Eger

Eger is a historic town in Northern Hungary, capital of Heves County, situated between the Mátra and Bükk mountains. Eger district outside of the city is covered in a separate article.

Understand

Eger is mainly known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings (including the northernmost Turkish minaret) and, above all else, the best Hungarian red wines in the "Valley of the beautiful women". When you plan your trip, it looks like a small town for which half a day is more than enough, but 3 days may not even be enough to enjoy it fully, even in the winter.

Tourist mix

The majority of travelers come for a single day (mostly Slovakians), not staying overnight. Ukrainians and Russians frequent the Castle, along with many Italians. Around the town you may run into many German-speaking travellers as well.

Get in

By train

Trains leave the Budapest Keleti station each hour. The ones leaving at odd hours are direct, the ones leaving at even hours require you to change trains in Füzesabony. Most of these trains are gyors (fast) trains and will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes to arrive. Hourly IC trains will take you directly to Füzesabony, cutting the total travel time to just under 2 hours, but a reservation is required.

If you come from Miskolc your options are similar, except there is no direct service and you will have to change trains in Füzesabony. IC trains take just under an hour to arrive.

1 Train station (vasútállomás). (updated Jul 2018)

By bus

Buses leave the bus stop behind Budapest's Stadionok station for Eger twice an hour and the trip takes a little over 2 hours. The quarter past bus takes the highway and takes two hours, and the quarter to bus takes smaller roads and takes 2½ hours. You can buy a ticket on the bus. The buses take only cash in the local currency. Get there 20 minutes early during peak times, as there might be a queue and you might not get a seat. Most major cities in Hungary also have direct bus connections to Eger.

2 Bus station, Barkóczy utca 2. (updated Jul 2018)

By car

The easiest way to arrive is to take the M3 as far as Füzesabony, then continue north on route 25. For a more scenic route from Miskolc you can drive through the windy roads of the Bükk mountains.

Get around

The train station is located about a 10-minute walk from the downtown area and most attractions. Walk over to Deák Ferenc út and walk north until you reach the Basilica. You can also take buses #10, 11, or 12. If you arrived by bus, the town bus station is located downtown directly behind the basilica.

Once downtown, the city is small and best walked on foot. You won't need alpine boots, but high-heeled shoes are still not good as there is much cobblestone pavement downtown.

However, the town has a taxi service which is especially useful if you arrive by train or if your hotel is outside of the town center. (phones: 555-555; 333-333).

Also, if you go for some outdoor activities near the town there are some buses connecting the town with the suburbs. Check at the main bus station for schedules.

See

Castle area

• 1 Castle of Eger (Egri Vár), Vár 1 (from the town centre along Dobó Street to Dózsa György Square, where you may see bard Sebestyén Tinódi’s statue. From the square you may see the fortress’s Southern gate, which can be accessed by a steep pedestrian road), ☏ +36 36 312744, fax: +36 36 312-450, varmuzeum@egrivar.hu. The castle gate is open Jan-Feb 08:00-17:00, Mar 08:00-18:00, Apr 08:00-19:00, May-Aug 08:00-20:00, Sep 08:00-19:00, Oct 08:00-18:00, Nov-Dec 08:00-17:00. Permanent exhibitions open Jan-Apr 10:00-16:00, May-Jun 15 9:00-17:00, Jun 16-Aug 10:00-17:00, Sep-Dec 10:00-16:00. The second floor of the Gothic Palace or Bishop Palace houses an excellent permanent exhibit on the history of the castle, the Turkish siege, and aftermath, on the first floor temporary exhibition can be seen. The Art Gallery (Képtár) contains artwork from different Hungarian artists, most notably Munkacsy. The Castle's Prison open only between May and September and located also on the first floor. Finally there is a tour of the Underground Passageways. The tour will take you first to the Heroes' Hall, with a replica of the tomb of István Dobó. The passages themselves contain several different examples of archaeological finds, as well as reenactments of events from the Turkish siege (a cannon being fired, an underground explosion, and a makeshift motion detector that uses peas). The passages can only be visited by tour, in Hungarian only. Also more sights are the Lapidarium in the halls of Caserne and casemates. In Dobó Bastion is also a space to temporary exhibitions, the Bastion’s open terrace offers breathtaking views. The castle has several other attractions which are not included on the main ticket. Specifically, you will have to pay extra for: Panopticum exhibits of a dozen wax figures based on characters from the book "Eclipse of the Crescent Moon" by Géza Gardonyi. Winter time: open 09:00-15:00. Entrance fees: adult/reduced Ft 500/250. The Castle Cinema shows the Eger in the 1500s movie in 3D (Ft 400, Tu-Su 09:00-16:00, summer till 17:00). Beyond historic sights there are excellent views of the entire city as well as several hobbyhorses inside the yard that even adult tourists enjoy playing with/on. The temperature of Dungeon constant throughout the year, 10-12°C, so bring some warm clothes. Adult Ft 1700. Plus: guided tour in Hungarian Ft 550, no guided tours in English available. (updated Aug 2018)

