Hungary

7 Perfect Things to Do in Eger, Hungary

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Eger, Hungary, is a popular destination, mainly as one of the day trips from Budapest. But it’s worth spending a bit more time in Eger, staying overnight to thoroughly enjoy this interesting city and its surroundings. That’s what I did, and I must admit I enjoyed my trip to Eger so much more than I expected.

There are so many Eger attractions to immerse in – an impressive castle, Baroque architecture, and fantastic wine, to name a few. This is one of the most exciting and pleasant places in Hungary, and visiting Eger is a real treat.

I put together this guide with the best things to do in Eger so you can have a perfect time there and enjoy this charming city as much as I did. Read on and plan your trip to Eger.

And if you still have any questions about visiting Eger, join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask there!

Table of Contents

Where is Eger, Hungary

Eger, a city of almost 55 thousand inhabitants, is located in the northern part of Hungary, not far from the border with Slovakia. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is 130 km away from Eger.

How to get to Eger

The easiest way to get from Budapest to Eger (as that’s most likely where you will be coming from) is by train. There are direct connections from Budapest Keleti station every hour, arriving at Eger less than 2 hours later. You can check the current schedule and prices here.

From the train station in Eger, it’s around a 20-minute walk (through a lovely park) to the Old Town, where you will find most of the Eger highlights.

If you plan to visit Eger as a day trip from Budapest, but you don’t want to navigate the public transport, there are tours available that you can take. Here are some recommended ones:

Where to stay in Eger

If you decide to stay in Eger overnight, there are some nice accommodation options to choose from. Here are some of the best ones:

Things to do in Eger

And now, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Eger.

Visit Eger Castle

The best place to start Eger sightseeing is the castle towering above the central part of the city. Dating back to the second half of the 13th century, this is one of the most important historical places in Hungary.

In 1552, during the Turkish invasion, the castle was under siege for about a month. Despite logic, since the Turkish army was around twenty times bigger than the number of Eger’s defenders, the castle was not taken, and the Turkish army suffered a severe defeat. Up to this day, the siege of Eger is considered one of the most important battles in the history of Hungary. Every day, at 15:52, you can hear the cannon shot at the castle to commemorate the heroic defense of the place.

Forty-four years later, Eger castle was besieged again, but this time the Turks won, resulting in almost a hundred years of Turkish rule in Eger. During that time, the castle was expanded and developed.

Today you can visit the place and explore the premises, with the remnants of the Gothic cathedral, the underground system, and the Gothic bishop’s palace (the only part of the castle that remained from the 16th century). There is also a museum that tells the history of Eger Castle.

Another reason to visit Eger castle is the beautiful panorama of the city and surroundings that you can admire from up there.

Climb the minaret

Eger minaret is one of the most unique attractions not only in Hungary but in the whole of Central Europe. This is the northernmost remnant of the Ottoman Empire and one of the three minarets in Hungary. It dates back to the early 17th century when the Turks ruled in Eger. In that time, nine minarets were built in the city, although only this one has survived.

Once Eger returned to the Hungarian state, locals tried to destroy the structure. However, it was too well built, so they only put the cross above the crescent on top of the minaret.

Today you can climb the minaret and see a wonderful panorama of Eger from the top; you only need to climb almost 100 stairs. It is a rather thrilling experience; the winding stairs are very narrow (in some parts, it was difficult for me to squeeze in there with a backpack). On the top, you also only have a little space to move around.

If you are claustrophobic, I recommend reconsidering a trip up the minaret. But for everyone else – this is one of the must-visit places in Eger, not only for the view but for the whole experience.

Admire beautiful churches

One of the things you notice right away when looking at Eger from above is a significant number of churches scattered around the central part of the city. Most of them are real masterpieces, hiding some stunning Baroque interiors. Even if you are not religious, it’s worth visiting them as you will surely be amazed by all the beauty inside.

More than ten important churches are in the center of Eger, most of them dating to the 18th century. When wandering around, be sure to check them all (if they are open), as you never know what kind of gems you can find inside.

The most impressive one is the Basilica of Eger, the second-largest religious building in Hungary (after the Basilica of Esztergom). The monumental structure was built in the first half of the 19th century, and it is known mainly for its organ made by the well-known Moser company from Salzburg. Between 15th May and 15th October, you can listen to the 30-minute-long organ concerts here.

Relax at the Dobó István Square

Dobó István Square, the central square of the Old Town commemorating the leader of the city defenders in 1552, is a perfect place to take a break in your Eger sightseeing. You can sit in one of the numerous cafes surrounding the square, admire the beautiful architecture and the castle towering above the city, do some people-watching, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

Wander around the Old Town

Eger Old Town is such a charming place, perfect for a lazy stroll. Most buildings date back to the 18th century, the time of the prosperity of Eger under the bishops’ rule.

When wandering the maze of pedestrian lanes, you can stumble across some beautiful buildings and real gems, such as the lyceum (with the splendid Baroque Archdiocese library inside), Archbishops Palace, and numerous interesting museums.

Once you get tired, you can sit in one of the many restaurants and try local Hungarian food.

Try local wine

Eger is in one of the most important Hungarian wine regions and is known for its wine, Egri Bikavér. The origins of wine production here date back to the 13th century; it was introduced by Italian and Vallon settlers.

The best place to try local wine in Eger is Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Beautiful Women), located some 2km away from the center of the city. There are around 200 small wine cellars, each offering a tasting and selling local drinks at affordable prices.

If you don’t want to venture so far away, you will also find numerous wine bars and restaurants serving local wine to try right in the center of the Old Town.

Either way, trying Egri Bikavér is a must when visiting Eger. Just be careful, as it’s a pretty strong drink, so it’s easy to get carried away.

Visit Bükk Mountains

A trip to Eger can also be an excellent opportunity to visit the Bükk Mountains, located only 10 km north of the city. The area is home to the Bükk National Park and some of Hungary’s highest peaks (although none exceed a thousand meters above sea level). This is such a pleasant area for some hiking and for being close to nature.

In the Bükk National Park, you will also find a large number of caves (over a thousand), including the deepest one in the country. If you are tired of bustling cities and towns, Bükk Mountains can be a perfect getaway.

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking. They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Hungary

Never travel without travel insurance, you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Hungary here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here.

Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me.

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I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Hungary too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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