Welcome to the city of Györ, Hungary. To be honest, I had never heard of Györ, only finding out about it when researching places to visit during my trip to Bratislava. The town is also a short ride away from Budapest and Vienna, making it the perfect place to add to your itinerary, wherever you are travelling from. If you’re here for a quick stopover or a longer visit, Györ will win you over with its amazing history and culture. If you are looking for things to see and do here, this is how to spend a day exploring the beautiful city of Györ.
SZÉCHENYI SQUARE
Start your journey in the centre of Györ at Széchenyi Square. This is the town’s main square, filled with beautiful baroque architecture, monuments, shops, cafes, and museums. Here you will also find the Iron Stump House; the Benedictine Church of St Ignatius, which was closed for renovation during our time here; and the bright yellow Apátúr House.
WANDER THROUGH THE OLD TOWN
Györ’s Old Town is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and hidden courtyards. Here, you will stumble upon cute shops and restaurants, and maybe even a surprise or two.
VISIT THE BASILICA OF GYÖR
Visit the Basilica of Györ, one of Hungary’s most important religious sites. Admire its ornate golden interior and don’t miss the miraculous Weeping Madonna painting. It’s said to have shed tears back in 1697! The basilica also houses the famous ‘golden head’. A gold-plated silver head is said to hold the skull of King Ladislaus I. It was made during the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries.
BISHOP’S CASTLE AND PÜSPÖKVÁR TOWER
Climb up to the Püspökvár Tower for panoramic views of Györ. This 13th-century castle complex also houses the Bishop’s Palace, where you can explore religious artefacts and stroll through historical rooms. You will find the tower opposite the cathedral.
WALK ALONG THE RIVERBANK
The Rába and Danube rivers meet in Györ, offering strolls along their peaceful banks. Take in the views, enjoy the fresh air, and in the warmer months, pack a picnic to enjoy by the water.
“PULZUS”: THE ROTATABLE MIRROR
This is a huge double-sided art installation by the Mosoni-Duna River. Have fun taking photos of yourself in the mirror as you push it around. It acts as a lens, giving you different views and perspectives of the city. You will find the mirror located at the Dunakapu tér, the Danube Gate Square.
RELAX AT THE RÁBA QUELLE THERMAL SPA
We didn’t do this during our trip, but if you fancy, you could head to Rába Quelle, Györ’s very own thermal bath. Soak in warm, healing waters, unwind in a sauna, or enjoy a swim in the pools. Perfect for recharging after a busy day of sightseeing. Adult tickets to the spa are 8900HUF (€25).
VISIT THE CARMELITE CHURCH
The Carmelite Church sits proudly on Vienna Gate Square, Bécsi kapu tér, in the centre of the city. The church was built between 1716 and 1725, but its origins are much earlier.
SIT BY ONE OF THE MANY FOUNTAINS
Many of these were turned off and covered over during my visit because it was the middle of winter. The ones that were uncovered looked beautiful, though. The one fountain I was hoping to see was the Soda Syphon, known as the Jedlik Bubbler in Gutenberg Square. This fountain honours Hungarian inventor Ányos Jedlik, who invented the carbonated soda bottle. He died in Györ in 1895, aged 95.
SPEND SOME TIME AT THE LAPIDARIUM
Discover the Lapidarium, a small museum with ancient Roman and medieval stone carvings. A place filled with history, perfect for a quick stop. Sadly, this was closed during my visit because it was out of tourist season. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and a single adult ticket costs 2000HUF. You will find the museum a short walk from the Basilica of Györ at Bécsi kapu tér 5.
THE IRON STUMP HOUSE
This quirky attraction has a great story to tell. An iron tree stump was placed here after the original tree was struck by lightning. Today, it’s a symbol of resilience and a fun spot for a photo. It sits on the corner of the Herend Porcelain Store and museum on Széchenyi Square.
RÓMER FLÓRIS MUSEUM
Art lovers, this one’s for you. The Rómer Flóris Museum is Györ’s premier art institution, showcasing Hungarian and international works, including paintings, sculptures, and temporary exhibitions.
SYNAGOGUE OF GYÖR
Hop over the River Rába and visit the Synagogue of Györ; you can visit the inside for a small fee of 1800HUF (€5). Sadly, again, a place that was closed during my visit. But it looked just as stunning on the outside as the pictures I have seen of the inside.
WEIRD & WONDERFUL CURIOS
Wander the streets and look around, and you will find some amazing street art, curios, monuments and statues. Perfect for those who love to explore a little deeper and love to notice the smaller details.
LOVE GYOR SIGN
Before you leave, make sure you find the ‘Love Györ’ sign outside the town hall. A quirky photo opportunity. If you travel by bus or train to the city, the town hall is a short walk from here.
TOWN HALL
Györ’s Town Hall is a neo-baroque masterpiece. Its twin towers and grand facade make it one of the most iconic buildings in the town. Take a walk around, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of a wedding or event happening inside.
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EAT A LANGOS
It wouldn’t be a trip to Hungary without tucking into a tasty Langos. A deep-fried dough, enjoyed with various toppings. This was my first experience, but it wouldn’t be my last! I thought I was getting an original open-topped version of a Langos when I ordered, but it came folded, a bit like a calzone. I wasn’t complaining, though. It was delicious, full of melted cheese, tomatoes, and Hungarian sausage. We picked ours up from Lángos Manufaktúra.
ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURE
The city has some really beautiful buildings for you to admire as you walk around, built in various styles and colours. Have a mooch around and soak up this incredible little city. We were there in the middle of winter. I can only imagine how gorgeous it looks during spring and summer with blue skies, green leaves, flowers, and the fountains uncovered and flowing!
IS GYÖR WORTH VISITING?
So, is Györ worth a visit? Absolutely, even though there were so many places closed during my day here, it was still a great place to see. The buildings were so vibrant, the churches were beautiful and the city itself was super clean and very welcoming. You could easily add this to your itinerary if you were to spend a few days in Bratislava like I did; Budapest is also close by, although a little further.
You can read about my time in Bratislava by clicking the following link: 20 amazing things to see and do in Bratislava, Slovakia.
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