Churches

• 2 Servite Church and Cloister (Fájdalmas Anya Servita Plébánia), Servita 21 (Dayka Gábor street corner), ☏ +36 36 518652, fax: +36 36 518653, gyula.lengyel@gmail.com. Church services M-Sa at 18:00, Su at 09:30, 18:00. They also revived the traditional religious procession in honour of Mater Dolorosa according to the spirituality of the order. The monastery and church in Eger is the only one of the eight belonging to Serves Mariea (Servants of Mary) order. The church was built in Baroque style in 1728-32, the towers completed only in 1754. During the construction walls of the former Turkish mosque and school were embedded, too. The monastery was erected in 1780. (updated Aug 2014)
• 3 Roman Catholic church of the one time Clements (- volt Irgalmasok Temploma), Knézich Károly utca 1 (behind the Minaret), ☏ +36 36 326592, titkar@mfkh.hu. Only from outside. The complex include the church, the hospital and the buildings of the monastery. Built in Classicist style. (updated Aug 2014)

• 4 Rókus (St. Roch) Chapel (Szent Rókus kápolna), Entrance at Rókus Lane opened Maklári Street ? (Hotel Aqua Eger), ☏ +36 36 420317. At the eastern end of the former Roch Cemetery. A Roman Catholic Church. The one nave votive chapel was built in 1709-14 after that plague epidemic in Baroque. Statue niches are divided the Gabled main facade of its. Original interior destroyed in the 1950s. (updated Aug 2014)
• 5 Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Church of St Frances of Immaculate Conception, Hu:Szeplőtlen Fogantatás, locals call it to: Barátok temploma (Temple of friars)), Kossuth Lajos utca 14 (Town centre), ☏ +36 36 312227, budap@chello.hu. The church of the Franciscan order, also called the church of monks, has a unique altar with a canopy, giving the construction an extremely light, dynamic character. The church of the Franciscan friars was built between 1736-1755 in baroque style, according to plans of the Italian architect, G.B. Carlone. The Church of St. Demetrius used to stand here. The church's doorways and the Mater Dolorosa statue, made in 1793, are works of Giovanni Adami. The Baroque altars and the pulpit, and the Rococo style main altar were made between 1735-1756. The statues and the side altarpieces are works of local masters. (updated Aug 2014)

• 6 Basilica of Eger (Egri Bazilika, Szent János apostol és főangyal, Szent Mihály főangyal Székesegyház), Pyrker tér 1, ☏ +36 36 420970, bazilika.eger@gmail.com. The third largest in Hungary (the other two are in Esztergom and Budapest). The Basilica was built between 1831 and 1836 in classical style. It was built by the plan of József Hild,-most famous neo-classicist work the Saint Stephen's Basilica located in Budapest,-between 1831 and 1836, ordered by archbishop Pyrker. The statues standing outside the cathedral are works of Marco Casagrande. The organ of the Basilica was made by company Moser in Salzburg at the end of 19th century. In the main season (15 May-15 Oct) visitors can listen to organ concerts every day (30 min., 15 May-15 Oct: M-Sa 11:30; Su 12:30). The frescos decorating the domes of the church were painted by an artist from the nearby small town, Mezőkövesd, typical folk art motives can be discovered in his paintings. Donation Ft 100-300. (updated Aug 2018)

• 7 Evangelical Church (Evangélikus Templom), Vörösmarty 29 (Close to Agria Park Shopping Center, on the corner of Törvényház Street and the Law Vörösmarty street, entrance from the Törvényház street), ☏ +36 36 313119, +36 20 8248381, evabs@citromail.hu. Opening hours: by booking. The Hungarian Lutheran church (community) is the third largest historic church in Hungary. This church includes Folk, Historicist and Neo-Romanesque architectural elements. Free. Hungarian and English professional guidance, duration: 30 min. (updated Aug 2014)

• 8 Saint Bernát Church (Ciszterci Szent Bernát Templom), Széchenyi utca 15, ☏ +36 20 3561471, hugyecz.janos@vaciegyhazmegye.hu. Opening hours: by booking. This Roman Catholic Church was owned by the Jesuit monks who in 1644 appeared in Eger. The Order house of the Jesuit built between 1700-1727. The church was only started around 1730, and completed in 1743, designed by a local the Jesuit architect. The church interior design is also time-consuming because only completed in 1772. A year later Joseph II. banned from the empire of the Jesuit order, so they are must to leave the church. The treasures transported to Buda, the buildings was received to the Cistercian Order. In 1800, this building is damaged by fire, and a number of small natural disaster, finally the church was restored in 1888 and then rebuilt again between 1900-1902 designed by Ignac Selves. The alcoves of the façade made in rococo style, which housed of four Jesuit saints: St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Francis Régis, and St. Stanislaus Kostka. The building is part of the high school, which was founded in 1754 and has since changed its name several times and now Istvan Dobo (former Captain of Eger Castle) is named. The main altar built in 1769 by Anton Kraus is an outstanding work of Hungarian Baroque sculpture. Here you will find the Vitkovics Family House, not far from the Serbian church. The House of Vitkovics coined Vitkovics Mihaly, a Serbian and Hungarian poet, translator and lawyer, who wrote poetry in Serbian and Hungarian, in 1778 was born in this house. Free. (updated Aug 2014)
• 9 Saint Nikolaus Orthodox Church (Ráctemplom, Szt. Miklós Görögkeleti Szerb templom), Vitkovics Mihály u. 30 (Next to Vitkovics Art Home), ☏ +36 36 320129, +36 20 4702376. Nov-Feb: 09:00-16:00, Mar-Oct: 10:00-17:00. Otherwise please call +36 20 4702376. The Serbian and Greek families having fled the Turks and settled in Eger in the 17th century, and they had the late Baroque Greek Orthodox, or Serbian church built. The church features baroque and rococo architecture. Its wall of icons rich in carvings and gold plating make the church one of the nicest ones in Hungary, painted by Miklós Jankovich. There is a small museum with religious collection. Entrance to the church Ft 400. (updated Aug 2018)

