North of Budapest, where the Danube changes direction and heads with purpose towards the Hungarian capital, glorious sweeping panoramas combine with dramatic remains of medieval history. The landscape of the Börzsöny, Pilis and Visegrád hills provides a stunning backdrop to any visit, one that might encompass romantic Szentendre, historic Visegrád, ecclesiastical Esztergom and bustling Vác. Along with spectacular sightseeing, the Danube Bend offers forest trails, family-friendly rides and the wines of Neszmély.

In the English-subtitled video below, provided to We Love Budapest by the Hungarian Tourism Agency, a new promotion showcases the Danube Bend during the beautiful season of autumn. The camera swoops over the golden colors of the dramatically undulating landscape and rushing river, the same perspective that the medieval kings of Hungary, Bohemia and Poland would have admired during their seminal summit of 1335. The setting, the former Royal Palace atop Visegrád, can be visited today thanks to archaeological excavations that took place during the 1930s.

Moving up and down the Danube either side of Visegrád, the video film also takes in the cobblestoned streets of Szentendre and venerable Esztergom, where the first Hungarian king was crowned at the turn of the first millennium. Vác, destination for the first train journey ever taken in Hungary in 1846, provides a more urban experience on the opposite bank of the river.

All the family can enjoy attractions such as the bobsleigh course in Visegrád and narrow-gauge rail that follows the curving contours of the Börzsöny woods. Hikers are treated to spectacular views from the high point of the Dobogó Stone and the cooling shade of the Rám Valley, while wine lovers can clink glasses over a gorgeous Danube sunset at Neszmély.

How to get there from Budapest: Check out this article for detailed information on getting the HÉV train from Batthyány tér and Margit-híd to Szentendre and what to do once you arrive.

The Volánbusz bus network serves Visegrád (from Budapest Újpest Városkapu, one hour 15 minutes’ journey time) and Esztergom (from Budapest Árpád híd, one hour 30 minutes’ journey time). You can also take the train for Esztergom from Nyugati Station, between one hour and 90 minutes’ journey time. The train to Vác from Nyugati Station takes either 25 or 45 minutes. Neszmély is best accessed via Tatabánya or Almásfüzitő from Budapest, first taking the train then a local bus.