Where to visit in Veszprém? Explore the sights of the city and the surrounding area.
Veszprém is a city of queens
What could be a more exciting destination than a city in the Central Transdanubian region, where the Hungarian queens have liked to go. Veszprém is not called “the city of queens” in vain and it swings around, something very majestic nowadays. We could call the city of Veszprem a cliché of a small jewelry box and the truth is that we wouldn’t be wrong.
The name of the settlement comes from the Slavic word bezprem hill, which is not disappointing, as it is surrounded by curves such as the Veszprém mountains and its castle is on the edge of Bakony.
For sure, the city and its surrounding area offers exciting activities for anyone who wants to move around a bit and take an excursion, and those who are a little lazy and relaxed have plenty to see.
The favorite castle of Hungarian queens
Those who are particularly interested in Central European history have come to the best place: almost every historic station in Hungary has left some form of imprint on the settlement and its surroundings.
One of the highest hills of the city, built on seven hills, is the country’s oldest castle, which was an important venue for the fight for the introduction of Christianity and the favorite place of the first Hungarian queen Gizella (later several queens were crowned here).
It is no accident that those who get to Veszprém cannot miss the castle and the castle district.
If you want to explore every little corner of the castle, leave the high heels and uncomfortable clothes at home, as some ascents are up to a smaller cardio workout, but the sight is absolutely worth it.
The Castle District itself is only one street, but a true paradise for the lovers of Baroque art; and many cult statues and monuments built in this style adorn the area.
Heroes’ Gate
Crossing the Heroes’ Gate (Hősök kapuja), a not ordinary time travel begins: the aforementioned Baroque image and the small ancient streets give the place a romantic feel. The perfect dating site.
Besides the many sights, the view from the castle is not negligible. For this panorama, the sometimes steep walk uphill is well worth it.
Fire Tower
And once we are there one of the symbols of the city, the 48-meter Fire Tower (Tűztorony), must not be missed.
As its name implies, it was intended to keep an eye on and prevent a firefighting threat to the city, but history has shown that the Watchtower was not the last.
The really brave ones can even go to the top. It is worth scheduling a visit to the tower for round times, as every hour we can hear Antal Csermák’s performed at recruiting , giving us a taste of the fantastically diverse past of Hungarian music.
Galleries for art lovers
For art lovers, they do not have to err because there are several galleries in the castle. If you are attracted to modern art, you can’t miss the Modern Gallery, but if you get to know more of the masters of different ages, let’s go to the Csikász Gallery or the Dubniczay Palace.
Must-see tourist attractions in Veszprém
If we still have a burning desire for culture and why not, then the St. Michael’s Cathedral is also a must-see, whose foundations are thanks to the aforementioned Veszprém fan Queen Gizella, has founded the Episcopal Cathedral.
During our tour, the Trinity Square, with the Trinity Statue as its main adornment, can be a perfect place to relax. If you want a delicious coffee or cookie, or if you want something more substantial, there are plenty of tourist attractions in the area.
If we have gathered enough power to continue and are now truly coveting something of the Middle Ages, then head to St. George’s Chapel where, according to legend, the son of Stephen I – the first king of the Hungarians – received eternal virginity.
Even if we slip away from this lofty thing, there is no need to be disappointed, as it is definitely worth staying at the northern tip of the castle: we will have a stunning view, not to mention the statue of the first Hungarian royal couple.
St. George’s Chapel 
Viaduct 
the statue of the first Hungarian royal couple 
stunning view from Castle 
panorama from Viaduct
The Veszprém area is inexhaustible from a magnificent viewpoint, so I can only recommend the other symbol of the city, the Viaduct over the Fejes Valley, officially known as St. Stephen’s Valley bridge.
The bridge, full of sweet and bitter stories, is sure to be a must-see tourist attraction with its 185 meters long and 37 meters high, making it one of the most beautiful and largest valley bridges in the country. From here, the whole city is before our eyes.
Are you a nature lover? Head to the neighborhood
If you are not only in transit, but have several days in the area and the hiking boots are not far away, here are some tips.
As I mentioned, Veszprém and its surroundings are located in a really hilly, mountainous area, so we have a lot of hiking opportunities.
The Devil’s Trench (Ördög-árok), Stone Trench (Kő-árok), Stone Washing gorge (Kőmosó szurdok) route in Bakony is not recommended for beginners, but it is worth it if you manage to reach only part of it.
The whole tour is a little over 13 kilometers and you can see the largest cave in the Bakony, the dense Devil’s Mountain hole (Ördöghegyi-lik). However, it is not recommended for beginner cavers, especially without proper equipment. Conversely, if you love the romantic landscapes and the challenges, this tour is unmissable.
Recommended programs in Veszprém
If it is about relaxation then it is VeszprémFest
Veszprém is truly amazingly diverse, not only you can be cultivated but there are good tours, and once a year, in July, the cult VeszprémFest is also held here.
The festival, envisioned in 2002, has since grown to such a level that it hosts not only local, Hungarian bands and artists, but also world-avowed performers. Just to name a few, there have been quite a few world stars from Craig David through Caro Emerald.
The event is recommended for true “omnivores” as there is no segment of music that it wouldn’t deploy. Be it jazz, opera, world music or even pop, you are sure to have the most respected representatives of it on the festival.
This series of events is a great experience in itself, and what if we think about what venues we can enjoy these programs. For a while, the space in front of the beautiful Baroque building of the archbishop’s palace in Veszprém was the home to those who would like to entertain, and during its reconstruction the equally impressive Garden of History.
Rozé, Rizling and Jazz days
Since 2011, wine lovers didn’t have to go far too, as the Castle District is also home to the Rozé, Rizling and Jazz days, which are a part of VeszprémFest’s accompanying event.
If you really want to get to know Hungarian culture, it’s not enough to get stuck with goulash or Tokaj wines. The well-known wines of Balaton are just as much a part of Hungarian wine culture, and at this festival we can get a good taste of them.
If you are not a fan of alcohol, you should not be disappointed because besides the exciting music programs, you can also enjoy the Hungarian crafts and food.
Veszprém is difficult to summarize in a few words, as its history, as well as its present, is very diverse. Not only is it the cradle of Hungarian history and culture, not just a beautiful countryside worth exploring, it is not just a university town and a venue for sparkling programs and festivals. You need to get to know Veszprém, taste it and you can be sure that an eternal love is born.