• 10 Saint Anna Church (Markhot Ferenc kórház Szent Anna kápolna, Szent Anna Templom), Széchenyi utca 29 (Close to Eger Creek end Markhot Ferenc hospital), ☏ +36 36 515178, +36 36 322455. M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su 08:00-18:00. A Roman Catholic church. Built in Baroque style. It was part of the former hospital of Catholic Merciful order (updated Aug 2018)
• 11 Saint Anton Church (Minorite Church, Conventual Church of St. Antony of Padua, Egri Szent Antal Minorita Templom), Dobó tér 4 (Next to City Hall), ☏ +36 36 516613, +36 36 516615, fax: +36 36 516614. Daily 09:00-18:00. One of the most beautiful baroque churches in Central Europe. The Church has a unique church interior. Built in 1758-1773. A nice work of the architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. Especially valuable woodwork of the church's furnishing. Every day at 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00 chimes can be heard from the church. (updated Aug 2014)
• 12 Former Trinitary church in Eger (Trinitárius templom), Eger, Trinitárius u. 5 (Close to Bartók Béla square). A monument in Hungary, Identifier: 5602. Partially restored, occasional exhibition space. Single nave church extended with semi-circular shaped transept and chapels. The sanctuary of its is with line closure. Gabled, twin towered, unfinished main facade. The middle part of temple space covered with dome vaults. It was built between 1725-1771 by a Bohemian architect. the order dissolved in 1784, the furnishing of the church was sold by auction and the building used for storage. Now here is the Temple Gallery (see more down) exhibit space. (updated Aug 2014)
• 13 Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Eger (Nativity of Mary church, Hungarian:Kisboldogasszony), Eger, Kisasszony utca (Near Route 25 in Eger). Former cemetery chapel of the same named Kisasszony Cemetery. (updated Aug 2018)
• 14 Saint Louis Church in Eger (Az egri lajosvárosi Szent Lajos római katolikus templom), Eger, Köztársaság tér (Lajosvaros district, one km south of R. Station). Masses: M Tu Th F Sa Su 18:00; First Fridays of month at 07:00 as well; Su also 07:00, 10:00. A Roman Catholic church. In April 1937, began construction on the church. The church was designed by engineer and developer was local persons. In August 1937, consecrated by the local papal prelate. The founding charter of church is located on the wall on the left side of the entrance. The church has one nave, Neo-Baroque style. (updated Aug 2014)

Museums

• 15 Synagogue (Zsinagóga), Kossuth Lajos Street. A Jewish temple. (updated Aug 2018)
• 16 Small synagogue (Kis zsinagóga), Dr. Hibay Károly Street. Contemporary art exhibition space. (updated Aug 2018)
• Kopcsik Marzipan (Kopcsik Marcipánia). (updated Aug 2018)
• 17 Gárdonyi Géza Emlékmúzeum, Gárdonyi u. 28. Mar-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:00, Nov-Dec M-Sa 11:00-15:00. (updated Aug 2018)
• Bell Foundry House (Harangöntő-ház). (updated Aug 2018)
• History Repository (Történeti Tárház). (updated Aug 2018)
• 18 Firefighter Museum (Tűzoltó Múzeum). (updated Aug 2018)
• Synagogue Gallery (Temple Gallery, Zsinagóga Galéria, Templom Galéria) Kossuth Lajos Street #17. - Open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Admission: Adult/Reduced Ft 300/150
• Memorial Collection - History of Eger Tobacco Factory (Emléktár – Az Egri Dohánygyár Története) - Eger, Törvényház u. 4. - Open: Sa 10:00-16:00. Free of charge
• Vitkovics house (Vitkovics-ház)
• the Baroque Exhibit Hall of Diocesan Library (Főegyházmegyei Könyvtár Barokk terme) located in Karoly Esterhazy College
• the Spekula Observatory and the Camera Obscura (Spekula Csillagvizsgáló és a Camera obscura) located in Karoly Esterhazy College
• Géza Gárdonyi Memorial Museum (Gárdonyi Géza Emlékmúzeum) - Eger, Gárdonyi u. 28. - Admission: adult/reduced Ft 500/250 (2014)
• Paloc Folk Art Exhibition (Palóc Népművészeti Kiállítás) - Eger, Dobó u. 12.; Open: 17 May-28 Sep. Tu-Su 10:15-16:15 - Admission: adult/reduced Ft 200/100 (2014)
• Sports Museum (Sportmúzeum) - Eger, Kossuth u. 9. Inner yard of County House.
• István cellar and National Wine Museum (István pince és Nemzeti Bormúzeum) -The wine museum, not very big but pleasant
• Telekessy Pharmacy Museum (Telekessy Patikamúzeum) - Open: M-F 10:00-16:00 - Free of charge
• Trickery exhibition (Szemfényvesztés kiállítás) - presents a vision for the world of the blind
• 19 Town under the town (Város a város alatt kiállítóhely), Pyrker tér (Close to Basilica). It's the former archiepiscopal wine cellar. Under the Basilica, you can visit the cellar and taste some fine wine. Adult/students Ft 950/Ft 500. (updated Aug 2014)
• 20 Egri Road Beatles Museum, Csiky Sándor utca 30. Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-14:00 (for the opening times during summer check the website). Guests can get a glimpse of the life and career of the band and its members in the frames of a guided tour. Films and contemporary newsreels are played on screens and the songs of the band can be listened to through headphones, whereas over 1500 contemporary media publications, garments, models and limited edition rarities are displayed in the showcases. Adult Ft 2500. (updated Aug 2018)

