Vác

Getting there

By train 1 Train Station (MÁV állomás pályaudvar), Széchenyi István utca, 39 (a 10-minute or less walk along Széchenyi u. to Március 15. tér.). Vác is well served by MÁV commuter trains from Budapest Nyugati station, forming the northern terminus of two lines. One is the Budapest - Göd - Vác route, which has 2 trains/hour, takes 42 min to Vác, and costs Ft 640 (Ft 550 with a Budapest travelcard). The other one is the Budapest - Fót - Vác route, which has 1 train/hr, takes 85 min and costs Ft 915 (Ft 735 with a Budapest travelcard). You should thus only take a train going to Vác via Göd and ignore those running via Fót. -The Budapest - Vác - Szob semi-fast and semi-express trains also depart from Budapest Nyugati station. The ticket prices are the same as the local trains (Ft 640), but the length of the journey is much shorter (20-30 min). International trains lines (Euro City and Euro Night) which depart from Budapest Keleti station heading towards Warsaw, Prague, Brno, Berlin and Hamburg also stops at Vác.

By bus 2 Vác Bus Station (Vác Autóbusz-állomás), Szent István tér 4 (From Train Station two blocks toward City Center), ☏ +36 27 304554. Cashdesk 04:30-22:30, Waiting room 04:30-22:30, Buffet 05:00-17:45, Newsstand 05:00-15:00. Buses to/from Budapest, Balassagyarmat and to all Danube Bend (east bank) settlement.Vác and its area bus lines network map. (PDF) (updated Apr 2020)

By boat MAHART Ship that departs from Budapest Vigadó tér stops at Vác. }

3 Vác ferry pier (Váci RÉV), Vác, Road #12303 (at the west end of Eszterházy Károly utca). Departures: 06:00-20:00, hourly. Car ferries from Tahitótfalu timetable Fees: Adult/car/bike: Ft420/1500/420.

By car From Budapest take road #2 or 2/A (E77).

Getting around

The train station is a 10-minute or less walk along Széchenyi u. to Március 15. tér. From there you can reach all of the main attractions without any need for public transportation, though if you need here can be found Citybus lines network map. (PDF)

Orientation 1 Tourist Information Center (Tourinform), Március 15. tér 17 (Close to the City Hall), ☏ +36 27 316160, fax: +36 27 316-464, [email protected]. Services: Information • Free brochures about Hungary • English and German guided tours (also in other languages on request) • Help to find accommodation • Organising events • Arranging short travels (1-2 days), visiting theatre in Budapest, trips. Internet: free using of EU-information point (tender information, workplaces in EU). - Sales: Guidebooks • CDs • maps • phone cards • travel tickets for the public transports in Budapest • online sale of tickets to the theatre, concert and sport events in the whole Hungary • view cards, stamps.

See

Around Március 15 Square

Március 15 tér. Visit the nicest Square of Hungary, all of its houses are national level protected monuments. The main square of Vác is a blend of Rococo and Baroque mansions, but you'll also note the archaeological diggings that dominate the area. The Dominican Church is the baroque cathedral dominating the south side of the square. 1 Cathedral (Váci székesegyház), Konstantin tér, 11 (Center), [email protected]. Vác's cathedral on is the building that defines the town. It was begun in baroque style but completed in Neoclassical. It can only be visited during mass or by prior arrangement for tourists, so you may just have to stand outside, admiring its massive columns and statues. 2 White church and monastery (Fehérek temploma és rendház), Március 15 tér, 22, ☏ +36 27 311275. One of the nicest buildings of the square is the White Friars' Church, which had been built in the 18th century in baroque-rococo style. There are different, wonderful decorations in the front of the church, Ion-offsets, spiral ornaments, vases and statues. Despite the simple outlook the inside is very rich decorated. The colors are bright, the statues are white, and the altar-pieces are genial. The sensation of the year 1995 was the finds in a secret crypt of the church. 200 years along was the entrance of the crypt walled up. During the renovation of the church the entrance had been demolished and several mummies had been found here. See more down at Memento Mori. 3 Merciful hospital and Greek Catholic Chapel (Irgalmas rendi kórház és Görög Katolikus Kápolna), Március 15 tér, 7-9.. 4 Town hall (Városháza,Polgármesteri Hivatal Vác), Március 15 tér, 11, ☏ +36 27 513400. National Institute for the Deaf and Dumb (Siketnémák Országos Intézete), Március 15 tér. 5 The former High Provost Palace (Nagypréposti Palota), Március 15 tér, 4. A significant Baroque architectural monument of the diocese. Built in 13th century, the label also bears witness to this over

Do

Primary waterside promenade (Duna-korzó), József Attila sétány, Liszt Ferenc sétány and Ady Endre sétány. A walk along it is probably the most worthwhile thing to do in Vác. Besides the Danube and scenery this is an excellent place for people watching and enjoying leisure time with the locals. Post park (Posta park) (Behind Madách Imre Culture Center). Rose garden (Rózsakert). Music Pavilon (Zenepavilon) (At Duna-korzó). 1 Bath and Swimming Pool (Váci Strandfürdő és Uszoda).

Events 'Váci Tavaszi Fesztivál' 'Váci Humor- és Karikatúra Fesztivál' 'V4 Visegrádi Négyek Fesztivál és Színházi Találkozó' 'Váci Lecsófesztivál' 'Szüreti Felvonulás' 'Váci Óévbúcsúztató Forraltbor-főző Verseny' 'Váci világi vigalom' 'Európa fesztivál' - early May 'Mária napi búcsú' 'Gyalogtúrázók Országos Találkozója' 'Őszi Művészeti Hetek'

Buy

1 OTP Bank Vác, Széchenyi István utca 3 (Next to The Medieval Cellar Exhibition Space), ☏ +36 1 366 6388. M-Th 07:45-17:00, F 07:45-16:00. ATM 0-24. Mobile phone charging by ATM. Traded currencies: USD, EUR. Free WiFi 2 Raiffeisen Bank, Széchenyi utca 28-32 (Center), ☏ +36 40 484848, fax: +36 1 484-4444. M 08:00-17:30, Tu-Sa 08:00-16:00, Fr 08:00-15:30. 24-hr ATM. 3 Naszály DiY Store (Naszály Áruház), Naszály út 1, ☏ +36 30 6885718. Home Lighting, electrical, household appliances, household equipment, curtain rods, garden tools, garden equipment, home appliances, bicycles, water, gas and heating fixtures and appliances.

Eat

Desszert Szalon, Köztársaság út 21. (short walk from the main square), ☏ +36 20 3903367. 09:00-20:00. This tiny cafe has probably the tastiest, most creative and simply beautiful desserts in Hungary. This place is a reason in itself to make the 30-minute trip from Budapest to Vác. Outstanding. €2.

Drink & nightlife

Choco Cafe Váci Csokizó, Március 15. tér 20. (main square), ☏ +36 27 305-839. Unique Chocolaterie on main square. Hot chocolates made of real chocolate (worth to try!), coffee specialties, wide tea selection. Classic equipment, friendly atmosphere.

Sleep

1 Csillag Panzió, Vác, Balassagyarmati út 8. (northwest from city center, approx. 2 km), ☏ +36 27 316-421, fax: +36 27 503-845, [email protected]. €25-35/night. (updated Apr 2020) Camelot Club Hotel és Étterem, Between Vác and Verőce at the 2nd km of road #12. (7 km northwest from Vác