{"id":9810,"date":"2019-08-22T08:16:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T00:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/?p=9810"},"modified":"2024-01-22T17:46:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T09:46:33","slug":"gyor-hungary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/gyor-hungary\/","title":{"rendered":"Gyor Hungary: One Day Itinerary with Soda Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While living in Hungary, I was always looking for weekend getaways from my home in Budapest. I mostly visited the region’s big cities like Vienna and Bratislava but I also made an effort to explore Hungary\u2019s smaller cities. In this guide, I share my experience visiting the western Hungarian city of Gyor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gyor<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Szeged<\/a> and Pecs<\/a> are some my favourite cities in Hungary with their impressive architecture, history and food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting Szeged? Book one of my recommended boutique hotels<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But I also loved off the beaten path destinations like Debrecen<\/a> in eastern Hungary, Esztergom<\/a> on the Slovakian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gyor is in the west of the country and it’s surely one of the most underrated destinations that deserves more attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gyor<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gyor first crossed my radar while passing by on the train from Budapest to Vienna. I asked my Hungarian friend about the city and even though her husband was from there, she didn\u2019t have much to say about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it looked intriguing from the train so I decided to make the one-hour drive from Budapest for a weekend in Gyor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to Do in Gyor Hungary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a city of 120,000, there are plenty of things to see and do in Gyor. The city centre continues to be renovated, bringing the colourful baroque buildings back to life while enticing you to explore the cobblestone side streets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gyor\u2019s old town is compact and walkable. The historic streets open onto wide squares and grassy parks and the redeveloped riverside district is the place to go for events and people-watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Square<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of a visit to Gyor is exploring the old town, especially Szechenyi Square, Dunakapu Square and Vienna Gate Square. I also loved Jedlik Fountain, a soda bottle-shaped fountain built to honour the Hungarian inventor of soda water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Szechenyi Square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Szechenyi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Almost every city in Hungary has a square named Szechenyi Square, named after the \u201cGreatest Hungarian\u201d, 19th-century politician and writer Istvan Szechenyi. Gyor is no different and this baroque square is where you\u2019ll find a number of the city\u2019s main sights, restaurants and bars. It\u2019s a good place to start your tour of Gyor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gyor Town Hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In front of Gyor train station is the neo-baroque Town Hall. This is probably the most beautiful building in Gyor and it’s occasionally open to visitors. Entrance to the building is restricted to certain days and times so you will need to check with Gyor Tourist Office (21 Baross utca) for details and how to book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jedlik Fountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Jedlik<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Anyos Jedlik was a Hungarian\/Slovak inventor<\/a> and scientist who helped develop electric motors. He also happened to invent and commercialise the original soda water bottle, something you\u2019ll find in most Hungarian restaurants and homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soda water isn\u2019t only popular on its own but Hungarians add it to white wine to make froccs<\/em>, their version of the classic white wine spritzer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitely try at least one of the 20 versions of <\/a>froccs<\/a> <\/em>while you\u2019re in Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benedictine Monastery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The large white baroque building on Szechenyi Square is part of the Benedictine Monastery and Grammar School. The Pharmacy Museum and Memorial Room are part of this complex and open for visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Column of St Mary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Szechenyi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of Szechenyi Square is the Column of St Mary. Built in 1686 (although you wouldn\u2019t know it). This was built to commemorate the recapture of Buda from the Turks (later united with Pest to form Budapest<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dunakapu Square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Dunakapu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This pretty riverside square is one of Gyor\u2019s most recent redevelopment projects. The whole square was completely renovated and it\u2019s now used for events or as somewhere to sit and people watch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From here you can walk across Kossuth Bridge to Kaloczy Square where you can explore the university district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vienna Gate Square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Vienna<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vienna Gate Square (Becsi Kapu Ter<\/em>) is one of the prettiest baroque squares in Gyor with a little garden, a couple of restaurants, classic cobblestone streets and the Carmelite Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bishops Lookout Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Basilica<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next to the Basilica of Gyor is Puspokvar-Toronykilato<\/a>, a historic castle and tower. For a small fee, you can visit the lookout tower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not until you get above the city that you realise just how green and pretty it is. Of course, you can see plenty of communist-era apartment blocks from the tower but that also forms an important part of Gyor\u2019s history and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parks and Gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a little greenery in central Gyor, you\u2019ll need to get slightly out of the historic old town. Bisinger Park next to the Town Hall is a nice spot as is the larger Batthyany Square. Halfway across Raba Bridge (over the Raba River) is a very quiet island park worth a visit if the weather is nice or if you have time, take Kossuth Bridge to Kaloczy Park near the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museums in Gyor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Gyor<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abbots House on Szechenyi Square is home to Gyor\u2019s History Museum. I didn\u2019t visit but this is the most popular museum in Gyoer. The city seems to have loads of museums so if that\u2019s your thing, I\u2019m sure you could find one to interest you. Check with the tourist office for more details<\/a> and opening hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abbey of Pannonhalma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I came across the Abbey of Pannonhalma not long after my weekend in Gyor. It\u2019s a huge religious complex located on an elevated section of woods about an hour from the centre of Gyor. The mixed architecture of the Benedictine monastery, grand library, refectory and church make it an interesting half-day trip or a stop on your way to Budapest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a car there are public buses from Gyor but it might be best to ask at the tourist office or Hungary Tourism to see if they can suggest a better way to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more things to do in Gyor, try the Gyor tourism<\/a> site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hungarian Restaurants, Bakeries and Markets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Restaurants<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gyor is one of the least touristy cities in Hungary so you don\u2019t have to worry about getting ripped off at a \u2019tourist restaurant\u2019. Gyor is actually one of the few places where you could get away with eating in the main square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n