North of Budapest is one of the loveliest stretches of this huge river. Here, the Danube is forced to do a U-turn by the surrounding hills. The west bank has historic towns such as Szentendre, Esztergom and Visegrád. The east bank has fewer monuments and visitors. Nevertheless, the city of Vác, the botanical gardens of Vácrátót, the charms of Nagymaros and Zebegény, as well as the neighboring Pilis and Börzsöny highlands, offer a lot to do and see. | Source: funiq.hu |
The towering Royal Palace originally raised in Gothic style and later, during the reign of King Matthias, rebuilt in Renaissance style has a fountain which ran not with water but with wine during VIP meetings. Inside is a museum. Set on the narrowest stretch of the Danube, the view from here is superb, taking in the incomparable Danube Bend. Each summer a knight's tournament, strong man competition and medieval crafts fair are organized in Visegrád. Getting there by boat is the best way. Scheduled boats run from Budapest Vigadó tér. |
Hungary's largest church, the Basilica, stands atop Castle Hill in Esztergom. Its red marble chapel, built on the commission of Archbishop of Esztergom Tamás Bakócz, is ranked as one of the finest works of art to have survived in Hungary from the Renaissance. The historic sites mostly are of a religious nature. Tha Mária Valéria Bridge connects the town with Slovakia. |
The beautifully restored Baroque palace, originally the Grassalkovich Mansion, was the favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth, familiarly known by the Hungarians as Sissy, wife of Franz Joseph, and emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The town is about 30 km from Budapest and can be easily reached by suburban railway. |
About an hour from Budapest, Central Europe's largest lake is where everyone seems to go in the summer. The southern shore features high rise hotels and beaches. Siófok is the largest resort and decidedly tacky. The north is less built up and has historic towns, museums and mountain trails. Balatonfüred on the north shore is the oldest, most sophisticated resort on the lake. To the east, the Badacsony is a region of striking scenery, hiking trails and extinct volcanoes. |
Tel: 06 1 438 80 80 (Nonstop TOURINFORM phone line)
www.gotohungary.com - good events calendar
www.budapestinfo.hu - Official Hungarian Tourism Board
February |
Budapest Film Festival |
premieres new Hungarian films |
Busójárás |
the nation's top Mardi Gras |
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March |
Budapest Spring Festival |
international and local performances and exhibitions |
April |
Easter Festival |
in Hollókő and Szentendre |
June |
Royal Palace concerts |
in Gödöllő |
Danube Water Carnival |
Chain Bridge celebration, air show, motor boat races |
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June/July |
Sopron Festival Weeks |
showcasing ancient music and dance performances |
July |
Volt Festival |
Music festival next to Austria border, Sopron |
Balaton Sound Festival |
Modern music festival near Lake Balaton |
|
Művészetek völgye |
Art, culture, folklore festival in Kapolcs |
|
Visegrád Medieval Festival |
in Visegrád |
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August |
Folk Arts Festival |
the Nagykálló, one of the biggest and best events of the year |
Sziget Festival |
one of the biggest modern day music festival on the island in Óbuda |
|
Strand Festival |
music festival in Zamárdi |
|
Formula One Grand Prix |
Hungaroring north-east of Budapest |
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September |
Jazz Days |
is Hungary's top jazz festival in Debrecen |
Budapest Wine Festival |
in Buda Castle |