Do you have a few extra days in Hungary and would like to explore Hungary beyond Budapest? Here are some beautiful towns that you can visit on a day-trip from your Budapest accommodation. The “Danube bend ” is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped bend on the river North to Budapest. While the bend itself is a perfect hiking destination, here you can read about the nearby towns along the Danube that can be reached by vehicle as well.
Only 24 km (app. 35 min.) away from Budapest, Szentendre is one of the most popular getaways from the capital, easy to reach by bus, boat or the “Railway of Local Interest” (HÉV).
Characterised by narrow, cobbled streets, unique artisan shops, several gift shops, cosy open-air restaurants, museums and galleries, Szentendre is a popular day-trip for Hungarians as well. The charming town still echoes its Serbian heritage, boasting gorgeous Orthodox churches in various locations throughout the village.
Thanks to its thriving artist community, several galleries and exhibitions are open for the culture-lovers, while many artisan & artist boutiques and shops are also to be found here in great numbers.
Across the Danube from historic Szentendre, Vác has a surprisinly big amount of attractions, Baroque churches, riverside walkways and even a triumphal arch.
The town is a perfect destination for foodies and all gastro-travellers: find FRESCO confectionary for artisanal desserts, top-quality coffee or Italian ice cream, HALÁSZ restaurant for local fishermen-inspired cuisine by the Danube, VÁCI CSOKIZÓ for chocolate in any form, or MIHÁLYI PATISSERIE for award-winning, high-end sweets.
A modest town with grandiose past, Visegrád earned its place in history when it hosted a congress of regional kings in the 1300s, the forerunner of today’s Visegrad Four alliance between Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. The historic setting overlooking the Danube remains timeless though.
Visit the Renaissance Restaurant for a real medieval feel and hearty dishes before continuing to the Visegrád citadel. Completely buried before excavations began in the 1900s, the Citadel is not entirely renovated and will require a bit of imagination. Nevertheless, the views of the Danube Bend from the castle cannot be matched.
The crown jewel of this historic town is the Royal Palace with its famous red marble Herkules fountain, one of the most unique pieces of Hungary’s Renaissance heritage.
Overlooking the Danube and Slovakia beyond, the medieval Esztergom is crowned by a magnificent Basilica, seat of Hungary’s Catholic Church. Established more than a millenium ago by the nation’s first king, Stephan I. (Szent István), it towers above sights of similar historic importance, dotted around its steep, winding streets.
The Basilika of Esztergom is the biggest ecclesiastical building in the country. However, the hill (Várhegy) is home to not only the Basilika, but also a Castle Museum with a dungeon, a gothic tower, a royal chapel and a knights’ hall. Below the hill along the narrow streets of the historical Víziváros, you can walk along medieval towers, Baroque houses and even Turkish monuments like rondellas and an Arabic stone plaque.
Imagine: By just a short walk along the Mária Valéria brige, you may find yourself in Slovakia! Linking Eszetergom and the town of Štúrovo (Párkány) facing each other on opposit sides of the Danube, the bridge is only a half km long.
A little bit furter upstream from the Bend and Budapest, along the Danube we will find a dual city. Komárom used to expand on both sides of the Danube, but since 1918 the Northern part has joined Czekoslovakia (now Slovakia) under the name of Komarno (Észak-Komárom in Hungarian). Still an easy walk on the connecting Erzsébet bridge, its best exploring both sides.
Nearby we may also find the biggest modern-era fortress of Mid-Europe, Fort Monostor. The enormous 25 acre fortress expands on 70 acres including all grounds. Giving home to museums and military-exhibitions now, the fortress has 640 rooms and a 3 km long underground corridor system. If you hear the cannons, you are actually lucky, as you may see some of the spectacular costumed throwback events or battle reenactments.
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