Budapest city break - nearby trips
Travel guide to day trips on a Budapest city break holiday
There is plenty to see around Budapest city in just about every direction. Budapest is considered the "heart of Hungary" and the region is packed with natural, historical and cultural treasures.
Charming towns are found along the Danube north and south and there are many sites of interest east and west, including royal palaces and restored castles.
Just 40km north-west of Budapest, Esztergom was once a royal residence and is still home to Hungary's Archbishop. It's near the famous Danube bend where the river turns south towards Budapest. Esztergom looks over the river to Slovakia and can be reached by train, bus, boat or hovercraft from Budapest.
A town of 30,000, its Basilica is the largest cathedral in Hungary and the Danube bend can be seen from its cupola. The Royal Castle was covered with earth when the town was conquered by the Turks and only rediscovered in 1930. Excavated rooms can now be visited.
Visegrad is small town of just 1,700, just 30km north of Budapest and visitors flock here for fabulous views of the Danube bend. Fellegvar, or the Castle in the Clouds, has a citadel (Visegrad which means 'high fortress') and the climb to the top is well worth it. The town also boasts a Royal Palace.
Summer sees attractions like archery and tournaments laid on for visitors while a huge restaurant, the Nagyvillam Csarda, provides copious food, particularly game.
This romantic town of 25,000 is just 20km north of Budapest and is an ideal trip out of the capital.There's a man-made beach on the Danube, an artists' colony and the town itself is packed with restaurants, cafes and shops.
The main square features a Plague Cross to commemorate the town being saved from the plague in 1763. Children, and many adults, will enjoy the Marzipan Museum while other museums are dedicated to artists and wine. Just to the north is the Hungarian Open-air museum or rural life, with old peasant houses, a church and handicrafts.
The largest lake in Central Europe, Balaton is 100km south-west of Budapest and is easily reached by rail or bus. Despite being shallow, Balaton is dubbed the Hungarian Sea.
The north side of the lake is particularly pretty with small towns, vineyards and walking and cycling routes everywhere. Ferries ply the lake making it easy to get around.
The pretty town of Tihany is on a peninsula on the northern shore while Badacsony has a wine centre and great view over the lake.
The Great Plain of Hungary, known as the Alföld, covers half of the country and has played an important role in Hungarian culture. Gulyas, or goulash, the famous paprika flavoured soup, is named after the shepherds of the Plain who cooked with kettles over open fires.
There's little of the original steppe left except in two National Parks. Here, herdsmen can still be seen on horseback with their distinctive long-haired sheepdogs.
Birdwatchers will be attracted to the Alföld as it's home to over 230 species including bustards. Many companies provide full-day excursions.
Touching the pen on the Anonymous statue near Heroes’ Square is said to make you a better writer
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