Esztergom stands on the banks of the majestic Danube River and was the capital of medieval Hungary, enjoying this title from the 10th to the 13th century. It’s also known as the “Rome of Hungary” because it’s filled with countless monuments, palaces and temples. Esztergom is 50 km from Budapest, so it’s a great place to visit on a short break or day trip. What’s more, simply cross the bridge over the Danube and you can pass over into Štúrovo in Slovakia – surprisingly, this Slovakian town is mostly inhabited by Hungarians.
Esztergom’s main tourist attraction is its basilica, the proud symbol of the city, but it also has several other places of interest that are well worth seeing. These include the castle, which was built in 1070 on the remains of a Roman fort; Víziváros neighbourhood and its Christian Museum; and the Little Danube, a romantic canal where you can go for an unforgettable stroll past trees and mansions, finishing in famous Széchenyi Square with its historic buildings.
- What to see and do in Esztergom
- Esztergom Basilica
- Esztergom Castle
- Víziváros
- Where to eat in Esztergom
- Where to stay near Esztergom
What to see and do in Esztergom
After you’ve visited the must-see, iconic sights of Esztergom, there are endless things to do in this city of 28,000 inhabitants. Stop off at Esztergom Basilica, St Anne’s Church and St Peter and St Paul’s Church, and take a relaxing stroll around Széchenyi Square, Kis-Duna Sétány Park and Erzsébet Park. It’s also fun to cross Mária Valéria Bridge and take a peek at bordering Štúrovo in Slovakia.
Esztergom Basilica
The basilica is the main symbol of Esztergom and was where Stephen I, the founding king of the Hungarian state, was born; he made the basilica an archbishopship and turned the city into the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church. This majestic building is an impressive 118 m long by 48 m wide and is topped by a huge dome that has a diameter of 33 m. Esztergom Basilica is in the highest part of the city and is the biggest church in Hungary, and one of the biggest in Europe.
Interestingly, Liszt wrote his famous “Missa Solennis” for its consecration in 1856 and personally directed the ceremony. During the Second World War, 95 grenades and bombs fell on the basilica, and the damaged colonnade and dome had to be restored. If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb 400 steps to enjoy wonderful views from the viewpoint at the top.
Esztergom Castle
Esztergom Castle was built in 1070 by Géza I of Hungary on the remains of a Roman fort; today you can admire its bastions, towers and defensive walls, which are set on the edge of cliffs that look as though they might tumble into the Danube. The castle is a mixture of architectural styles from the Romanesque and Gothic to the Renaissance and Ottoman. At the heart of its labyrinth of surviving alleys, corridors, arches and gates, there’s a museum that documents the history of the castle and its importance to everyday life in Esztergom. The palace chapel is decorated with frescoes from 1100 to 1300 and is an essential stop on your trip, and you also shouldn’t miss the palace halls, which have valuable paintings from the Hungarian Renaissance.
Víziváros
This delightful, central neighbourhood in Esztergom is on the banks of the Danube and is the perfect place for a peaceful stroll; wander its streets until the two towers of the church next to the Christian Museum come into sight. This museum actually makes a fascinating visit because it has an interesting collection of Renaissance art and the largest collection of ecclesiastical art in Hungary.
The Christian Museum was founded in the 19th century by archbishop János Simor and has valuable liturgical paintings, sculptures and decorative artworks from the 13th to the 19th century; one of the most important pieces is the Calvary Altarpiece by Thomas de Coloswar. It also has tapestries, pieces in ceramic, ivory, gold and silver, clocks, tabernacles, stained glass and medieval oriental rugs.
Where to eat in Esztergom
Hungarians aren’t as enthusiastic about eating out as people from other European countries and they prefer to cook at home. If you’d like to try local food in Esztergom, we recommend Szalma Csárda on Primás Island, which serves traditional Hungarian dishes and has a great atmosphere. Another good recommendation is Csülök Csárda, close to the basilica and castle, where you can enjoy specialities such as ox cheeks with potato dumplings, ham hock or goulash; Next Restaurant, which serves dishes with a creative twist; Mediterráneo, specialising in fish, seafood and other Mediterranean food, and Partedli Gyorsétterem, which has a more casual vibe.
Where to stay near Esztergom
If you’d like to visit Budapest and visit Esztergom, your best option is to stay at the Barceló Budapest. This hotel has a cutting-edge design and modern facilities – what’s more, it’s in District VI, Terézváros, right in the heart of Budapest’s historic centre. The hotel is close to museums, cafés and restaurants and is also near Kazinczy Street. It has 179 modern rooms; several are on the building’s roof and have large terraces and fabulous views of the city. There’s a lobby bar and à la carte restaurant that serves a variety of cuisines, including traditional Hungarian dishes. Facilities also include a 24-hour gym and a ‘sky bar’ that’s open from May to October.
