Heavenly  Hungary holidays & tours

UK citizens do not currently need a visa for trips to Hungary of 90 days or less. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.

Budapest’s mix of monuments and architecture make it an unmissable part of any Hungary holiday, including a visit to Castle Hill, the Basilica of St Stephen, the Hungarian Parliament building and a cruise on the Danube, along with the city’s string of museums and famous urban thermal baths. Hungary’s biggest lake, Lake Balaton, is also an essential part of a Hungary tour, as well as visiting the Esztergom Basilica in one of the country’s oldest towns, spa towns such as Eger and historic Sopron, near the Austrian border.

The official currency of Hungary is the forint, Officially, one forint is divided into 100 filler, although these coins are no longer in circulation. Instead, you’ll find coins worth 10, 20, 50 and 100 forint, as well as notes in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 forint. As Hungary is part of the European Union, some shops and restaurants may accept payments in Euros, but you’re unlikely to get a good exchange rate and it's not guaranteed especially outside Budapest. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in cities and major tourist areas, although it’s always a good idea to have some cash for smaller purchases.

The best months to visit Hungary are from March to October, when the weather is pleasant enough to explore. March-May and September-October tend to be quieter, so it’s a perfect time to avoid the crowds – the weather is likely to be cooler in early March and late October, so do pack accordingly. Temperatures are highest during June-August, in around the mid-20s, sometimes spiking towards 30C. It’s also the busiest period, with most people planning a Hungary holiday during these months. While winter is colder, November and December are a perfect time to enjoy the Christmas markets and festive celebrations, although some places will close during January and February, which can also be snowy, so it’s better to avoid those months.

Choosing what to pack for a Hungary holiday depends mainly on when you choose to visit. If you’re travelling during the winter months, the country can get very cold, so be prepared to wrap up warm. In spring and autumn, temperatures are mild and pleasant but you can expect rain, so a lightweight raincoat and layers for cool mornings and evenings are a good plan. In summer, you can rely on hot, sunny days so bring SPF and sunhats, as well as clothing made of light, breathable fabrics. You’ll need to cover up if you’re visiting churches, comfortable shoes for walking and do pack a swimsuit and flipflops if you’re visiting Budapest’s thermal baths, but otherwise most locals stick to smart casual outfits.

There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Hungary, and no need for a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Travellers are recommended to have the usual course of vaccinations for life in their home country. Those who may be at higher risk should also consider Tetanus, and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are not normally present in Hungary.

Wherever you travel, you’ll find paprika is an essential ingredient in many traditional Hungarian dishes – beef goulash is probably the best known (called gulyás in Hungary), but chicken paprikash is another common speciality, featuring chicken, sour cream and vegetables, and served with dumplings. Halászlé, or fisherman’s soup, also uses the spice to season local river fish, as does vegetable stew lecsó and a traditional Hungarian-Jewish stew called sólet, made from beans and barley, and often beef and smoked meat, then served with boiled eggs. Finish with a chimney cake, or kurtoskalacs, spirals of dough coated in sugar and often cinnamon or ground walnuts too, sometimes filled with fruit or ice cream.

Hungary is not a small country – it’s around the same size as Portugal, or five times as large as Wales – but it’s easy to see many of the highlights on a Hungary tour. Budapest makes a good base to explore, with day trips possible to Visegrad and Esztergom, while Lake Balaton is only around 90 minutes’ journey from the capital. You can also explore Hungary on a Danube river cruise, travelling past historic sites such as Esztergom and through the countryside towards Slovakia and Austria. Alternatively choose a guided Hungary tour, such as our Heart of Central Europe itinerary, which combines Budapest and Lake Balaton.

The Sziget Festival is one of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe, a week-long celebration taking place every August, while June or July also sees the Balaton music festival. Other festivals celebrate local crafts and traditions throughout the year, such as the Hollókő festival at Easter, as well as the festival of folk art in Budapest in August. The Busójárás festival in February welcomes the start of Spring with masks and celebratory toasts with local fruit brandy. Or if you love food, the paprika festival takes place in May in Kalocsa, while there’s a lavender festival at Lake Balaton in June.

As well as strolling around Budapest itself, there are some great walks to discover on your Hungary holiday – explore the city’s Margaret Island in the Danube, where you can cycle and wander around the gardens. You can also bike along the banks of the Danube or around Lake Balaton, and hike in the Buda Hills. Or for a bigger challenge, follow Europe’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, the Kektura in Badacsony. There’s also kayaking, sailing and rafting on the country’s waterways and lakes.

Yes, there’s plenty to keep families entertained if you’re planning to a Hungary holiday with kids. Budapest is packed with family attractions, including the zoo and aquarium, as well as the castle and boat trips on the Danube. There is also lots of green space in the city, plus plenty of chances for active families to get outdoors in the countryside, especially around Lake Balaton.

You’ll find plenty of cultural experiences in Budapest, including art at the city’s National Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts. Music is one of the biggest focuses for visitors, with a chance to visit the spectacular Hungarian State Opera, but also the Franz Liszt Memorial Museum, set in a music academy where the composer and performer lived and worked, with weekly concerts to enjoy. Save some time to explore Budapest’s Jewish quarter too, home to Europe’s largest synagogue, the ornate Great Synagogue, as well as seeing the city’s elegant 19^th century architecture.

Tipping is customary for good service – around 10-15% of the bill is common in restaurants. Tour guides and drivers will also appreciate a small tip, perhaps around 1,000-1,500 forint per day. You can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included if you book a Hungary tour with Titan, so there’s no need to tip for bags.