How many tourists visit Budapest each year?

Budapest has experienced significant fluctuations in tourist arrivals over recent years, influenced by global events and recovery efforts. Below is an overview of Budapest tourism statistics from 2019 to 2024:

• 2019: The city welcomed approximately 3.9 million tourists, marking a peak in visitor numbers prior to the pandemic. 
• 2020: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent travel restrictions, tourist arrivals plummeted to 722,000, reflecting a substantial decline.
• 2022: As global travel began to resume, Budapest saw a gradual increase in visitors with 6.9 million in figures. 
• 2023: Budapest recorded approximately 5.3 million tourist arrivals, indicating a strong rebound.
• 2024: While exact figures are yet to be confirmed, projections suggest that Budapest's tourism will continue to grow, potentially surpassing pre-pandemic levels, especially with events like the European Tourism Forum held in the city.

How many tourists are expected to visit Budapest in 2024?

Budapest has demonstrated a strong resurgence in tourism, particularly in the early months of 2024:

• Budapest tourism statistics indicate a promising recovery, with 1.2 million guests arriving in the capital between January and March 2024, an 23% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
• 3 million guest nights were registered in Budapest during the first quarter of 2024, representing a 14% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, reflecting a strong rebound.
• The overall increase in foreign visitors contributed to nearly 50% of accommodation turnover, with key source markets being Germany (317,000 tourists), the UK (300,000), and Italy (276,000).

How much do tourists spend in Budapest each year?

While specific data for Budapest alone is limited, Hungary's overall tourism expenditure provides insight into spending patterns:

• 2023: International tourist spending in Hungary reached over 3.1 trillion forints, indicating a robust recovery in the tourism sector.
   
• 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted tourism, resulting in the lowest inbound tourist expenditure recorded during the observed period.

Where do visitors to Budapest come from?

Budapest attracts a diverse range of international visitors, with a particularly strong appeal to travelers from Southern and Northern Europe:

• 96.8% of travelers from Spain and Portugal who visited Hungary also visited Budapest, followed closely by 95.8% of Finnish travelers and 94% of Greek travelers.
• 91.4% of visitors from Ireland and 88.8% from Italy also chose Budapest as a key destination, highlighting its popularity among European travelers.
• The city also has a significant number of foreign residents, with 5.8% of the nearly 100,000 residents in Budapest being foreign nationals, primarily from Germany, Romania, Slovakia, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine.

How many tourists visited Budapest in 2022?

Budapest experienced a significant resurgence in tourism during 2022:

• Budapest tourism statistics show that nearly 6.9 million tourists visited Budapest in 2022, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic's impact.
• This growth represents a major improvement compared to the steep drop in 2020, when tourist arrivals fell to just over 700,000 due to COVID-19.

How much did tourists spend in Budapest in 2022?

Tourist spending in Budapest and across Hungary showed a strong upward trend in 2022, indicating recovery and growth:

• According to Hungary Today, hotel revenues reached HUF 668 billion (EUR 1.7 billion) in 2022, representing a 52% increase compared to 2021, even after accounting for inflation.
• Catering revenues rose significantly to HUF 1,490 billion (EUR 3.8 billion), up 42% compared to the previous year, and 24% higher in real terms than in 2021, demonstrating the revival of the tourism sector.

Coronavirus Pandemic Impact – Budapest Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Budapest's tourism sector, resulting in significant losses and changes to travel patterns:

• In 2020, travel restrictions and global fears over the pandemic led to a drastic 88% decline in tourists staying in Budapest's commercial accommodations.
• Despite these challenges, there was a slight uptick in domestic tourism, with more Hungarians opting for domestic trips rather than international travel. However, the overall utilization of accommodation in Budapest remained significantly lower than usual, with most domestic tourists favoring destinations outside the capital.
• Domestic tourism started to recover in 2021, with domestic overnight stays rising by 14.2% compared to the previous year. However, these numbers still fell 28.5% short of pre-pandemic levels.

Budapest Inbound Travel Statistics for 2019 – International & Domestic Tourism

In 2019, Budapest welcomed 3.9 million international and domestic tourists.

• According to Budapest Info, 428,985 visitors spent 967,677 guest nights in commercial accommodations in Budapest during October 2019. This made October the fastest-growing month for tourism in 2019. 
• Notably, there was a significant increase in visitors from Israel, Germany, and several V4 countries, contributing to this growth.

How long do visitors stay in Budapest?

• In 2022, the average length of stay for domestic tourists in Budapest was 2.9 nights, a decrease from 3.6 nights in 2021, reflecting a shorter duration of visits compared to the previous year.
• By 2023, the average stay continued to decline, reaching 2.6 nights, indicating a trend of decreasing lengths of stay among domestic tourists in Budapest over the three-year period.

How popular is Budapest as a tourist destination?

• Budapest welcomed approximately 6.9 million visitors in 2022, making it a popular destination in Hungary, which ranks 6th on DW's list of the 10th most visited countries in Europe. 
• Renowned for its stunning architecture, iconic bridges, and historical landmarks, the Hungarian capital continues to attract a large number of travelers.

Economic Impact – Budapest Tourism Statistics

Tourism plays a vital role in the Hungarian economy, growing at a faster pace than overall economic growth in the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• In 2022, the OECD iLibrary revealed that the total gross value added by tourism industries was 6.2%, compared to 6.8% in 2019. 
• Tourism also remained a significant source of employment, accounting for 383,700 jobs or 8.7% of national employment in 2021, which was a decline from 421,000 jobs in 2019. 
• Travel exports contributed 18.4% of total service exports, a drop from the 24.2% recorded in 2019. These Budapest tourism statistics underline the impact of the pandemic while emphasizing the sector's continuing importance.

What are the top destinations to visit in Budapest?

In 2022, Budapest stood out as Hungary's top tourist destination, with 4.3 million visitors staying in accommodations across the city. Here are some of the most visited places in Budapest:

• Buda Castle: Known for its Historical Museum and Matthias Church, Buda Castle offers breathtaking views of the Danube River and is a symbol of Hungary's rich heritage.
• Parliament Building: Famous for its crown jewels and intricate interior, the Hungarian Parliament Building impresses visitors with its stunning neo-Gothic design along the banks of the Danube.
• Széchenyi Thermal Bath: Featuring medicinal thermal pools and grand architecture, this thermal bath is a must-visit for those wanting to experience Budapest's spa culture.
• Fisherman's Bastion: A popular site for its view of the city and statues of Stephen I, Fisherman’s Bastion is known for its fairy-tale-like architecture and scenic vantage points over Budapest.

What are the reasons people visit Budapest?

This summary indicates why people visit Hungary based on the Hungarian Central Statistical Office from 2022 to 2023.