Hungary outside the capital: 5 incredible destinations worth exploring

10.03.25
by

Hungary is a country rich in history, impressive architecture, and natural beauty, making it a perfect travel destination. Although Budapest is the most famous tourist destination, there are cities all over the country that offer a variety of experiences – from imposing fortresses to thermal baths and vineyards. If you want to explore the country outside the capital, then the following list of five destinations will help you do just that.

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Budapest, Photo: TTstudio Depositphotos

 

1.  ESZTERGOM – HISTORICAL CAPITAL OF HUNGARY

Located on the banks of the Danube, Esztergom is one of the oldest and most important cities in Hungary. It was once the capital of a kingdom and the seat of the Catholic Church. The main attraction is the imposing Esztergom Basilica, the largest church in the country, which offers spectacular views of the river and the surrounding countryside. In addition to the basilica, the city also hides fascinating museums such as Esztergom Castle, which bears witness to the turbulent history of this region. Its proximity to Slovakia makes it an ideal day trip for those who want to explore neighboring countries.

Ads

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Basilica of Esztergom, Photo: RuslanKal Depositphotos

 

2. DEBRECEN – CULTURAL AND FESTIVAL CENTER

The second largest city in Hungary, Debrecen is known as the “Calvinist Rome” and the “Hungarian Geneva” due to its Protestant heritage. The city is home to the magnificent Great Protestant Church, a symbol of the Reformation in Hungary. It is also known for its various festivals, the most famous of which is the Flower Carnival in August when the city comes alive with colorful parades and floral installations.

Nature lovers can visit the nearby Hortobágy National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while those seeking relaxation can enjoy thermal baths such as the Aquaticum Spa Center.

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Debrecen, Photo: katatonia82 Depositphotos

 

3. SZEGED – THE SUNNY CITY ON THE TISA RIVER

Szeged, also known as the “City of the Sun” due to the large number of sunny days per year, is located on the banks of the Tisza River. This student and cultural center is adorned with Art Nouveau architecture and a rich gastronomic offer, including the famous fish soup halászlé. Among the main attractions is the imposing Votive Cathedral, which dominates the city skyline. In summer, it hosts one of the largest cultural events in the country – the Szeged Open-Air Festival, with performances and concerts in the open air.

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Szeged, Photo: zoltangabor Depositphotos

 

4. PÉCS – A CITY OF CULTURE AND WINE

Pécs is a city rich in history and cultural diversity, located in the southern part of Hungary. Its history dates back to Roman times, and its early Christian tombs, which are under the protection of UNESCO, testify to its long past. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2010, and its art scene is extremely lively – from galleries to museums dedicated to the famous Zsolnay ceramics factory. Wine lovers can visit the nearby Villány region, which is known for its excellent red wines.

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Wine Festival, Pécs, Photo: RnDmS Depositphotos

 

5. TIHANY – NATURAL BEAUTY ON LAKE BALATON

Tihany is a picturesque town located on the peninsula of the same name on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Its main attraction is the Benedictine abbey founded in 1055, with a beautiful view of the lake. In addition to its cultural heritage, Tihany is famous for its lavender fields, which cover the landscape with fragrant purple flowers in the summer months. This is an ideal place for relaxation, cycling, and exploring nature, and Lake Balaton offers numerous opportunities for water sports and recreation.

 

Esztergom, povijesna prijestolnica Mađarske, rijeka Dunav, najvažniji grad u Mađarskoj, najstariji grad u Mađarskoj, Esztergomska bazilika, dvorac Esztergom, Ostrogon, dvorac Ostrogon, Ostrogon bazilika, Debrecin, Debrecen, drugi najveći grad u Mađarskoj, kalvinistički Rim, Karneval cvijeća, Karneval cvijeća Debrecin, Nacionalni park Hortobágy, Aquaticum Spa centra, Segedin, Szeged, grad sunca, rijeka Tisa, katedrala Votive, Szegedski open-air festival, Pečuh, Pécs,  grad vina, grad kulture, mađarska vino, mađarsko vino, tvornica keramike Zsolnay, Villány, Tihany, jezero Balaton, Balaton, lavanda mađarska, polja lavande, polja lavande mađarska, Budimpešta, Esztergom, the historical capital of Hungary, the Danube River, the most important city in Hungary, the oldest city in Hungary, Esztergom Basilica, Esztergom Castle, Ostrogon, Ostrogon Castle, Ostrogon Basilica, Debrecen, Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, Calvinist Rome, Carnival of Flowers, Carnival of Flowers Debrecen, Hortobágy National Park, Aquaticum Spa Center, Szeged, Szeged, the city of the sun, Tisza River, Votive Cathedral, Szeged Open-Air Festival, Pécs, Pécs, city of wine, city of culture, Hungarian wine, Hungarian wine, Zsolnay Ceramics Factory, Villány, Tihany, Lake Balaton, Balaton, Hungarian lavender, lavender fields, lavender fields Hungary, Budapest,

Lavender fields, Tihany Photo: kavita Depositphotos

 

Although Budapest attracts the most tourists, Hungary also hides many other gems worth exploring. From the historical sights of Esztergom to the sunny streets of Szeged, each of these cities offers a unique story and experience. Whether you are a lover of history, culture, nature, or gastronomy, these destinations will allow you to experience the true beauty of this country. Visit them…

 

Veo waterfalls are one of many wonders in Hungary

 

 

Ads
Tags:
author

I plan to live in the moment :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *