WESTERN TRANSDANUBIA (Includes the counties Győr-Moson-Sopron, Vas and Zala)
Perhaps the most dynamic region of Hungary after Budapest is the Western Transdanubia where the nearness of Austria and the unique natural resources, together with the regions history and traditions enabled the area to establish prosperous industry and tourism.
Ethnic minorities living in the region (Germans, Croats) take pride in their tresaures and traditions and manage to preserve them which add a special atmosphere to Western Hungary.
The nearest town to lake Fertő is Sopron with lots of historic, cultural and architectural sights. The Watertower in the inner city became the symbol of Sopron from where tourists can admire the lovely city scape.
Souh of Sopron at Nagycenk you'll find the Széchenyi Castle home of Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860) often referred to as the Greates Hungarian.
Győr
Is the capital city of Western Transdanubia with its developing industry.
Three rivers meet at Győr: The Danube, the Rába and Rábca, providing plenty of opportunities for fishing, kayaking or just walking, cycling along the river banks.
Another World Heritage place awaits you at Pannonhalma, south of Győr. The more than 1000-year old Benedictine Abbey houses one of the most valuable Hungarian libraries with around 3,000 volumes including the earliest proofs of written Hungarian. Today it is still an operating monastery. Its boarding school is one of the best schools in Hungary. Wine production looks back to great traditions in the area expoliting the benefits of the favourable climatic and geographical conditions.
Between Győr and Sopron at Fertőd stands the magnificent Eszterházy Castle Hungary's Versailles. The baroque mansion was built in the 18th century for the wealthy Eszterházy family. Joseph Haydn the famous composer lived and worked in the castle for several years composing works for the Eszterhazy-s.
The Castle in Mosonmagyaróvár, the remains of which you can still see, was built on remains of buildings that were part of the limes, the borderline of the Roman Empire. The baroque Habsburg-house opposite the castle operated as an inn in the 17th century.
Kőszeg
At the foot of the Alps and the near he austrian border will captivate you with its rich history and peaceful -small-town ambience all focused on the Jurisics square. The imprssive Heroes' Gate leads to the Jurisics Castle which played an important role during the Turkish occupation of Hungary in the 16th century. The castle's courtyard is a place for theatrical perfomances in summer.
The history of Szombathely, the seat of Vas county and an episcopal seat at the same time, started in the Roman Era. Claudius Caesar founded the city named Savaria in 43 AD and it functioned as a military center. You can still see some relics from this era in the garden of ruins at Templom tér 1-3: remains of Savaria's forum, an almost 50-m section of the 2000-year old Amber road. The Isis Sanctuary from the 2nd century in the Iseum Ruins of Garden provides a background to the Iseum Open Air Theatre performances in summer.
South of Szombathely at Ják you can see one of the oldest churches of Hungary, a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Inside some 700-yaer old frescoes adore the walls.
If you're not after historic and cultural sights, but prefer activities in fresh air Western Transdanubia is the perfect vacation spot for you.
The foothills of the Alps, the river Rába, Lake Fertő, the hills of Zala county all provide plenty of opportunities for active recreation: kayaking, canoeing, hiking, hunting, fishing, cycling, hunting, riding. The slightly cool and damp climate makes the area an even more favourable active holiday destination.
Lake Fertő
In the the northwestern corner of is an UNESCO World Heritage site the largest part of wich belongs to Austria.
The Danube arrives Hungary in the northern corner of Western Transdanubia where well-kept camps and bycicle routes welcome adventure seekers in the Szigetköz area, the land of untouched natural beauties.
Besides the Fertő-Hanság National Park the Őrségi National Park guard the national treasures of Western Hungary.
Írott-kő Nature Park
Uninterrupetd woodland, rocking hills and the tiny villages hiding between them make Őrség a mystic place. People have preserved their folk traditions and remarkable architecture here. To see characteristic, white-washed, thatched houses go to Szalafő or visit the the open-air museum at Pityerszer.
In Őriszentpéter, the centre of the area stands a Romanesque church. The Őrség National Park was established to preserve the natural treasures living here (pine, ferns, beeches, wild aninals, wild flowers, bog habitats).
In Vas county the at Bük and Sárvár are the best known thermal resorts, even outside Hungary. Balf near Sorpon also has great spa traditions.
Production of slightly tannic reds became prevalent in the Sopron Wine Region. Wines made here have strong characters. Main varieties are Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc, whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Királyleányka, Green veltelini. The subalpine climate is favorable for producing late harvested sweet whites too.
Although not the most famous of Hungary's winemaking regions, wines produced in Zala Wine Region can stiil delight the thirsty traveller. Hard working wine makers work hard to make the best of climatic and geographical conditions in order to produce quality wines. Mainly whites are produced in the area with high acid conten: Italian riesling and Rizlingszilváni.