10 alluring destinations for a summer day trip in Hungary

Summer is the perfect time to explore new corners of the country you have never seen before. In many cases, you do not even need to book a week-long vacation; a well-planned day trip can be just as rewarding. Here are some excellent ideas if you want to plan a day trip in Hungary.

Travelo has put together a collection of destinations that visitors can explore in a day or enjoy over several – and they would be a shame to miss.

Budapest from a new perspective: St Stephen’s Basilica and a Hungarian Japanese Garden

For those who are not afraid of heights, the Panoramic Terrace of St. Stephen’s Basilica is an unmissable experience in Budapest. The Basilica is one of the tallest buildings in the city, with its 65-metre-high panoramic platform offering a magnificent and very unique perspective of the capital’s beauty. One adult ticket for the panoramic terrace costs HUF 4,300 (EUR 10.90), and for children under 18 and students, a discounted ticket is available for HUF 3,400 (EUR 8.62).

St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary. Source: depositphotos.com

Another gem in Budapest is the recently renovated Japanese garden in the courtyard of the Márton Varga School of Horticulture and Geodesy, the first of its kind in the country. The Zugló Japanese Garden has a 95-year history, designed and built by Márton Varga in 1928. The Japanese Garden has extraordinary flora, which is sure to stun all visitors. And for those planning a special event, the garden is also available as a wedding venue.

Zugló Japanese Garden.
Photo: PrtSc/ YouTube

For nature lovers: the Esterházy Castle rose garden and the Folly Arboretum

The Esterházy Castle is a must-see for a summer day trip in Hungary, but the Margaret Cziráky Rose Garden within the castle grounds offers a particularly special experience. Home to over 300 varieties of roses and around 8,000 pots, the garden bursts into colour when the flowers are in bloom. Ticket information is available on the castle’s website at this link.

Photo: facebook.com/fertod.esterhazykastely

The Folly Arboretum, on the other hand, is home to an impressive collection of evergreens. Known as the “living pine museum,” it takes its name from the Folly family, who have cultivated unique pines, cedars, and cypresses for over a century. Open year-round, the arboretum offers individual and guided tours, and its restaurant features locally-produced wines.

Photo: https://www.folly.hu/

Exploring history: Füzér Castle, Szombathely Village Museum, and Túristvánd Water Mill

Nestled at the northeastern tip of the country, the settlement of Füzér and its 13th-century castle in the Zemplén Mountains transport visitors back to historic times in Hungary. In addition to the Castle of Füzér, the area offers excellent mountain hiking. The castle serves as the venue of the annual Castle Days, which will take place this year from 18 to 19 August. More details can be found on the castle’s website here.

Hungary's earliest stone castle on top of volcano cone

Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér

History also takes centre stage at the Village Museum in Szombathely, an open-air ethnographic museum that evokes the atmosphere and spirit of the old Hungarian villages. It was the second such museum in the country, opening its gates in 1973. The original furnishings and restored buildings give a glimpse into Hungarian village life in the 18th and 20th centuries. It is a perfect destination for those who would like to learn more about Hungarian traditions.

The Village Museum.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Túristvándi Water Mill in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, built in the late 18th century, is Europe’s only water mill of its kind and size. With its 6.2-metre diameter wheels, it features a historical exhibition and is open to visitors throughout the year.

Túristvándi water mill. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Bathing: Hot and cold options in Soltvadkert and Egerszalók

The Vadkert Lake of Soltvadkert, spanning 70 hectares, offers excellent recreational opportunities for both those who want to unwind and those who wish to spend their day trip in Hungary actively. In addition to bathing, water sports equipment is available to rent. Soltvadkert of Bács-Kiskun County also features an adventure park and camping facilities.

Photo: Daily News Hungary

For a unique bathing experience, visit Egerszalók to enjoy the therapeutic thermal waters. The 65-68°C thermal spring, emerging from a 410-metre-deep hillside waterfall, has created a stunning limestone formation reminiscent of those in Yellowstone National Park in the USA. The spa is particularly beneficial for those with bone, joint, and rheumatic issues.

Photo: www.facebook.com/Egerszalók

Seeing all the sights in one day trip in Hungary

If you’re unsure which destination to pick, the Mini Hungary model park in Szarvas is an ideal choice. Located in the country’s largest arboretum, the interactive park features replicas of famous Hungarian buildings. In addition to several audio-equipped and mobile model buildings, the park also houses the country’s longest outdoor model railway network, where the most beautiful trains of Hungarian railway history come to life at the push of a button. Guaranteed to be a memorable experience for children and adults alike, a ticket to the arboretum and the Mini Hungary park costs HUF 3,600 (EUR 9.13) for adults and HUF 2,600 (EUR 6.59) for children, students, and pensioners.