Interest in historical heritage continues to play a decisive role in domestic tourism. This is borne out by an online survey conducted by CsodásMagyarország.hu in spring 2026, in which 5,554 respondents shared their views on Hungary's favourite castles.
The results show that Eger Castle tops the popularity ranking by a wide margin, but the iconic fortress of the Danube Bend, Visegrád Citadel, and the pride of the Balaton Uplands, Sümeg Castle, also rank highly among visitors.
The survey clearly shows that castle tourism remains one of the most important draws of domestic tourism. Historic sites not only represent cultural value but also function as complex tourist attractions, drawing visitors with exhibitions, experience programmes and family-friendly services.
Eger Castle is Hungarians' absolute favourite
According to the survey results, Hungarians' favourite castle is Eger Castle, which won 20 per cent of the votes. Its popularity comes as no surprise: it is one of the best-known sites in Hungarian history, and the Ottoman siege of 1552 and the heroic stand of Dobó István made it one of the symbols of national identity.
Second place went to Visegrád Citadel with 18 per cent. The fortress towering above the Danube Bend has for decades been one of Hungary's most visited historic attractions, welcoming visitors with a unique panorama and a rich cultural offering.
Third place on the podium went to Sümeg Castle, the favourite of 11 per cent of respondents. The castle is particularly known for its experience-based tourism programmes, which combine historical education with spectacular shows.
Hungarians' favourite castles – the top 10:
According to the survey, the ranking of the most popular castles in Hungary is as follows:
Rank – Castle – Share of votes
- Eger Castle – 20%
- Visegrád Citadel – 18%
- Sümeg Castle – 11%
- Boldogkő Castle – 10%
- Szigliget Castle – 9%
- Füzér Castle – 6%
- Siklós Castle – 5%
- Hollókő Castle – 4%
- Esztergom Castle – 3%
- Rákóczi Castle, Sárospatak – 2%
Source: Turizmus Online