10 Best Things to Do in Hungary

Visiting the historic Buda Castle in Budapest offers an atmospheric journey through centuries of Hungarian history. Visitors reach the castle by climbing the stone stairways or riding the funicular from Clark Adam Square. They walk through the Royal Palace’s cobbled courtyards and enter the grand St. Stephen's Hall filled with art and artifacts. They view Gothic statues, admire cityscapes from the balconies, and tour regal rooms that once housed kings like Sigismund of Luxembourg, Matthias Corvinus, and Louis I The Great. Many proceed to walk through the maze of tunnels beneath Castle Hill. Visitors pause to photograph the domes and towers, dine at hilltop restaurants, and shop for souvenirs. They listen to bells chime across the Danube and enjoy the majestic scene.

VThe best time to visit the historic Buda Castle is March to May and September to November, when the weather is mild and the castle grounds are most enjoyable for walking and outdoor views

Historical and art-focused guides lead tours of historic Buda Castle in Budapest and offer in-depth commentary on royal life, architectural changes, and museum collections.

Entry to the grounds of Buda Castle in Budapest is free.

Exploring the thermal baths at Szechenyi Spa is a rejuvenating experience that lets visitors partake in Hungary’s famous spa culture. Visitors enter through the spa’s grand yellow façade and pass under archways into open courtyards where steam rises from the heated pools. They soak in the warm mineral-rich waters outdoors or walk through the tiled interior halls to try the hot and cold plunge pools. Guests rest on loungers between dips, try thermal saunas, or book a massage treatment. In the outdoor pool, guests often watch or join chess players calmly seated at stone tables.

The best time to explore the thermal baths at Szechenyi Spa is March to May or September to October, when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller, but the outdoor pools remain comfortably warm.

Wellness and cultural guides lead tours that include Szechenyi Spa and provide insights into its therapeutic waters, historical development, and traditional spa etiquette.

Entry to the thermal baths at Szechenyi Spa costs $40 - $60 USD depending on the day of the week. Specialized spa treatments and massages at Szechenyi Spa cost extra

Cruising the Danube River offers travelers an immersive and peaceful way to see Hungary’s capital and countryside. Visitors board docked boats at piers along Pest’s embankment. They glide past historical bridges, see people strolling riverside promenades, and view the city’s landmarks from open-air decks or indoor lounges. They hear multilingual audio guides, sip drinks, and dine onboard while floating by sights like the Liberty Statue, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion. The cruise is peaceful, with soft waves, open skies, and sweeping views of both Buda’s hills and Pest’s skyline.

The best time to take a cruise on the Danube River is from May to September, when the weather is warm, daylight is long, and riverfront landmarks are fully visible.

River cruise guides and audio narration systems lead tours of the Danube River and provide architectural, cultural, and historical insight into the landmarks and bridges seen from the water.

Short cruises focused on Budapest cost $12 - $60 USD, depending on the cruise type, duration, and whether meals or live music are included.

Discovering the Hungarian Parliament Building offers visitors a sense of Hungarian national pride and architectural wonder. Visitors start at the main entrance where they join their 45-minute guided tour. They walk through the grand staircase, and pause beneath the majestic central dome to view the Crown of Saint Stephen. Visitors continue through session halls, view stained-glass windows, and admire 242 exterior and interior statues that depict Hungarian rulers and allegorical figures. They walk along interior balconies, gaze across the Danube, and often end their visit at the Parliament Visitor Center, which includes exhibits of stone carvings and the 1956 Revolution.

The best time to discover the Hungarian Parliament Building is from March to October, when guided tours run more frequently and Budapest’s weather is ideal for viewing the building.

Certified local guides lead 45-minute timed tours of the Hungarian Parliament Building and provide insight into Hungarian history, architectural symbolism, and the significance of the Crown Jewels.

Entry to the Hungarian Parliament Building costs $13 - $30 USD, depending on the visitor’s nationality and age.

A visit to the Fisherman’s Bastion immerses travelers in Budapest’s architectural charm and sweeping cityscape views. Visitors climb gently sloping stairs and wander beneath colonnades that frame picture-perfect scenes of the Danube. They stop at turret balconies to view 360-degree views of landmarks like Parliament and Gellért Hill. Travelers often pause at the lookout points to photograph the skyline or enjoy a Dobos Torte at Ruszwurm Patisserie. Visitors who stay until sunset enjoy spectacular and romantic views of city lights and Parliament illuminated.

The best time to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion is April to October, when mild weather and clear skies enhance the views and walking experience.

