Hungary holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Hungary holiday in Europe
Hungary is a land of contrasts and delights: Budapest alone is worth a trip – with its thermal baths, the panoramic view of the Danube, and the legendary ruin bars. But beyond the capital, the Lake Balaton as the 'Hungarian Sea', the wineries of Tokaj and Eger, as well as the Puszta with its unique equestrian culture beckon.
Capital
Budapest
Language
Hungarian
Currency
Forint (HUF)
Time zone
UTC+1
Flight time from DE
approx. 1.5 hours
Entry requirements
EU identity card
Top hotels & accommodations in Hungary
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Hungary — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa
Sarvar, Ungarn
Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Budapest, Ungarn
Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel
Budapest, Ungarn
Intercontinental Budapest
Budapest, Ungarn
Mystery Hotel Budapest, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Budapest, Ungarn
Queen's Court Hotel & Residence
Budapest, Ungarn
Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa
Budapest, Ungarn
Hotel Clark
Budapest, Ungarn
Top 5 highlights in Hungary
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Budapest
The 'Pearl of the Danube': Fisherman's Bastion, Parliament, Chain Bridge, thermal baths, and the nightlife of the ruin bars.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Europe's largest thermal bath complex in the city park – golden pools outdoors, open year-round.
Lake Balaton
Central Europe's largest lake: summer freshness with beach resorts, vineyards on the northern shore, and sailing.
Tokaj
UNESCO wine region with the legendary Tokaji Aszú – the 'King of Wines' for centuries.
Puszta
The Hungarian steppe: Csikós riders, shepherd dogs, vast grasslands, and traditional horse shows.
Hotels in Hungary
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Hungary
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Hungary. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Hungary
Recommended travel time
April–October
Summer
25–33°C
Winter
-2–5°C
How much does a holiday in Hungary cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
30–50€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
50–100€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
100–220€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Hungary
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Budapest Card offers free public transport and thermal bath entries
Have Forint cash on hand – smaller shops often do not accept cards
The ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter (Szimpla Kert!) are unique – definitely visit in the evening
Visit thermal baths in the morning – significantly less crowded than in the afternoon
Hungarian wine from Eger and Tokaj is excellent and affordable
Food & drink in Hungary
These dishes you must try!
Discover Hungary
4 regions, cities and highlights in Hungary
Cities
Budapest
Budapest, the "Pearl of the Danube", is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, combining the formerly independent cities of Buda and Pest into a fascinating metropolis. The hilly Buda with the Castle District and Fisherman's Bastion offers panoramic views over the Danube onto the flat Pest with its Parliament building — one of the largest in the world. Budapest is Europe's thermal capital: over 120 hot springs feed legendary baths like Széchenyi and Gellért. The ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter — led by Szimpla Kert — have invented a completely new nightlife concept. The Chain Bridge not only connects two districts but also centuries of history. Whether in the magnificent State Opera, in the market halls with paprika and lángos, or in the underground techno club in an old power plant — Budapest surprises and delights at every turn.
Debrecen
Debrecen is Hungary's secret second capital – a city with over 200,000 inhabitants in the east of the country, known as Calvinist Rome, the seat of the Hungarian independence movement, and home to one of the largest thermal baths in Europe. While Budapest attracts all the attention, Debrecen offers an authentic side of Hungary that many tourists never get to see: a vibrant university town with a 650-year history, magnificent architecture, and a surprisingly cosmopolitan flair. The heart of the city is the Great Reformed Church (Nagytemplom), Hungary's largest Protestant church and a symbol of the Calvinist heritage that has shaped the city for centuries. Here, in 1849, Hungarian independence from Habsburg was proclaimed. The Kossuth Square in front is an elegant meeting place with cafés and the stately town hall. The Piac utca, the main street, connects the square with the train station and is lined with Art Nouveau buildings, shops, and restaurants. The absolute highlight for wellness lovers is the Aquaticum Mediterranean Adventure Bath and the adjacent Nagyerdő (Great Forest), a spacious city park with a thermal bath, zoo, botanical garden, and open-air stage. The thermal water from 1,600 meters deep is rich in minerals and feeds several indoor and outdoor pools. For less than the price of a visit to a German swimming pool, one can enjoy a full thermal bath experience here. For German tourists, Debrecen is an excellent starting point for exploring the Puszta (Hortobágy National Park), Hungary's vast steppe, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city has its own international airport with Wizz Air connections, making travel uncomplicated. Debrecen is ideal as a combination with Budapest or as an independent weekend destination for those who want to experience real Hungary away from the tourist trails.
Hévíz
Hévíz is a natural wonder and a world-class spa resort – a small town in western Hungary built around the largest naturally warm thermal lake in the world. The Hévíz thermal lake covers 4.4 hectares and is fed by a thermal spring at a depth of 38 meters, which brings 86 million liters of water to the surface daily at a temperature of 38°C. Even in the depths of winter, the water temperature never drops below 24°C, making swimming a unique experience year-round – steam rises over the lake while snow lies all around. The water of the Hévíz lake is not ordinary thermal water: it contains sulfur, carbon dioxide, radon, and minerals that have been proven to have healing effects on musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatism, and skin problems. At the bottom of the lake lies a layer of healing mud, which is used for wraps and packs. The medical tradition dates back over 200 years, and the spa clinic by the lake enjoys an international reputation. Many German health insurance companies recognize Hévíz as a spa resort and subsidize stays. The spa itself is beautifully designed: a wooden bathhouse in the Art Nouveau style stands on stilts over the lake, and bathers swim among tropical water lilies blooming on the surface – a surreal image one would expect more in Southeast Asia than in Central Europe. Surrounding the lake is a well-maintained spa park with walking paths, cafés, and therapy facilities. For German holidaymakers, Hévíz is an ideal destination for a spa and wellness vacation at attractive prices. The town is only 6 kilometers from Lake Balaton and can be excellently combined with a bathing and wine holiday by the lake. The best way to arrive is by car (about 8 hours from Munich) or by flying to Budapest and continuing by rental car or train to Keszthely. Many hotels offer all-inclusive spa packages that include accommodation, meals, and treatments at prices that would be unthinkable in Germany.
Complete guide for Hungary
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in Hungary
Hungary is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering City trips, Wellness, Budget and much more. The best time to visit Hungary is April–October, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 30–50€ (Budget) to 100–220€ (Luxury), Hungary is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Budapest, Hungary can be excellently explored. The official language is Hungarian, and the currency is Forint (HUF). From Germany, you can reach Hungary in approx. 1.5 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Goulash (Gulyás), Lángos, Fish Soup (Halászlé), visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Hungary has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Hungary holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Hungary is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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