Other attractions

• Bajcsy-Zsilinszky street buildings: #6 Grober House (Grőber-ház), #17 Sághy-Steinhauser House (Sághy–Steinhauser-ház)
• Almagyar street buildings: #13 Hauser Bodnar House (Hauser-Bodnár-ház), #15 Plitzner-Buday House (Plitzner–Buday-ház), #16 Hagen-house (Hagen-ház)
• Széchenyi Street is the main pedestrian shopping street which features a variety of shops and restaurants.
• Fazola House (Fazola–Eősz-ház), Bródy Sándor u. 4. (updated Aug 2018)

• 21 Minaret (Temporarily closed for reconstruction), Knézich Károly str. (East of Hospital Markhot), ☏ +36 70 202-4353. Apr-Nov: Daily 10:00-18:00; Sep 30-Nov 6: Daily 10:00-17:00. The northernmost medieval minaret in Europe (i.e., the northernmost one except those built by immigrant communities in the last decades) and the tallest in Hungary (the other two are in Pécs and 'Érd' the minaret is a 42 meter high symbol of the Turkish occupation. It is 97 steps to the top, but be warned, the climb up is in an incredibly enclosed space on uneven and slippery steps and there is little room to move around up top so those who are afraid of heights or tight places should just enjoy it from the outside. Muezzin singing: Aug 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 at 17:00. Ft 300. (updated Aug 2018)
• 22 Lyceum. It's a baroque building opposite the Basilica that functions as a college. The Archbishop's Library inside is home to various frescoes, including one of the Council of Trent, as well as the only handwritten letter by Mozart in Hungary. The Observatory in the tower features a mirror telescope, a cannon sun dial which announces midday with a small explosion, and a camera obscura which projects an image of the city skyline on the wall. Very few of it is free, but you can buy a ticket for all the exhibitions for Ft 800. You can also find free Internet on some computers within the building. (updated Aug 2014)

Further afield

• 23 Szilvásvárad (take a train from Eger toward north about 28 km). Located at foothills of northwest of Bükk Mountains, in the Bükk National Park, above sea level to about 345 m. Its name comes from the Slavic earth castles. The town is the second most well-known Bükk resort next Lillafüred. Here is the world-famous Lipizzaner stud include the strain stallion stables, the Carriage Museum, equestrian stadium, exhibition of the history of the horse, the grazing herd. To stay: more than two dozens guesthouses, pensions apartmants and a couple three-four star hotel. To eat: in hotels or two or three restaurants and taverns. Try the local trout, truffle specialties. To do: auto racing, skiing, mountain outdoor sports. Take a tour to Szalajka Valley (main sights of its are the Fátyol (Veil) Falls, the Forest museum, Istállós-kői cave, Szilvásváradi Forest Railway, and more waterfalls, Trout Lakes in primeval forest), other good trek going on the Millennium Trail to Kalapat lookout (follow the blue diagonal stripes signs) open Jun-Aug: every day 10:00-19:00, other part of the year shorter opening times, not daily. If you need some adrenalin: Visit the Adventure Park or the Bob sled game park. Museums/galleries: 'Szilvásváradi-Gal' Ceramic Gallery, 'Orban-house' Museum, 'Debreczeni-Pelcz' Ceramic Gallery, 'Géza Révész' Saddlery-Leather-wright gallery. More sights: Reformed Round Church, Erdődy Pallavicini Mansion. (updated Aug 2014)

