Hungary
Hungary is a country of grand architecture, paprika and hot springs, with Budapest as its glittering capital on the Danube. The city has Roman bathhouses, Ottoman domes and Art Nouveau cafes, and it still costs far less than most of Western Europe.
Why it is on my list
Budapest and its thermal baths. Soaking in steaming water under a baroque dome while snow falls outside is a classic Budapest experience, and the city sits on more than a hundred thermal springs.
Best time to go
Spring (April to June): mild weather, blossoming parks and outdoor cafes.
Early autumn (September and October): warm days, harvest season and wine festivals.
Winter: the best time for the baths, plus Christmas markets in December.
Summer: hot and busy, with big festivals and river life.
Crowds: peak around Christmas and in July and August.
Where to stay
District V (Belvaros): central, near the Parliament, the river and St. Stephen's Basilica.
District VII (Jewish Quarter): ruin bars and restaurants, lively at night.
Buda Castle area: quieter, scenic and historic.
Gellert Hill: near Gellert Baths, with river views.
Known names: Gellert Hotel, with its own thermal bath, and the Four Seasons Gresham Palace are famous Art Nouveau landmarks.
Getting there and around
Airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD). Connections from the US usually go via a European hub, with some seasonal nonstops.
From the airport: bus 100E to the center, or a taxi booked through an app.
In the city: trams, metro and buses are cheap. The 2 tram runs along the Danube.
Trains: Vienna is about 2.5 hours away, and Bratislava is about 2.5 hours.
Boats: Danube cruises run all year.
What to eat
Goulash (gulyas): a beef and paprika soup, served in a bowl, not a stew.
Langos: fried dough with sour cream and cheese, a street food favorite.
Chicken paprikash: served with small dumplings called nokedli.
Chimney cake (kurtoskalacs): a sweet, spiral pastry baked over coals.
Dobos torte: a layered chocolate and caramel cake.
Great Market Hall: a good place for stuffed cabbage, sausages and paprika.
What to drink
Tokaji: the sweet wine of kings, from the Tokaj region.
Egri Bikaver: Bull's Blood red from Eger.
Palinka: fruit brandy, often plum or apricot.
Unicum: a bitter herbal liqueur, a local digestif.
Ruin bar drinks and craft beer: a thriving scene, especially in District VII.
Don't miss
Szechenyi Thermal Bath: yellow baroque building with outdoor pools.
Gellert Baths: an Art Nouveau bathhouse with mosaics.
Hungarian Parliament: a neo Gothic landmark on the Danube.
Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church: storybook views over the river.
Szimpla Kert: the original ruin bar.
Shoes on the Danube: a powerful memorial on the river bank.
Chain Bridge at night: lit up and walkable.
Danube evening cruise: a favorite way to see the Parliament lit up.
Day trips and side trips
Szentendre: an artist town by the Danube.
Danube Bend (Visegrad and Esztergom): castles and a huge basilica.
Eger: baroque old town and wine cellars in the Valley of the Beautiful Women.
Lake Balaton: central Europe's largest lake, with beaches and wineries.
Vienna: a day trip by train, if you like.
Festivals and events
Sziget Festival: a huge week long music festival on an island in the Danube, usually in August.
Budapest Spring Festival: arts and music, usually in March or April.
Budapest Wine Festival: usually in September.
Hungarian Grand Prix: at Hungaroring, usually in July or August.
Sparty and thermal bath parties: bath nights with DJs, usually on weekends in season.
Music and dance
Classical: the country of Liszt, Bartok and Kodaly, with concerts at the Liszt Academy and the Opera House.
Gypsy and folk music: violin and cimbalom at traditional restaurants.
Csardas and dance houses: folk dance evenings, called tanchaz, welcome beginners.
Nightlife
Budapest is one of Europe's best party cities, famous for ruin bars set up in crumbling old buildings. The scene is inexpensive, creative and lively on any night of the week.
When people go out: from about 9 pm, with clubs busy after midnight.
Where the action is: District VII, especially Kazinczy and Akacfa streets.
Good to know: watch for overpriced bars, check prices first, and avoid pub crawl touts.
Photography spots
Fisherman's Bastion: best at sunrise before the crowds.
Gellert Hill citadel: sweeping views of the Danube bridges.
Parliament from Batthyany Square: a classic night shot across the river.
Margaret Island: parks and a musical fountain.
Drones: regulated, with registration needed and many restricted zones in central Budapest. Check Hungarian aviation rules.
Cost of living
Overall: $$, much cheaper than New York.
Coffee: about $2.50 to $4.
Local lunch: about $8 to $14.
Dinner for two: about $45 to $80 with drinks.
Beer: about $3 to $5.
Mid-range hotel: about $90 to $160 per night.
Daily budget: about $80 to $140 per person.
Budapest is a bargain for a major European capital. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: fast and cheap, with great fiber in the city.
Coworking: a strong scene, with many spaces and laptop cafes.
Time zone: 6 hours ahead of US Eastern.
Visa: Hungary has a White Card for remote workers. Check current rules.
Nomad rating: 4/5. Affordable, central and well connected.
Good to know
Language: Hungarian, which is unlike its neighbors. English is common among younger people and in tourist areas.
Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF). Euros are not the standard.
Plugs: Type C and F, 230V.
Entry for US citizens: visa free in Schengen for up to 90 days. Check current rules.
Getting around apps: BudapestGO for transit, Bolt and Free Now for rides.
Tipping: around 10 to 15 percent in restaurants, check if service is already included.
Water: tap water is safe.
SIM/eSIM: eSIMs are cheap and easy.
Useful phrases
Koszonom: thank you.
Jo napot: good day.
Egeszsegedre: cheers.
Elnezest: excuse me.
Igen and nem: yes and no.
Meeting people
Social scene: friendly and curious. Ruin bars and thermal baths are social spots.
Apps: Meetup, Facebook expat groups and Internations.
Etiquette: greet with a handshake. At the baths, bring flip flops and a towel, and swimwear is required in most pools.
Stay smart: avoid unlicensed taxis and agree on prices first.
Staying safe
Pickpockets work trams, markets and tourist sites, so keep bags zipped.
Use licensed taxis or ride apps, and check bar menus for prices.
Trams and crosswalks are busy, so watch for traffic.
Emergency number is 112.