Things to do in Nagymaros

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.

Start your day in Budapest, where your guide will pick you up in an air-conditioned van and your adventure will begin. First, stop at a romantic little town in the Danube Bend called Nagymaros. Climb up to the scenic Julianus Lookout Tower, where you can admire the stunning panoramic view of the river. Look for traces of animals, learn about the tree species that inhabit the mountain, and ask your guide any questions you might have about Hungary. Enjoy a 5-mile hike in the calm and green forest before arriving at the riverside. After a short lesson about safety, technique, and rules on the river, jump into your canoe or kayak and glide down the lovely and calm Danube River. Admire the beautiful mountains and see the famous Visegrád Castle from the river. If the weather is nice, stop at a nice, sandy beach and take a refreshing dip in the water. Finish your day with a beer or a refreshing soft drink at a hippie bar on the river bank before returning to Budapest.

We start our day in the romantic village of the Danube bend called Nagymaros. After picking up the modern e-mountain bikes we start our ride on cycling lines to Zebegény, the little treasure box of the area. We cycle next to the river bank and admire the second longest river of Europe, the Danube. From Zebegény we start our ascent on calm forest trails to the Börzsöny mountains. If you are happy for some challenges and ready for a sweaty climb, we optionally visit the Julianus lookout tower, with amazing panorama to the river and the castle of Visegrád. We continue on a closed forest road and as for our first break we stop by at a meadow with a little animal park. If the buffet is open, you can have a refreshing drink and visit the animals in the park. From here we continue our ride on low traffic roads in the mountain among old beech and oak trees. After spending two hours on the mountain we start our descend to the river bank and on the way back to the starting point we stop by at a charming little pub for a refreshing beer or soft drink. We use e-bikes that are equipped with electronic engines that help you to paddle. This means that the uphills are much easier than with a normal bike and you can paddle more with the same effort as on a normal bike. The route is 47 kilometers, usually takes about 4 hours net plus the breaks.