Do

• 1 Eger Thermal Bath, 2 Petőfi Square, ☏ +36 36 510-558. Adult 2200 Ft. (updated Aug 2018)
• Turkish bath in the Hospital of Francis Markhot, Eger (Markhot Ferenc Kórház Törökfürdő) (Heves County). 
• Motor paragliding by Eger Aero Club and others.
• Paintball
• 2 Gárdonyi Géza Theater, Hatvani kapu tér, 4, ☏ +36 36 310-026. Probably the only theater in town, quite modern and comfortable; attracts cream of the city, especially on holiday concerts. 
• Horseback riding by Mátyus Udvarház (Petró Tanya) (5 minutes by taxi from the middle of Eger), ☏ +36 36 517-937, info@matyusudvarhaz.hu. In winter, rides start at 10:00 (to 12:00) and 13:00 (to 17:00). Can offer good gallops and intense rides if guide can tell that you have enough experience. There is breathtaking scenery even in winter time: along and across vineyards; up the hills; through the forest; in beautiful fields. Ride whatever the weather, even in winter. Recommended by Senator Ház. Among personnel, only 1 or 2 speak basic English (neither can be a guide); in off-season, English emails are not responded to--call instead. The only shortcoming: guiding rider smokes on the route. Have some Panzio of the same owner next to the stalls (closed in winter). Horses: Fantom (1994): too slow as a leader on a gallop. Sigi (1996): trials rider in the first minutes, restless and fast through the route, but rarely keeps the distance. Hadfi (1996): need constant attention of rider on a route. Guided route: Ft 4,000 per hour per person.. 

Events

• Eger Spring Festival - late March to early Apr
• Agria Summer Games (Agria Nyári Játékok) - all summer
• Erlau Dance Festival (Erlau Táncfesztivál) - end of July, beginning of Aug
• The Bull's Blood Wine Feast (Az Egri Bikavér Ünnepe) - mid-Jul
• Medieval Marketplace (Középkori Piactér) - end of Jul
• Castle Festivities (Végvári vigasságok) - end of July
• Baroque Festival of Eger (Fesztivál a barokk Egerben) - Jul-Aug
• Festival of Szépasszonyvölgy (Szépasszonyvölgyi Fesztivál) - mid-Aug
• Wine Competition of Eger (Bormustra az egri Piacz-on) - mid-Aug
• Slow Film Festival - August
• Agria International Folk Dance Meeting (Agria Nemzetközi Néptánctalálkozó) - end of August
• Eger Festival (Eger Ünnepe) - mid-September - Civil festival
• Eger Castle Day (Egri Vár Napja) - October 17 - all museum of the Castle can be visited free of charge
• Every summer there is a small acrobatics workshop-week in Mikófalva, a village not far north from Eger (click on Mikófalva) .

Buy

Definitely a good place for wine shopping. You can buy directly from the makers.

Other places for shopping:

• Agria Park. A modern shopping mall which opened in March 2008. 
• Borkereskedés (wine shop) in Dobò Utca 3 has a wide assortment of Eger wines at reasonable prices.

Eat

Visit some csárdas in Valley of Beautiful Women (Szépasszony-völgy), some of them are constantly overcrowded as tourists are brought there by buses of partner agencies.

One of the specialties is pancake balls.

Budget

• 1 Govinda Vegetarian Restaurant. M-F 11:30-15:00. Set menus Ft 1050-1200. (updated Sep 2022)
• 2 Gyros, Széchenyi István u. 10 (100 m after the McDonald's). They serve a mix of Hungarian and Greek cuisine. It's not very expensive, rather oily, but the portions are quite big. Mains Ft 800-1800. 
• 3 Il Padrino Pizza Club, Fazola Henrik utca 1 (in a cozy little street branching off Dobó utca near the castle). They advertise themselves as having premium Italian pizzas with the cheese and ham coming from Italy. Pizzas Ft 1000-2000. 
• 4 Piggy Fanny Restaurant & Cafe, Széchenyi István u. 2. (updated Sep 2022)
• 5 Rohlicsek Lángosos, Katona tér. (updated Sep 2022)
• 6 Egri Érseki Kollégium Étterrem, Foglár György u. 14. (updated Sep 2022)
• 7 Express Önkiszolgáló Étterem, Foglár György u. 18. (updated Sep 2022)

