Győr-Moson-Sopron, western Hungary · Hungary
The most loyal town, a medieval walled city at the Austrian border, with a landmark Fire Tower, more listed buildings per square metre than almost anywhere, and Kékfrankos red wine.
Sopron is a compact town in the far west of Hungary, pressed against the Austrian border, whose medieval core has survived largely intact. Its nickname, Civitas Fidelissima, the most loyal town, dates from a referendum in 1921 in which residents voted to remain in Hungary rather than join Austria. The old town, within a ring of former walls, holds more than 200 listed buildings.
The symbol of the town is the Fire Tower, a 61-metre tower built on Roman foundations, with a baroque top added in the 18th century, and a balcony that gives sweeping views over the roofs. Below it, Fő tér has Gothic and baroque buildings, including the Storno House, and the town's medieval streets are dotted with courtyards and cellars. Sopron also has a long wine tradition, especially for Kékfrankos, a spicy red grape.
Beyond the town is Lake Fertő, a shallow steppe lake shared with Austria, and a UNESCO cultural landscape, with reed beds, birds and cycling paths. Sopron is a natural stop between Vienna and Budapest, and one or two days is enough.
Why visit
Sopron is a quiet, atmospheric medieval town with wine and a lake nearby.
Compact and preserved.
Views over the town.
Kékfrankos and local whites.
A UNESCO landscape.
One hour away.
Main attractions
The old town is small and walkable.
The town's symbol, a tower with a baroque cap, which you can climb for views.
Tip Go in the morning.
Cobbled streets lined with Gothic, Renaissance and baroque houses.
Tip Wander the side lanes.
The main square, with the Goat Church, the Storno House and a Trinity column.
Tip See the Goat Church.
A huge shallow steppe lake with reeds, birds and cycling trails.
Tip Cycle to Fertőd.
A rococo palace nearby where Joseph Haydn worked.
Tip Combine with the lake.
Wineries in the villages.
Tip Book tastings.
Things to do
Sopron is for strolling and tasting.
See the town.
Tip Buy a ticket.
Explore side streets.
Tip Go early.
A local red.
Tip Visit a cellar.
Flat trails.
Tip Rent a bike.
The Esterházy Palace.
Tip Go for a concert.
Relax.
Tip Bring a swimsuit.
Local food
Sopron food blends Hungarian and Austrian tastes.
Spicy red.
Where to try it Cellars.
Local lager.
Where to try it Pubs.
Austrian-style.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Hungarian sweets.
Where to try it Cafés.
Roast goose.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Accommodation
Stay in the old town.
Transport
Sopron is on the Vienna–Budapest corridor.
The old town is compact.
When to go
Sopron has a mild continental climate.
Mild.
Warm.
Harvest.
Cold.
Worth planning around: Grey winter days.
Itinerary
The old town and the lake.
Old town.
Cycling.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
About one hour.
Yes.
The Fire Tower and medieval town.
A red grape variety.
One or two.
Yes.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Sopron, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Central Hungary, on the Danube, Hungary
Hungary's capital, with the Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Széchenyi thermal baths, the Great Market Hall, ruin bars and Danube views.
Don't miss The Parliament building lit up on the Danube at night, seen from a river cruise or the Buda bank.
Explore Destination — BudapestTransdanubia, western Hungary, Hungary
A 77-km-long lake with the Tihany Peninsula, Badacsony's basalt hills and wine, Balatonfüred's promenade and the Festetics Palace at Keszthely, popular for swimming, sailing and wine.
Don't miss Tihany Abbey on its peninsula above the lake at sunset, with lavender fields in July.
Explore Destination — Lake BalatonPest and Komárom-Esztergom, north of Budapest, Hungary
A day-trip loop from Budapest to the baroque artists' town of Szentendre, the royal citadel at Visegrád and the basilica at Esztergom, along a picturesque stretch of the Danube.
Don't miss The view from Visegrád's citadel over the Danube's great S-shaped bend.
Explore Destination — The Danube BendRead next
Transport
European rail is excellent and confusing — six national operators, three completely different pricing models, and a rail pass that is either a bargain or a waste depending on where you are going. Here is how to work out which.
Where to go
The most visited place in a country is rarely its best, and it is almost never its best value. This is a method for finding the destinations that do not make the postcards — and a set of examples from five of the 50 countries on this site.
Advertisement
.jpg){kind=link}