Sightseeing in Hungary

Enjoy a inexpensive weekend break on Lake Balaton, Hungary's largest lake. There are plenty of opportunities for an active holiday and outdoor activities. Lake Balaton is suitable for both winter and summer holidays. In summer, the lake is ideal for swimming, sailing and surfing. In winter, it's time to get out your skates and go ice sailing.

Festetics Castle is located in Helikon Park, which is the largest green area in the town of Keszthely. At the castle you can visit the Helikon Castle Museum, which is one of the city's main tourist attractions. The Baroque castle was completed in 1887 and houses no less than 111 rooms. It exhibits works by Haydn, Pleyel and Goldmark and on the ground floor there are very beautiful and precious military weapons on loan from the Hungarian National Museum.

Lake Hévíz is the world's second largest thermal lake. It is home to the world's largest heat source, which sprays 410 litres of water, at around 40 degrees Celsius, every second. The lake has a temperature of 24 degrees in winter and up to 37 degrees in summer. The lake's healing powers have been known for centuries and people have lived here since the Stone Age. There are also several spa facilities to choose from such as Hévíz, Kehidakustány and Zalakaros and it is certainly recommended to go on a wellness break or a mini holiday here.

Tapolca is a picturesque town near Lake Balaton, best known for its one-of-a-kind Cave Lake, where visitors can row boats through a magical underground world. The town’s tranquil atmosphere, historic watermill square, and cozy cafés make it perfect for a relaxing day trip.

Go on a family holiday south to Hungary. Find a cheap holiday at Risskov with child-friendly hotels and plenty of opportunities for an active holiday too. Visit the town of Keszthely, with its beautiful Gothic, Baroque and Transylvanian architecture, situated on the shores of Lake Balaton. The area lends itself well to a driving holiday, so why not plan a cheap summer or winter holiday to the Keszthely area. It's also easy to explore Keszthely on foot, so you're sure to get some active holiday out of your Keszthely self-drive holiday too. Another option is to take the small tourist train to get a good and comprehensive overview of the city's sights. Keszthely's main tourist attraction is the famous Festetics Castle.

There are several interesting museums in Keszthely, one of them is the Panoptikum's really big replica of the parliament in Budapest as well as a museum about Lake Balaton, which is about both nature and the cultural history behind the lake. At the Marzipan Museum, all sorts of strange marzipan figures are made. Here you can see a replica of the city's castle and cakes shaped like policemen's hats and work helmets - quite amusing. Find a cheap car holiday with child-friendly hotels at Risskov and head to Keszthely in style.

Budapest blends old-world elegance with modern energy. The city is known for its impressive landmarks like Buda Castle, the Parliament Building, and Fisherman’s Bastion—perfect for panoramic views over the Danube. Visitors can unwind in famous thermal baths like Széchenyi or Gellért, stroll across the Chain Bridge, or enjoy local dishes in cozy ruin bars.

Esztergom is one of Hungary’s oldest towns and home to the country’s largest church, the stunning Esztergom Basilica, which towers above the Danube. The view from the dome stretches across the river into Slovakia, while the nearby castle museum adds extra layers to the town’s royal past. Just an hour from Budapest, Esztergom is ideal for a day trip combining history, scenery, and riverside walks.

At the foot of the Pilis Mountains, the small artists' town of Szentendre is an artistic haven, filled with small art shops and various collectives of artists, who also work in groups according to the artistic common denominator and across different art genres.

The historic atmosphere of the town has also acted as a draw and Szentendre is also home to one of Hungary's largest outdoor museums, the Skanzen, which is a representation of the old farming community and is a folk museum, similar to the Open Air Museum.

The city also has a number of good restaurants and cafés, and if you fancy a bit of shopping, there should be some great opportunities to pick up some genuine Hungarian art. There are several cycle paths around the city, and the flat terrain along the Danube is perfect for a ride on two wheels.

The small town of Visegrád lies right on the banks of the Danube and from the town there is a very beautiful view of the river's undulating path through the countryside.

The city was once a royal fortress and the royal palace, which dates back to the 15th century, has been recently renovated and is quite an impressive sight. The King Matthias Museum has an exhibition housing many archaeological finds from the area.

From Budapest it is possible to sail up the Danube, directly to Visegrád.

