Travel

Hungary’s wine regions offer a tapestry of landscapes, traditions, and flavors, each with its own story to tell. From medieval cellars in Eger and Tokaj to lakeside vineyards around Lake Balaton, this guide will help you navigate Hungary’s wine country and make the most of your visit. Here’s what you can expect:

• Getting to Hungary

• Where to Go: Explore Hungary’s 6 wine regions, including:

  » How to Get There

  » Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss

  » Cultural and Natural Attractions

• Additional Planning Resources: Helpful links and resources to plan your wine adventure in Hungary.

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Getting to Hungary’s Wine Regions

Hungary’s wine regions are highly accessible, with Budapest serving as the central hub for international travelers. From here, each region is within a few hours' drive, making it easy to explore Hungary’s wine diversity by car, train, or bike.

• By Car: A car is ideal for exploring the countryside, as it offers the freedom to visit smaller towns and scenic vineyards. Budapest is about two hours from Tokaj and three hours from Villány.

• By Train: Hungary’s train network is a convenient option for reaching major wine towns. For instance, the Tokaj region is just a two-hour train ride from Budapest, making it suitable for both day trips and extended visits.

• By Bike: Many of Hungary’s wine regions have scenic cycling paths, particularly around Lake Balaton and Eger, allowing for a leisurely journey through vineyards and historic sites.

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Where to Go

Budapest: Gateway to Hungary’s Wine Regions

While Budapest is often the starting point for exploring Hungary’s wine country, the city itself offers unique wine experiences that are worth a visit. Known for its vibrant food and drink culture, Budapest has numerous wine bars, cellar-style restaurants, and specialized tasting rooms that feature wines from all over the country. Highlights include an incredibly rich selection of wine bars, vinotheques and wine restaurants, such as DiVino wine, Doblo, Palack (lit. Bottle), and the Tasting Table, all popular spots showcasing young Hungarian winemakers.

For those short on time, Budapest also hosts several wine festivals throughout the year, including the Budapest Wine Festival held at Buda Castle each September. This lively event brings together wineries from across the country, offering a taste of Hungary’s diverse wine culture in a single location.

Upper Hungary – Eger

How to Get There: Eger is about a 90-minute drive northeast of Budapest. Trains also connect Budapest to Eger in under two hours, perfect for both day trips and extended stays.

Highlights: Eger is renowned for its Egri Bikavér, or “Bull’s Blood,” a red blend with a bold flavor and rich history. Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Beautiful Women) is a central wine-tasting hub, featuring cellars carved into volcanic rock. Eger also produces Egri Csillag, a unique white blend that showcases the region’s crisp flavors.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: Taste Egri Bikavér and Egri Csillag in the atmospheric cellars of Szépasszony Valley. For a hands-on experience, book a winery tour to see how volcanic soils influence the flavor of Eger’s wines.
• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: Discover Eger Castle, which offers panoramic views and a glimpse into Hungary’s medieval history. For relaxation, visit the Turkish thermal baths, a remnant of the Ottoman era, or stroll the town’s baroque streets lined with cafés and shops.

Tokaj

How to Get There: Tokaj is accessible by car or train from Budapest, with a journey of about two hours, making it ideal for day trips or longer stays.

Highlights: Tokaj is globally renowned for Tokaji Aszú, a sweet wine made from botrytized grapes that has been cherished for centuries. In addition to sweet wines, the region produces dry Furmint, offering a well-rounded tasting experience.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: The Tokaj Harvest Festival in September offers a lively celebration of the grape harvest with tastings, music, and traditional food. There are also a number of festivals throughout the year and it's worth checking with local wineries to see what's on when you visit.
• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: Take a scenic boat tour along the Bodrog River, which winds through Tokaj’s vineyards. For nature enthusiasts, hiking trails in the surrounding hills provide beautiful views of the vineyards and local villages. Don’t forget to visit the Tokaj World Heritage Museum, wine cellars in Hercegkút, and the Mád Synagog that has been beautifully renovated.

Balaton

How to Get There: Lake Balaton is about 90 minutes southwest of Budapest by car, with train service to major towns like Balatonfüred and Siófok.

Balatonfüred-Csopak: Known for its refreshing whites, especially Olaszrizling, this district’s vineyards overlook the lake, making it an ideal spot for scenic tastings.

