Things to do in Eger
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Valley of the Women Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is popular in the wine cellars of the evocatively named Valley of the Women Wine Tasting (Szépasszony-völgy). This is the place to sample Bull's Blood - one of very few reds produced in Eger - or any of the whites: Leányka, Olaszrizling and Hárslevelű from nearby Debrő. The choice of wine cellars can be a bit daunting and their characters can change, so walk around and have a look yourself.
Cellar Nos 16, 17, 29 and 48 are always popular; for schmaltzy Gypsy music, try No 32 or 42. But if you're interested in good wine, visit cellar Nos 5, 18 and 31. Be careful, though; those glasses (about Ft50 to Ft80) go down easily. Hours are erratic, but a few cell…
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Fehérszarvas Vadásztanya
This is Eger's silver-service restaurant. But the 'White-Deer Hunters' Farm', as its name literally translates, with its game specialities and cellar setting, is really a place to enjoy in autumn and winter.
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Express
Northeast of the bus station, this large self-service restaurant is the place for a quick, cheap meal.
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Eger Castle
The best overview of Eger can be had by climbing up the cobblestone lane from Dózsa György tér to Eger Castle, which was erected in the 13th century after the Mongol invasion. Models and drawings in the István Dobó Museum housed in the former Bishop’s Palace (1470) painlessly explain the history of the castle. On the ground floor, a statue of Dobó takes pride of place in Heroes’ Hall. The 19th-century building on the northwestern side of the courtyard houses the Eger Art Gallery, with several works by Mihály Munkácsy. The reconstructed Dobó Bastion (1549) contains a display with the fetching title the World of Weapons (adult/child 500/250Ft). Other exhibits incurring an a…
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Lyceum
Directly opposite Eger Cathedral is the sprawling Zopf-style Lyceum, dating from 1765. The 20,000-volume library (adult/student 700/350Ft) on the 1st floor of the south wing contains hundreds of priceless manuscripts and codices. The trompe l’œil ceiling fresco (1778) depicts the Counter-Reformation’s Council of Trent (1545–63) and a lightning bolt setting heretical manuscripts ablaze. The Astronomy Museum (adult/student 800/650Ft) on the 6th floor of the east wing contains 18th-century astronomical equipment and an observatory. Climb three more floors up to the observation deck to try out the camera obscura, the ‘eye of Eger’, designed in 1776 to spy on the town and to e…
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County Hall
The tree-lined street of Kossuth Lajos utca boasts dozens of architectural gems, including the delightful County Hall, the main door of which is crowned by a wrought-iron representation of Faith, Hope and Charity by Henrik Fazola, a Rhinelander who settled in Eger in the mid-18th century. Walk down the passageway, and you’ll see more of his magnificent work – two baroque wrought-iron gates that have superseded the minaret as the symbol of Eger.
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Nótafa
There are a couple of csárdák (Hungarian-style inns) amid the wine cellars in Szépasszony-völgy, which at the end of the day are much of a muchness, but if you sit down to a meal here you'll most certainly be serenaded by Imré, an old, round chap who churns out Gypsy ballads on his whiny violin. We recommend Nótafa because it pays homage to the man, Imré; his photo takes pride of place over the dining area.
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Astronomy Museum
The Astronomy Museum, on the 6th floor of the east wing of the Lyceum, contains 18th-century astronomical equipment and an observatory; climb three more floors up to the observation deck for a great view of the city and to try out the camera obscura, the 'eye of Eger', designed in 1776 to spy on the town and to entertain townspeople.
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Orthodox synagogue
The former Orthodox synagogue was built in 1893 and is now a furniture store backing onto a shopping mall. To get there from Dobó István tér, cross the little Eger Stream to Dózsa György tér and turn southwest onto Kossuth Lajos utca, a fine, tree-lined street.
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Palacsintavár
Pop art and postcards line the walls and groovy music fills the rest of the space in this eclectic eatery. Palacsinták (crêpelike ‘pancakes’) here are served with an abundance of fresh vegetables, and range in flavour from Asian to Italian and back.
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Minorite Church
On the southern side of central Dobó István tér stands the Minorite church, built in 1771 and one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the world. Statues of István Dobó and his comrades-in-arms routing the Turks fill the square in front of the church.
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Basilica
The Basilica is a neoclassical monolith completed in 1836 and designed by József Hild, the same architect who later worked on the cathedral at Esztergom. Despite the cathedral's size and ornate altars, the interior is surprisingly light and airy.
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Franciscan church
The Franciscan church was completed in 1755 on the site of a mosque. The wrought-iron balcony and window grids of the rococo Provost's Palace (Kispréposti palota), several doors down at number 4 were also done by Fazola.
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Town under the Town
To the right of Eger Cathedral's main church steps is the entrance to Town under the Town, which takes you on a history-oriented tour through the casemates that were once the cellars of the Archbishop’s Palace to the north.
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István Cellar Wine Tasting
You can sample Eger's famous wines at many places around town, including a couple at the base of the castle, and in the István Cellar Wine Tasting below the Korona hotel; Tourinform has an extensive list.
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Géza Gárdonyi Theatre
One of the city's concert venues of choice is the Géza Gárdonyi Theatre, where there are half-hour organ concerts at 11:30 Monday to Saturday and at 12:45 Sunday from mid-May to mid-October.
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Cistercian church
Walk north along Széchenyi utca to the Cistercian church built in 1743. The theatrical baroque altar sculpture of St Francis Borgia in gilt and white stucco is well worth a look.
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Szántófer
The best choice in town for hearty, homestyle Hungarian, Szántófer oozes a rural-rustic atmosphere. Breakfasts (600Ft to 800Ft) here are particularly good.
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Café Mirador
More of a cocktail bar than a café, this is a fine place to kick back after a hard day's sightseeing with a beer or cocktail and very smooth tunes.
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Archbishop's Palace
Northeast of the Basilica in the Archbishop's Palace is the Ecclesiastical Collection, with priceless vestments, church plate and liturgical objects.
reviewed
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Minaret
Only nonclaustrophobes will brave the 97 narrow spiral steps to the top of the 40m-high minaret to the north of Dobó István tér.
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Eger Cathedral
A highlight of the town’s amazing architecture is Eger Cathedral, a neoclassical monolith designed in 1836 by József Hild.
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Elefanto
Perched high above the market, this is a great place, with a nonsmoking interior and covered balcony for alfresco dining.
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Pizza Club
This small pizzeria is tucked away just off Dobó István tér and is good for an inexpensive bite to eat.
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Neoclassical Synagogue
A neoclassical synagogue dating from 1845 and now partly renovated is around the corner from The Orthodox Synagogue.
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