Mid-range

• 8 Palacsintavár, Dobó u. 9, ☏ +36 36 413-980. 12:00-23:00. All main dishes are served in pancakes, are very large. Good selection of wines. Regulars seem to come here for desserts--and look really enthusiastic about them. Artistic interior feels like inspired by Andy Warhol. A bit off the beaten path. :Onion soup is disappointingly non-traditional, but still good. Conqueror's soup is served in bread, and definitely worth tasting. Be careful with Sombrero-- extremely hot, which is not indicated in menu. around Ft 2000. 
• 9 Senator Ház, Dobó tér 11. winter: till 22:00. Decent place to eat if you stay near Dobó tér. Owned and managed by the same people as Senator Ház hotel. Before 11:00, part of the restaurant is used for breakfast for guests staying at Senator Ház hotel. During the daytime, it attracts many non-residents even in winter time. 
• 10 Fehér Szarvas Vadásztanya, Klapka út 8. (downstairs next to Hotel Park), ☏ +36 36 411-129, fax: +36 36 516-129, szarvas@feherszarvasetterem.hu. 12:00-24:00. Offers excellent game dishes. Not the cheapest in town, but the meals are excellent and the atmosphere is unique--although locals are rare here, compared to tourists. Interior is full of mounted animals--which not everyone may like. Menu in English, Finnish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian (translations may vary in minor aspects). Saddle of venison (Ft 3150, cooked with truffles) is very tender, absolutely recommended. The hunter's favourite (Ft 2680) is amazing in matching four sauces to four kinds of meat. Goose Ragout Soup (Ft 680) is quite interesting, and served in a bread. Mains Ft 1500-3500. 

Splurge

• Macok Bisztró, Dózsa György tér 4. (Near the castle gate). Previously known as Imola Udvarház, it was selected as one of the top 12 restaurants in Hungary in 2009. A good selection of wines from Eger and Tokaj wine regions. Mains Ft 1900-5000. 

Confectioneries

• Marján Cukrászda, Kossuth u. 28 (on your way down from the Castle; just next door with Dorner restaurant), ☏ +36 36 312 784. May-Sep: 09:00-22:00; Oct-Apr: 09:00-19:00. Much more modern compared to Dobos, still quite luxurious interior with striped chairs and marble tables. Be careful with the cocoa--really large cups. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink

Wine

Eger is the centre of one of the top wine regions in Europe. Egri Bikavér is most famous cuvee here, but there are several others definitely worth a sip.

Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) is a strong red Hungarian wine which supposedly saved a clever Hungarian girl from her fate with a Turkish sultan. During the time of the Turkish occupation, it is said a young girl was summoned to become a member of the local sultan's harem. Not wanting this fate for his daughter, her father gave her a bottle of Egri Bikavér to take to the sultan. He told her to tell the ruler it was bull's blood, and would make him invincible. The sultan, being Muslim, was unaccustomed to alcohol, and proceeded to pass out, leaving the daughter unharmed. That's a legend -- but in real life, also be careful with Egri Bikavér. It's excellent, but strong stuff!

The real story is an important piece of Hungarian history: the "bull's blood" made there - is a cuvee (two types of red wine mixed). This name was given by the Turkish horde trying to conquer Eger - and then proceed towards Austria, etc. They failed: there were approx. 2000 Hungarians inside Eger, and 200,000 Turks outside. They had always seen the Hungarians drinking red wine, but they did not know what it was, and they assumed this must be bull's blood which makes these warriors so strong and fearless.

Wine shops

• Wine shop (at Dr. Hibay Károly u., just across Senator Ház). Nice place to taste and try wines. Walls and windows are all packed with wine bottles, there are even some mounted in the floor. Offers selection of wine-tasting menu, with full range of cheese and snacks. 
• Fúzió, Csiky Sándor utca. 10.. Wine bar, wine shop and lounge. A place to taste the wines of Gál Tibor, advertised as a "Design Cellar". 1.5 dl glasses of wine starting at Ft 700, Bottles starting at Ft 2000. 

