Wine Tasting in Eger (Full-Day)

Spend a day in Eger, where a famous Hungarian red wine comes with a rather unusual story. Visit the castle, taste local wines and enjoy some time in one of Hungary's most attractive historic towns.

Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour – In English or Hungarian

Family-Friendly Tour 😊

Eger is famous for two things: its wine and its castle. And, as it happens, there's an old legend that connects the two.

In 1552, a small Hungarian garrison defended Eger Castle against a much larger Ottoman army. According to local legend, red wine helped give the defenders their courage – and their enemies quite a fright. We'll tell you the story when we visit the castle.

Of course, there's more to Eger than its famous siege. The old town has Baroque buildings, good places to eat and a long tradition of winemaking.

We'll travel from Budapest to Eger on a private day trip, visiting the castle and a local wine cellar, with time for lunch and a look around the town.

Your English- and Hungarian-speaking driver-host will pick you up from your accommodation in Budapest and bring you back at the end of the day. The tour is just for your group, with a maximum of six guests.

Prices – Departing from Budapest
€350 total / 1–2 people
€390 total / 3–4 people
€430 total / 5–6 people

Entrance tickets are included. Wine tasting is optional. When booking, select how many people in your group would like to take part. The total price will change automatically to reflect your choice.

Eger Castle – Where the Story Begins

Eger Castle overlooks the town, and from its walls you can see the rooftops and church towers below.

Back in 1552, Captain István Dobó and around 2,000 defenders held out against an Ottoman army many times their size. The siege lasted 39 days before the attackers finally withdrew. It's one of the best-known stories in Hungarian history, and visiting the castle makes it easier to picture what happened here.

We'll see the old fortifications and the remains of the medieval cathedral, with a chance to visit the castle museum where access allows.

So, Why Bull's Blood?

The story goes that during the siege, the Hungarian defenders drank red wine to keep their spirits up. When the Ottoman soldiers saw their red-stained beards, they supposedly thought the Hungarians had been drinking bulls' blood and had gained the strength of the animals.

It's a wonderful legend, but there's no evidence that this is how the wine got its name. In fact, the earliest known written reference to Bikavér as an Eger wine dates from 1851, almost 300 years after the siege.

The Wines of Eger – More Than Bull's Blood

Eger may be best known for its reds, but there's plenty of good white wine and rosé here too. What you'll be able to taste depends on the winery we visit, but it's worth knowing a little about the region's wines before you go.

Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) is the name most people associate with Eger. It's a dry red blend made from several grape varieties, with Kékfrankos playing an important part. Younger Bikavér wines are often fruity, with cherry and berry flavours. Older, more mature versions can be richer and spicier, with more complex flavours.

Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) is a lively red wine, usually with cherry flavours, a little spice and refreshing acidity.

Egri Csillag (Star of Eger) is a local white blend, ranging from light and floral to fuller, more complex styles.

Leányka is a traditional white wine, often soft and fragrant, with delicate fruit and floral notes.

Debrői Hárslevelű is an aromatic white wine from the region, sometimes showing hints of flowers, ripe fruit and honey.

There are also plenty of rosés, along with wines made from Olaszrizling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Wine Tasting in a Local Cellar

Eger has been making wine for centuries, and the cellars are part of that history. Many of the older ones were dug into the soft rock beneath the town and the nearby hills, where the cool underground conditions were ideal for storing wine.

We'll visit a local cellar for a tasting of regional wines. You'll hear a little about how they're made, but this isn't a wine course. It's a chance to try some good Hungarian wines and see which ones you enjoy. If you find a wine you particularly like, you may be able to buy a bottle to take home.

Time to Enjoy Eger

We'll also spend some time in Eger's old town, which is well worth seeing.

Dobó Square is a good place to start, with its Baroque buildings, cafés and the statue of the captain who defended the castle. From here, we can wander through some of the old streets and stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

We'll plan the day around the castle visit and wine tasting, with some flexibility for lunch and sightseeing.