Highlights
Budapest is the undisputed star — one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, where hilly, historic Buda (with its castle, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church) meets flat, buzzing Pest across the iconic Chain Bridge over the Danube. The neo-Gothic Parliament, grand Andrássy Avenue and the vast, ornate thermal baths (Széchenyi and Gellért) are unmissable, along with the atmospheric 'ruin bars' set in crumbling old buildings.
Beyond the capital, the Danube Bend north of the city offers the artists' town of Szentendre, the cathedral city of Esztergom and the castle of Visegrád. Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest, is the summer playground for swimming, sailing and lakeside wine.
Hungary's wine culture is a genuine highlight: the sweet, golden Tokaji wines of the north-east and the robust 'Bull's Blood' reds of Eger, whose Baroque town and castle reward a visit. Pécs in the south adds Mediterranean flair and Roman and Ottoman heritage. Everywhere, the thermal spa tradition — a legacy stretching back to the Romans and Ottomans — is a soothing, essential experience.
When to go
April to June and September to October are ideal — warm, pleasant days for the city, the Danube Bend and wine regions, with the famous thermal baths perfect year-round.
Summer (July-August) is hot and lively, great for Lake Balaton and festivals (including Budapest's huge Sziget festival) but busy. Autumn brings the grape harvest in Tokaj and Eger, and golden light. Winter is cold but magical — steaming outdoor thermal baths in the snow and Budapest's Christmas markets. Spring is fresh and blossoming. For the best balance, aim for late spring or early autumn, though the baths shine in every season.
Visa & entry
This country is part of the Schengen Area. Many nationalities (including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and others) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. The EU's ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors is being phased in, so check whether it applies by your travel date. A passport valid at least three months beyond your stay is required. Always confirm the current requirements for your nationality and the ETIAS status on official EU/national sources before you travel.
Health & safety
Hungary is a safe country with low violent crime and well-developed tourism. The main issues in Budapest are petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded areas and on transport, and tourist scams — overcharging taxis, inflated bills at some bars/clubs (avoid touts and 'hostess' bars), and poor currency-exchange rates — so use official taxis/apps (Bolt), reputable exchange offices or ATMs, and check prices.
Always firmly decline paying in your home currency (choose forint). The weather (winter cold) is the main everyday hazard. Healthcare is good. Check your government's advisory before departure, though Hungary is generally low-risk for tourists.
Getting around
Hungary has good, affordable transport. Trains (MÁV) and cheap coaches (Volánbusz) radiate from Budapest to the Danube Bend, Lake Balaton, Eger, Pécs and beyond, and connect to Vienna, Prague and the region. Budapest's excellent metro (including the historic Line 1), trams and buses are cheap and efficient, used with tickets or passes — validate tickets to avoid fines.
Ride-hailing via Bolt is widespread, cheap and safer than hailing street taxis. For wine regions and rural touring, a hire car adds flexibility, with good roads (a motorway e-vignette is required). For the classic Budapest-plus-day-trips itinerary, public transport suffices.
Money
Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (not the Euro, despite EU membership), so you'll need local currency, and forint comes in large numbers. It is card-friendly in Budapest and cities — cards and contactless are widely accepted — but carry cash for markets, small vendors, rural areas and tips. Use ATMs or reputable exchange offices, avoid street money-changers and airport rates, and always choose to be charged in forint, not your home currency.
Hungary is affordable, with great-value dining and wine. Tipping is customary — around 10% in restaurants (tell the server the total, or check whether service is already added) and rounding up for taxis and spa attendants.
Hungary