The Hungarian capital Budapest is a stunning mix of architectural landmarks on Buda’s medieval Castle Hill and grand neoclassical buildings along Pest’s Andrássy Avenue.
While Budapest is Hungary’s largest city, it also has its smaller off-the-beaten-path places to visit. If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, there are plenty of resorts by the shore of Lake Balaton.
Szeged
Szeged is Hungary’s fourth largest city and is known as the City of Sunshine – a place where temperatures can easily reach 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in the summer. It is also a peaceful, crimeless, family-orientated city where locals and strangers respect each other.
It is easy to find a mix of must-see tourist attractions and underrated local hangouts when visiting Szeged. Using Passporter, create your itinerary based on the places you want to visit, restaurants you want to try and leisure activities you can enjoy.
The city is full of pretty squares and parks with plenty of flowers. The Dugonics and Szechenyi Squares are especially beautiful from mid-spring through mid-autumn.
One of Szeged’s main attractions is the cathedral - the fourth-largest church in Hungary, located on Dom Square. It’s an architectural gem that’s worth seeing both inside and out. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t miss the Votive Church, located in front of the Cathedral, which is a beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture.
Hortobagy National Park
Hortobagy National Park, Hungary’s first national park and Europe’s largest semi-natural grassland, is home to a wealth of natural and cultural heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is also recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar Convention site.
The endless plains of this pristine area have inspired countless works of art and poems by some of Hungary’s most renowned writers. It’s a landscape that holds a romantic appeal, akin to the wild west or outback Australia.
It’s no wonder that this is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The park is home to several historic buildings and traditional structures. Whether you want to watch a horse and herding show, observe a crane on a fish pond or take a jeep ride into the steppe to witness a bluethroat, this is the place to go!
The Hortobagy National Park also protects a significant part of the region’s animal and plant life. A number of rare species are indigenous to this part of the country, but others are extinct or endangered.
Buda
If you’re looking for a break from the bustle of the central part of Budapest, Buda is the best place to go. It’s quieter, more peaceful and more romantic than the buzzing Pest side of the city.
There are a few notable sights to see on the Buda side of the river, including the Castle District, the Citadella and Gellert Hill. To get there, walk across the Chain Bridge or hop on a funicular that drops you into the heart of the Old Town.
Another must-see is the Hospital in the Rock – a labyrinth of caves and tunnels that served as a hospital during World War II. You’ll spend an hour with a guide who takes you through the history of the site.
You’ll also find a vast array of communist statues, street propaganda and barracks at Memento Park – a great place to explore the past and learn about Hungary’s political history. There are also plenty of outdoor hiking trails in the wooded hills of Buda.
Southern Transdanubia
Southern Transdanubia is Hungary's sparsely populated western region, with a number of UNESCO-listed cities to discover. Pecs, the region's capital and a UNESCO City of Peace, is the best base for exploring the surrounding Danube-Drava National Park.
- Szeged, a storied Magyar metropolis that played an integral role in Hungary's fight for independence, is also worth visiting. Here, you'll find a host of historic sights like Storno House and the Firewatch Tower (Jan-March Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Apr-Sept daily 10am-8pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-6pm).
- The best way to explore the area is by foot. A series of walking routes leads through ancient forests, or through the limestone hills that surround the town.
- The UNESCO-listed cave systems of Aggtelek are another major draw. Baradla Cave teems with intricate stalactites and stalagmites, while the Imre Vass Cave boasts a shimmering turquoise interior. The nearby Harkany spa complex is also a popular retreat for tourists.
