Travel Tips 24 > Europe > Central Europe > Hungary >

Vác

Vác is a city in Pest County, Hungary. It is located on the eastern bank of the Danube near the magnificent Danube bend. Though not visited nearly as much as either Szentendre or Visegrád it can become a pleasant and enjoyable stop over between the two.

Travel to Vác, visa requirements

By train

Trains leave from the Budapest Nyugati station typically 4 times an hour. Two are slower személy trains which stop at each city and will get you to Vác in about 45 minutes. One is the faster gyors train, which goes directly to Vác. Tickets for both of these cost 450 Ft one way. Then there is one that takes a round-about way to arrive, going through both Fót and Vácrátót. This train will take closer to an hour and a half. The ticket for this train is 560 Ft one way.

By car

From Budapest take road #2 or 2/A (E77).

By boat

Hydrofoils depart in the summer from Budapest, Szentendre, and Visegrád.

Get around

The train station is only a short 10 minute or less walk along Széchenyi u. to Március 15. tér. From there you can reach all of the main attractions without any need for public transportation, though if you need the schedules they can be found here [1].

Vác attractions and sightseeing

Architectural Sights

Cathedral Vác's cathedral on Konstantin tér is the building that defines the town. It was begun in baroque style but completed in Neoclassical. It can only be visited during mass or by prior arrangement for tourists, so you may just have to stand outside, admiring its massive columns and statues.

Március 15 tér. The main square of Vác is a blend of Rococo and Baroque mansions, but you'll also note the archeaological diggings that dominate the area. The Dominican Church is the baroque cathedral dominating the south side of the square. There is also the Town Hall and the former Bishop's Palace, which stands at #6.

Town Prison on Köztársaság u. is still a functioning prison. It gained notoriety during communism and the Horthy regime for being one of the cruelest prisons in the area and there are several famous escape stories. Today you can get eerily close to the building and see the guard towers, as well as a memorial for those who were imprisoned and died there.

Round Tower is on the northern end of the waterfront. It is the only remaining part of the former town fortifications. Today it is built into a far more modern house.

Diadalív (Triumphal Arch) is on Köztársaság u. just north of Március 15 square and flanking the town prison. Also sometimes called the Stone Gate, it was built in 1764 at what was then the town boundary to welcome Empress Maria Theresa. It is notably smaller than most other similar arches (only one lane of traffic can go under it and there are no stairs to the top), still it is nonetheless a beautiful structure in the city.

Museums

The town's only real museum is the Ignác Tragor Museum [2], [3], though it has several branches. The main offices are on Zrínyi u. 41/a.

Memento Mori is on Mar. 15 square and houses the findings of the Dominican church crypts, including a few mummies.

The Medieval Cellar on Széchenyi utca 3-5. leads visitors down into a cellar built by King Matthias and displays archeaological findings.

Greek Church Exhibition Space is on Március 15. tér 19. contains history, art, and culture from the once thriving but now nearly non-existant Greek Church in Vác.

The Gyula Hincz Collection on Káptalan utca 16. features an exhibit on the history of the town (though it is all written in Hungarian) and a loft featuring artwork for local painter Gyula Hincz.

Diocesan Museum on Március 15. tér 4. is a collection of church arts and relics.

City tours

József Attila sétány is the primary waterside promenade and a walk along it is probably the most worthwhile thing to do in Vác. Besides the Danube and scenery this is an excellent place for people watching and enjoying leisure time with the locals.

Shopping, Vác souvenirs

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Vác nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Get out

Trains continue on to Visegrád, a former royal city featuring a castle and citadel on the Danube Bend.
The alternative route to Budapest goes through Vácrátót, home of one of the best botanical gardens in the country and Fót, home of a major cathedral.

Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/V%C3%A1c"