Fully guided tour of Hungary
Get to know Hungary better, from capital Budapest with its stunning setting on the Danube, to beautiful Lake Balaton. This 7-day tour is a wonderful way to discover the wonderful countryside, fascinating history, charming culture and stunning architecture here.
Visit the majestic and intriguing castles of Godollo and Simontornya. Explore the historic old towns of Eger, Nyiregyhaza, Szekesfehervar, Kecskemet and Keszthely. Discover Hortobagy National Park and its variety of wildlife. This is a fabulous tour for a varied and delightful introduction to Hungary.
Services
Included:
- The package includes:
- Transport in A/C vehicle according to the route described above, road taxes and parking charges included.
- Airport transfers according to the description above.
- English-speaking driver-guide, 7 days.
- Visits where mentioned in the description above.
- Daily breakfast, 6 days.
- Accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels / guesthouses as mentioned above.
Excluded:
- The package does not include:
- Other visits than those mentioned above.
- Detours from the route mentioned.
- Meals, other than breakfast.
- Drinks, with or without meals.
- Items of personal use and souvenirs.
- Tips.
- Flights, either domestic or international.
Optional:
- Detours from the mentioned route or visits not included (extra charges apply).
Itinerary at a Glance
Budapest
Arrive in Budapest
Budapest
Explore beautiful Budapest
Szekesfehervar - Tihany - Keszthely
To Keszthely via the Tihany Peninsula
Simontornya - Fulopjakab - Kecskemet
From farms to castles
Szolnok - Hortobagy - Nyiregyhaza
Onwards to Nyiregyhaza
Nyirbator - Eger
Gothic splendour and Baroque beauty
Bukk - Godollo - Budapest
Back to Budapest
Detailed Itinerary
Budapest
Day 1: Arrive in Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, meet your English-speaking tour guide and transfer to your accommodation. Take some time to settle in.
Budapest
Day 2: Explore beautiful Budapest
Get the trip off to a great start by exploring the stunning capital city of Hungary - Budapest. Begin by walking from the tree-lined Andrassy Avenue to the magnificent Heroes' Square. Enjoy strolling through this beautiful area before continuing to the bustling Central Market - great for picking up souvenirs. After visiting Parliament, cross the Danube into Buda to admire the former Royal Palace.
The tour of the Castle Hill includes the Gothic Matthias Church, and Fishermen's Bastion, wander along small streets, passing houses dating from the middle ages; admire the stunning Vienna gate and the northern bastions, and St. Magdalena Church ruins. Finish at Gellert Hill for the best view of Budapest.
Szekesfehervar - Tihany - Keszthely
Day 3: To Keszthely via the Tihany Peninsula
Leave the bustling capital to head South-West and visit Szekesfehervar, a royal residence that held a central role in the Middle Ages, and where the first kings of Hungary crowned are buried. Be charmed by the historic centre including St. Stephen Cathedral, the ruins of one of the largest basilicas in medieval Europe, the Gothic St. Anna Chapel and the rest of the old town including the Serbian quarter.
On to Balaton Lake; enjoy a walk through the romantic and serene Tihany Peninsula, with its cute little shops, plethora of traditional displays, winding streets, fine views, lavender fields nearby and Benedictine Abbey. The late afternoon will find you in Keszthely, end the day enjoying the atmosphere in the historic main square.
Simontornya - Fulopjakab - Kecskemet
Day 4: From farms to castles
This morning journey east through glorious countryside, with a stop in Simontornya. Explore the castle, originally a tower built in the 13th century among the swamps of Sio River. A new gothic wing was added in the 14th century, together with an arcaded loggia. Nestling into the countryside this is a place full or charm that blends seamlessly with the stunning scenery beyond.
Travel through more wonderful countryside to Fulopjakab, and visit the organic Eminence Farm with its variety of crops and plants. The tour continues in Kecskemet with its wonderful samples of architecture including the 1897 City Hall and the Cifrapalota (Ornamented Palace). Known as a masterpiece of Art Nouveau, it has wonderful ”waving” walls, shining roof tiles and ceramic ornaments of plants and animals.
Szolnok - Hortobagy - Nyiregyhaza
Day 5: Onwards to Nyiregyhaza
Commence with a tour of Szolnok, with its grand administrative buildings testifying that the town sat on a major trade and cultural crossroads. The tour takes in exterior views of the beautiful 1898 synagogue, as well as the fairy tale castle-like 19th century Calvinist church built in Neo Gothic style.
Szolnok is also renowned for the Sorarium (undergoing refurbishment). Explore this museum of Beer and discover the traditional tools and techniques used to create the ‘liquid bread’, and visit the brewery.
After Szolnok enjoy a leisure walk in the 800 sq.km. Hortobagy National Park; look out for some of the 342 species of birds that live here, before the day draws to a close in Nyiregyhaza.
Nyirbator - Eger
Day 6: Gothic splendour and Baroque beauty
Start with a tour in Nyiregyhaza to see its imposing cathedral and the historic heritage buildings down Kossuth Street. Then, head further east to the small, but heritage-rich town of Nyirbator. Visit the 15th century Reformed Church, one of the most beautiful Gothic structures in Hungary, and admire the addition of a late Renaissance-style belfry - the largest wooden bell tower in the country.
The town has more to offer, including the Istvan Bathory Museum, originally a Baroque Minorite friary. Reach Eger, with its charming old streets oozing with Bohemian life. Admire the great Baroque architecture and its grand Basilica, as well as the hilltop castle overlooking the whole town. A picture-perfect place to halt for the night.
Bukk - Godollo - Budapest
Day 7: Back to Budapest
Leave the town of Eger and begin the journey back to Budapest. Make a stop in Godollo to visit the Royal Palace. Construction started in 1733 and it is now one of the most important and largest examples of Hungarian palace architecture. A vast Baroque building with a surface of 1,700 sq.m. set in the middle of a 28 hectare park, it is sure to impress.
