A Day in Esztergom (Full-Day)

Visit Hungary's largest basilica, walk through the country's royal past and cross the Danube into Slovakia – all in one day.

Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour– In English or Hungarian

Family-Friendly Tour 😊

Just over an hour from Budapest, Esztergom was one of the most important centres of early medieval Hungary. It was a seat of Hungarian rulers and has been closely connected with the country's Catholic Church for more than a thousand years.

The town is dominated by its enormous basilica, standing high above the Danube. Beside it are the remains of a medieval royal palace, while below Castle Hill you'll find old streets, historic buildings and the riverside quarter of Víziváros.
We'll also walk across the Mária Valéria Bridge into Slovakia, where you can see Esztergom from the opposite bank of the river.

This is a private tour for you, your family or friends (up to six people). Your English- and Hungarian-speaking driver-host will pick you up from your accommodation in Budapest, accompany you throughout the day and take you back afterwards.

There'll be time for photographs, lunch at a local restaurant and a coffee along the way.

Prices – Departing from Budapest
€330 total / 1–2 people
€380 total / 3–4 people
€430 total / 5–6 people

All entrance tickets are included in the price.

Esztergom and Hungary's First Kings

Esztergom Basilica – Hungary's Largest Church

Our first stop is Esztergom Basilica, which stands on Castle Hill overlooking the Danube.

The present basilica was built in the 19th century. Its enormous dome, classical architecture and spacious interior make it one of the most recognisable buildings in Hungary.

Inside, we'll see the main altar and the Bakócz Chapel, an early 16th-century Renaissance chapel originally built alongside the medieval cathedral that once stood on Castle Hill.

When the new basilica was built, the chapel was carefully dismantled and reassembled inside it. Today, it's one of the most interesting parts of the building.

If you'd like to see the town from above, there's also the option of climbing to the dome lookout.

From the top, you can see the Danube, Esztergom and the Slovak countryside beyond.

Please note: The dome lookout can be visited when open, weather permitting. It is normally closed for part of January and February. The climb involves around 400 steps and is entirely optional. Access to the basilica itself may be restricted during religious services.

The Royal Castle – A Look at Medieval Hungary

A short walk from the basilica brings us to the remains of Esztergom's medieval royal palace.

In the 10th century, Prince Géza established his seat here. His son, Stephen, became Hungary's first king, and Esztergom went on to play an important role in the early Hungarian kingdom.

The surviving palace buildings date from different periods, with some of the most important remains associated with the reign of King Béla III in the 12th century.

At the Castle Museum, we'll see medieval rooms, the palace chapel and archaeological finds that offer a glimpse of life at the royal court.

We'll also have time to walk around Castle Hill before continuing into the old town.

Please note: The Royal Castle Museum is closed on Mondays. If you book this tour for a Monday, we'll still visit Castle Hill, but the museum's interior will not be included. Instead, we'll spend more time in Esztergom's historic streets and along the Danube.

The Old Town and the Danube

Víziváros – Esztergom's Historic Riverside Quarter

Below Castle Hill lies Víziváros, the old Water Town. We'll walk through its streets, past historic houses, churches and the Primate's Palace, which reflects Esztergom's long connection with the Catholic Church.

It's a quieter part of Esztergom, with a more relaxed atmosphere than Castle Hill.

Lunch in Esztergom

We'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can try traditional Hungarian dishes or choose something lighter.

Food and drinks are paid for separately.

Two Countries in One Day

Across the Mária Valéria Bridge to Slovakia

After lunch, we'll walk across the Mária Valéria Bridge, which connects Esztergom with the Slovak town of Štúrovo, known in Hungarian as Párkány.

The original bridge opened in 1895. It was destroyed in December 1944, during the Second World War, and wasn't rebuilt until 2001. You can walk across the Danube from Hungary into Slovakia in just a few minutes. On the Slovak side, we'll stop to admire Esztergom's skyline, with the basilica rising above the river and the old town below. It's a good place for photographs, and there'll be time for a coffee or ice cream before we return to Hungary.

Please note: As this tour includes a visit to Slovakia, all guests must bring a valid passport or, where accepted, a national identity card. Non-EU visitors should check that their travel documents allow them to enter Slovakia.

A Day at Your Own Pace

As this is a private tour, we can adjust the time spent at the basilica, the castle, in the old town and by the river to suit your interests. The whole trip takes approximately eight to nine hours, including the journey from Budapest and back.

Best Time to Visit

Esztergom can be visited throughout the year, although we particularly recommend spring, summer and early autumn, when the weather is generally more suitable for riverside walks and outdoor sightseeing.