The Danube is the longest river in the EU and the second largest in Europe. It flows through nine countries, originating in the Black Forest (Germany) and flowing into the Black Sea on the border of Romania and Ukraine. The length of the river is impressive - almost three thousand kilometers! Not far from Budapest, this large waterway arches in a long arc, forming the so-called Danube bend. Tours, reviews, travel descriptions will be covered in our article.
In principle, along the Danube Bend, you can go on an independent trip, taking a ticket for a river cruise. But, firstly, it’s expensive, and secondly, you won’t even recognize the hundredth part of the information that the guide will tell you. Excursions are easy to purchase. Most often they are organized from Budapest. Private, on a personal guide car, or group, on a comfortable bus with air conditioning, all of them will leave you with the most positive experience.
Where is the bend of the Danube
Flowing through the territory of Slovakia, the majestic river tends from west to east. But near the border Hungarian city of Esztergom, she makes a sharp turn to the south. Further the Danube flows, meandering, to the very northern tip of Budapest. In the very center of the bend is the old town of Vysehrad. The explanation of this natural attraction is very simple.
The Danube in its course collides with mountainous terrain. Steep terrain makes the river loop. On the right bank of the bend are the Vysehrad mountains, and on the left - the Berzhen massif. But the Danube Bend is not just an eye-catching natural attraction. On the banks of the river are small towns and feudal castles, whose history and color will undoubtedly delight you. Traveling along the Danube Bend is a favorite pastime of Hungarians and Slovaks.
When is the best time to go on an excursion?
Any travel agency in Budapest records those who wish to make this fascinating trip. There are no season restrictions. But those who have already visited the excursion "Danube Bend" from Budapest, mention that in winter (more precisely, in January and February) the Vysehrad castle is closed. Instead, guides take the group farther north to Slovakia, stopping at the Maria Valeria bridge to take a spectacular photo of the entire panorama of the river bend. At other times, the northernmost point of the excursion is the Hungarian city of Esztergom. What is more interesting for you, the museum exposition of a medieval castle or a visit to the territory of Slovakia, you decide.
It is also worth refraining from traveling on Monday, because all museums and most churches are closed on this day. In group excursions, which last about ten hours, lunch is provided for participants, as well as a tasting of local wines. In an individual tour, the program and meals are discussed with the guide. Lunch and entrance to most museums (except Vysehrad Castle Museum) are included in the price of the tour. And the price of the tour depends on the bureau and fluctuates around 50 euros (4 thousand rubles). An individual tour with a private guide will cost two to three times more expensive (depending on the program).
Travel Brief
The group leaves for the bend of the Danube from Budapest. Moreover, some tour operators practice the service of collecting excursion participants to addresses. This, of course, is convenient, tourists mention in reviews, but only for those who are taken last. Driving through the streets of Budapest takes a lot of time. First, the bus travels to Esztergom - the extreme northern point of travel. There, tourists watch the majestic cathedral and - across the river - at the Slovak city of Sturnovo.
Further, the participants of the excursion go to Vysehrad. A visit to the castle is an optional event. Those who are not interested in history can be satisfied with shopping downstairs in the town. But the tour conducted by the guide has already been paid for, it remains only to buy entrance tickets to the castle (1700 forints or 400 rubles per adult, children under 6 years old are free). After Vysehrad, the group travels to Szentendre, the former capital and Hungarian Montmartre. There, participants visit the Museum of Marzipan and Christmas tree decorations. In the same city lunch and tasting are provided.
Esztergom
Now it’s hard to believe it, but for 250 years the small border town was the capital of Hungary instead of Budapest. The bend of the Danube here is just beginning, and sightseers are specially taken to look at it from a viewing platform. Esztergom now has the glory of a "spiritual capital." The number of churches here is impressive. But the largest in Hungary, and at the same time the most ancient, is the Basilica of St. Adalbert.
