From thermal baths that stretch out like a small village to ancient wine cellars carved directly into hillsides, Hungary is having a real moment. So, where should you set your satnav?
Something pretty big is happening in Hungary right now. Talk to anyone who’s booked a trip to Budapest recently and they’ll tell you; things feel busier than they’ve ever been, and the numbers actually prove it. In 2025, Hungary’s tourism surpassed previous records, hitting over 20 million visitors. That’s double the country’s population, which really says something about how magnetic the place has become.
The stars of the show
Budapest’s Castle Hill and that view everyone photographs
Start where pretty much everyone does: The Castle District in Budapest’s Buda side. Head up through Fisherman’s Bastion early in the day, before the coaches roll in and the entire city of Pest opens up across the river, with the Parliament building looking almost too perfect to believe. Buda Castle itself houses the National Gallery, and the cobbled lanes nearby hide cosy little courtyards.
Take your time and slow down for these less crowded areas. If your legs aren’t feeling up to the climb, the funicular from Clark Ádám tér is a nice way to the top, but walking up through the Várkert Bazár gardens gives you the bonus of wandering through a real garden instead of just trudging up stairs.
For the adrenaline seekers
Budapest’s not just about baths and Baroque buildings. The city is carved out a reputation for its ruin bars; those wild pubs tucked inside crumbling old blocks, and escape rooms, which you’ll find on almost every street in the Jewish Quarter.
If you’re after something with a more intense vibe, there’s a shooting range in Budapest worth keeping in mind for anyone after a firearms experience. The place offers clear package options, from basic pistol sessions to setups with old military rifles, lays out exactly what’s included, along with straightforward booking info for anyone wanting to sort out details before showing up.
Where locals actually go to unwind
No visit to Hungary is finished without a dip in one of its thermal baths. Széchenyi is the postcard favourite, with its mustard-yellow palace and steaming outdoor pools where you’ll spot old men playing chess up to their shoulders. Over 4.5 million people visit the baths each year, supplied by Budapest’s second deepest well, which plunges 1,246 metres underground and pushes out water at a hot 76 degrees Celsius.
Important to note is that Gellért, which was once Széchenyi’s chief rival for “grandest bath in Budapest”, is deep into renovations and won’t open again until at least 2028. Király Bath is closed too, so Széchenyi will be the main thermal game in town for a couple more years. Families should also know there’s a new age restriction in place since August 2025, so check the rules before you turn up with young kids in swim nappies.
Hungary unlocked
Lake Balaton, the country’s favourite summer escape
Head southwest for a couple hours and the landscape changes completely. Lake Balaton is often called Hungary’s inland sea, and when summer hits, its shoreline towns; Siófok, Balatonfüred and Tihany, fill with families, paddleboarders and serious wine-lovers drawn to nearby volcanic vineyards.
In 2025, around 3.4 million guests visited the lake, up 3% from the previous year, and passenger ferry activity hit levels not seen in decades, according to regional transport folks. That uptick says a lot, Balaton isn’t just a weekend hangout anymore, it’s grown into a full-fledged destination.
Wine country in Tokaj and the cellars nobody talks about
If you want something slower paced and less crowded, head northeast to Tokaj. This UNESCO-protected region covers about 5,500 hectares spread over 27 towns and villages. That’s tiny compared to the wine giants of France or Italy, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in atmosphere: Think centuries-old cellars dug right into hills and the legendary sweet Aszú wine, which had Louis XIV himself singing its praises.
National Geographic Traveller even spotlighted the region in their December 2025 issue, steering readers to places like Sárga Borház for paprika-spiced Hungarian dishes paired with local wines. If you’re crafting a wine route, Eger’s just a couple hours away, with its own famous “Valley of the Beautiful Woman” lined with cellars.
A destination with a lot to offer
Hungary’s definitely stopped being an alternative to Prague or Vienna. It’s become a real destination in its own right, and the numbers show that people aren’t just passing through anymore, they’re genuinely discovering the place.
Whether it’s soaking in thermal water, lingering over wine in a centuries-old cellar or chasing a bit of adrenaline in Budapest, you’ll find more than enough options in this compact country to fill several trips.
