Sopron / Bük & Sárvár region for Seniors - 5 days

Almost every building is a protected monument, and as you walk by, you can read the story of each house on the sign installed on the facade. In the Middle Ages, Sopron was one of Hungary’s seven most important free royal cities. It was not only a coronation city but also a border town, which, given its geographical position, always played an important role in facilitating intercultural dialogue throughout history. The old Roman trading roads ran through here, including the famous Amber Road. The buildings here are home to many museums: the Fabricius House, the Pharmacy Museum, the Scarbantia Forum, the Old and New Synagogues, the Eggenberg House, the Lábas House and the Cézár House are all within a short walk of each other. The story of the Storno House and the Kecske Church on Fő tér is of particular importance. The Storno House is a palatial corner house built in the Baroque style, a monument to the history of Sopron between the 17th and 20th centuries. Ferenc Storno, after whom the building was named, came to Sopron as a result of being given wrong directions given to him. He started working here as a chimney sweep and soon discovered real treasures in the attics of certain houses in and around Sopron.

The Goat Church looks back on an ancient past: manuscripts first make mention of it in 1280. Above its entrance, you can see the coat-of-arms with the goat, alluding to the benefactor of the church. It has been the venue of many historical events, including coronations, and the National Assembly held its meetings here several times.

The building of the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd we see today was designed and created in the 18th century and the castle – with its 126 rooms – is a worthy match for Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna or Versailles in Paris.

‘The Hungarian Versailles’ was a place of music and splendour. It was regularly home to parties, and even Maria Theresa took part in one such magnificent ball. By the end of the 18th century, the castle became one of the cultural centres of the country, so it’s no wonder that even Joseph Haydn lived and worked here for two decades.

After a walk through the contemporary history exhibition in the rooms of the castle, take a walk in the beautiful castle park.

The thermal bath in Hegykő is an ideal choice: plenty of medical and relaxing treatments that you can enjoy in a beautiful green environment. The medicinal water that wells up to the surface from a depth of 1,434 metres is at 55°C. The six outdoor and two indoor pools include thermal and medicinal water pools, which you can enjoy even if the weather is a little cooler.

The services offered by the bath, such as relaxing massages, mud wrapping, a medicinal pool bath, underwater water jet massage or physiotherapy and light therapy all serve the purpose of ensuring that you recharge your batteries and heal.

The rocks of the Fertőrákos Stone Quarry were used for various purposes back in Roman times: many of the buildings, residences, churches and palaces of Sopron and Vienna were built out of these stones. A prehistoric animal exhibit awaits you inside the quarry caves, with life-size prehistoric whales, sharks and dolphins. It also teaches visitors about the various types of limestone.

This is also where you’ll find the Cave Theatre, a stage with its own unique ambience. Thousand-year-old limestone formations serve as the backdrop for the various shows and concerts.

Finally, you should take a little walk to find a beautiful view of Lake Fertő and the memorial site of the Pan-European Picnic.

The name Bükfürdő is synonymous with the medicinal waters that bubble up through four wells from a depth of 1,282 m, and have been proven to prevent various musculoskeletal complaints.

The thermal, sports and family pools in the huge park, under the canopy of old trees, offer fun for every member of the family.

The medicinal water of the bath may also be applied internally in the form of a water therapy, while the bath also offers several traditional medical and spa treatments and massage therapies.

The grounds of the bath are huge and you will find everything here that you need to relax and recharge your batteries: peace and quiet, healing, an idyllic environment and cool shade under huge trees.