About this experience
This car-and-walking tour will introduce you to 3 historic cities near Budapest, each revealing the history, culture, and charm of Hungary in its own way. You will visit the grand Basilica of Saint Adalbert and learn about the origins of the Hungarian kingdom. You will explore the Visegrád Castle, where the destiny of the country was decided and the legendary Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned. And as you stroll through the cobblestone streets of Szentendre, you will admire the colorful houses and browse through souvenir shops.
What to Expect
Ancient Hungarian Capital Esztergom
You will visit the iconic city of Esztergom, which was the capital of the Hungarian feudal state for a long time. It is here that the founder of the kingdom, Saint Stephen, was born, baptized, and crowned. Esztergom remains the center of Catholicism in Hungary to this day, as you will see for yourself by visiting the country's largest Basilica of Saint Adalbert, impressing with its beauty and scale. Here you will find the largest altar painting in the world, painted on a single piece of canvas, and in the crypt of the basilica, many outstanding figures of Hungarian history are buried.
Visegrád Castle — Royal Residence
Located on a steep high bank of the Danube River, Visegrád Castle once protected the city of the same name, which was the capital of the Hungarian kingdom in the 14th-15th centuries. You will walk through the places where Hungarian kings lived for two centuries, see the exact copy of the Holy Crown — the country's main relic, inspect the Solomon Tower, where the legendary Vlad Dracula was allegedly imprisoned. The castle museum will tell you about the 1335 "Meeting in the Upperlands" — a meeting of the kings of Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary, which resulted in their military alliance. The exposition of medieval weapons and hunting will be no less interesting. And from the top of the mountain near the castle, you will be treated to a stunning view of the Danube bend.
Stroll through the Colorful Szentendre
The final stop is the atmospheric and somewhat folksy town of Szentendre. The appearance and architecture of this unique town were greatly influenced by Orthodox Serbian refugees who sought refuge here from the Ottoman Empire. You will walk along narrow cobblestone streets, admire the bright old houses and churches, and visit numerous souvenir shops. We will also visit the Marzipan Museum and the Christmas Museum with a collection of antique Christmas tree decorations from the last century. And if you get hungry, we can have lunch at the oldest private restaurant in Hungary with delicious homemade cuisine.
Organizational Details
- The tour is conducted in a VW Passat car, which can comfortably accommodate up to 4 guests
- By prior arrangement and for an additional fee, the tour can be conducted for groups of up to 14 people (in a minibus)
- We kindly ask you, before traveling to Hungary, not to overlook the opportunity to get vaccinated. Hungary is the only EU member that recognizes Russian vaccines.
Additional Expenses
- Entrance tickets to the Basilica, museums, wine tasting, and lunch are not included in the tour price and are paid separately
- The duration of the tour is calculated without additional options; for the inclusion of each of them in the route, an additional fee will be required at the end of the tour (10 euros per each option)
Additional Options
- On the way to Esztergom, we can stop by the Chapel-Tomb of Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna, the favorite granddaughter of Catherine the Great
- After visiting the Basilica in Esztergom, we can cross the Schengen border with Slovakia via a bridge to take magnificent shots of the basilica from the opposite bank
- Wine and pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) tasting in Szentendre
