Travelling Hungary: Day Trips to Escape the Capital
By Nadine, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
Existing as one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals, Budapest is often remembered for its prosecco cruises and ruin bars. What if I told you however, some of Hungary’s most memorable experiences lie just beyond it. From historic cities to hidden gorges, these day trips offer an ideal escape from what can be an intense capital-centric lifestyle.
Esztergom: perfect for history lovers
Once the old capital of Hungary, Esztergom is a beautiful city located approximately 46km north of Budapest. Taking the direct Z72 train from Budapest’s Nyugati train station, the hour-long journey passes through towns including Pilisjászfalu and Piliscsaba. I was lucky enough to go during snowy weather and was in constant awe of how magical the landscape looked.
Once in Esztergom, it is another thirty minutes-walk, or ten-minutes bus, before you make it anywhere substantial. Personally, I always prefer walking and taking that extra bit of time to really see the area that I’m visiting.
Remete-Szurdok: ideal if you want an easy, nature-heavy, escape
My second day-trip recommendation must be Remete-Szurdok, also known as the Hermit’s Gorge hike. Located around an hour northwest of Budapest; getting there requires a tram, followed by a metro, and finalising with a bus – it sounds complicated, but it’s surprisingly simple.
After completing the rather twisty journey to the town of Máriaremete, you get off on what feels like the side of a road. Navigation is difficult because the markers are sparse but, look out for a large church turret popping out in the distance. Around ten minutes-walk form the drop off, which includes a step incline hill and no pavements, you will arrive at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It is a gorgeous church that I would highly recommend going into if you get the chance.
From here, look for the blue markers and follow them – you’ll know you’re on the right track as they lead to the entrance of the Remete Nature Reserve.
At a minimum, the hike is 6.1 km in distance and takes approximately 2–2.5 hours to complete. While on the trail, be sure to look out for the Hermit’s Cove (Remete-Szurdok), named after a hermit who made the area his home following the dissolution of the Pauline Order.
Before travelling, be sure to pack a packed lunch or at least some snacks. The trail is quite hilly and so can become tiring. One place I would recommend stopping for a bite to eat is at Kálvária kőfejtő. Offering a secluded area to relax for ten minutes, this provided the perfect refuelling pitstop as well as a chance to take in the stunning views!
Holdvilág-Árok: perfect for getting lost in the wilderness
Another hike I would recommend is Holdvilág-Árok, or Moonlight Gorge. Directly north of Budapest, the journey takes around an hour and requires taking the H5 train from Margit híd (budai hídfő), and then the 861/855 bus. Your starting point is the Csikóváralja bus stop or “Kiskovácsipuszta.”
Similarly to Remete-Szurdok, the hike’s length is 5.3km but can be walked with your own discretion as there are plenty of opportunities to lengthen it! Taking approximately two hours to complete, start by following the Red+ (P+) trail signs and explore.
Visegrád: mix of culture and fun
Situated just 30km from Budapest, this stunning castle town sits right on the bank of the Danube River and offers incredible views of the surrounding area.
To get there, take the 45-minute train journey from Nyugati train station to arrive at Nagymaros-Visegrád station. Two important points to note: trains are very frequent, so if you miss one, another will likely arrive shortly. Secondly, Nagymaros-Visegrád station is on the other side of the Danube to Visegrád itself, which means you’ll need to take a ferry. Rather conveniently, the timetable for said ferry is timed accordingly to the train schedule, meaning you’ll have 15 minutes between landing on the platform and getting to the riverside.
Once in Visegrád, the first place to visit is the castle. Accessible via marked hiking trails, look for “Fellegvár” and dark blue signs. The entrance fee is 1400 HUF (around £3.20), which gives access to several exhibitions.
After visiting the castle, I would also recommend stopping by the Visegrád Toboggan Park. Offering summer bobsleighing, it’s great fun and reminded me of being a child again and just letting go.
Overall:
Whether you’re looking for history, nature, or just a break from city life, these day trips show a completely different side of Hungary – and they’re all closer than you might think.
Nadine Brachi, ELTE University