This past season saw a massive influx of travelers flocking to Europe, with many of the continent’s gorgeous hotspots breaking all-time tourism records.
But while most of these were places you’d expect – think sunny hubs like Italy, Spain, and Portugal – there was one landlocked and often overlooked country that welcomed close to 7 million visitors, outperforming some of its far better-known neighbors and setting a new tourism high in the process.
I’m talking, of course, about Hungary, the land of fairytale-like castles, grand boulevards, and unbeatable prices.
And with fall in full force, why not draw inspiration from these millions of other travelers and consider the central European gem for your next trip?
I can practically guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
A Country Straight Out Of A Fairytale
If you’ve seen a dreamy landscape in a storybook and thought to yourself, “I’d love to go someplace like that someday,” chances are you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Hungary.
Don’t believe me?
Just Google Buda Castle, Vajdahunyad Castle, Esztergom’s Basilica, Eger Castle, or Füzér Castle, and tell me these don’t look like the types of places you’d dream about as a kid.
And because all of these jaw-dropping landmarks are scattered all over the country, you’ll get to see at least one of them no matter where you choose to go or whether you’re more of a city or countryside person – though I’d personally recommend setting up base in Budapest and then organizing day trips to all the picturesque castles you want to see.
Staying In Budapest For Under $50 A Night
Why Budapest, you might ask?
Well, not only is the capital the liveliest, most attraction-filled hub in the entire country, but it’s also remarkably cheap, too, especially compared to other cities of its caliber.
Stunning, highly reviewed hotels in great locations charge between $20 and $90 a night, and believe me, it’s not difficult to find some amazing deals.
NETIZEN Budapest Centre, Budapest Great Market Hall, and Giselle Vintage Doubles, for example, are all great-value options.
Food is usually reasonably priced, too.
Just make sure to research every place you go to beforehand to make sure you know what you’re getting into.
More and more tourist traps are popping up by the day, especially near the center.
I’ve had amazing meals for less than $8 in places like Krumplis Langos and I’ve had a $30 plate of cabbage stew from a street vendor that was definitely overpriced, so a little bit of forethought goes a long way.
A Safe Haven
A big mistake many make is assuming that all places beyond the ultra-popular destinations we hear about all the time are somehow unsafe or difficult to navigate, when, in my personal experience, the opposite has turned out to be true.
Hungary is the perfect example of that.
The people are welcoming and always happy to lend a helping hand if asked; otherwise, everyone just kind of minds their own business – it doesn’t get any better than that, especially for solo travelers seeking peace and relaxation.
As a matter of fact, Hungary was named one of the top 15 safest countries in the entire world in the 2024 Global Peace Index (for reference, the U.S. was ranked 132nd), so you can feel at ease taking those late-night strolls and indulging in the capital’s famous nightlife, of course assuming you take normal safety precautions like not standing alone in deserted areas at night, keeping track of your belongings, and so on.
The Ultimate Digital Nomad Hub
What do you get when you combine stunning attractions, low prices, and even lower crime rates?
The perfect digital nomad hub.
Budapest, in particular, has a solid digital infrastructure, fast and reliable internet, and plenty of co-working spaces – all things essential for those planning to live and work abroad.
As a U.S. Citizen, you can stay here for up to 90 days without a visa, to stay longer you can apply for a document called the White Card, which is valid for up to a year and renewable for another.
For more info on requirements, fees, and the application process itself, you can head over here.
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