Hungary is a country rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Whether you’re exploring the capital Budapest or heading out into the countryside, Hungary offers a wide range of sights and attractions. Most tourists head to Lake Balaton and Budapest. But Hungary has more to offer. Examples include the Puszta landscape in the east, cities like Pecs and Debrecen, the wine region around Tokaj, spas and much more.

Making a top 10 list of the best places to visit in Hungary is not easy. Of course, there are different opinions. Here is our top 10 things to do in Hungary:

Buda Castle (Budapest)
Situated on Castle Hill, Buda Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Budapest’s landmarks. The complex includes the Royal Palace, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
Highlights: Stunning views of the Danube and Pest, Matthias Church and the neighboring Fisherman’s Pub.

Buy tickets for the Great Synagogue in advance: Since a lot of tourists come to the synagogue, the queues at the ticket office can be very long. This is why more and more visitors are buying their tickets, including a guided tour in German, online in advance. Tickets and more information are available at this link

Parliament Building (Budapest)
The Hungarian Parliament is one of the largest and most beautiful parliament buildings in the world with neo-Gothic architecture and magnificent interiors.
Highlights: Take a guided tour and see the grand staircase, the domed hall and the jewels of the Hungarian crown. >>> Tickets for the Parliament should be bought online in advance at this link

Buy tickets Parliament Budapest in advance You can only visit the building as part of a guided tour. There are also guided tours in German almost every afternoon. You should book these online before your trip on the well-known ticket website Getyourguide. It is not uncommon for the tours (duration just under an hour) through the parliament to be sold out. >>> You can book using this link

Balaton
Lake Balaton, also known as the “Hungarian Sea,” is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and a popular destination for recreation and water sports.
Highlights: The seaside resort of Balatonfüred, the vineyards of the Badacsony region, and the historic Tihany Peninsula.

Hortobágy National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Horthovágy National Park is Hungary’s largest protected area and Europe’s largest natural grassland, known for its unique landscape and rich wildlife.
Highlights: The Nine-Arch Bridge, traditional horse riding demonstrations, and birdwatching opportunities.

Eger Castle
Eger Castle is a historic fortress in the town of Eger, famous for its role in defending Hungary against the Ottoman Empire in 1552.
Highlights: Panoramic views of Eger, castle museum, and underground waterfall.

Szechenyi Thermal Bath (Budapest)
Overview: One of the largest and most famous thermal baths in Europe, Széchenyi Thermal Bath is located in Budapest’s City Park.
Highlights: Relax in the outdoor pools, enjoy spa treatments and experience the bath’s magnificent architecture. >>> Tickets for the pool should be purchased online in advance using this link

Esztergom Basilica
Overview: Esztergom Basilica is the largest church in Hungary and the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church, with a history stretching back to the 10th century.
Highlights: The dome offers stunning views and the church’s vaults house priceless religious artifacts.

Pecs Cathedral
Pécs Cathedral is a stunning example of Roman architecture, and the nearby early Christian cemetery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights: The beautifully restored interior of the cathedral and the ancient frescoed tombs in the necropolis.

Tokaj Wine Region
The Tokaj wine region is one of Hungary’s most famous wine-growing regions and is famous for its sweet Tokaji Aszú wine.

Highlights: Visit historic wine cellars, tour vineyards and enjoy wine tastings at local wineries.

Great wine day tour around Tokaj: More info and booking

Aggtelek National Park and Baradla Cave
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Baradla Cave, one of the largest and most impressive limestone caves in Europe. Guided tours of the cave’s incredible formations, underground lakes and the park’s hiking trails through the karst area.

Boat tours on the Danube in Budapest are very popular among tourists. There are many different options. Some tourists take a simple 1-hour tour, others an exclusive dinner tour with a 4-course menu. Many of these tours on the Danube can be booked on the great website Getyourguide.de.  Link to the website Getyourguide.

