Hungary’s 20 Hidden Gems You Should Visit
If you’re looking to visit a country with a rich culture, plenty of history, and stunning beauty, look no further than Hungary. Located in central Europe and situated between Austria and Romania, Hungary is a landlocked country with a population of just under 10 million.
The capital city, Budapest, is undoubtedly the first city that springs to mind when you think of Hungary. It’s an amazing, vibrant city. However, Budapest is not all that Hungary has to offer; there are many more beautiful towns and cities waiting to be explored.
We’ve put together a list of 20 unique towns and cities that we think offer visitors some fantastic things to do and see while in Hungary. Some are large cities, bustling with tourists, while others are smaller, lesser-known towns that provide a more relaxing experience.
1. Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is Europe’s largest freshwater lake, which is not surprising considering it spans 78 kilometres through the vast hills of western Hungary. The lake is very popular, attracting both foreign and domestic tourists throughout the year. During the summer months, you’ll find the local party towns of Siófok and Keszthely buzzing with nightlife. The lake’s beautiful volcanic waters are ideal watersports and swimming, so bring your swimwear! If you’d prefer to take it easy and relax, there are plenty of cottages and camping spots lining the lake’s shores.
2. Tokaj
The small but charismatic town of Tokaj is surrounded by sprawling vineyards in Hungary’s famous wine region. It has quickly become the number one destination to visit for wine lovers, and there are plenty of local wines on offer at the town’s countless wineries and bars. Visitors can sample some of the local wines, from Tokay dry to the iconic Furmint, and everything else in between. A must-visit for the wine lovers!
3. Tapolca
Situated just a short distance away from Lake Balaton, the town of Tapolca offers visitors plenty of exciting things to explore. There are many old and beautiful buildings in the town centre, which greatly complement that town’s main feature: Malom Lake. Szigliget Castle is just a short drive away, offering stunning views over Lake Balaton. Don’t miss out on Lake Cave with its amazing underground limestone cave system that can be explored by boat!
4. Pécs
Pécs is a beautiful city close to the Croatian border. If you like to party, Pécs offers a lively atmosphere at night, and there are plenty of places to eat for the foodies. For the best food, we’d recommend taking a walk down to Blöff Bisztró, you won’t be disappointed! This multicultural city is home to many ethnicities and nationalities, including Germans, Serbians, Croatians, Hungarians, and more. If you’re into buildings and fascinating architecture, Pécs is definitely a place you don’t want to miss out on!
5. Lillafüred
Lillafüred is a unique and interesting town that’s actually a part of the city of Miskolc; however, it’s tucked away in the mountains, 12km away from the main city. The unique town has some beautiful sights to see, such as the Cave Bath of Miskolctapolca, the hanging gardens, and the St. Stephen Stalactite Cave. If you’re nearby, we’d definitely recommend paying a visit to Lillafüred!
6. Tihany
Known in Hungary as a romantic retreat, the small village of Tihany sits on a peninsular over Lake Balaton. The main place to visit here is Tihany Abbey, which is home to a 1,000-year-old monastery that was rebuilt in the 19th century. Take a stroll the picturesque old town or head on down to Lake Balaton. If you love plants and nature, don’t miss out on the absolutely delightful Lavender Gardens.
7. Sopron
The city of Sopron is located at the Austrian border on the west side of Hungary, right next to Lake Fertő. The city has a rich history that spans over 2,000 years, which can be seen in the Germanic church spires, cobbled square, and old Roman ruins. Sopron gives off a real medieval vibe, which makes it feel like you’ve gone back in time! There’s a fantastic selection of wines to sample here, so be sure to check out Sopron if that’s your thing!
8. Vác
Vác is a small town that people tend to miss out on. Perhaps that’s because it’s 30 kilometres away from Budapest, we’re not sure! If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Budapest, take a drive to Vác, as it offers a quieter and more chilled out vibe. Despite being a small town, there’s plenty to do here! The Tragor Ignác Museum offers some cool things to see, such as the war memorial and the recently discovered crypt. For the wine lovers, we’d recommend the Curia Winehouse, where you can try out more than 100 different types of wines and appetizers. The 300-year-old Triumphal Arch is a popular tourist attraction, and there are some famous statues located around the arch.
9. Miskolc
Miskolc is the fourth largest city in the country, and it’s a great place to stop at if you’re travelling to northeast Hungary from Budapest. There are lots of great sights to see, such as the Otto Herman Museum, the Medieval Castle of Diósgyőr, and of course, the stunning Szentharomsag Church. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of greenery that’ll be sure to charm anybody who visits.
