It’s true that when you visit Hungary, your first stop has got to be Budapest. Aside from the fact that it’s gorgeous, with great parks, terrific museums, intriguing street art, and hopping nightlife. For foodies, you have the Seventh District, along with other restaurants in the city like Eker Restaurant.
It’s a city that you’ll love at any time of the year, including the winter. But then, you should also take some time to visit the rest of the country. Try these places for a welcome change:
Eger
This is about 2 hours from Budapest, and it’s historically significant. It was here where the Hungarians stopped the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, who could have invaded the rest of Europe if the outnumbered Hungarians haven’t prevailed.
Here they make some of the best Hungarian wines, including the famous Egri Bikaver. You can go wine tasting among the many wine shops, and visit a few of the numerous restaurants. Many of these restaurants are outstanding, and they can offer a proper introduction to classic Hungarian dishes.
Summer is perhaps the most popular time to visit Eger, as it’s filled with tourists from abroad as well as from other parts of Hungary.
Esztergom
From Budapest, you can get to Nyugati station and take a train to the Esztergom train station. That’s about a 90-minute ride. From the Esztergom train station, just take a local bus into town. Or you can even just walk, as that’s only about half an hour.
The basilica here is famous for being the largest one in Central Europe. From this famed basilica, you can see the surrounding mountains as well as the Danube River. In the cellars under the basilica, you’ll even find the huge restaurant called the Primas Pince.
This city was actually the capital of the country way back when, from the 900s to the 1200s. It has a castle and a palace you should visit, along with Szechenyi Square and the Watertown district.
Szentendre
This is another northern little town that’s only 40 minutes from Budapest. It has lots of cozy cafes along with colorful museums and buildings you can visit. There are plenty of art museums here, along with a wine museum and a ceramics museum.
Heck, there’s even the Marzipan Museum for a change of pace. After all, marzipan was created here by Mátyás Szamos. Visit the Marzipan Museum and you’ll also see some astounding marzipan creations.
This town also has lots of churches you can visit. You can start with the Roman Catholic church that sits above the town, where you get a fantastic view. This is the oldest building in the whole town.
You can then go visit the tiny synagogue at the Szántó Memorial House. This is supposedly the smallest synagogue in the entire world!
Then you can go into the main square, and gaze in awe at the interior of the Blagovestenska Orthodox Church. Around the main square, you’ll also find plenty of great restaurants where you can enjoy more than just marzipan. The goulash, traditional lángos, and the local gelato are great.
Szeged
Now it’s time to go to the southern part of Hungary, starting with Szeged. It’s the 3rd-largest city in the country, so you’ll find plenty of attractions including museums, shops, and awesome architecture.
But Szeged is also famous for its squares, starting with the Szechenyi square. This has so many statues made with marble and bronze, and it’s a must-see. Then you should go to the Aradi square, where you’ll also find the famed Bolyai Institute. Here you will find the Music Clock and the Gate of Heroes.
The Turkish baths are also fantastic, and you can relax in the Anna Furdo Thermal Bath after a full day of sightseeing.
Pecs
This is in southwest Hungary, and here you will find the Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and these 4th-century underground tombs were part of an ancient Roman town.
You should visit the Bishopric of Pecs, where you will also find a remarkable cathedral. Take a look at Zéchenyi Square, which is surrounded by gorgeous historic buildings. Right at the top of the square, you’ll find the Mosque of Pasha Qasim.
This city is actually quite large, with a population of about 140,000. But it’s also ancient, as evidenced by the cobbled streets. Take a long look around, and you may discover some of its hidden delights on your own.
Have fun and enjoy!