Where to Go in Hungary

Castle Hill, Budapest
Even on a short visit, Budapest is easily worth at least three days.
By Rick Steves and Cameron Hewitt

So much to see, so little time. How to choose? To help you get started, we've listed our top picks for where to go in Hungary.

Depending on the length of your trip, assuming you're using public transportation, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities:

  • 3 days: Budapest
  • 5 days, add: Eger and one more day in Budapest
  • 7 days, add: Pécs and another day in Budapest, or choose a day trip
  • 10 days, add: Bratislava, Sopron, and additional day trips (Bratislava also works well as a stopover day trip if you're traveling between Budapest and Vienna)
  • More days, add: More time in Budapest and more day trips

If you have more than a week for Hungary, spend several days in Budapest and side-trip to nearby sights that interest you (Szentendre, Gödöllő Palace, horse show at Lázár Lovaspark, folk-life tour at Hollókő). With even more time, consider a loop (by train or car) to connect outlying towns, with one or two nights in each one: Eger, Pécs, and Sopron. Finally, head to Bratislava, and from there, either back to Budapest or westward to Vienna.

Cameron Hewitt is the co-author of the Rick Steves Budapest guidebook.