Valley of Beautiful Women (Szépasszony-völgy)

• 24 Szépasszony Valley (Szépasszony Völgy, lit.Valley of the Beautiful Woman), Eger, Szépasszonyvölgy (2 km west-southwest from town centre, within about 15-20 minutes walk from centre of town, and easy to get to (but much harder to walk home from); follow the street signs with the English text "Nice Woman Valley"). Szépasszony Valley is the main place to go for winetasting in the town. This having about 200 small wine cellars have strongly become connected to the fame of the wines of Eger in the past centuries. Here sell local wines with very good prices. There is no inambiguous explanation for the origin of the name, neither for the date of the construction of the first cellars. The cellars were cut into rhiolit tufa of volcanic origin very easy to shape and which can be found under and around the town several hundred metres thick. Another advantage is that the wines are stored in them at constant, 10-15 °C temperature all the year around. Moreover, the moss, fungi living in the cellars create a special atmosphere, their pleasant smell supports aging of wine, developing their bouquet. Vendors will fill whatever container you have with you, so bring along some extra pop bottles. Most vendors also sell plastic jugs that you may take with you. Sometimes you pay for the glasses you drink there, though occasionally you will only be charged for the wine you take with you. Some wines are only available in bottles, and may be a little more expensive. A few of the places have hosts with very good English, though many do not. A liter of wine runs between Ft 400 and 700.  
• Bíró Borozó. Elderly women are great hosts, outgoing but not annoying, with good English and a sense of humor. Some wine is poured from a barrel through a decanter--it's a nice show, ask for a demonstration. Some is provided from bottles. 
• Farsang Pincészet, ☏ +36 30 263-4478, farsangpinceszet@t-online.hu. Some hosts speak English very well, wine comes from the barrel, and they have a restroom, which is not true of every cellar. 

Sleep

Several camp sites are available along with plenty of small and larger hotels and private rooms all over the town. You will not have a problem finding accommodation there.

• Arany Trófea. Hotel, at the feet of the Bükk National Park. All the rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, a color TV, telephone and minibar. 
• Hunguest Hotel Flóra, at the centre of thermal springs, among hundred-year-old trees.
• Korona. In the most quiet green area of the centre, near the pedestrian street. 
• Romantik. Family-oriented cozy 11-room hotel in the centre, 100 meters from main pedestrian street. 
• Imola Udvarház Hotel. Modern and comfortable hotel in a quiet little square at the foot of the castle. There is a garage for guests cars.
• Hotel Senator Ház, Dobó tér 11, ☏ +36 36 320466, fax: +36 36 320466, senator@enternet.hu. Has a restaurant in the same building; breakfasts are served there. Breakfast include a hot meal which changes every day; home-made jams; fruit salad; variety of Pickwick teas. Owner: András Cseh--very helpful in person, which is not obvious from emails until you arrive. Website says horseriding at Mátyus Udvar Ház can be arranged, but don't expect much help from Senator - you'll need to contact them directly. The hotel itself is an old building right at Dobó tér so prepare to enjoy sounds of the town's main clock tower every quarter. Reception area is full of small antiques.. 
• Villa Völgy. 3-star hotel in the Valley of Beautiful Women. The hotel is next to a 109-year old chapel and a delightful park. 
• Garten Vendégház, Legányi u. 6., ☏ +36 36 420-371. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. The "Garten" Guesthouse is placed in the green area nearby the historical downtown and the thermal bath and beach. €30-40. 
• Agyagos Vendégház, Agyagos u. 11/A, ☏ +36 30 532-0264. The "Agyagos" Guesthouse is in green area only for 5 minutes from the thermal bath and from the castle. Surrounded by Mediterranean made environment for guest to have rest. 

Go next

• Visit castles in Sirok and Kisnána
• Bathe and have a glass of wine in Egerszalók
• Visit the open air museum in Mezőkövesd
• Hike in Bükk mountains
• See the romanesque abbey in Bélapátfalva

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