If you love to combine travel with high-octane activities and adrenaline-fuelled attractions, an activity holiday in Hungary could be just what you’re looking for. An adventurous holiday gives you a unique way to explore your destination and ensures you’ll have an unforgettable trip.
With activities to suit the whole family, you can create a custom itinerary that takes your adventure to the next level. To start planning your next trip, take a look at some of the fabulous attractions and activities in Hungary:
1. Paraglide Over Budapest
With arguably the most photogenic skyline in the whole of Europe, Budapest is a city that begs to be explored. From the Millennium Monument in Heroes Square to the Széchenyi Chain Bridge over the Danube River, there are spectacular sights in Hungary’s capital city and what better way to see them than by air?
A paragliding trip over Budapest will give you the opportunity to see the city from a different vantage point and give you a unique glimpse of the capital. Take a test flight across the hills surrounding Budapest as you build your skills and learn to navigate your own paraglider or book a tandem flight with an instructor to guide you and you’ll relish the adrenaline boost that comes from flying high above Budapest.
2. Cave Under the Buda Hills
Once you’ve seen the city from the sky, why not head below ground and get a glimpse of what lies underneath? The thermal water that courses under Budapest means that there are over 200 caves to explore. While many caves are easy to access and open for tours, some offer an even more exciting adventure.
Mátyáshegy Cave is the perfect natural attraction if you want to explore the natural environment in all of its glory. You’ll need to crawl through passages and climb along the cave’s walls to explore this subterranean location, so it’s certainly not for the fainthearted, but it’s an excellent choice for an activity holiday.
A 2.5-3km trekking tour takes you through a 30km labyrinth across multiple levels, so you do need to be physically fit to participate. Anyone from the age of 10 to 55 can take part, but it’s worth booking in advance to ensure you don’t miss out.
3. Paddle Board on Lake Balaton
The largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton offers epic landscapes and outstanding views, but it’s also a great location for thrill-seekers. The SUP Centre in Balaton runs the oldest sailing and windsurfing school in Balaton, but it’s also a major provider of paddleboard hire. If you want to explore the Lake in the most adventurous way possible, grab a paddleboard and venture as far as you dare.
You can hire equipment on site, so all you need to bring with you is a swimsuit or wetsuit. The staff will be happy to teach you the basics but there are also lessons available for beginners. You can even book a guided tour or sign up for a yoga session atop a paddleboard, so there’s plenty to keep you busy!
4. Dive in Kőbánya Mines
If you’re an adventure seeker and you already have an open water diving certificate, head to the Kőbánya Mines for your most exciting excursion yet. The ancient mines were once used as part of the Kőbánya beer factory but, when the factory moved, the mines were flooded with water.
Now, you can dive beneath the city’s suburbs and explore the mines and cellars that remain. However, you will need to show that you have an open water diving certificate before you’ll be permitted to enter. With this certificate, you’ll be able to access one of the mines, but if you have a wreck diving or cave diving certificate, you can explore another five hidden mines beneath the surface of Budapest.
5. Traverse the Iron Road
The Iron Road, or Via Ferrata, is reserved for the most adventurous holidaymakers, so summon up all of your courage before you attempt this nail-biting activity. Taking you to the extremes of rock climbing, Via Ferrata involves attaching yourself to iron railings as you climb across areas that are deemed too dangerous to climb or land that’s simply impassable. If you’re looking for a memorable experience on your next activity holiday, this one is just too good to pass up.
Head to Csesznek, a village in the Zirc district, and you’ll find five different routes to explore. Ranging from medium to extreme in terms of difficulty, you can decide how brave you are when you see the rocks you’ll be climbing. Children from the age of 12 upwards are permitted to take part, but they’ll need to have an experienced adult with them.
You can hire safety equipment before you set off, but you may prefer to join an organised tour. If so, equipment hire is included in the cost, and you can book in advance to ensure you reserve a place.
6. Hike in the Mátra Mountains
If you’ve packed your walking boots, head over to the Mátra Mountains and take advantage of the hiking trails that are on offer. The North Central Mountains feature the two of the highest peaks in Hungary, Galya, and Kékes, while the Kékesi short hike covers just 3km and is ideal for beginners.
The Circular Tour takes you through one of the densest parts of the country, so be prepared for pine, beech and birch forests. Around 14.4km long and ranging approx. 580m in elevation, the trail offers spectacular views of Hungary’s scenery. When you reach Galyatető, you’ll be rewarded with a trip to a modern guesthouse that offers Wi-Fi, phone charging ports, and, of course, delicious food and drink to refuel.
Find Adventure in Hungary
Filled with stunning landscapes, underground labyrinths, and rugged terrain, Hungary is the perfect destination for an activity holiday. Whether you’re an experienced climber, an avid paraglider, or a complete novice, you’ll find a range of exciting activities to take part in when you travel to this spectacular country.
