Budapest
Those iconic thermal baths, the epic castle and parliament buildings, rising from the Danube’s banks… Budapest’s popularity is undeniable, but that makes it all-the-more important to visit consciously. Here are five ways to start…
1: Historic landmarks with a twist
Many of Budapest’s most beloved landmarks offer eco-friendly, private tours. Not only will you get exclusive access to areas that aren’t open to the public, but you’ll also be funding and supporting key parts of Hungary’s history too.
These private, small-group excursions are available for individual attractions, but you can also combine the likes of Buda Castle and the Parliament Building into one private city tour. Such a tour of Fisherman’s Bastion is particularly special, as you’ll get the chance to experience the upper terrace and towers of this fairytale monument.
Private tours not your thing? Travel between stops via e-scooter or electric bus, helping to ease your environmental footprint.
2: Luxury thermal baths with a conscience
Budapest may have been named ‘City of Baths’ in the 1930s, but hot springs have been part of everyday life for centuries in Hungary – even as far back as the Romans. Perhaps the best thing about them is their sustainability. No chlorine, no cleaning agents – completely natural. Indeed, even the most luxurious thermal baths, such as Art-Nouveau Gellért and Neo-Baroque Széchenyi, are eco-friendly, their natural mineral water sourced from deep underground. Smell that sulphur? That means you’re doing it right. And while it may take a while to get used to the aroma, you can relax in the knowledge that the baths and their spas promise refreshment, relaxation and medicinal properties.
3: Farm-to-table fine dining
Support local businesses and eat home-grown, organic produce in Budapest. Upscale eatery Babel has a delectable eight-course tasting menu, made using Hungarian ingredients and that of its neighbouring countries. Costes Downtown offers Asian inspiration fused with Hungarian favourites, all crafted with local fare. Request a booth or sit at the chef’s table to witness the kitchen and its magic up-close. These are just two of the seven Michelin-starred restaurants that can be found in the Hungarian capital.
For those on a budget, you can still back the local culture and establishments. Ask your tour guides for tips on where to eat, and opt for traditional dishes like cabbage noodles, zsíroskenyér (bread with lard), or sour-cherry soup. Jó étvágyat!
4: Cultural and heritage preservation
One of the best ways to tread lightly in Budapest is by visiting some of its museums and cultural sites. The entrance fees help preserve history, authenticity, and the arts for future generations, while some museums even offer VIP experiences and private viewings to further fund this crucial cause. Indeed, the Museum of Fine Arts won the EU’s Cultural Heritage Award in the Conservation Category for its 2018 renovation efforts.
Certified guides can take visitors around the Hungarian National Museum – showcasing how the city was shaped by the Middle Ages, the Ottoman Era and the World Wars – while a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Center is a moving, informative exhibition, committed to national remembrance and scientific research.
5: Green spaces
What’s more eco-conscious then exploring Budapest’s urban nature spots? Margaret Island – nestled between Danube’s banks – is prime example. Trees, musical fountains and swimming pools await, not to mention the chance to breathe in some of the city’s freshest air. You can explore Middle Age ruins here, or opt for a private tour to take it all in, including Budapest’s largest rose garden.
Located in the centre, City Park – aka Városliget – stretches for 302 acres. Travellers can support it by soaking in the thermal baths, visiting exhibitions at the House of Music and Museum of Fine Arts, or by sampling Hungarian gastronomy at one of the many restaurants and cafes that surround City Park.
Beyond Budapest
Though the capital’s beloved icons may have put Hungary on the map, there’s an abundance of undiscovered treasures beyond it. Here are five Hungarian highlights, without the crowds…
1: Tokaj Wine Region
If you’re not into pálinka (a traditional fruit brandy), then wine is Hungary’s next-best tipple. Thanks to the country’s mild climate and volcanic geology, the grapes here are perfect for winemaking. In fact, around 100 years ago this nation was one of the continent’s most prominent wine producers.
The UNESCO-listed Tokaj wine region – in Hungary’s north-eastern corner – leads the way in sustainable wine tourism. Its organic vineyards and eco-friendly wine production practices are firmly rooted in tradition. The world’s first vineyard classification system was even developed here in the early 18th century.
You’ll also find a wealth of cellar doors offering private tastings paired with foodie delights. But dessert wine (tokaji aszú) is the real celebrity here, made with grapes left on the vine so long that they develop a unique, honey-sweet mould that is the sign of a good harvest. Egészségedre to that!
2: Pécs
The ancient city of Pécs is vastly underrated. Much like Budapest, it has a plethora of museums, galleries and cultural events on its roster, but – blissfully – it comes without the capital’s crowds.
This second city houses relics from early Christianity, as well as the arrival of the Hungarians and the Turks. These days, its big focus is on preserving this compelling heritage, with locations worth visiting ranging from the expansive Zsolnay Cultural Quarter to the Baroque buildings of Széchenyi Square.
The city is as cultured as it is architecturally impressive. Art galleries and craft workshops abound, and visitors can even take private tours of the Gallery of Modern Hungarian Art to glimpse everything from Impressionist to more contemporary works.
It’s easy to get around this compact city on foot, too, though buses are also efficient here.
3: Hortobágy National Park
Another local gem inscribed by UNESCO is the otherworldly Hortobágy National Park, which stretches for around 800 sq km across eastern Hungary. Incredible wildlife (beavers, eagles, wild horses and wolves), beautiful landscapes and vast wilderness make exploring its more remote corners a thrill. But just as fascinating is the history and folklore that originated here.
Discover the tales of Sándor Rózsa – Hungary’s most infamous bandit – and his nine lovers. Bonded by their shared love for this rogue, the women were said to have rescued him from prison; now a nine-arched bridge stands here in their honour.
Hortobágy was once so mysterious that it was deemed too treacherous to cross – certainly for bygone travellers at least. Many nomads who tried returned to share stories of illusions and mirages; of whole cities and peoples rising from the hazy heat of the Earth. A magical land indeed!
4: Hévíz Thermal Lake
Feel that? That’s the steaming waters of Lake Hévíz caressing your skin. Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Bath may be among Europe’s biggest bathing complexes, but Hévíz is one of the largest swimmable thermal lakes in the world. Its geothermally heated waters (33–38ºC) are also flanked by serene natural forest, making a soak here a truly blissful experience.
Around 410 litres of 40ºC spring water are released from its 38m depths every second, mixing with the limestone-infused lake to create an indulgent and natural bathing environment. Even the spa treatments here are focused on nature and sustainability, using substances like chocolate, honey and aromatic oils.
All of this is complemented by the delicious local produce that you can taste afterwards. You’ll find gourmet restaurants and even a farmers’ market here, as well as luxurious stays and a vast health programme that is tailored to individual guests.
5: Lake Balaton
Despite spanning 592 sq km, Lake Balaton has an average depth of just 3.2m, making this huge body of fresh water – the largest in Central Europe – rather unusual. Combine that with volcanic hills, rolling vineyards and the protected wetlands that line its banks, and it’s easy to see why this is one of Hungary’s best-loved jewels.
The iris-blue waters also attract a number of sports, particularly sailing and paddleboarding. Or you can just dive in for a swim at one of the beaches that wrap its shores – Siófok, Keszthely and Balatonfüred are the main waterfront resorts.
For those who prefer to admire the lake’s beauty from dry land, try guided e-bike tours around sections of its 209km shoreline. Alternatively, combine your trip with boating the subterranean caves of nearby Tapolca Lake or a visit to the Herend Porcelain Museum, where you can design your own porcelain plate to take home. There is so much choice!