Top 50 Things to Do in Hungary

Here’s a longer list of the top 50 attractions in Hungary:

In Budapest
Buda Castle – Historic castle and palace complex overlooking the Danube.
Parliament Building – iconic neo-Gothic building on the banks of the Danube.
Fisherman’s Bastion – Neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque terrace with panoramic views.
St. Stephen’s Basilica – Majestic cathedral named after Hungary’s first king.
Chain Bridge – Historic suspension bridge connecting Buda and Pest.
Heroes’ Square – Monumental square with statues of Hungarian leaders.
Szechenyi Thermal Bath – Large historic thermal bath in the city park.
Gellert Hill and Citadel – Offers stunning views and historical significance.
Matthew’s Church – Beautiful Gothic church with colorful tiled roof.
Great Market Hall – Budapest’s largest and oldest market hall.
Andrássy Avenue – UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous boulevard with historic buildings.
House of Terror – Museum dedicated to the fascist and communist regimes in Hungary.
Hungarian State Opera – Magnificent 19th century opera house.
Margaret Island – Green oasis in the middle of the Danube.
Vajdahunyad Castle – Eclectic castle in the city park displaying various architectural styles.
Hungarian National Museum – Rich collection of Hungarian history and artifacts.
Dohany Street Synagogue – Largest synagogue in Europe with rich history.
Museum of Fine Arts – Extensive collection of European art.
Hospital in the Rock – WWII-era nuclear bunker hospital and museum.
Memento Park – Open museum with statistics from the communist era in Hungary.

Not in Budapest

Lake Balaton – Central Europe’s largest lake, popular for water sports and relaxation.
Tihany Abbey – Benedictine abbey with stunning views over Lake Balaton.
Eger Castle – Historic castle known for its role in re-enacting the Turkish invasion.
Hortobágy National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest protected area in Hungary.
Esztergom Basilica – Largest church in Hungary, located in a historic town on the Danube.
Hollókő – UNESCO-listed traditional village with well-preserved architecture.
Pannonhalma Archabbey – one of Hungary’s oldest historical monuments.
Szentendre – Charming riverside town known for its museums, galleries and baroque architecture.
Aggtelek National Park and Caves – Cave system listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the famous Baradla Cave.
Pécs Cathedral – Romanesque cathedral with a history dating back to the 11th century.
Visegrad Citadel – Medieval fortress with panoramic views of the Danube Bend.
Sopron – Historic town with a mix of medieval and baroque architecture.
Debrecen – Second city of Hungary, known for its large Reformed Church.
Győr – City with baroque buildings and the impressive Győr Cathedral.
Székesfehérvár – Historic city, once the coronation site of Hungarian kings.
Miskolc – Industrial city with the nearby Cave Bath and Diósgyőr Castle.
Tokaj Wine Region – UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its sweet Tokaj wine.
Keszthely – Historic city on Lake Balaton with the magnificent Festetics Palace.
Sárospatak Castle – Renaissance castle with a rich history and picturesque surroundings.
Szeged – Lively city, known for its Art Nouveau architecture and its votive church.
Veszprém – One of Hungary’s oldest cities with a charming old town and castle.
Esterházy Palace in Fertőd – Magnificent baroque palace, often called the “Hungarian Versailles”.
Kecskemét – City known for its Art Nouveau architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Békéscsaba – Famous for its annual sausage festival and traditional Hungarian cuisine.
Nyíregyháza – Home to the popular Nyíregyháza Zoo and Sóstó Thermal Bath.
Siklós Castle – Well-preserved medieval castle in southern Hungary.
Zsolnay Cultural Quarter – Cultural and arts center in Pécs named after the famous Zsolnay family of ceramic artists.
Mohács – Site of the Battle of Mohács with historical monuments and annual carnival.
Kőszeg – Small historic town with medieval fortifications and a charming main square.
Balatonfüred – Spa town on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, known for its health and wine resorts.