Day Trips from Budapest

Budapest is a fascinating and vibrant city, but there is plenty more to see in the coutryside beyond. The most obvious tours are to the artists’ colony in picturesque Szentendre and the famous Danube Bend, taking in the former religious centres of Esztergom and Visegrád to the North, all of which can be reached by boat. The small town of Gödöllö, just 30 km east of Budapest, is the site of Hungary’s largest Baroque mansion and a great location for a concert and a picnic on the grounds. The HÉV (urban railway) will take you there from Örs Vezér tér.

Szentendre
The delightful Baroque old town of Szentendre is packed with galleries and museums, as well as a host of homely restaurants and pleasant outdoor cafés. The cobbled streets, secret gardens and attractive townhouses are worth exploring in their own right, and you don't need to venture far up the hillside to find a local vineyard and spectacular view. A summer festival of concerts and dance performances begins in late June and culminates on Saint Stephen's Day on August 20. The Skanzen open-air museum, 4 kilometres to the west of Szentendre, is Hungary's largest collection of rural architecture and is designed to give visitors a feel for life outside the capital.
 
Visegrád
Your first glimpse of Visegrád as you approach by boat will be the eye-catching ruins of the citadel, perched high above the Danube Bend. Making the trek to the summit is a must, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the river below. The town itself, Solomon's Tower and the Royal Palace to the north hark back to Visegrád's heyday during King Mátyás' rule, and are also worth exploring. The surrounding hills offer panoramic hiking for those with more time and energy, as well as a summer bobsleigh course.
 
Esztergom
Another 25 kilometres up the Danube from Szentendre, Esztergom is famous for its imposing hilltop Basilica and memorable location on the Danube. The home of Hungarian Catholicism and formally the state capital, the town is steeped in a history stretching back to the days of Saint Stephen. It maintains a uniquely Hungarian charm manifested in a glut of traditional restaurants.
 
Pilis and Börzsöny Highlands
The hills around the Danube to the north of Budapest are easily accessible by HÉV (urban railway), making them the perfect escape for day-trippers looking to stretch their legs. The colours of Autumn enhance the rolling woodlands further and sharp-eyed visitors have a good chance of catching a glimpsing of a deer or wild boar.
 
The Royal  Palace in Gödöllő
Just 30 kilometres east of Budapest, the impressive Baroque mansion was the summer residence of Empress Elizabeth (known affectionately as Sissi). Today, it provides a breathtaking backdrop for concerts and opera performances all year round, including the Baroque Palace days in August, the International Harp Festival and the Franz Liszt Piano Festival.