Why go en Hongrie?

Don't be surprised: here, most administrations, institutions and small stores close early on Friday and Saturday afternoons - in addition to Sundays off - with the exception of the tourist streets in the various towns. Shopping centers are open on Sundays, as are some supermarkets. On weekdays and Saturdays, they stay open until 8/21pm (or even later). Museums and sites are very rarely open after 5 or 6 pm, and they close on most public holidays: January¹, March 15, May¹, August 20, October 23, November¹, December 25 and 26, and Easter and Whit Monday.

It's rare to queue up to buy a ticket for any of the country's museums, except for popular exhibitions at Budapest museums such as the National Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts, where it's advisable to book online. Also in the capital, a guided tour of the Parliament (the Parliament can only be visited on a guided tour) should be booked several days in advance.

Visiting Hungary won't break the bank, even if entrance fees have risen considerably in recent years. Most museums are free for children under 6 and over 70. Those under 26 and/or students with an ISIC student card are entitled to reduced admission. Reduced admission is also available for over 62s and children under 14. Family tickets are available for two parents and two children. You'll have to pay extra for any photos you may take - well, in theory..

The Budapest Card from the tourist office is a good option if you plan to visit several cultural sites in the capital (reduced entrance fees), as well as taking free public transport.

On national holidays (March 15, August 20, October 23), admission to museums is often free.

Throughout the year, Hungary offers a rich calendar of cultural and festive events.

In Budapest, four highlights punctuate the seasons: the spring festival, focused on classical music, the summer festival with its open-air concerts, Café Budapest in autumn for contemporary arts, and the Christmas market, which is very popular despite its sometimes high prices, and where you can still find beautiful handicrafts. In August, the Sziget Festival on the island of Óbuda is a must for open-air music lovers from all over Europe.

Outside the capital, a number of events are worth noting, starting with the Busójárás carnival in Mohács in February. In Debrecen, Hungary's second-largest city, several events take place. In mid-August, for example, the Carnival of Flowers attracts thousands of visitors with its floats and shows. On the shores of Lake Balaton, the Balaton Sound transforms the beaches into a giant electro track (although cancelled in 2025, it remains a great event to watch out for in subsequent years).

Traditions are still very much alive, with major celebrations on August 20, the national holiday in honor of St. Stephen, or the grape harvest festivals in the Tokaj region. In Kecskemét, the Gulyás Festival celebrates the famous Hungarian stew in a convivial atmosphere.

Find out about other events in the Agenda folder.

Whether you're in Budapest or any other city, the services of a guide are a must if you want to better grasp the subtleties of Hungarian history! On foot, by bike, by car... there are many enthusiastic French-speaking guides offering their services in Budapest. Many English-speaking guided tours, such as the Budapest Free Walking Tours (www.triptobudapest.hu), operate on a tipped basis. Several bike rental companies, such as IbikeBudapest (ibikebudapest.com) or Bike and Relax (www.bike-and-relax.com) offer guided bike tours. A guided tour for €15-20 can often be arranged if requested in advance in English or French at museums.

For other cities, visit the tourist offices, which will be happy to advise you on the best tours, or to help you organize your stay in their beautiful town or region. Alternatively, there are also tourist trains with audioguides in English, operating in Debrecen, Szeged, Pécs and elsewhere...

As far as sightseeing is concerned, there are few tourist attractions.

Avoid using ATMs on the street (which are not attached to banks): their conversion rate into forints is not very advantageous and they sometimes charge extra for withdrawals.