Supported by 1,100 years of history, Hungary is one of the oldest countries in Europe. Known to be home to stunning lakes, caves, thermal springs, and historical sites, Hungary is a diverse place with a surprising variety of things to do. Shaped by the complex history and decades under communist rule, Hungary nearly lost its essence.
However, since the country has been free from communist rule since 1989, tourists can witness a unique balance of Western and Eastern influences. The historical context has left its mark on Hungary’s architecture, society, and culture, promising a glimpse of past and present at once and this guide will provide insights into the 12 best things to do in Hungary.
12 Best Things to Do in Hungary
- Miskolc
- Eger
- Buda Castle
- Matthias Church
- Hungarian National Museum
- House of Terror
- Hungarian Jewish Museum and Synagogue
- Szechenyi Baths
- Hungarian National Gallery
- Castle of Vajdahunyad
- St. Stephen’s Basilica
- Fisherman’s Bastion
1. Miskolc
Northeastern Hungary’s Miskolc is renowned for its captivating surroundings and rich legacy. The Miskolctapolca Cave Bath, where guests can unwind in hot waters inside a natural cave system, is one of its most well-known attractions. The city is also the location of Lillafüred, a charming region encircled by the Bükk Mountains and renowned for its lush forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the Palotaszálló Hotel, which resembles a castle straight out of a fairy tale. Hungary’s major iron and steel plants are located in Miskolc, another industrial center.
For history enthusiasts, the Diósgyőr Castle, a medieval fortress, offers a glimpse into Hungary’s royal past, with tours and reenactments. The National Theatre of Miskolc is another cultural gem, offering a range of performances. With adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences, Miskolc provides something for everyone, making it one of Hungary’s must-visit destinations.
2. Eger
Northern Hungary’s Eger is a picturesque city known for its excellent wines, Baroque architecture, and rich history. Eger Castle, a medieval fortification that was vital in protecting Hungary against Ottoman invasions in the 16th century, is one of its most recognizable features. Today, guests can stroll around the ramparts, see the castle’s museum, and take in expansive city vistas.
The Thermal Baths in Eger are renowned for providing guests with a soothing experience in naturally warm, mineral-rich waters. The magnificent Minaret, one of the few surviving Ottoman-era structures in Hungary, and the city’s second-largest church, the Baroque-style Basilica, are other must-sees.
Wine lovers can explore the Valley of the Beautiful Women, where Eger’s renowned Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) red wine is produced. Wine cellars dot the valley, offering tastings of this celebrated wine. With its mix of history, culture, and relaxation, Eger is a perfect destination.
3. Buda Castle
Previously known as the Royal Palace, Buda Castle is a historical castle and a palace complex in Budapest, and it has witnessed the reigns of multiple Hungarian kings. Its construction was completed in 1265, but the majority of this Baroque palace was built between 1749 and 1769.
Currently, it has the Budapest Historical Museum, Hungarian National Gallery, and National Széchényi Library. It sits at the top of Castle Hill, and it promises a stunning view of the Pest and river, especially since it’s connected with the Chain Bridge. The Buda Castle is an imposing structure which dominates Budapest’s skyline.
The castle’s quarter is known for its scenic courtyards and labyrinthine streets, showcasing the timeless beauty. Castle Hill, along with Buda Castle, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows the importance of this Royal Palace and promotes the preservation of this area.
4. Matthias Church
One of the finest churches of Budapest, Matthias Church is located on the top of Buda Castle Hill and has been around since 1015. Hungarian kings used it as a coronation church, while Ottoman Turks used it as a mosque for more than 150 years. It was also owned by Jesuits and Franciscans at one time, but now, it’s a catholic church that hosts holy masses, weddings, and concerts.
The church was the brainchild of King Bela IV after Mongol invaders left the country in 1242, and the site was left in ruins. However, King Bela IV decided to change his residence to Buda Hills from Esztergom, which is when this church became his living space.
Fast forward to today, the rich yet sophisticated architecture of this church includes stunning wall paintings: these paintings revolve around architecture as well. The church’s exterior has a Gothic aesthetic with delicate turrets, but the vibrant tile roofs on the interior are enough to show that this church is designed differently.
Enhanced with warm lights and shadows of golden, brown, and orange hues reaching from ceiling to floor, the interior doesn’t follow the usual recipe of church architecture. In addition, Matthias Church is adorned with huge arches, medieval remnants, and wooden pews, while stained glass windows offer a peek into the history of this museum.
