Nicknamed the “City of Queens”, Veszprem sprawls across seven hills near the northern shore of Lake Balaton. It is one of the oldest urban settlements in Hungary, with a history dating back to at least the 9th century. It was here that Hungary’s queens were once crowned by the bishop of Veszprem.
Things to do in Veszprém
Perched atop a hill in the heart of the city is Veszprem Castle, which was originally established in the 10th century and has been expanded significantly since. Its cobblestone streets are lined with medieval buildings and atmospheric churches, as well as a fire tower that has become a symbol of the town. Climb its spiral staircase for sweeping views across Veszprem while listening to music composed by Antal Csermak.
One of the castle’s centuries-old buildings has been restored to house the Modern Art Gallery - László Vass Collection, which is dedicated to Constructivist, Minimalist and Conceptual art. Admire the works by Dezső Korniss and Menyhért Tóth on display or check to see what temporary exhibitions are being showcased in the second-floor gallery.
Travelling with kids? Visit the Kittenberger Kálmán Zoo & Botanical Garden, which is named after the renowned Hungarian zoologist and author. In addition to native fauna, the zoo is home to rhinoceroses, giraffes and zebras in its African Savannah exhibit, as well as two groups of chimpanzees. Children can get active in the Kids Jungle or crawl along Sloth Way before getting up close to reptiles in the Vivarium.
Getting around Veszprém
Veszprem is just over an hour’s drive from Budapest and 1.5 hours from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Veszprem and local services travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.