in Budapest. In rural areas it's less common, so a few Hungarian phrases help.

Is Hungary expensive to visit?

Hungary is generally more affordable than Western Europe, especially for food, public transport and thermal baths. Budapest's central tourist areas can be pricier.

Hungary💰 What a trip costs
$$price level
$35–55backpacker / day
$90–160mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Hungary🚌 Getting around

Trains and buses fan out from Budapest to most towns. Budapest has a metro, trams and buses.

Hungary🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Pannonhalma Archabbey – Thousand-year-old Benedictine abbey on a hilltop
  • Esztergom Basilica – Hungary's largest church, high above the Danube
  • Dohány Street Synagogue – The largest synagogue in Europe, in central Budapest
Hungary🤝 Local etiquette
  • Many locals avoid clinking beer glasses – an old tradition
  • Greet shop staff when you enter
  • Take your shoes off when entering a home

📰 Older Hungary stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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