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Sopron

Hungary’s ‘most faithful city’ (a reference to a 1921 referendum when Sopron opted to stay part of Hungary rather than be absorbed into Austria) has been around for a while, first settled by the Celts, then the Romans (as a trading spot along the Amber Route from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic and Byzantium), then a succession of Germans, Avars, Slavs and Magyars. In recent times, this little town also indirectly brought about the most dramatic event of the late 20th century – the fall of the Iron Curtain. Today it is the most beautiful town in western Hungary, its medieval Inner Town (Belváros) intact and its cobbled streets a pleasure to wander. And if that weren’t enough, it’s also famous for its wine, surrounded as it is by flourishing vineyards.

Explore Sopron

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Storno House & Collection
Built in 1417, Storno House has an illustrious history: King Matthias stayed here in 1482–83, and Franz Liszt played a number of concerts here in the mid…
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Firewatch Tower
A narrow spiral staircase of 116 steps leads to the summit of this 60m-high tower, from which trumpeters would warn of fire, mark the hour and watch for…
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Fabricius House
This baroque mansion is divided into three sections. The archaeological exhibition covers Celtic, Roman and Hungarian periods of history, the standout…
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Old Synagogue
The Old Synagogue, built in the 14th century, contains two rooms, one for each sex (note the women’s windows along the west wall). The main room contains…
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Harrer Chocolate Factory
Sopron’s answer to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. The Austrian confectioner dynasty Harrer goes back four generations and aims to initiate you into the…
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Goat Church
Built in the late 13th century, this mostly Gothic church gets its unusual name from the legend that the church had been built thanks to the treasure…
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New Synagogue
Like the Old Synagogue, the New Synagogue was also built in the 14th century; both are among the greatest Jewish Gothic monuments in Europe. The New…
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Fidelity Gate
Fidelity Gate, at the bottom of the Firewatch Tower, depicts 'Hungaria' receiving the kneeling civitas fidelissima (Latin for 'the most loyal citizenry')…
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Pharmacy Museum
Housed in a Gothic building just off the main square, the Pharmacy Museum features a 17th-century apothecary. This collection of curios comprises an…

S
Storno House & Collection
Built in 1417, Storno House has an illustrious history: King Matthias stayed here in 1482–83, and Franz Liszt played a number of concerts here in the mid…
F
Firewatch Tower
A narrow spiral staircase of 116 steps leads to the summit of this 60m-high tower, from which trumpeters would warn of fire, mark the hour and watch for…
F
Fabricius House
This baroque mansion is divided into three sections. The archaeological exhibition covers Celtic, Roman and Hungarian periods of history, the standout…
O
Old Synagogue
The Old Synagogue, built in the 14th century, contains two rooms, one for each sex (note the women’s windows along the west wall). The main room contains…
H
Harrer Chocolate Factory
Sopron’s answer to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. The Austrian confectioner dynasty Harrer goes back four generations and aims to initiate you into the…
G
Goat Church
Built in the late 13th century, this mostly Gothic church gets its unusual name from the legend that the church had been built thanks to the treasure…
N
New Synagogue
Like the Old Synagogue, the New Synagogue was also built in the 14th century; both are among the greatest Jewish Gothic monuments in Europe. The New…
F
Fidelity Gate
Fidelity Gate, at the bottom of the Firewatch Tower, depicts 'Hungaria' receiving the kneeling civitas fidelissima (Latin for 'the most loyal citizenry')…
P
Pharmacy Museum
Housed in a Gothic building just off the main square, the Pharmacy Museum features a 17th-century apothecary. This collection of curios comprises an…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Sopron.

See
Storno House & Collection
Built in 1417, Storno House has an illustrious history: King Matthias stayed here in 1482–83, and Franz Liszt played a number of concerts here in the mid…
See
Firewatch Tower
A narrow spiral staircase of 116 steps leads to the summit of this 60m-high tower, from which trumpeters would warn of fire, mark the hour and watch for…
See
Fabricius House
This baroque mansion is divided into three sections. The archaeological exhibition covers Celtic, Roman and Hungarian periods of history, the standout…
See
Old Synagogue
The Old Synagogue, built in the 14th century, contains two rooms, one for each sex (note the women’s windows along the west wall). The main room contains…
See
Harrer Chocolate Factory
Sopron’s answer to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. The Austrian confectioner dynasty Harrer goes back four generations and aims to initiate you into the…
See
Goat Church
Built in the late 13th century, this mostly Gothic church gets its unusual name from the legend that the church had been built thanks to the treasure…
See
New Synagogue
Like the Old Synagogue, the New Synagogue was also built in the 14th century; both are among the greatest Jewish Gothic monuments in Europe. The New…
See
Fidelity Gate
Fidelity Gate, at the bottom of the Firewatch Tower, depicts 'Hungaria' receiving the kneeling civitas fidelissima (Latin for 'the most loyal citizenry')…
See
Pharmacy Museum
Housed in a Gothic building just off the main square, the Pharmacy Museum features a 17th-century apothecary. This collection of curios comprises an…

Guidebooks

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