Szent István Basilica is located right in the heart of Budapest in the beautiful Szent István tér. The basilica was completed in 1905 after taking 54 years to build, partly because the dome collapsed in 1868 and construction had to start again. The basilica is named after Szent István, Saint Stephen, who was the first king of Hungary. Together with the Parliament, it is the tallest building in Budapest, symbolising that the earthly and the spiritual must stand equally strong, and it is therefore still not possible to erect buildings taller than these two of Budapest's architectural masterpieces.

Take a trip up the bell tower to see the huge clock weighing a whopping 9 tonnes and enjoy the beautiful view of the city.

Visit the Royal Palace, or Budavari Palota, which is also a national symbol of Hungary currently used by the President and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction started in the 12th century and the historical styles have therefore also left their mark on the magnificent building. The castle houses two museums and the National Library. Also visit the exciting labyrinth of the castle, which is located in a cave that is in turn part of a much larger grotto. Exhibitions are also held here, so step even closer into the darkness and discover the mystery of the cave on a rainy and wet day.

The stunning Budapest Parliament is almost unmissable and is probably one of the most famous buildings in Hungary. It took nineteen years to build and construction began in 1885. There were an average of 1,000 builders working on the project around the clock and today it stands magnificently with its 18,000 square metres of space, 268 metres in length and 96 metres high.

The country's Crown Jewels are stored in the famous Cupola Room, flanked by statues of the Hungarian kings. All the rooms in Parliament are decorated in gold and adorned with red velvet carpets.

Get an official Budapest guide to show you the main sights.

The Dohány Street Synagogue is one of Budapest’s most remarkable landmarks and the largest synagogue in Europe. Built in the mid-19th century, its striking Moorish Revival architecture, rose windows, and twin towers make it stand out in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter. Visitors can tour the synagogue, explore the Jewish Museum housed on site, and visit the peaceful Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and Tree of Life—a tribute to Holocaust victims.

The Chain Bridge is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, linking the historic Buda and vibrant Pest sides of the city. Opened in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge over the Danube in Hungary and remains a favorite for visitors thanks to its elegant design and spectacular views. Walk across at sunset for stunning panoramas of the river, Buda Castle, and the Parliament building. The bridge is especially magical when lit up at night, making it a must-visit whether you're sightseeing, taking photos, or just enjoying the atmosphere of the city.

The Széchenyi Bath is a large and very beautiful bathing facility located in the large Varosliget Public Park, close to the centre of Budapest. The magnificent thermal bath dates from the end of the 19th century and has also been almost completely renovated. It is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe and offers several recreational facilities as well as activities for children of all ages. Enjoy the outdoor hot pools, where you can also play chess, and of course there are hot saunas as well as cold pools to cool off after a sauna. The healing water comes from a depth of 1,250 metres and has a temperature of around 75 degrees when it reaches the surface. There are 15 different pools and several different springs also with different healing effects. There are also steam baths and then various wellness services and treatments such as mud or carbonated baths, neck and back massages are offered and it will hardly end. Bring the whole family to this pragmatic spa and come out feeling like new people.

One of Europe’s oldest and most beautifully designed zoos, the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden is much more than an animal park. Set within City Park, it features over a thousand species, lush themed gardens, and stunning Art Nouveau buildings. Families will love the close-up animal encounters and interactive exhibits, while architecture fans can admire the iconic Elephant House and Palm House.

Hévíz is a haven for wellness and relaxation, best known for its unique thermal lake—warm, healing, and open for swimming even in winter. Surrounded by lush parkland, this spa town invites you to slow down with a dip in mineral-rich waters or a massage at one of the many wellness centers. Charming cafés, open-air promenades, and local wine tastings add to the experience.

Sopron, in north-western Hungary, is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns to visit. Architecture and nature interact here. The city has an exciting cultural programme. The central district is surrounded by a medieval ring wall where the wall is partly built on a wine cellar from Roman times. The city is one of Hungary's oldest treasures.

Vajdahunyad Castle is located in the Városliget City Park in Budapest. Built between 1896 and 1908, it was designed by the architect Ignác Alpár. Originally built of cardboard and wood for the Millennium Exhibition in 1896, the castle was subsequently constructed of stone and more durable building materials due to its popularity. The castle is a partial replica of the Hunyad Castle in Transylvania, Romania, but the castle is also built in many other architectural styles, including Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance.

On the outskirts of Budapest you can find the Tropicarium, which is the largest saltwater aquarium in Central Europe. Here you can experience hundreds of animals - exotic birds, monkeys, fish, including Hungarian species and tropical fish, sharks, alligators and other reptiles - living in recreated natural habitats. The aquarium covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters.