Monday, May 12, 2025
Italy, UK, Germany, Spain, and Israel have significantly contributed to Hungary’s record-breaking tourism surge, helping the country reach its five millionth visitor earlier than expected in 2025. This milestone, achieved on May 6—11 days ahead of last year’s record pace—underscores a robust growth in both domestic and international travel. The influx of foreign visitors, particularly from these key markets, highlights Hungary’s growing appeal as a prime destination, driven by favorable travel conditions, cultural attractions, and strategic tourism initiatives. The combination of these factors has resulted in a remarkable start to the season, marking a new era of tourism success for the country.
Hungary has reached a significant milestone in its tourism sector this year, with the arrival of its five millionth visitor on May 6, 2025, a remarkable achievement that came 11 days earlier than the previous record-breaking season. This surge in tourism reflects an unprecedented influx of both domestic and international travelers to the country. The early arrival of foreign visitors, coupled with an all-time high in domestic travel, underscores the growing appeal of Hungary as a key destination for tourists.
According to data from the National Tourism Data Supply Center, Hungary has already welcomed 2.4 million domestic travelers and 2.6 million international visitors in 2025. This represents an impressive 18% increase compared to the same period last year, signaling strong growth in Hungary’s tourism market. A combination of factors contributed to this surge, including the Easter holidays, school breaks, and a long May weekend, all of which helped boost domestic tourism. This early success highlights the tourism sector’s exceptional performance this year, with Visit Hungary confirming that the milestone was achieved by the fifth month of the year, well ahead of last year’s pace.
The Easter period alone saw over 164,000 domestic travelers, while an additional 338,000 people took advantage of the spring break to explore the country. The May long weekend saw 136,000 Hungarian tourists spending their time within the nation’s borders, representing a substantial increase compared to the previous year. These figures—20%, 27%, and 36% higher than last year for each respective period—demonstrate a growing trend toward domestic tourism and an increasing desire among Hungarians to vacation within their own country. The rise in demand for accommodations has also been notable, with 34% of guests opting for private or alternative lodging options.
Key tourist destinations have seen an uptick in visitors, especially those known for their natural beauty and cultural significance. Popular areas such as the Mátra-Bükk region in northern Hungary, Budapest, and Debrecen in the east, along with Tokaj in the northeast—famous for its wine region—and Nyíregyháza, also in the northeast, experienced a surge in tourist traffic. This surge in domestic tourism has also translated into financial success for the country’s accommodation providers, with the long May 1 weekend bringing in over HUF 16 billion (approximately EUR 39.5 million) in revenue, marking a 31% increase from the same period last year.
Budapest has remained the most popular destination in the country, seeing a notable 20% increase in foreign visitors. The majority of these international tourists have come from Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Israel, all of which are key markets for Hungarian tourism. The rise in foreign travel is a strong indicator of the country’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination. Additionally, Hungary’s spa towns—Sárvár, Hévíz, and Bük in the western part of the country—also saw substantial numbers of tourists, highlighting the diverse appeal of the nation’s offerings, from urban experiences in Budapest to serene getaways in its spa regions.
The surge in tourism has been especially influenced by travelers from Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain, and Israel, who have significantly contributed to the record number of visitors this year. These markets have helped Hungary reach five million visitors earlier than ever before, further solidifying the country’s place as a leading European destination for international travelers. The remarkable growth in tourism reflects a broader trend of increasing interest in Hungary, with its rich culture, stunning natural landscapes, and diverse offerings attracting visitors from all over the world.
Italy, UK, Germany, Spain, and Israel have played a crucial role in Hungary’s tourism boom, helping the country reach five million visitors earlier than ever before. This surge reflects the growing appeal of Hungary as a top travel destination in 2025.
As the tourism sector continues to thrive, Hungary appears on track to reach its ambitious target of 20 million visitors by 2030, as outlined in the National Tourism Development Strategy. With such a promising start to the year and the growing influx of both domestic and international tourists, Hungary’s tourism industry seems poised for long-term success. The continued rise in visitors highlights the nation’s efforts to promote itself as a top destination, and with sustained growth, the future of Hungarian tourism looks brighter than ever.
