You get a lot of bang for your buck when you visit beautiful Budapest – architecturally wonderful Buda and fun-filled Pest – but there are even more delights beyond the city limits.
The countryside is just a short journey away, where wine cellars, cobbled country towns, and historic, arty outposts by the Danube await you. The area surrounding Budapest boasts stunning views all year round, and once you’ve soaked in historical and cultural experiences, you can retreat back to Budapest’s elegant thermal baths to unwind before dinner.
These day trips from Budapest are easily accessible by bus, train, car, or even boat – so grab your walking shoes and start exploring.
1. Delve into Hungarian History Over a Glass of Wine in Eger
Travel time: 1½ hours
Northeast of Budapest, Eger Castle is legendary as the bastion that held out against the Turkish invasion. The relics of the town’s eventual Ottoman conquest, including a 40m-high (131ft) minaret and Turkish baths, still pepper Eger’s baroque streets.
Apart from the legacy of the siege, Eger is known for its wine – most notably “Bull’s Blood,” believed by the Turks to have given the Hungarians superhuman power in battle. Today, you can try Eger wines straight from the barrel in the Valley of Beautiful Women on the outskirts of town, where wine cellars are carved into the bedrock of the surrounding hills.
Furthermore, if you have time, pay a visit to the city’s historic Lyceum, with its wood-clad baroque Archdiocesan Library and its Great Tower, housing an astronomy museum filled with vintage instruments.
Getting to Eger from Budapest: It takes 1½ hours to reach Eger from Budapest by car. Alternatively, trains run from Budapest’s Budapest-Keleti station to Eger station, taking around two hours.
2. Wander the Cobbled Streets of Arty Szentendre
Travel time: 40 minutes
As you stroll along Szentendre’s charming cobbled streets, with the 18th-century tower of Blagoveštenska Church rising above the colorful houses, you’ll quickly understand why this picturesque town is the most popular day trip destination from Budapest. Szentendre sees visitors year-round, but it is recommended to avoid weekends in high summer when the town can get quite busy.
Historically, Szentendre had a thriving Serbian community, later becoming known as an artists’ colony in the late 1920s. The town is still adorned with galleries, including the Margit Kovács Ceramic Collection and the Serbian Ecclesiastical Art Collection. Moreover, enriching cultural experiences await at the open-air ethnographic museum on the outskirts of town and the National Wine Museum, which traces the development of winemaking in Hungary.
Getting to Szentendre from Budapest: Szentendre is about a 40-minute drive north of Budapest, but it’s just as fast to come by train via the H5 HÉV line from Batthyány tér station in the center. In the summer months, boat services also operate along the Danube to Szentendre.
3. Experience Extravagance at the Graceful Gödöllő Royal Palace
Travel time: 40 minutes
Once the summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef and his wife Elizabeth, Gödöllő Royal Palace showcases Habsburg extravagance. This many-winged baroque palace is adorned with flecks of gold on the facade and houses opulent rooms decorated with silk in various shades.
The lavish interiors feature golden chandeliers, velvet-covered chairs, and historical ceramics. The expansive grounds stretch into beautifully maintained lawns surrounded by an arboretum. Don’t miss the Baroque Theatre for a glimpse into the workings of an 18th-century playhouse.
Getting to Gödöllő from Budapest: Gödöllő is situated east of Budapest, 45 minutes away by car. Alternatively, a direct train from Budapest’s Budapest-Keleti station takes approximately 40 minutes.
4. Feel the Spiritual Vibe of Holy Esztergom
Travel time: 1 hour
Esztergom is Hungary’s most sacred city. The town’s enormous basilica rises high above the Danube River, an impressive sight amidst lush countryside. You might need to pinch yourself to believe it.
In addition to the iconic domed church, there is a former royal palace (now a museum) to explore. Despite being the seat of Roman Catholicism in Hungary for over 1000 years, the town is also home to a 400-year-old mosque that visitors can discover.
For lunch or an afternoon coffee, Esztergom features several great cafes. Additionally, there are good hotels and campsites available if you wish to extend your stay.
Getting to Esztergom from Budapest: Esztergom is located northwest of Budapest and takes about one hour to arrive by car or 1 hour 20 minutes on direct trains from Budapest-Nyugati station.
5. Spend the Day at the Lake in Balatonfüred
Travel time: 1½ hours
During summer, Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe, serves as the go-to destination for locals seeking a refreshing escape from the city. The elegant and historic resort town of Balatonfüred offers an authentic experience of lake life, located just a couple of hours’ train ride from the capital.
Previously frequented by artists, writers, and scientists, you’ll find commemorative plaques of illustrious past visitors around the town. Balatonfüred is cherished for its lakeside promenade, which sweeps past yachts docked in the small marina with scenic views over the Tihany peninsula. Consequently, taking a boat trip around the lake offers some of the best sights.
Getting to Balatonfüred from Budapest: Balatonfüred lies southwest of Budapest and is about 1½ hours away by car. Alternatively, direct trains run from Kelenföld Railway Station to Balatonfüred in around two hours, or to Lepsény (one hour), where you can catch a direct bus to Balatonfüred (one hour).
6. Hike the Trail Up to Visegrád Castle
Travel time: 1 hour
Visegrád is a compact town on the Danube Bend famous for its breathtaking views. An intense hike on a rocky woodland trail will lead you to the 13th-century citadel above town, offering dizzying views over this scenic kink in the Danube River, with the Börzsöny Hills beyond. For those who prefer, there is a City-Bus taxi service from the ferry pier to the castle.
Back in Visegrád town, explore the romantic ruins of the Renaissance palace, the former seat of King Matthias, who ruled Hungary in the 15th century. After your visit, you can also learn about Hungary’s famous pálinka (fruit brandy) and taste it at Visegrád’s small pálinka museum.
Getting to Visegrád from Budapest: Visegrád is located north of Budapest and is just over an hour away by car. A bus from Újpest-Városkapu station takes one hour and 15 minutes, offering a romantic alternative of traveling by boat up the Danube during the warmer months.
This article was first published on June 8, 2019, and updated on July 23, 2024.
