Last year, Hungary’s tourism sector welcomed more than 20 million guests staying at hotels and Airbnbs, making it a record-breaking year and surpassing the previous national record set in 2024, reported by Hungary’s tourism board. Budapest remained the country’s most visited destination, attracting more than 8.1 million visitors in 2025 and generating 18.5 million overnight stays.
While most travellers who come to Budapest rarely go outside of the capital. Kimpton BEM Budapest encourages its guests to go beyond the city and visit Lake Balaton, Szentendre and Eger. From historic towns and renowned wine regions to scenic lakes and nature escapes, these destinations offer travellers the opportunity to experience Hungarian culture, regional cuisine and local wines.
Located on the quieter, residential side of Budapest, the Buda side, Kimpton BEM Budapest sits just a two-minute walk away from the Danube promenade, and within walking distance of iconic landmarks, including Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. Staying in Buda offers an immediate sense of escape, especially during the busy months: fewer tour groups, quieter streets, and most importantly, access to an abundance of local shops, cafes, artwork.
Lake Balaton
Often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”, Lake Balaton is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Central Europe. Stretching 77 kilometres, it offers swimming, sailing, lakeside dining and renowned wineries, including Figula Winery.
One of the most popular towns on the northern shore is Balatonfüred, a historic spa town with its yacht harbour, leafy promenades and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can explore nature attractions such as Lóczy Cave and the Tamás Hill walking trail, which offers panoramic views across Lake Balaton. For keen hikers, the Balatonalmádi–Sümeg section of the Mária Road is an excellent walking route. Passing through Balatonarács, the route connects beautiful churches, lookout points and natural landmarks.
How to get there:
It takes around 90 minutes by car or take a train from Budapest-Déli (15 minutes tram away from Kimpton BEM Budapest) to Balatonfüredwhich takes around 2 hours by direct train
Szentendre
Located just 20 kilometres north of Budapest. Known for its colourful architecture, lively restaurants and rich Serbian heritage, it is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from the capital.
The town is home to Skanzen, one of Hungary’s largest open-air museums, located just outside Szentendre. Offering visitors the chance to step back in time, the museum showcases traditional village life, historic Hungarian architecture and rural crafts through immersive exhibitions and reconstructed settlements.
At the heart of the town lies its main square, surrounded by colourful 18th-century merchant houses, cafes and the striking Serbian Orthodox, Blagovestenska Church. Beyond the square, a maze of narrow alleyways invites visitors to explore independent art galleries, souvenir shops and local handicraft boutiques.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to Szentendre is by taking H5 HÉV railway from Batthyány tér station (a 5-minute walk away from Kimpton BEM Budapest) directly to Szentendre, which takes around 40 minutes or alternatively, in the summer months, travellers can take a scenic Danube River cruise from Budapest to Szentendre.
Eger
Hungarian wine remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets, with many wineries producing only small quantities and keeping their finest bottles within Hungary’s borders. Located around 133 kilometres north-east of the capital, near the Bükk Mountains and Bükk National Park, Eger is renowned for its thermal baths, exceptional wine culture and rich history such as the heroic 1552 siege against the Ottoman Empire.
One of the region’s most famous wine destinations is the Szépasszony Valley, also known as the “Valley of the Beautiful Woman”, a unique area unlike anywhere else in Hungary. The valley is home to over 200 cellars, many of which welcome visitors for tastings in a relaxed and traditional setting. Whether travellers prefer white, red or rosé wines, they will find a wide variety of local styles to explore.
Eger’s most iconic wine is Egri Bikavér, also known as “Bull’s Blood”. This deep-coloured, full-bodied red wine is known for its rich, dry character and complex flavour profile. The blend is regulated and made from a combination of at least three grape varieties selected from an approved list of twelve.
How to get there:
Eger is located approximately 134 kilometres from Budapest, and can be reached in around 90 minutes by car. Travellers can also take a direct train from Budapest Keleti station (25-minute tram away from Kimpton BEM Budapest), with the journey taking approximately two hours.
Rates at Kimpton BEM Budapest start from €200 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy. For more information, visit https://kimptonbembudapest.com/
Images supplied. Destination images courtesy of unsplash.com