Walking tour guides lead visitors through the Fisherman’s Bastion and explain the historical symbolism of its towers, architectural details, and connections to Hungarian nationhood.

Entry to the lower terrace of the Fisherman’s Bastion is free. Access to the upper terrace costs from $3 - $5 USD, depending on season and visitor category (adult, student, or senior).

Exploring the Great Market Hall in Budapest gives visitors an immersive introduction to Hungarian flavors and culture. Visitors walk beneath massive iron arches into a hall where locals shop for fresh produce, meats, and spices. They find rows of sausages, strings of dried peppers, and jars of goose liver pâté. Travelers shop for souvenirs on the upper floor of the Great Market Hall, where handcrafted dolls, embroidered blouses, and hand-painted ceramics are on display. They dine at food counters, trying hot, crispy lángos and sipping bowls of gulyás in the warm, aromatic air filled with spice and steam.

The Great Market Hall in Budapest is open and available year-round.

Culinary guides lead tours of the Great Market Hall and help visitors identify authentic Hungarian ingredients, traditional recipes, and cultural food customs.

Entry to the Great Market Hall in Budapest is free.

A walk through Heroes' Square offers a ceremonial and reflective experience that connects visitors to Hungary’s national legacy. Travelers approach the grand plaza via Andrássy Avenue, arriving at a wide, stone-paved expanse lined with monumental sculptures of the Seven chieftains of the Magyars. They circle the central column and pause to read inscriptions beneath each statue. They step closer to examine the bronze details, then move toward the colonnades where additional figures represent virtues and concepts like peace, knowledge and glory. Visitors continue to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art (Műcsarnok).

The best time to take a walk through Heroes' Square is April to October, when the weather is mild and daylight hours are longer.

Historical and cultural guides lead tours of Heroes' Square and explain the symbolic meaning of each statue, the construction of the Millennium Monument, and its connection to Hungarian national identity.

Entry to Heroes' Square is free of charge.

A visit to the medieval town of Eger offers a rich cultural and historical journey through one of Hungary’s most storied regions. Visitors walk through its baroque Old Town, then climb the fortress walls of Eger Castle for sweeping views of the valley. They descend into historic cellars to sample the region’s famed Bull’s Blood wine (Egri Bikavér). Travelers tour the ornate interiors of the Minorite Church, rest in shaded squares like Dobó István tér, and shop for local crafts along narrow lanes.

The best time to visit the medieval town of Eger is May to October, when the weather is warm and outdoor cafes and wine cellars are in full swing.

Local history guides lead tours of the medieval town of Eger and offer insights into its castle battles, baroque heritage, and long winemaking traditions.

Most public spaces in the medieval town of Eger are free to visit

Relaxing at Lake Balaton offers a laid-back experience centered on sun, water, and Hungary’s regional charm. Visitors swim in the shallow, warm lake; sunbathe on grassy and sandy beaches; and stroll tree-lined promenades in towns like Balatonfüred. Visitors explore Tihany’s hilltop abbey, view sailboats crossing the lake, and dine at lakefront restaurants serving fish soup (halászlé). Travelers sip local wines in vineyard cellars, join summer festivals, or ride bikes past reed beds and rolling hills. Calm breezes, chirping cicadas, and evening sunsets complete the experience of unwinding in Hungary’s summer capital.

The best time to relax at Lake Balaton is June to August, when the weather is warm and the lake’s water is ideal for swimming and sailing.

Local tour guides lead visits around Lake Balaton and provide insights into its historic towns, vineyard culture, and local traditions across both coasts.

Entry to Lake Balaton is free, but beach access costs $3 - $6 USD, depending on location and facilitie

A visit to the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest offers a deep immersion into Hungarian national identity through art, architecture, and history. Visitors enter through a portico supported by Corinthian columns and ascend a monumental staircase before touring chronological exhibits that span prehistory, medieval Hungary, the Ottoman era, and modern revolutions. They view items like royal garments, military flags, Gothic altars, and handwritten historical documents. Guests pause in echoing halls beneath frescoed ceilings and later walk through the museum garden, where plaques and statues commemorate Hungary’s cultural icons

The best time to experience the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest is spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), when the weather is mild for enjoying both indoor exhibits and the surrounding garden.

Museum guides and historical interpreters lead tours of the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest and provide detailed narratives about Hungary’s cultural milestones, artifacts, and the building’s architectural symbolism.

Admission to the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest costs $11 - $20 USD, depending on the running exhibitions (temporary or permanent). The surrounding museum gardens are free to access.