Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia
In a country filled with religious sites, nothing comes close to the hilltop Pannonhalma Abbey in terms of architectural splendour and historical…
Shutterstock / ZGPhotography
Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia
The Danube Bend is a region of peaks and picturesque river towns to the north of Budapest. The name is quite literal: this is where hills on both banks force the river to turn sharply and flow southward. It is the most beautiful stretch of the Danube along its entire course, and several historical towns vie for visitors’ attention. Szentendre has its roots in Serbian culture and became an important centre for art early in the 20th century. Round the bend is tiny Visegrád, Hungary’s 'Camelot' in the 15th century and home to Renaissance-era palace ruins and an enchanting hilltop fortress. Esztergom, once the pope’s ‘eyes and ears’ in Hungary, is now a sleepy town with the nation’s biggest cathedral. The Danube meanders towards Western Transdanubia where you find Sopron, a historic city that's been around since the Roman Empire. South of Sopron are the scenic, remote forests and villages of Őrség National Park.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Esztergom
The largest church in Hungary sits on Castle Hill, and its 72m-high central dome can be seen for many kilometres around. The building of the present…
Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia
The 13th-century citadel looms over Visegrád atop a 333m-high hill and is surrounded by moats hewn from solid rock. The real highlight is simply walking…
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Esztergom
The former Bishop’s Palace in the picturesque riverbank Watertown (Víziváros) district houses the Christian Museum, home to the largest and finest…
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King Matthias Museum (Royal Palace)
Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia
Just inland from the river, the Royal Palace boasted 350 rooms during the 15th-century reign of King Matthias Corvinus to whom the museum it now contains…
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Szentendre
This enormous gallery, spread over three floors of an old mill at the northern end of town, exhibits cutting-edge photography, light and sound…
Hungarian Open-Air Ethnographical Museum
Szentendre
Just 5km northwest of Szentendre is Hungary's most ambitious skanzen (open-air folk museum displaying village architecture), with farmhouses, churches,…
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Esztergom
This 400-year-old mosque was built in the 17th century, during the Ottoman occupation of Esztergom. In its later incarnations it served both as a granary…
