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鈥
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鈥 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 Visegr谩d, Hungary鈥檚 'Camelot' in the 15th century and home to Renaissance-era palace ruins and an enchanting hilltop fortress. Esztergom, once the pope鈥檚 鈥榚yes and ears鈥 in Hungary, is now a sleepy town with the nation鈥檚 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 艕rs茅g National Park.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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鈥
Esztergom
The former Bishop鈥檚 Palace in the picturesque riverbank Watertown (V铆ziv谩ros) district houses the Christian Museum, home to the largest and finest鈥
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鈥
Danube Bend & Western Transdanubia
The 13th-century citadel looms over Visegr谩d atop a 333m-high hill and is surrounded by moats hewn from solid rock. The real highlight is simply walking鈥
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鈥
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,鈥
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鈥
