Hungary’s Attractions: Castles, Thermal Baths & More

1. Andrassy Avenue

Andrassy Avenue was completed in 1885 as a way of connecting the city center with the city park. The avenue is surrounded by neo-Renaissance houses and palaces that were constructed by renowned artists and were the homes of Hungary's elite. Because public transport was limited to conserve the site's beauty and character, Andrássy Avenue also became home to the first subway line in continental Europe, the Millennium Underground. Andrassy Avenue

2. Buda Castle

A historic castle that once housed Hungarian kings, Buda Castle used to be called the Royal Palace. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was first completed in 1265 and can be found in Hungary's Castle District. There are many walking tours available for visitors to better explore the castle and its grounds, especially parts of the castle that house the National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Szechenyi Library. Visitors can learn of the castle's construction, it's design, architecture, and history. The outside grounds are renowned for offering breathtaking views of the city, surroundings, and the River Danube.

Buda Castle, Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary, Phone: +36-1-458-3000

3. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden

One of the oldest zoos in the world, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden opened in 1866 and is the oldest zoo in Hungary. There are over a million visitors annually who come to see the 1,000+ species that live there. Some of the more famous residents of the zoo are the Komodo dragons and the wombat.

The zoo's exhibits are separated into zones that highlight animals from that region, including America Tropicana, the Savannah Zone, Australia, India, and the Janos Xantus House, which is a building named after the zoo's first director and is filled with East Asian flora and fauna.

Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden , Budapest, állatkerti krt. 6-12, 1146 Hungary, Phone: +36-1-273-4901

4. Castle of Diosgyor

The Castle of Diosgyor was first built in the 12th century and then destroyed during the Mongol invasion. The Gothic castle was then rebuilt and served as a wedding gift for Hungarian queens. Over the years, the castle once again fell into ruins and what visitors see today is the medieval-style reconstruction that was done in 2014.

The castle is a great experience for visitors of all ages, as costumed animators and period furniture bring the castle alive. There are many traditional programs and historical games that visitors can participate in as well.

Castle of Diosgyor, Miskolc, Vár u. 24, 3534 Hungary, Phone: +36-46-533-355

5. Castle of Egri

The Castle of Egri has a rich history that includes being ruined during the Mongol invasion, getting utilized as army barracks, and repelling a Turkish attack during the Siege of Eger.

What stands presently is the Gothic-style palace that was built in 1470. Visitors can explore not only the architecture and decor of the castle but also the several museums that are housed within it. Some of the museums are Dobo Istvan Varmuzeum, which takes visitors on a journey of the castle's history, the Egri Keptar painting exhibition, the Panoptikum wax museum, and the Kazmatak museum, which takes visitors through the maze of cellars under the castle.

Castle of Egri, Eger, Vár 1, 3300 Hungary, Phone: +36-36-312-744

6. Chain Bridge

The Szechenyi Chain Bridge, popularly called Chain Bridge, is a 1,230-foot suspension bridge crossing the Danube River. The bridge was designed by renowned English engineer William Tierney Clark and was opened in 1849; currently, it is one of the two surviving bridges designed by Clark.

Made from wrought iron and stone, the bridge was a modern engineering wonder during the time of its construction and became a symbol of advancement. Visitors from around the world visit the attraction annually; it's also the site of the Red Bull air races, during which flying under the bridge is a popular maneuver.

Chain Bridge, Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Hungary

7. Danube Promenade

Extending from the Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge to the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the Danube Promenade offers visitors stunning views of the Danube River and its surroundings. The promenade has always been a popular location for Hungarian aristocrats and was lined with famous hotels such as the Carlton, the Ritz, and the Bristol.

Today, there are many luxury boutique hotels that recreate the pre-war ambiance for visitors to enjoy. Other than the panoramic views and luxury hotels, visitors will also come across a number of outdoor cafes that are perfect for people-watching on a summer day.

Danube Promenade, Budapest, Vigadó tér, 1051 Hungary

8. Dohany Street Synagogue

One of the most popular attractions in Budapest, the Dohany Street Synagogue is often called the Great Synagogue. Consecrated in 1859, the synagogue can seat over 3,000 people, making it the biggest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. Visitors can spend a day exploring the stunning synagogue complex, which houses the Jewish Museum and its extensive collection of religious relics as well as the Heroes' Temple, which serves as a memorial to Hungarian Jews who lost their lives in World War I.

The rear courtyard holds the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park, which has the Memorial of the Hungarian Jewish Martyrs - a weeping willow statue that has the names of the more than 400,000 Jews who were murdered by the Nazis inscribed on the leaves.

Dohany Street Synagogue, Budapest, Dohány u. 2, 1074 Hungary

9. Esztergomi Bazilika

Esztergomi Bazilika is the popularly used name for the Cathedral and Primatial Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed into Heaven and St. Adalbert. The ecclesiastic basilica is the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Esztergom - Budapest.

Other than being the largest church in Hungary, it is also the tallest building, towering over 100 meters high. Visitors will come across some stunning pieces of art, including the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Girolamo Michelangelo Grigoletti on the altarpiece; the piece is the largest painting in the world on a single piece of canvas. Other amazing aspects of the basilica include the Old Egyptian-style crypt and many Tuscan Renaissance motifs.

Esztergomi Bazilika, Esztergom, Szent István tér 1, 2500 Hungary

10. Festetics Palace

Festetics Palace is a baroque-style palace that now houses the Helikon Palace Museum and is also used as an events center. The palace has been renovated and rebuilt many times over the years, and what visitors see today is the form it had in in the late 1800s. Visitors can explore the architecture and interior decor, including the revered palace library, which has over 86,000 items. The palace is surrounded by a nature park filled with ponds, flowerbeds, fountains, and statues, some of which are hundreds of years old; there is also a large collection of carriages and coaches. Visitors who are there during the summer months can enjoy one of the many open-air concerts scheduled on the grounds.

Festetics Palace , Keszthely, Kastély u. 1, 8360 Hungary, Phone: +36-83-314-194