5. Hungarian National Museum
Founded in 1802, the Hungarian National Museum is the national museum for archeology, art, and history. This museum is housed in Budapest VIII and is a neoclassical building, which was purposely built by Mihály Pollack between 1837 and 1847. The museum came into being when Count Ferenc Széchényi set up the National Széchényi Library and also donated the mineral collection to his wife the next year.
The mineral collection led to the development of the Hungarian National Museum rather than just a library. Back in 1807, the Hungarian National Parliament signed legislation to make it a new institution and asked the public to donate to the museum. The parliament also gave half a million forints to support the construction of museum buildings. During the same time, the Hungarian National History Museum was set up.
The Hungarian National Museum played an essential role during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. This revolution was spurred by 12 points and Nemzeti dal, which is why the museum became a significant site of national identity and importance. For the same reason, two statues were added to the museum to commemorate the Hungarian Revolution.
There are seven permanent displays in the museum, and Hungary’s history is covered in two sections. One section includes the history from 804 to modern times, while the second section has archeology from the Avar period, which ended in 804 AD. The permanent displays include the age of the Arpads, Transylvania, Turkish occupation, and royal Hungary. Also, the basement has the Roman Lapidary exhibit, which is a collection of Roman carvings and stone inscriptions.
6. House of Terror
Having been the place for the Hungarian Communist Party’s interrogation and detention center in 1945 and the headquarters of the Hungarian Arrow Cross, the House of Terror has a rich history. After 1956, this building was transformed into a foreign trade office, and past traces were eradicated. The purpose of the House of Terror was to honor the sacrifice of thousands of people for freedom.
Back in December 2000, the Public Foundation for Research purchased the building to set up a museum, and the construction was completed in 2002. During the construction work, the building was completely renovated, and the external façade and internal design were completed by Attila F. Kovács. However, the reconstruction plans were designed by Kálmán Újszászy and János Sándor.
The reconstruction work transformed the building into a monument, while the black passepartout worked as the Museum frame. This black architecture with blade walls and granite sidewalks created a strong contrast with other buildings on Andrássy Street. House of Terror is now a monument to the memory of people who were killed, held captive, and tortured in the buildings.
7. Hungarian Jewish Museum and Synagogue
Established in the early 20th century, the Hungarian Jewish Museum was constructed to showcase the Jewish community. The museum was first housed in an apartment in downtown Budapest and had 1500 artifacts, but the independent building was completed in 1931 when the Synagogue on the Great Dohány Street was being reconstructed.
The museum buildings were completed by transforming a wing of the synagogue 80 years after the initial construction by Ferenc Faragó and László Vágó. The museum and synagogue have the same style, but the interior has modern architecture.
Back in 1942, two employees from the Hungarian National Museum hid the expensive artifacts of the Jewish Museum in a cellar, which is why tourists have access to a rich collection today.
8. Szechenyi Baths
Széchenyi Medicinal Bath is known as the biggest medicinal bath in Europe, and the water comes through two thermal springs, one at 77 degrees Celsius and the other at 74 degrees Celsius. The thermal water has calcium, sulfate, bicarbonate, metaboric acid, magnesium, and fluoride.
Széchenyi Medicinal Bath was planned in the 1880s and was called the Artesian spa. However, when it was finally opened in 1913, it was named the Széchenyi spa. The baths are located in the City Park and were made in Neo-Baroque style, and Győző Czigler was the mastermind behind the design. The construction started in 1909, and Eugene Schmitterer was the architect.
Back in the day, the Bath had separate steam bath sections for both genders, private baths, and public baths. Then, the Bath was expanded in 1927 with 15 indoor pools and 3 outdoor pools. However, after the expansion, the thermal artesian couldn’t meet the water volume needs, which is why a new well was drilled as well. This well provides water at 77 degrees Celsius temperature and supplies 1,600,000 US gallons of hot water daily.
9. Hungarian National Gallery
Also called the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria, the Hungarian National Gallery was opened in 1957 and it’s a part of the Bud Castle. Hosting the works of 19th and 20th-century Hungarian artists from Paris and the West, Hungarian National Gallery has artwork from different genres. In addition, it has Gothic art, Baroque Hungarian, Medieval, and Renaissance art.
The Hungarian National Gallery also has collections from the 15th century, including the wooden altars. Also, there is the sculpting work of Maurice Ascalon, Miklós Izsó, János Fadrusz, and more. Hungarian National Gallery has photographs and exhibit paintings from Ervin Marton and Brassai, while the paintings from Henrik Weber, Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry, Miklós Barabás, and Pál Szinyei Merse adorn the walls.