Balatonboglár: With vineyards that offer stunning lake views and vibrant wine festivals, Balatonboglár is a prime location for wine tourism.

Somló: North of Lake Balaton, Somló is a volcanic hill known for distinctive mineral-rich white wines, especially Juhfark. Visitors can explore its intimate, family-run cellars, enjoy tastings with sweeping views, and experience the region’s unique, historic charm.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: Discover Balatonboglár’s wine festivals and scenic vineyards along the lake, and enjoy Olaszrizling tastings with a view at Balatonfüred-Csopak’s welcoming wineries. Somló, with its volcanic soils, offers an intimate experience of mineral-rich whites like Juhfark in family-run cellars.

• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: Lake Balaton is a destination for outdoor activities—cycling trails wind through vineyards and there are beautiful beaches for relaxing by the water. Boat tours provide a new perspective on the lake, with stops at towns along the way for local food and wine.

Pannon – Villány and Pécs

How to Get There: Villány and Pécs are located about two and a half hours south of Budapest by car. Regular train and bus service also make these regions accessible.

Villány: Hungary’s “Red Wine Capital” is famous for its bold reds, especially Cabernet Franc. The Villány Wine Route was Hungary’s first dedicated wine trail.

Pécs: This cultural center near Villány combines Roman, Ottoman, and modern influences, providing a blend of history, art, and wine.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: Follow the Villány Wine Route to enjoy tastings and pairings at scenic wineries. In Pécs, explore Roman ruins, Ottoman architecture, and galleries.

• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: The Pécs Cathedral and the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter offer a glimpse into Hungary’s architectural and artistic heritage. Pécs also has a lively café culture, perfect for relaxing after a day of wine tasting.

Upper Pannon – Mór, Etyek-Buda, and Sopron

How to Get There: Mór is about an hour’s drive west of Budapest, while Etyek-Buda is just 30 minutes away, making both regions easy day-trip options. Sopron, on Hungary’s western border, is around two hours from Budapest by car or train and is also easily accessible from Austria.

Mór: Known for its scenic vineyards against the Vértes Hills, Mór is a quaint region that focuses on local hospitality.

Etyek-Buda: Just outside Budapest, Etyek-Buda is known for its wine events, sparkling wine, and the popular Etyek Wine Picnic, which pairs local wines with seasonal foods.

Sopron: Sopron’s mix of Hungarian and Austrian heritage, medieval streets, and traditional wine cellars makes it a unique destination for wine and history enthusiasts.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: In Mór, enjoy intimate tastings at family-owned wineries. Etyek-Buda’s Wine Picnic is a highlight, providing visitors with tastings, food pairings, and vineyard tours. Explore Sopron’s historic cellars and taste wines influenced by its Austrian-Hungarian history.
• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: Etyek is also a filming location for several movies, adding a unique Hollywood flair to the area. In Mór, take a scenic hike in the Vértes Hills, known for their lush landscapes and views. Stroll through Sopron’s medieval city center and visit the Fire Tower for views across the Hungarian-Austrian border. Sopron also has a lively arts scene with galleries and local crafts to explore.

Danube

How to Get There: The Danube region (Hungary’s largest wine region) is easily accessible from Budapest by car or train if you head south, with many wine villages situated along the river.

Danube Highlights: Known for producing lighter wines, this region’s proximity to the river brings a unique microclimate, ideal for pairing local dishes with refreshing wines.

What to Do:

• Wine-Focused Highlights Not to Miss: Visit family-owned wineries in charming riverside villages, where you can taste fresh, lighter wines like Ezerjó and Kékfrankos.

• Other Sights You Can’t Miss: Enjoy a river cruise or walk along the Danube to experience the scenic landscape. Local markets in the region also offer traditional foods that pair well with wines from the area.

Additional Planning Resources

• Tourism in Tokaj : Learn more about visiting Tokaj’s wineries and historic cellars.
• Eger Wine District: Discover guides for exploring Eger’s wine cellars and medieval architecture.
• Villány Wine District: Find information on Villány’s red wines and accommodations.
• Lake Balaton Wine Region: Discover wine-tasting routes and lakeside accommodations.
• Budapest Wine Festival: Held every September, this event brings together wines from all of Hungary’s regions.