The Danube Bend Travel Guide

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The Danube Bend

Views from Visegrad Citadel © Judith Duk

The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga, flowing for 1,771 miles (2,857km) through nine different countries. Before reaching Budapest it is forced through a narrow twisting valley in the pretty Carpathian Basin, known as the Danube Bend, eight miles (13km) from Budapest. The cluster of towns on the bend offers an amazing collection of history, culture and architecture, particularly the small Baroque towns of Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom.

The Danube Bend is an extremely scenic area with green valleys and hills rising up from the river, picturesque little towns with market squares and commanding fortresses with sweeping views. Many visitors choose to do a boat cruise on the Danube from Budapest stopping at the little towns along the way. Because of its close proximity to the capital, many people on a holiday in Hungary choose to use Budapest as their base and take day trips into the Danube Bend. Combined with good facilities and easy accessibility, it is one of the more popular destinations in Hungary.

Attractions

Esztergom © hotelonlinehungary

Esztergom

Esztergom combines history with a small-town riverside charm. One of Hungary's most historically important towns, it was the capital for over 250 years and the birthplace of their beloved first king and saint, Stephen, who was later crowned here in the 11th century. Today... see full details

Szentendre main square © Wikimedia Commons

Szentendre

Szentendre, 'The Pearl of the Danube Bend', is a quaint old market town situated on the slopes of the Pilis range, with a charm and character of its own. Meandering cobbled lanes, little squares, red-tiled roofs, brightly painted houses, and awkwardly positioned Orthodox churches... see full details

Vác

Known as the 'City of Churches', Vác is a pretty Baroque town on the east bank of the Danube Bend. The cultural and commercial centre of the left side of the river, Vác is a popular tourist destination in Hungary, especially as a... see full details

Visegrad

Superbly situated on the abrupt loop of the Danube beneath steep hills, Visegrad was once a Roman stronghold on the border of the Roman Empire and the second home after Buda to Hungary's royalty in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Citadel sits... see full details

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