Hungary Tours & Holidays

Discover Hungary, a country that boasts one of Europe’s most exquisite cities, one of the most beguiling stretches of its greatest river, and one of the largest and warmest of its lakes – all within a couple of hours of each other.

Take a tour of Hungary and discover a beautiful, landlocked country filled with stunning architecture and majestic sights, right in the heart of Europe.

Consisting of two very distinct halves – the twin cities of Buda and Pest – Hungary’s capital, Budapest, Pearl of the Danube, is among Europe’s most sparkling jewels, an incredible reflection of the proud history of the Magyar people. One half is a panoramic hillside dotted with opulent buildings; the other is a vibrant hub full of hip bars, restaurants, museums, galleries and some of the city’s most popular thermal baths.

Just upriver from the capital lies the spectacularly scenic Danube Bend, where the great river carves and twists its way through the wooded hills as it flows towards Budapest. Here, the Baroque town of Szentendre is a place of art and culture, and a maze of colourful houses and artists’ studios, museums and galleries. Further north lies Esztergom, dominated by the 100m high dome of its great basilica, while the medieval castle town of Visegrád, overlooked by the ramparts of its great citadel, lies halfway between the two. Visit the ruins of the former Royal Palace, perhaps climb to the lofty perch of the citadel and take in the atmosphere of this small town.

If you find yourself in need of a break from the bustle of Budapest and its neighbouring riverside cities during your trip to Hungary, take the opportunity to unwind on the shores of Lake Balaton, whose shoreline serves as Hungary’s substitute coast, with resorts and pleasure beaches to match. The surrounding area boasts secluded villages, pretty palaces, vineyards and even the world’s largest porcelain factory, at Herend.

Hungary’s famous national dish, goulash, a thick meat-based soup, is widely available, as are other Hungarian favourites like chicken paprika and homemade pörkölt (stew). But, allegedly, the nation’s favourite dish is lángos, a deep-fried flatbread that’s often topped with sour cream and cheese and slivers of sausage or crispy bacon.

While most restaurants – especially those serving traditional fare – are generally inexpensive, among Budapest’s 1,000-plus eateries in particular, you will find cuisines and prices to suit all tastes and pockets. Indulge in a visit to a patisserie, or cukrászda, and pass some time in one of the city’s many coffee houses (kávenás), which offer grand surroundings and delicious cakes. Hungarian wine is certainly worth trying, with vineyards such as Tokaji producing well-respected red and white wines at reasonable prices. Tokaji Aszú, a white dessert wine, is particularly good. Beers and the local brandies – especially apricot and plum – are also universally popular.

For market lovers, Pest's Main Market Hall offers the widest selection of spices, fresh fruit and vegetables, and meat at its colourful stalls.

Be inspired to travel solo. Newmarket Holidays welcomes solo travellers on all our group tours. In fact, many of our customers choose to join our tours on their own. And the best part is: you won’t really be alone. With a group of like-minded travellers and a friendly, informative tour manager (as well as incredible locals all over the world!), you will love your holiday experience. Joining a tour as a solo traveller is also a guaranteed way to feel safe and confident when travelling alone. While you can join any of our regular tours on your own, we also have a range of tours designed exclusively for solo travellers.