Best Campsites in Hungary

Hungary is not typically the first destination that comes to mind for camping in Central Europe. That works in its favour. The country has a surprisingly varied landscape, from volcanic hills and ancient forests to thermal lakes and open grasslands, and the campsites here are less crowded and significantly cheaper than those in neighbouring Austria or Croatia. This guide covers the locations I have personally stayed at and can recommend based on their facilities, setting, and overall experience.

Lake Balaton and the Southern Shore

Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and one of the most popular camping destinations in Hungary. The southern shore is shallower and warmer, which makes it particularly good for families. The northern shore has more character, with volcanic hills, wine country, and quieter stretches of shoreline that attract a different kind of visitor.

Balatontourist Camping Strand, Zamardi

This campsite sits directly on the southern shore with its own beach section. The pitches are grassy and mostly flat, shaded by mature trees. Electrical hookups are available at most spots. Facilities include a small shop, shared kitchen area, and clean washrooms that are maintained throughout the day. It fills up in July and August, so booking ahead is strongly advisable for peak season weekends.

Camping Naturist, Balatonbereny

At the far western end of the lake, this site offers significantly more space and quiet than the busier resorts closer to Siofok. The water here is shallow for a long way out, and the sunsets over the western end of Balaton are genuinely spectacular. The nearest town is small but has a grocery shop and a couple of restaurants.

Bukk Mountains and the Northern Uplands

The Bukk Mountains form part of the Northern Hungarian Mountains and contain the country's largest contiguous forest. The landscape here feels entirely different from the flat plains further south. Limestone plateaus, caves, forested valleys, and small villages tucked into the hillsides make this area rewarding for hikers and campers who prefer a cooler, more secluded environment.

Szalajka Valley Campsite, Szilvasvarad

Szilvasvarad is the main gateway to the Bukk National Park and the Szalajka Valley campsite is well positioned for day hikes into the forest. The famous Szalajka waterfall trail starts nearby and is an easy walk even with children. The campsite has a rustic feel with basic but functional facilities. Mornings here are cool even in midsummer, and the forest canopy provides natural shade throughout the day.

The town itself has a Lipizzaner horse farm that is worth a visit, and there are several marked hiking trails of varying difficulty that start from or near the campsite. The blue trail leading up to the Bukk Plateau takes around three hours and passes through some of the oldest beech forests in Hungary.

Hortobagy National Park and the Great Plain

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Hortobagy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest natural grassland in Europe. Camping here is a fundamentally different experience from the mountains. The landscape is flat and vast, the sky feels enormous, and at night the lack of light pollution makes it one of the best stargazing locations in Hungary. The national park is home to traditional Hungarian grey cattle, water buffalo, and significant bird populations including cranes and great bustards.

Hortobagy Camping, near the Nine-Arch Bridge

The main campsite near Hortobagy village sits close to the famous Nine-Arch Bridge and the visitor centre. It is basic compared to the lakeside sites, but that suits the setting. Pitches are on open ground with limited shade, so a tarp or canopy is useful during the hotter months. The nearby inn serves traditional Hungarian food, and the national park organises guided walks and wildlife observation tours.

The best time to visit is late September or early October during the crane migration, when tens of thousands of birds gather on the alkaline lakes and marshes. This is a genuinely remarkable natural event and one of the most compelling reasons to camp in this area specifically.

Tisza River and Tisza Lake

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Tisza is Hungary's second largest river and the area around Tisza Lake (Tisza-to) in the northeast offers some of the best water-based camping in the country. Tisza Lake is actually a reservoir created in the 1970s, but it has developed into a rich wetland ecosystem that supports diverse birdlife, excellent fishing, and quiet kayaking routes through flooded forests.

Tisza-to Campsite, Tiszafured

Tiszafured is the main town on Tisza Lake and serves as the best base for exploring the area. Several campsites line the lakeshore, offering direct water access. The facilities vary, but most have electricity, shared bathrooms, and small beach areas. Kayak and bicycle rental is available in town, and the Tisza Lake Eco-Centre provides information on guided nature tours and bird watching excursions.

The unique natural phenomenon here is the Tisza mayfly bloom, which typically occurs in mid-June. For a few days, millions of long-tailed mayflies emerge and swarm over the river surface at dusk. It is one of the most unusual wildlife spectacles in Europe and attracts visitors from well beyond Hungary.

Danube Bend

The Danube Bend, where the river makes a dramatic turn south between Esztergom and Budapest, is one of the most scenic stretches of the Danube in its entire course. The small towns along this section, including Visegrád, Szentendre, and Zebegeny, are popular day trip destinations from the capital, but staying overnight at a campsite here gives a different perspective entirely.

Camping Zebegeny

Zebegeny is a small village on the eastern bank of the Danube with a campsite overlooking the river. The setting is quiet and attractive, backed by wooded hills. The pitches are terraced on the hillside, so some have better river views than others. Facilities are straightforward: electricity hookups, shared bathroom block, and a small reception area. The village has a couple of restaurants, a bakery, and a train station with regular connections to Budapest.

From Zebegeny, the marked hiking trails lead up into the Borzsony Mountains, which are less visited than the Bukk but offer similarly rewarding forest walks. The ferry crossing to Visegrád operates in summer and gives access to the medieval castle and the hiking network on the western bank.

General Advice for Camping in Hungary

Wild camping is technically not permitted in Hungary without specific permission from the landowner, and it is prohibited entirely in national parks. However, many national parks and nature reserves have designated bivouac areas or simple campgrounds that offer a similar experience at a very low cost. These tend to have minimal facilities, often just a fire pit and a basic toilet, but they put you much closer to nature than the larger commercial sites.

Hungarian campsites generally accept cash and card, though smaller rural sites may prefer cash. The national currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), and while some tourist-oriented businesses near Lake Balaton accept euros, you will get a poor exchange rate. ATMs are available in all towns mentioned in this guide.

Insect repellent is worth packing, especially for lakeside and riverside locations in June and July. Mosquitoes can be persistent near standing water. Ticks are present in forested areas, so check yourself after hiking, particularly in the Bukk and Borzsony mountains.

For the most current campsite availability and booking, the Hungarian Camping and Caravanning Club maintains a searchable directory at campinghungary.hu, and the national tourism portal visithungary.com has useful regional guides.