Now, it has 2100 sculptures, 6000 paintings, 11,000 drawings, 3100 medals, and 5000 prints, and they are all distributed between the A, B, C, and D buildings. Also, there are thousands of artifacts set up in chronological order, starting from the 10th century.
There are permanent exhibitions in the gallery, which include the work of Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, and these paintings show the development of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the Modern ages. Ranging from monumental work to wood carvings and fragments from the Gothic period and winged altarpieces, there is no shortage of art in this gallery.
10. Castle of Vajdahunyad
The Castle of Vajdahunyad has the looks of haunted buildings from the eerie stories and that’s because it dates back to medieval times. It was built for the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian State around 100 years ago. While people step into this castle expecting ghosts, phantoms, and vampires, it’s a museum of agriculture and has never been a royal residence.
Back in the day, the Castle of Vajdahunyad was made with wooden planks as a temporary structure. However, the Hungarians appreciated the building so much that it was permanently built after Ignac Alpar designed Vajdahunyad Var. The construction was completed between 1904 and 1908, and now, it’s adorned with marble staircases, stained windows, and vibrantly-hued vaulted ceilings.
According to Hungarians, the Castle of Vajdahunyad was built to showcase the rich history of the Magyars, as it blends different architectural styles into one castle. He blended the 16th and 18th century Baroque and Renaissance styles in the buildings, which also merges the elements of Hohenwerfen Castle from Austria; one of the oldest castles in the world.
11. St. Stephen’s Basilica
Known as the biggest religious building in Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica can host 8500 people. It was named after Stephen I of Hungary, who was the first king of the country. Now, the temple has the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, which is considered one of the most sacred relics of the country. With a 314ft high dome, St. Stephen’s Basilica is the highest building in Budapest, along with the Hungarian Parliament building.
The construction was completed back in 1905 and took almost 50 years as the dome collapsed in 1868 because of insufficient construction. During World War II’s Siege of Budapest, the church witnessed a lot of bombing, which is why the roof, towers, and walls were rebuilt.
The top of the church’s right tower has an observation deck, and tourists can climb to the top to enjoy stunning views of the city. The entire church is designed in the Neo-Classical style with Greek elements, and the interior is enhanced with paintings, mosaics, and statues of Hungarian artists. Lastly, classical music concerts and organ concerts are regularly hosted as there is a native church organ here.
12. Fisherman’s Bastion
Serving as the lookout tower with a scenic view of Budapest, Fisherman’s Bastion was built between 1895 and 1902. Later, in 1987, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are seven turrets here, which represent seven Hungarian tribes that were founded in 895, while the terraces have a Neo-Romanesque aesthetic.
The original walls of this monument were built during the 1700s, and these walls were protected by the fishermen’s guilds, hence the name. The Bastion was designed with Neo-Romanesque architectural style in mind by Frigyes Schulek. Also, in the middle of Halaszbastya, there is a statue of St. Stephen, who was the first Hungarian King – this historical monument is the epitome of millennial Hungary!
Conclusion
Hungary, with its stunning landscapes and rich history, offers an exceptional travel experience. The places in this guide will pique your historical knack, so you can enjoy the western and eastern touches of the country at once and have an unforgettable experience.
FAQs
What Is Hungary Best Known for?
Hungary is a small country with a diverse yet rich landscape, popular for its abundance of mineral and thermal water sources. For this reason, it’s also known as the land of waters.
How Many Days Is Enough for Hungary?
Three to five days are enough for Hungary if you want to cover all the major historical sites.
What Is Hungary’s Famous Food?
Goulash is a famous dish in Hungary and is a spicy meat stew prepared with paprika peppers. It was originally enjoyed by the stockmen and cattle herders of Hungary, but it has become a national dish now.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Visit Hungary?
November through March are the cheapest months to visit Hungary. That’s because it’s a low season, so tourists get the best hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Does Hungary Use the Euro?
No, Hungary is not included in the euro, so it doesn’t use the euro. Instead, it is recommended to keep Hungarian forint to pay.
Do They Speak English in Hungary?
Yes, people in big cities and touristy areas speak English, including the young generation.
Is Hungary a Rich or Poor Country?
The economy of Hungary is considered complex which makes it very difficult to indicate whether it is a rich or a poor country. The country is developing and has a high-income mixed economy.
