Up the Danube to Szentendre, Visegrad and Esztergom
There were many different tour operators organizing day trips up and down the Danube River but we decided to do it ourselves. With information and input from the Budapest Tourist Bureau, we took the HEV suburban train to Szentendre, going north from Budapest on the Buda side of the River. Trains left every 10-30 minutes and it only took 45 minutes to reach Szentendre, the last stop. Off the train, follow the signs for a mile walk (maybe 20 minutes) to the main section of Szentendre.
The Serbs, Dalmatians and Greeks setled here from the 14th century on...View image... which explained the cobbled streets and little alleyways leading to courtyards...View image...up and down streets in all directions. Artists have always favored Szentendre for its Mediterranean atmosphere and charm. Many little churches (Szentendre is famed for its seven churches including a bishopric of the Greek Orthodox Church), museums, art exhibitions ( the most famous is the ceramics of Magrit Kovacs), and excellent cuisine. We arrived early and by 11:00am, Szentendre was jammed and jumping with individual tourists and groups, everyone with maps and information in hand given out of the Szentendre Tourist Bureau. So beautifully situated on the Danube with a great promenade for walking, riding bicycles, and sitting on benches just enjoying the atmosphere. Almost everyone who goes to Budapest visits Szentendre, the most picturesque little town along the Hungarian stretch of the Danube. If by some chance you speak Hungarian, visit the Szentendre website.
More than 50small restaurants offered Hungarian and other ethnic cuisine in the downtown section. Pastry shops and cafes had atmospheric outdoor seating and you could sample Hungarian wines in the Wine Museum's cellar.
From Szentendre, the tourist information office told us how to get to Visegrad via public transportation. Most day trips out of Budapest combine combine all three places and there were lots of tourists here also.
Visegrad had church remains from the reign of King Saint Stephen, Solomon's Tower (named after Hungarian Prince Solomon who was supposedly imprisoned here), an upper castle and lower castle, and fountains. Visegrad's entire area was dominated by its huge citadel complex high on the hill with many paths leading to the top (and, of course, people selling ice cream along the way).
Twelve miles further north from Visegrad was the Royal town of Esztergom, the first capital of Hungary and birthplace of King Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary. It too, has a Castle Hill with a Basilica perched on top.
We'd love to revisit Hungary. There are over 40 American tour operators listed on the Hungarian website that can arrange everything from apartment stays to biking or hiking. This will be my #1 destination when we return to Hungary:
- The Eger-Tokaj Wine Region in Northern Hungary. Slovakia borders Hungary on the north and this area is filled with castles from the Middle Ages, 16th and 17th century palaces, little historic towns surrounded by five mountain ranges and three more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Check out the Northern Hungary Portal for more information.
#2 would be Lake Balaton and all the recreation possibilities around there. Contact the Lake Balaton Tourist Office for brochures and information.
Whatever you decide to do, or want to see, Hungary has unlimited choices for you and was the perfect beginning and end to our three-week archaeological dig in Romania. Put Hungary along with Romania on your "to visit" list, and let me know how you enjoy these fantastic countries...
