Hungary experienced an exceptional tourism surge over the Pentecost long weekend, with visitor numbers rising 20 per cent year-over-year and Lake Balaton attracting 45 per cent more guests than in 2023, according to Visit Hungary, a subsidiary of the Hungarian Tourism Agency.
Thanks to early June’s heatwave, a total of 288,000 guests travelled across the country, generating 516,000 nights, 17 per cent more than last year’s holiday period. The standout performer was Lake Balaton, which drew 30 per cent of all domestic tourists, and posted a 78 per cent increase in international nights spent and 37 per cent in domestic ones.
Following Balaton in popularity were Mátra–Bükk, the Budapest area, and the Debrecen region. Overall, 70 per cent of travellers stayed in countryside destinations, where 169,000 Hungarians sought relaxation—a 14 per cent jump from the previous year.
The boost was also fuelled by a national summer campaign encouraging domestic travel. After Budapest, the most visited cities were Siófok, Balatonfüred, and Szeged. Even the capital saw a surprising rise in local visitors, with a 17 per cent increase in domestic guests and 9 per cent more guest nights compared to 2024.
International tourism also surged, with 119,000 foreign tourists visiting during the weekend—31 per cent more than last year. Two-thirds of them chose Budapest, mainly arriving from the UK, Germany, the US, Romania, and Israel. Rural areas saw 44,000 foreign visitors, primarily from Germany, Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
The most sought-after rural destinations included Hévíz, Siófok, and Hajdúszoboszló, especially known for their lakes and spas.
Hotels performed particularly well: 48 per cent of all guests stayed in hotels, and 32 per cent chose private or alternative accommodations. Four-star hotels were especially popular, with 53 per cent of Hungarian and 54 per cent of international tourists opting for this category, reaching 73 per cent occupancy, reminiscent of peak summer months.
One quirky highlight: the oldest guest recorded was 100 years old, staying in a Budapest hostel, while the youngest—just a few months old—lodged with their family at a four-star hotel in the capital.
Total accommodation revenue hit a record 12.1 billion forints, 35 per cent higher than last Pentecost weekend, confirming a strong early start to Hungary’s summer travel season.
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