Its dome offers panoramic views of the entire city. Do not forget to look into the crypt where the treasury is stored. The first monarch of Hungary, Istvan (XI century), was born in Esztergom, who was also crowned here. Not far from the Basilica you can see the ruins of his palace with a museum exposition of artifacts found here. A bus with sightseers passes through the village of Nagymaros, where the church of the XIV century is preserved.
Vysehrad Castle
This fortress is much older than the state of Hungary itself. Even the ancient Romans built a fortress on the top of a steep cliff above the bend of the Danube, which served as a border outpost of the entire Western Empire, protecting it from the eastern barbarians. The successful strategic position of this castle was also appreciated in the feudal era. Starting with King Matthias, several generations of monarchs used Vysehrad as the capital of Hungary. When its status passed to Budapest, the castle did not lose its significance. Kings made it their summer residence.
Vysehrad suffered greatly in wars, especially in battles with the Habsburgs. But some towers survived. Guides in all seriousness assure that one of them contained Dracula himself. And what - Vlad Tepes was a completely historical person. He owned a castle in neighboring Transylvania (the Romanian part of the Carpathians bordering Ukraine). The town of Vysehrad itself is cute and sleepy. Those who do not want to climb to the top of the cliff can wander through its narrow cobbled streets and buy souvenirs.
Sentendre
The name of this ancient, founded in the XI century by King Istvan town is translated as "St. Andrew." In the 13th century, the Tatar-Mongol troops burned it to the ground. A century later, the city was rebuilt by Greek and Serbian refugees. Therefore, there are so many Orthodox churches in Szentendre, and a truly Balkan atmosphere reigns on the streets. And the city, surprisingly, also happened to visit the Hungarian capital. Now Szentendre called "Pearl on the bend of the Danube." And also - “Open Air Museum”.
In this city, after the raid of the Tatar-Mongols, only a church with an hourglass remained. And this chronometer still works. In reviews of Szentendre, tourists note the special color of the town. The cobbled streets are full of street artists, artisans, sculptors. All this brings Szentendre to the Paris quarter of Montmartre. The fact is that the city has long been a haven of creative bohemia. There was even such a direction in the visual arts as the Szentendreyskaya school.
Attractions Szentendre
The “Pearl of the Danube Bend” appears very often in the reviews of tourists. Many people claim that buying souvenirs is best in Szentendre. It is interesting to wander around the city just like that. Galleries of artists are located on the cobbled streets, and if you are not indifferent to painting, you can buy a couple of works, order a portrait or a cartoon.
In the "Balkan" Szentendre there is one feature. This is the thesis. Often you can see that between the two houses under the tiled roofs there is a narrow passage topped with an arch. At first it seems that this is the entrance to a narrow courtyard. But actually it is a street. Two people will have to squeeze into the walls to warm up. Sometimes theses are street-stairs.
And in Szentendre there is a Museum of marzipan. Visiting it is free for sightseers. The museum exposition not only demonstrates the process of making marzipans, but also contains real sculptural masterpieces made from this sweetness. Nearby is a shop where you can purchase individual product samples.
Wine Vault
The excursion program “Danube Bend” includes tasting. It takes place in the cellar of one of the Szentendre restaurants. During the tasting, the Russian-speaking sommelier offers to taste six types of products: white and red wines, liquors and, of course, Tokai. Large doses are poured, and to refresh the taste buds, canapé snacks are offered. After tasting, you can buy your favorite drinks. Tourists often mention in reviews that they brought Ice Tokai from Szentendre. But, unfortunately, only half an hour is allotted for tasting.
Dinner
Even on the way from Budapest to the bend of the Danube (tourists often mention this in reviews), the guide wonders which of the participants in the excursion are vegetarian, who are following some religious diets - halal, kashrut, etc. Therefore, when the group arrives at the restaurant, everything is ready.
The interior of the institution is very characteristic, ethnic. And they serve exclusively Hungarian dishes. Tourists mention in the reviews soup with venison or halasle, a piglet, apples in batter and other delicious dishes. The price of dinner includes drinking water, but you will have to pay extra for tea / coffee or alcohol.