Things to Do in Hungary: A Complete Guide to Adventure, Relaxation and Culture

Hungary, a patchwork of history, culture and nature, is calling you. From the busy streets of Budapest to the peaceful countryside, there’s so much to discover. What will you find in this Central European treasure?

Table of Contents

• Iconic Sights and Landmarks
• Unusual Attractions
• Cultural Experiences and Festivals
• Thermal and Water Fun
• Gastronomy Highlights

Famous Sights and Landmarks

Parliament, Budapest

• Address: Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 8:00-18:00 for guided tours
• Cost: Approximately $13 for adults; discounts available for students and seniors
• Special Features: This beautiful Neo-Gothic building is the third largest parliament in the world with a lovely river view that lights up at night.

Explore the Hungarian Parliament, the symbol of national pride set against the Danube River. This architectural masterpiece, famous for its Neo-Gothic style, will amaze you with its facade, 691 rooms and a 96 meter high central dome. Inside, the opulent Session Room, the grand Staircase XVII and the historic Holy Crown of Hungary await you.

Castle Hill — The Heart of Budapest

• Address: District I., Budapest
• Opening Hours: Open area, anytime; museums and attractions have different hours
• Cost: Free to walk around; museums and attractions have separate fees
• Special Features: Home to Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church with great views of the Danube.

Walk back in time as you stroll around the cobblestone streets of Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic district hosts Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion with its fairy-tale towers and Matthias Church with its Gothic spires. Every corner has views of Budapest, the Chain Bridge and the Pest cityscape, so it’s a photographer’s paradise.

Danube Promenade and Margaret Island

• Address: From Chain Bridge to Margaret Bridge, Budapest
• Opening Hours: Always open
• Cost: Free
• Special Features: Nice for walking with Danube views. Margaret Island has musical fountains and medieval ruins.

Margaret Island is a peaceful oasis in the heart of busy Budapest. The island is a leisure area with beautiful parks, romantic walkways and historical ruins. It’s also home to the Palatinus Water Park, a popular spot for relaxation and recreation. The Danube Promenade along the river is great for evening strolls or morning jogs.

Pécs — One of Hungary’s Most Beautiful Cities

• Main Attractions: Pécs Cathedral, Zsolnay Cultural Quarter
• Opening Hours: Varies
• Cost: Most public areas are free; museums and galleries have entrance fees
• Special Features: Roman past, medieval architecture and lively arts scene.

Pécs, a gem in the south of Hungary, is famous for its Roman and Turkish influences. Visit the Early Christian Mausoleum, a UNESCO site or stroll around the lively Széchenyi Square surrounded by colorful Zsolnay ceramic fountains and the big Mosque Church. The city has a rich cultural scene with galleries, theaters and a young population thanks to its university.

Visegrád Royal Palace and Aggtelek National Park

• Visegrád Address: Rév utca 15, Visegrád
• Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 daily
• Aggtelek Address: Aggtelek, Tengerszem oldal 1
• Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 daily for guided tours
• Cost: Palace around $6; Cave tours around $12
• Special Features: Renaissance palace with historical reenactments; Aggtelek has extensive cave systems with amazing formations.

The Renaissance Visegrád Royal Palace, restored to its former glory, shows you the life of Hungarian kings with exhibitions of royal artifacts and medieval architecture. Nearby the Aggtelek National Park will amaze you with its geological wonders, including the Baradla Cave, one of Europe’s largest cave systems with spectacular stalactites and guided tours that go deep into the Earth.

Off the Beaten Path

Explore hidden corners and lesser known gems in Hungary:

House of Terror, Budapest

• Address: Andrássy út 60, 1062 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00
• Cost: Around $10; discounts for students and seniors
• Special Features: This museum is a chilling reminder of the fascist and communist regimes in Hungary, located in the former headquarters of both.

This museum, located in the former headquarters of the Nazi and Soviet secret police, is a memorial to the victims of these regimes. The exhibits are immersive and show the harsh reality of oppression. The facade with the portraits of the disappeared sets the tone for a deep historical journey.

Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest

• Address: Vajdahunyad vára, 1146 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00
• Cost: Free for the grounds; castle museum around $5
• Special Features: A beautiful castle with mixed architectural styles, located in the City Park (Városliget).

Located in the City Park (Városliget), this castle is a fantasy of architectural styles from across Hungary’s history, built for the 1896 Millennium Exhibition. It features replicas of several landmark buildings from different parts of the country, including a Romanesque chapel and a Gothic gate. The castle grounds are also home to the Agricultural Museum, the largest in Europe.

Cultural Experiences and Festivals

Immerse yourself in Hungary’s rich cultural heritage, full of music, art and food:

Festivals

Celebrate Hungarian traditions at festivals like the Budapest Spring Festival, with classical music, opera and ballet or the Sziget Festival, one of Europe’s biggest music and cultural events on Óbudai Island. Wine lovers must not miss the Balaton Wine Festival in picturesque Balatonfüred where the best vintners gather to share their knowledge.

Thermal and Water Fun

Relax and rejuvenate in Hungary’s famous thermal baths, which are as much social hubs as they are spas:

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest

• Address: Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Daily 6:00-22:00
• Cost: From $20 for a daily ticket; cabin or locker rental extra
• Special Features: One of the largest spa complexes in Europe, 18 pools, saunas and steam rooms.

As one of Europe’s largest public baths, Széchenyi is an institution in itself. The complex has 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools, all fed by thermal springs. The stunning Neo-Baroque architecture from 1913 provides a historic backdrop for a day of relaxation.

Gellért Baths, Budapest

• Address: Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Daily 6:00-20:00
• Cost: From $20; massages and other spa services additional
• Special Features: Beautiful Art Nouveau decor and thermal pools and luxury spa treatments.

Gellért Baths is famous for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, mosaics and stained glass windows. Thermal pools, swimming pool and saunas for both healing and relaxation.

Gastronomy Highlights

Try Hungary’s cuisine, known for its strong flavors and comfort food:

Central Market Hall, Budapest

• Address: Vámház körút 1-3, 1093 Budapest
• Opening Hours: Mon 6:00-17:00, Tue-Fri 6:00-18:00, Sat 6:00-15:00
• Cost: Free entry; food prices vary
• Special Features: A foodie paradise with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash and lángos.

Visit this food temple to taste Hungary’s goulash, paprikash and lángos. This market is not only a place to try and buy a wide range of ingredients like paprika and Tokaji wine but also to experience the daily life of the locals among the crowd of shoppers.

Each description not only tells but also shows the atmosphere and experience of visiting these Hungarian icons, so it’s a perfect guide for anyone who wants to explore this lovely country.

Read more:

• Unique Things to Do in Budapest