On the northernmost tip of the country, just over an hour and a half from the capital, you’ll find the city of Eger, a beautiful town with a wealth of historic buildings, including a spectacular castle and the unmistakable Eger Minaret, the only one of its kind in Europe. You will also be able to enjoy the landscapes full of vineyards that produce the excellent local wine and the thermal springs where you can relax after your adventure in the city. To find out more, read on to discover things to do in Eger, Hungary.
Things to see and do in Eger, Hungary
Eger Castle
We couldn’t start any other way than by talking about the town’s main attraction: its castle. Its privileged position offers beautiful views of everything there is to see in Eger, so a visit here is not to be missed.
Erected in the 13th century, during the reign of Stephen I, this castle served as a fortress from which to defend against outside attacks. In fact, the castle was the site of a very important historical event for the locals, in which they resisted an invasion by Ottoman forces for over a month.
It can be visited inside and although it is in ruins, there are still remnants of what it once was, making it an excellent visit for history buffs. Inside there are various exhibitions on local history and other topics, so don’t miss the opportunity to see this impressive monument on your visit to Eger.
Dobó Square
This square is the main centre of Eger, where all the activity is concentrated. Here, the locals enjoy the leisure activities the city has to offer. There are several places where you can sample the wines on offer from the extensive vineyards that surround the city of Eger.
In the centre of the square, there is a sculpture of István Dobó, the historical figure after whom the square is named and who was a renowned captain who defended the city from the Ottoman invasion centuries ago.
In addition to all this, there is also a very emblematic church, called the Minorite Church and next to it is the town hall, which was built in the late 19th century and is a must-see in the city of Eger.
The Basilica of Eger
As is customary in Hungary and cities such as Budapest, in Eger you’ll also find architectural heritage that looks like something out of a novel.
The Eger Basilica is a fine example of this, with its imposing yellow façade and the sculptures that watch over it from the roof. It is the second-largest church in the country.
Built in the late 19th century, the interior of this church is no slouch either, as all the paintings inside, along with the main organ, make the visit all the more memorable.
In addition to all of the above, there is a wine cellar on the lower floor. You can visit it any day, for a price of less than €1 at the currency exchange rate.
The Minaret of Eger
Minaret is the name given to the towers of a mosque, and this minaret is a reminder of the time when the Ottoman Empire dominated this territory.
It is one of the oldest remaining in Europe, if not the oldest, and is preserved in an enviable state despite having been built in the 17th century.
Although it has lost its religious use today, it has not lost the appeal of the spectacular views it offers from the top: it is an ideal place to take your panoramic views of the city, along with Eger Castle.
But be prepared for the walk, as it’s a very narrow tower and has a few steps up to the best point. The effort will pay off, don’t worry, and it only costs about €1 to get in.
The Minorite Church
As mentioned above, you’ll find the Minorite Church on Dobó Square. There is certainly a lot to see in this church in Eger, which is why it deserves a separate mention.
It was built in the 18th century and has a unique façade, with its curved shape and splendid 57-metre-high towers. But that’s not the most impressive thing about it.
Most striking and memorable is its interior, with awe-inspiring ceiling frescoes painted by Bratislavan Márton Reindl shortly after the church was built.
And its main altar and the marble columns that guard it, along with the sculptures of various religious figures, add the finishing touch to this must-see spot on your route through Eger.
The Valley of the Beautiful Women
With this curious name, this cluster of wineries is the most recognizable spot in the city where you can sample the full range of wines that Eger has to offer.
Away from the city centre, about half an hour’s walkaway, this quiet corner of Eger is home to numerous restaurants and entertainment venues, all of which focus their activity on wine.
But in addition to that, the visit is worthwhile also for the typical houses of the area, which have cellars prepared to properly preserve the product.
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend a wine tasting, so you can enjoy the wine and the local gastronomy, while watching the scenery of Eger.
Enjoy the thermal baths of Eger, Hungary
We think that the best way to end your day in the beautiful city of Eger is by enjoying the famous hot springs of the Eger Turkish Bath.
As you may know, hot springs are common in Hungary and Eger is no different. Spas with thermal baths abound in the southern part of the city, and there are even playgrounds for the little ones.
We recommend you try this experience, as taking a relaxing bath in the open air, while overlooking the fields and hills of Eger, is the best way to end your tour of the city.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Eger
If you have more time to visit Eger and the surrounding area, you certainly won’t be short of plans. That’s why we’ve included a few options, so you’ll know where you can continue your adventure in this charming part of Hungary
Tokaj
Although somewhat remote, if you want to continue your tour of the scenery in this part of Hungary and enjoy the wine experience, you’ll love Tokaj
This small town of 5,000 people is known for its vineyards and that has made the wineries the main tourist attraction in Tokaj. In fact, there is also a small museum that explains the historical tradition of Tokaj and wine.
But it’s not all about the wine: if you visit Tokaj, you can also visit several churches: a Roman Catholic, a Calvinist, a Greek and a Russian Orthodox church, as well as the synagogue.
And of course, you can also take a boat ride and see the scenery of this region from a totally different perspective.
What to See in Eger in 1 Day
We’ve put together this short list of the must-see sites in Eger, so you won’t miss a thing and have a day full of memories:
- Eger Castle
- Eger Basilica
- The Eger Minaret
- The Valley of the Beautiful Women
Where to eat in Eger, Hungary
We have created this list of places and restaurants where you can enjoy the Eger dining experience, as well as the city’s extensive wine offerings:
- Excalibur Kozepkori Lovagi Etterem: One of our favourite options in Eger is Excalibur, where you can enjoy Hungarian food as well as more Mediterranean-style options. The price is around €30 per head.
- Macok Bistro and Wine Bar: Macok is the perfect place to enjoy a good brunch, as well as all the varieties from the local vineyards. The price is around €20 per head.
- Cafe Frei Eger: A charming coffee shop, with an extensive range of different and delicious types of coffee, as well as typical Hungarian sweets.
Where to stay in Eger, Hungary
We have prepared a short list of places to stay, so it won’t be too difficult to choose from the long list of accommodation:
- HR Apartmanház: Modern flats, with everything you need, right in the centre of Eger. The price is €30 per night.
- Imola Udvarház Dessert Hotel: Centrally located and with great views of the city, the Imola is a great place to stay for as little as €35 per night.
- Villa Levendula:This charming hotel also has a spa, so you can enjoy the thermal waters of Eger. The price is around €40 per night.
How to get to Eger
Eger does not have its own airport, so to get there you will have to travel to Budapest first.
There are flights to Budapest for a range of prices, starting at around €120 at times like May.
Once you arrive in Budapest, you can take a train to Eger, which will drop you off at its station in about two hours, depending on which train you take.
Of course, you can also opt for the bus or hire a car. The latter is an excellent option if you want to visit more parts of the country with greater freedom.
Travel tips to Eger
- The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper for you.
- As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- The best time to travel to Eger is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are mild.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize what to do in Eger, Hungary
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Eger Hungary.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Eger
Generally, we recommend that you travel in months with less extreme temperatures, prioritising seasons such as spring and autumn.
It’s very easy: you can fly to Budapest and from there take a train, a bus or travel by car. The journey from Budapest to Eger usually takes about two hours on average for the different options.
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