Step aside France, Italy, Spain: there’s a new cooler kid in the block, one that isn’t drowing in a wave of crime, or buckling under the weight of overtourism for once.
Tucked away in its well-protected, cozy Central-Eastern European nook, Hungary wrapped up last year hosting a record-breaking 20 million tourists.
As far as foreign visitors go, that’s a 12 percent jump over 2024, according to the Hungarian Conservative, and with demand still going strong, it’s looking like it’ll only get hotter in 2026.
Even if you’re not a seasoned traveler or a full-on Europhile, chances are you’ve heard of Budapest.
But if you’re wondering what else Hungary’s got up its sleeve, think summery lakes lined with resort towns, fairytale castles straight out of a storybook, and medieval villages that feel like time just… forgot about them.
One City To Rule Them All
Of course, there’s no Hungary without its beating heart, the cultural powerhouse, magnanimous former imperial seat that is Budapest.
A tale of two cities, Buda and Pest, that once sat on opposite sides of the Danube River prior to joining forces, it is simply one of the most beautiful European cities you could visit.
Honestly, if Paris had you staring slack-jawed at those Haussmann buildings, or London charmed you with its decaying Victorian-era polish, nothing can really prep you for a glorious BUD.
Think grand boulevards lined with palatial buildings you’d swear are museums, government offices, or luxury hotels, but are actually just residential apartment blocks dating back to the Habsburg days.
Add in a riverfront straight out of a dream, with soaring domes and spires reflecting off the fast-moving Danube, plus thermal spas tucked inside ornate 19th-century bathhouses, and yeah… It’s kind of on another level, if we’re honest.
How Safe Is Budapest On A Night Out?
Other than admiring the stunning architecture, you should swing by Szimpla Kert, the OG ‘ruin bar’ in town, basically a half-genius maze inside a crumbling building filled with mismatched furniture, loud neon art, bathtubs that double as sofas, and graffiti-splattered corners.
The best thing about Budapest is that, unlike some European capitals that have seen increases in crime in recent years, it remains generally safe and low-risk for travelers.
No getting followed home at night if you’re a woman by sketchy-looking individuals, nor constantly casting one of those “just in case” glances over your shoulder to make sure no hooded figures are lurking in the shadows.
The U.S. State Department currently lists it as a Level 1 destination, the safest classification a city can get.
Pickpockets, violent crime, and scams aren’t exactly a major concern in Budapest, but if you’re heading elsewhere in Europe, it’s still a good idea to double-check any Travel Alerts in place at your destination using the Travel Advisory Checker.
Back to Budapest, it currently enjoys one of the highest safety scores of 87/100 in the Traveler Safety Index for any European capital:
Where The Real Magic Happens
Budapest is grand, but the real magic happens when you take that old rattling train out of the sprawling capital and into the virtually untouched Hungarian countryside.
If you have a soft spot for small villages that look like they’ve jumped out of the pages of a storybook, Szentendre has the cobblestone streets, pastel Baroque houses, and quaint riverside cafés dishing out fresh-out-the-oven pastries and artsy coffee.
Unlike your average Disneyfied European hotspot, it’s completely devoid of the usual selfie-taking hordes.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hollókő is that postcardy town that feels frozen in time. It has perfectly intact wooden medieval churches, whitewashed houses, and family-run taverns that keep folk traditions alive.
Over in Eger, in the heart of the namesake wine country, you’ll find a castle town filled with wine cellars, more Baroque monuments, and thermal baths with half the Budapest crowds.
If you’re here for some full-on medieval drama, the unassuming Visegrád may be tiny, but it’s packed with history: It houses the ruins of a medieval royal palace, and the hilltop citadel overlooks a sharp bend in the Danube. Hands down one of the best viewpoints in the entire country.
Hungary’s prettiest small town, you ask? Tihany is famous for its Benedictine Abbey perched on a hill overlooking Lake Balaton, the ‘Hungarian Sea‘, and endless fields of lavender in summer. Feels just like Provence, minus the hefty price tag.
For those flying to Europe this summer, head over to the Entry Requirement Checker to verify you have all your documentation in order for smooth sailing.
Is Hungary Still Affordable In 2026?
Speaking of prices, Hungary is not the dirt-cheap destination mainstream publications will have you believe it is.
Then again, it’s not like we’re surprised, given the already-debunked ‘Hidden Gem Marseille‘ debacle, but definitely don’t believe everything you read on the internet, especially if it’s written by legacy media that’s maybe 3 to 5 years behind on travel trends.
That said, Hungary is affordable, although Budapest in particular is rapidly catching up with Western European capitals in terms of costs.
For instance, tickets for the iconic Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest have doubled since 2020. The “basic” ticket now costs around $40, without extras. If you’re adding a private cabin, locker, additional towels, or weekend/peak-time upgrades, that can easily bump up to $55–$70+ per person.
Cocktails in ruin bars and touristy areas usually run about $6–$14 each, and a draught beer in a central pub is roughly $3–$5.
It’s still cheaper than most of Western Europe, but it’s definitely a step up from that old “super cheap Budapest” reputation that’s still floating around.
Hotels and Airbnb are where you actually see how BUD and cities like Paris or Rome don’t actually differ that much. A mid-range listing will set you back $130–$200/night in peak season, whereas budget hostels are still cheap-ish, but even those have gone up to $25–$60/night in good areas like Districts V or VII.
As for eating out, a simple local meal costs $8–$15. A restaurant dinner with drinks is $25–$30 per person.
Out in the country, smaller towns are generally cheaper, with meals often costing under $10, beer or wine ranging from $1.50 to $3, and accommodation starting from $30.
By the way, if you’re visiting Budapest in the coming months, why not pair it with a side trip to the criminally underrated, equally exciting Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia?
There’s this new direct train that’s just been launched between the sisterly capitals, and tickets cost about $22–$38 one-way.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
