If you are looking for day trips from Budapest, Esztergom, Hungary, is a great option. The charming town located on the Danube, right on the border with Slovakia, is packed with attractions and is actually one of the most important historical places to visit in Hungary.

I’ve been planning to visit Esztergom for years; the town was very high on my bucket list thanks to its magnificent Basilica. But as it quickly turned out, there are more great things to do in Esztergom, and I enjoyed the place so much more than I expected.

If you’re thinking about visiting Esztergom, too, I’ve put together this guide to help you plan your trip. Read on, and have a great time discovering this Hungarian gem!

Where is Esztergom

Esztergom, a town of almost thirty thousand inhabitants, is located in northern Hungary, across the Danube River from Slovakia. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a bit over fifty kilometers south of Esztergom.

Why visit Esztergom

The main reason to visit Esztergom is to see its Basilica – the largest structure of that kind in Central Europe. But the town offers more than that.

Esztergom is one of the most important places in Hungarian history. It is the original capital of the Kingdom of Hungary and the birthplace of the greatest ruler of the country, King Saint Stephen.

Besides its significance, this is simply such a charming place to visit, with beautiful architecture, a relaxed atmosphere, and numerous historical sites and monuments. Esztergom is Central Europe at its finest.

How to get to Esztergom

Since the town is not too far from the capital, getting to Esztergom is relatively easy, and you can visit the place on one of the day trips from Budapest. There are three ways to reach Esztergom: by train, bus, and boat.

If you want to take a train, there are regular connections departing from Budapest Nyugati station every half an hour and arriving in Esztergom a bit over one hour later. Unfortunately, the train station in Esztergom is a bit away from the center, so you still need to walk for 20 minutes to get to the main attractions. You can check the connections here.

You can also take the bus from Budapest directly, either number 800 or 880 (check the schedule here). The second one is more recommended as it goes along the Danube (hence you can admire nice views along the way) and stops in Szentendre and Visegrad – both worth visiting.

Buses to Esztergom depart from the Újpest-Városkapu XIII. kerület in the northern part of the city, not far from the blue metro line stop. In Esztergom, bus no 880 stops only a few steps from the Basilica, where you can start sightseeing.

The slowest yet the most scenic way to reach Esztergom from Budapest is by boat. Danube cruises run only between April and September, departing from the central part of Budapest (the dock between the Elisabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge). The one-way trip by hydrofoil takes one hour and thirty minutes.

It is also possible to visit Esztergom on a tour from Budapest. Here are the best ones:

• Danube Bend & Szentendre with Lunch: Day Tour from Budapest
• From Budapest: Full-Day Danube Bend Bus/Boat Tour with Lunch
• Private All Day Danube Bend Tour From Budapest with lunch, entrance fee, cruise

How to get around Esztergom

Esztergom is compact enough that you can explore the town on foot. You can walk easily everywhere and see all the town’s attractions in one day.

What to see in Esztergom

The biggest highlight of Esztergom and one of the most important places to visit in Hungary is the impressive Basilica, towering above the area.

This is the largest and most significant Catholic church in the country, built high on the cliff above the Danube River in the 19th century (although the first pre-Roman cathedral was constructed here in the early 11th century). With the dimensions of 118 m long and 49 m wide, and the inner area of 5,600 m², it surely is impressive.

While the Basilica can take your breath away with its overwhelming size, it’s worth visiting it inside, too, to see what kind of gems it hides. And there are many of them!

On the lowest level, you can visit the crypt designed in Old Egyptian style, with some richly decorated tombs of Hungarian bishops and cardinals and spacious rooms (considering you are in the basement). There are also some interesting sculptures and chapels there.

The next stop is the upper level, close to where the huge dome is located (one of the tallest domes in the world). From there, you can admire stunning views of Esztergom and the rolling hills surrounding the town, as well as Slovakia across the Danube. You will also find a small cafe there, where you can sit and relax for a drink, with a beautiful vista right in front of you.

But the most valuable part of the Esztergom Basilica is the treasury, one of the most amazing places of that kind in Central Europe. You will find there jewels, gold liturgical equipment, gold-embroidered chasubles, etc. The most important artifact there is “Matthias’ Calvary,” a 15th-century golden cross. Since taking pictures there is forbidden, you must visit the Basilica yourself to see the greatness collected there. Believe me, it’s worth it.

The main part of Esztergom Basilica is bright, spacious, and rich in decoration, with marble, frescoes, and more. It’s just as grand inside as from the outside.

Once you are done with visiting the Esztergom Basilica inside, it’s worth going for a walk around it and seeing the surroundings as well as the grand structure from every angle. From the terrace outside, you will get a perfect view of the Danube and Slovakia across the river.

Next to the Basilica, you can visit Esztergom Castle and the museum, which is located inside. The castle was originally built in the 10th century, and shortly after, one of the greatest rulers of Hungary – King Saint Stephen – was born here around the year 975. Over the years, Esztergom Castle has been among the most important places of this kind in the country.

Eventually, it lost its importance and fell into despair. What you can see today is the reconstructed structure, with some historical elements preserved.

Esztergom Castle is home to the museum (part of the Hungarian National Museum) and shows exhibitions about the city’s history as well as collections of weapons and coins. You can also visit the valuable Castle Chapel there.

Once you are done visiting Castle Hill with the Basilica, you should also explore a bit of the town. Esztergom is a typical charming Central European place with lovely architecture, pastel-colored townhouses, and numerous churches with beautiful interiors.

The heart of the town is Széchenyi Square, surrounded by Baroque or Rococo-style buildings that catch your eye with their fine details. The most important one is the town hall, originally from the 18th century. Right in front of it, you will find the Trinity Statue, a fairly new addition to the Esztergom’s scenery, built in 1990.

The last place you can’t miss during your trip to Esztergom is the Maria Valeria Bridge over the Danube, connecting Esztergom with Sturovo in Slovakia. These days, since both countries are part of the Schengen Zone, you can easily walk across the Danube and step into another country during your visit to Esztergom.

But that’s not the only reason to go there. From the bridge, you can admire a stunning panorama of the Danube and Castle Hill, with the impressive Basilica dominating the area. From this perspective, you can fully appreciate its grandness.

Where to go next?

You can combine visiting Esztergom with other interesting places along the Danube bend, especially Szentendre and Visegrad. They are all connected with each other (and Budapest) by bus no. 880, which runs at least once an hour.

Further reading

I published many articles about Hungary that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 35 Amazing Places to Visit in Hungary
• 17 Best Landmarks in Budapest, Hungary
• 7 Perfect Things to Do in Eger, Hungary
• Your Guide to Visiting Royal Palace of Godollo, Hungary
• Visit Szentendre, Hungary – a Perfect Day Trip from Budapest
• A Complete Guide to Visiting Lake Balaton, Hungary
• What to See in Szeged, Hungary – the Art-Nouveau Gem of Europe
• 10 Great Things to Do in Pecs, Hungary
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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