Best Hungary Day Trips & Things to Do

Sitting atop a bubbling network of over 1,300 thermal springs, Hungary is a country where history is best soaked in at 100°F. Its heart is Budapest, a city of two halves: hilly Buda with its Fisherman's Bastion and flat Pest with its monumental Parliament Building. The city’s unique "ruin bars" - eclectic pubs built in abandoned Soviet-era buildings - provide a gritty, creative energy that balances the elegance of the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Beyond the capital, the "Sea of Hungary," Lake Balaton, serves as a summer retreat for sailors and wine lovers exploring the volcanic vineyards of Badacsony. With its rich paprika-infused cuisine and a history that stretches from the Roman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Hungary offers a grand European experience with a distinct, soulful edge.