Embark on a journey through Hungary as we delve into the best resorts and cities of Hungary, guiding travelers on what to explore and what to skip. This article aims to shed light on the unique attractions of each city, offering insights to help tourists make informed decisions. With Budapest aside, most people are unfamiliar with Hungary’s hidden gems, making this information vital for the avid traveler seeking more than the capital city has to offer.
Overview of Hungarian Cities
Before we dive into the details, it’s crucial to note that the ranking presented here is subjective. While opinions may differ, I’ll provide arguments for and against each city, leaving the final decision to you.
Key Information about Hungarian Cities:
- Budapest: The capital and largest city of Hungary, boasting a population of 1.8 million people.
- Debrecen: The second-largest city in the country, with a population of 200,000.
Crucial Distinctions:
A vast gap exists between Budapest and all other Hungarian cities. The combined population of the country’s top 10 cities is still smaller than Budapest. In contrast to the bustling nightlife and abundant entertainment options in the capital, other cities tend to quiet down by 9 PM, with minimal nocturnal activity. Finding a restaurant open at 11 PM can be a challenge outside Budapest, and tourist crowds are significantly smaller in other cities.
- Hungary, a compact country with excellent roads and a well-connected railway network, allows easy travel from Budapest to almost any point within a couple of hours. While traveling by car offers a faster and more interesting experience, exploring Hungary without a vehicle is still feasible. Useful articles on car rental and intercity transportation are provided.
Best Resorts and Cities of Hungary: Where to Go Beyond Budapest
In the following table, you’ll discover the best cities in Hungary for tourists, along with brief explanations of why they stand out. Links to individual city reviews are included to help you plan your ideal itinerary.
The order in the table below is arbitrary.
| Location | Distance from the capital | Thermal Baths | Comments |
| Hévíz | 200 km | Yes | Home to the world’s largest thermal lake and a street with private vineyards known as “Wine Hill.” |
| Balaton | 120 km | No | Hungary’s main beach resort area with dozens of resort towns. |
| Szeged | 180 km | Yes | A beautiful city with stunning architecture and two thermal baths. Anna Thermal Baths are among the best in the country. |
| Miskolc | 170 km | Yes | A small town with underground thermal baths in a real cave. Absolutely fantastic! |
| Lillafüred | 160 km | Yes | A very small and beautiful mountain village with a lake and a castle, now a hotel with thermal baths. Read more in the article about Miskolc. |
| Eger | 130 km | Yes | A picturesque city with a fortress, the tallest minaret, and baths. Also home to the “Valley of Beautiful Women,” a district with wineries. |
| Debrecen | 240 km | Yes | Two thermal baths and a very cool old town in the center. |
| Suburb of Budapest | 50 km | No | Esztergom-Visegrád-Szentendre, three medieval towns north of the capital. Castles, fortresses, views of the Danube. Can be done in a day. Highly recommended. |
| Pecs | 230 km | No | A city with a beautiful historical center, unique monuments and hiking routes for tourists |
Many ask me to highlight the absolute top cities in Hungary. To make your choice easier, focus on locations with thermal baths. Spend your days in the baths and your evenings exploring the city.
- Hévíz: Without a doubt, Hévíz is a small, cozy town. It lacks medieval architecture, but it boasts a thermal lake and a street with wine cellars for tastings. Hévíz reminds me of the Lithuanian resort town Druskininkai – those who have been there will understand.
- Miskolc is a beautiful small town, but the real gem is the underground thermal baths in an actual cave. Check out the review for more. The water temperature is +38 degrees Celsius. Additionally, just 13 km away is the mountain village of Lillafüred, also featured in this ranking. You can combine visits.
- Szeged: A city with beautiful architecture, a charming center, and not one but two thermal baths. One complex includes a water park and more kid-friendly activities, while the other, Anna Thermal Baths, offers genuine relaxation.
- Eger is as fantastic as the other cities in this ranking: thermal baths, a medieval fortress, a cool marzipan museum, the tallest minaret you can climb, and a whole quarter of private wineries called the “Valley of Beautiful Women.” Spend your days in the baths and evenings tasting Eger wines, especially the famous Bikavér.
Cities or Regions with Not Much to Do
Below is a brief list of locations in Hungary that are often touted as must-visit but, in reality, don’t offer much. Yes, they have a beautiful center and places for an evening stroll. If these cities are on your travel route and timing allows, feel free to book accommodation for one night. Explore in the morning and move on to a new city. New places mean new experiences, and you won’t get bored.
- Győr
- Sopron: Many rave reviews, but, in my opinion, it’s a one-day city with a beautiful historic center, like everywhere in Hungary.
- Székesfehérvár
- Szolnok
- Kecskemét
- Tokaj Region: Famous for Hungarian wine, but tourists may find it rather dull.
Some of these cities have thermal baths, like Kecskemét, but overall, they are one-night cities without a significant wow factor. If they fit into your travel route and timing allows, book accommodation for one night and make a stop. In the morning, move on to a new city for fresh experiences.
Important:
All cities in Hungary are beautiful. The author is not trying to categorize them as good or bad. The main goal is to help you plan the best route for more exciting experiences. Most travelers visit Hungary for 3-4 days, so choices must be made. However, if you have two weeks, you can almost cover the entire country, including Pecs, Sopron, and Kecskemét.
I hope it’s now easier to decide where to go beyond Budapest. To explore the best cities of Hungary and resorts from this ranking, you’ll need a minimum of 10 days, assuming you stay in each for only two nights. Add Budapest, and you’ve got a 14-day vacation like no other.
Wishing you vibrant emotions from Hungary and its cities. Remember, Hungary is more than just Budapest.
IMPORTANT: Below are useful links that will help organize your trip to Hungary and Budapest:
- Flight: Aviasales – compares prices for flights among 30+ airlines flying to Budapest.
- Tours and excursions:
- Viator and GetYourGuide – the best services for finding tours in Budapest and Hungary with the largest database of activities in Hungary. They offer river cruises on the Danube, tickets to baths, and 1000+ tours (available in different languages).
- Accommodation, apartments, hotels, hostels:
- Car rental: DiscoverCars – the leading and largest car rental service in Hungary.
- Travel Insurance: EKTA.
- eSIM – Airalo virtual SIM card in Hungary.
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel