City
Budapest
Hungary
A Danube capital of grand architecture, thermal baths, ruin bars and lively cafes.
Central Europe
Hungary
A land of thermal baths, grand riverside architecture, paprika-rich cooking and world-famous wine, centred on the dazzling capital Budapest.
For storytellers
Why Hungary matters
Hungary is a country with a strong sense of itself: its own language unlike any neighbour, its own cuisine, and a capital that rivals Vienna and Prague for grandeur. Budapest straddles the Danube with a castle on one bank and a glowing Parliament on the other, and it sits on hot springs that feed old bath houses. Beyond the city you find the Danube Bend, baroque towns, volcanic wine hills, the great plains with their horsemen, and Lake Balaton in summer. Come for the baths and ruin bars, stay for the food and the wine.
Talking points
- Budapest sits on a network of thermal springs, and bathing is a daily habit for many locals.
- Hungarian is unrelated to the languages of its neighbours, which makes it a fascinating sound to hear.
- Tokaj produces a famous sweet wine, and Eger is known for its red blend.
- Paprika, goulash and chimney cake are staples of the kitchen.
- The Danube Bend north of Budapest packs castles, churches and river views into a day trip.
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- Capital
- Budapest
- Languages
- Hungarian
- Currency
- Hungarian forint (HUF)
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October for pleasant weather; summer for Lake Balaton; winter for baths and Christmas markets.
Where to base yourself
Cities and towns in Hungary
Top places
What to see in Hungary
- Top places
- Church, mosque or temple 5
- Square 4
- Spa and wellness 3
- Neighbourhood 3
- Castle 3
- Historic site 2
- Viewpoint 2
- Food and drink 2
- National park 1
- Lake 1
- Other 1
- Tower 1
- Entertainment 1
- Park 1
- Monument 1
- Market 1
- Bridge 1
- Palace 1
Historic site · UNESCO
Hungarian Parliament Building
Budapest, Hungary
A neo-Gothic riverside palace, one of the most photographed buildings in Europe.
Viewpoint · UNESCO
Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest, Hungary
A white neo-Romanesque terrace with fairytale turrets and sweeping river views.
Spa and wellness
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
Budapest, Hungary
A large yellow bathhouse in City Park with outdoor thermal pools.
Palace · UNESCO
Buda Castle
Budapest, Hungary
A vast palace complex on Castle Hill that now houses museums and a library.
Spa and wellness
Gellert Baths
Budapest, Hungary
A grand Art Nouveau bathhouse with mosaics, thermal pools and a hotel.
Market
Great Market Hall
Budapest, Hungary
A huge iron-and-glass market hall for paprika, salami and langos.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Matthias Church
Budapest, Hungary
A Gothic church with a patterned tile roof and a rich painted interior.
Bridge · UNESCO
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest, Hungary
The classic suspension bridge between Buda and Pest, guarded by stone lions.
Viewpoint
Citadella and Gellert Hill
Budapest, Hungary
A hilltop fortress that offers the broadest city views in Budapest.
Church, mosque or temple
Dohany Street Synagogue
Budapest, Hungary
One of the largest synagogues in the world, with a moving memorial garden.
Church, mosque or temple
Esztergom Basilica
Esztergom, Hungary
The huge domed basilica on the Danube, the largest church in Hungary.
Square · UNESCO
Heroes' Square
Budapest, Hungary
A monumental square of statues representing the leaders of Hungarian history.
Church, mosque or temple
St Stephen's Basilica
Budapest, Hungary
A large neoclassical basilica with a dome you can climb for city views.
Neighbourhood · UNESCO
Andrassy Avenue
Budapest, Hungary
A grand tree-lined boulevard with mansions, cafes and the Opera House.
National park · UNESCO
Hortobagy National Park
Hungary
A vast grassland where herders and horses are part of the heritage.
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