10. Szeged
Szeged is another large city that’s well known to Hungarians but not particularly popular with tourists. It’s home to one of Hungary’s most prestigious universities, the University of Szeged. While you’re here, we’d suggest visiting the Votive Church, Dóm Square, the Szeged Synagogue, and the city hall. The city’s most famous hotel, and arguably the coolest, is the Tiszavirág. Be sure to stay there if you want the best of the best! If you’d prefer a more laid-back vibe, you can go to Homoki Lodge, which is about 30km away. You’ll find amazing deluxe pods with their own hot tubs that are perfect for chilling out in, and you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful countryside. What more could you ask for?
11. Eger
Eger is a city with plenty of culture and history to discover. You’ll find a mix of Turkish and Christian culture, as well as baroque architecture everywhere you look. The city’s 1,000-year-old castle gives off a relaxed medieval vibe, and you’ll see lots of mosque minarets, vineyards, and hills dotted around in the background. The town’s old section is very popular with visitors as there are lots of cafes and taverns lining the winding alleys and cobbled square.
12. Budapest
Ah yes, Budapest. The most famous and most popular tourist destination in Hungary. It’s no wonder it’s so popular, as Budapest offers visitors a little taste of everything, from wild nightlife to sophisticated history and stunning architecture. You’ll find plenty to do here, including seeing the Danube river, the great national museum, and the country’s impressive parliament building. The parliament building looks absolutely stunning when it’s lit up at night!
13. Tata
Tata is a small town roughly 70 kilometres west of Budapest. The environment is picture-perfect, surrounded by natural beauty and the lovely Lake Öreg. While you’re here, some other great sights to visit are the 700-year-old castle, the delightful English Garden, and the national treasure that is the Eszterházy Palace. Recent archaeological findings date Tata’s first inhabitants to 50,000 B.C., so it certainly has a lot of history! If you’ve already seen and done everything in Budapest, consider visiting Tata for the day as it has plenty to offer.
14. Esztergom
Esztergom is situated at a bend on the Danube river, roughly 46 kilometres west of Budapest. It’s 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! The main building to visit here is the Basilica of Esztergom; it’s a fantastic looking building that dominates the skyline. A small historical fact: Esztergom was once the capital city of Hungary all the way back in the tenth century!
15. Szentendre
Szentendre is another town situated along the Danube river, and it’s well known for its brightly coloured houses, old cobbled streets, and mesmerizing baroque architecture. Many artists have been attracted to the town due to the large number of galleries showcasing art. These galleries are very popular with the tourists, and there is no end of small boutiques and intriguing buildings to explore.
16. Debrecen
Despite being a place that’s full of history, culture, and heritage, Debrecen is often overlooked by tourists. It’s a great city that grew very rapidly during the nineteenth century, and at one point it was briefly the capital city of Hungary. If you decide to pay a visit, make sure you stop by the Great Reformed Church, the National Park, and Déri MuseumThe museum displays fine art, centuries-old weapons, local archaeological finds, and lots more.
17. Visegrád
Visegrád is a small castle town located to the north of Budapest. The town sits on a hill, towering over the Danube river on the bend. It’s a nice, quiet place to visit as the population is relatively small. The town has a very medieval feel to it thanks to the medieval stones and ancient Roman ruins dotted about. It’s the perfect place for people who want to wander through the town taking in the history. The Upper Castle of Bela IV is situated at the top of the hill, and it offers stunning views over the Danube and surrounding area.
18. Lake Hévíz
Lake Hévíz is close to the city of Keszthely, on the west side of Lake Balaton. It’s one of the largest thermal lakes in the world, making it an excellent place to go for a swim! The waters are home to a variety of algae and cyanobacteria. Because of this, many people believe the lake has healing properties. Hévíz Spa attracts a lot of visitors, ranging from medical tourists looking for healing to regular travellers wanting a calm, relaxing getaway.
19. Aggtelek
Aggtelek is home to a vast network of caverns running under the hills of Gömör–Torna. The tour of the cave is around 7 kilometres long if you walk, although shorter tours do exist if you don’t fancy walking so far! The cave itself goes on for almost 24 kilometres, some of which continues under Slovakia! The caves are a fantastic tourist attraction, which is quite odd as it doesn’t get a lot of attention and is perhaps one of the least visited attractions in the country!
20. Hollókő
Hollókő has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987, and it offers a remarkably well-preserved cultural landscape. You’ll discover many old ruins and buildings from the thirteenth century, with some of them having been restored in the last 100 years. Palóc tribes people hailing from northern Hungary originally populated the area, making it an extraordinary place to visit for many. It’s considered to be a pristine example of rural and historical life in this part of Europe.
If you're visiting Hungary for the first time, it's a fantastic idea to have a local show you around. They can guide you to the best places to shop, eat, and have fun, as well as help with translations and share some fascinating local history. Booking a local on Citysurfing makes this process easy and enjoyable.