Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom Private Danube Bend Tour
Discover the beautiful Danube Bend on a day trip from Budapest! Visit the charming villages of Szentendre, Visegrád, and Esztergom, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Danube River. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Budapest. After passing by the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Acquincum, continue to the charming town of Szentendre, a picturesque artsy gem with a true Mediterranean touch. Explore the town's narrow streets and colorful houses, including the popular "Umbrella Street". Visit the local shops and galleries, including the famous Szamos Marcipan Manifacture and Museum, where sweet dreams come to life! Here, you'll have a chance to marvel at unique exhibits like a jaw-dropping 78-kilogram life-sized marzipan woman and, of course, pick up some delicious marzipan treats to take home. Next, head to Visegrád, a small town with a rich history. Visit the town's medieval castle and enjoy panoramic views of the Danube River (the famous Danube Bend panorama). (Please note that between December 1 - December 23, and January 13 - February 28, the castle is only open on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Between December 26 - January 12, and March 1 - November 31, the castle is open every day.) Visegrád’s hidden gem, the Pilis Biosphere Reserve, offers unique vegetation, meandering creeks, cascading waterfalls, and trout-filled lakes. You can taste freshly caught trout or local game at a cozy forest restaurant (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), with other lunch spots nearby. Towering over Esztergom, Hungary, the Esztergom Basilica is a sight to behold. As the largest church in the country, it boasts a grand neoclassical design, a massive dome (one of the biggest in the world), and a rich history. Built on the site of earlier churches dating back to King Stephen I, it's the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary and offers stunning views and a deep connection to Hungarian history. If you’re into art, we can visit the Esztergom Christian Museum—Hungary’s top church collection—home to stunning European and Hungarian masterpieces like Thomas de Coloswar’s Calvary Altar, the Garamszentbenedek Lord's Coffin, and works by “Master MS.” From Esztergom, we will cross to Slovakia (there's no border control, but have some kind of ID on you just in case), take great photos of the Basilica with the Danube from the other side, and return to Budapest through Nagymaros/Verőce/Vác. In Nagymaros, you can have a stunning view of the Visegrád Castle and the Danube Bend - a scenic spot very few tour operators do. In Verőce, we’ll make a brief stop to see a unique riverside retaining wall system, originally designed by renowned architect Miklós Ybl—a rare and charming sight along the Hungarian Danube that most tours overlook. Finally, in Vác you can admire a real arch of triumph built for Austro-Hungarian emress Maria Theresa herself, as well as the imposing local basilica, before returning to Budapest.