Settlements in the Central Danube Circle

Bátya is a village of 2,000 inhabitants on the left bank of the Danube, along Trunk Road No 51, 5 km from Kalocsa. Its accessibility is excellent. A watercourse called Vajas beside the Danube meanders in the inner areas of the village, which provides pleasant revitalisation for those who like nature. There are also some beautiful sights in the village, such as the Folk Museum, the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, the Roman Catholic Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, the statue of the Holy Trinity in the same square, the Calvary Garden surrounded by blue spruces and the Chapel of the Virgin Mary Helping at the Roadside erected last summer. There are several small businesses operating locally, with a significant number of local primary agricultural producers. As part of the Kalocsa Sárköz region, they are also at the forefront of growing the world-famous Kalocsa paprika, and the best-tasting garlic is also grown here. You can learn about paprika processing at the local Paprika Museum. A section of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route also passes through the village.

Bölcske is located 8 km from Dunaföldvár and 18 km from Paks. This charming village of 2,750 inhabitants in Tolna County is part of the Tolna Wine Region, its 380 cellars and press houses forming a particularly unique cellar village, where visitors will find a wine route, involving stops and traditional cellars. In addition to the fine-tasting wines of Bölcske, they will also be offered the special cellar stew of Bölcske. The area is very rich in small game, so the local hunting company also receives a large number of guest hunters. Fishing and boating are possible on the branches of the Danube, and due to the local sports club, those interested can enjoy kayaking and dragon boating. Along the line of the Danube, the levee is covered with asphalt from Bölcske to the border of Paks and Dunakömlőd, which serves as an excellent bicycle path. In the varied outer and inner areas of the village, you will find hills, plains, reeds and floodplains, a loess bank and various forests, which are home to many rare and protected animal and plant species. Among its natural values, mention should be made of the Bölcske Tartar Bread Plant Nature Conservation Area and the Bölcske Iris Nature Conservation Area, which are suitable for hiking.

There are also sights in its built environment, such as the Baroque Roman Catholic church, the Calvinist church and the Roman stone collection.

Dunaföldvár is a charming small town of 8,600 inhabitants with good endowments, mainly due to its location on the right bank of the Danube, 25 km north of Paks. Its József Beszédes Danube Bridge, connects Transdanubia with the Great Plain, which is why Dunaföldvár is often called the ‘Gateway to the Puszta’. Among the tourist sights it is worth highlighting the churches of the city, the buildings of the grammar school and the city hall, the spa and the pottery workshop. The castle fortress built on one of the most beautiful places in Dunaföldvár, on the loess hill by the Danube, is a special feature. A historical panorama of the hills of the loess bank, covering thousands of years, and the majestically flowing Danube unfolds from the castle courtyard. The building complex includes the ‘Turkish (Truncated) Tower’, the Wood Carving Gallery, the Castle Restaurant and a magnificent hand-carved large gate erected at the main entrance of the courtyard. Those who visit Dunaföldvár can relax, go fishing, boating, cycling and take a town walk. Visitors are welcomed by a holiday village, a camping site, a motorboat and yacht marina on the bank of the Danube, cosy wine cellars, restaurants and a variety of events.

Dunapataj is located on the left bank of the Danube, in today’s Bács-Kiskun County, about 105 km south of Budapest. The large village of 3,000 inhabitants is located 15 km from Kalocsa. Its unique former Unitarian church is today the Museum of Pataj. Its natural values are Lake Szelidi, protected since 1976, Miklapuszta, and the oxbow lake and islands of the Danube. Lake Szelidi is also suitable for bathing and is comfortably accessible by bicycle. Boats and pedal boats can be rented and fishing is also possible. The 2.4 km, 12-station Blue Algae educational trail is also located here, on which you can walk around the whole lake. The biggest event in Dunapataj goes under the name of Autumn in Pataj, with which the József Gyimesi Tripe Stewing Competition is associated. In the village an established network of bicycle paths awaits those wishing to cycle, and a section of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route also leads through here.

Dunaszentbenedek is located in Bács-Kiskun County, 13 km from Kalocsa, 12.5 km from Dunapataj, close to the Danube, which is only 1 km away. The outstanding natural treasures of this village of 780 inhabitants are the Danube bank and its surroundings. Every year increasing numbers of people visit for a little camping, relaxation and bathing. The floodplain forests on the banks of the Danube offer pleasant recreation for those wishing to walk and relax. The image of the village adapts to this beautiful and calm landscape. The inhabitants are proud of their traditions, as is proved by the Traditional Women’s Choir and Folk Dance Group of Dunaszentbenedek, which has been active for more than 20 years. One of the centres of the cultural life of the village, the Folk Museum, was inaugurated in 2006. Year after year, visitors are greeted with colourful events.

Dunaszentgyörgy is located on the east side of Trunk Road No 6 in Tolna County, between Szekszárd and Paks. It is located 25 km north of Szekszárd and 10 km south of Paks. Most of the houses in this village of 2,600 people are farmhouses built at the end of the last century. The inhabitants of the household farms engage in all areas of agricultural production – it is traditionally an agricultural community. The village is orderly and hosts several cultural events each year, for example, the annually organized Grape Harvest Day, where gastronomy, tradition and cultural event come to the fore. The life of the village is also made colourful by the non-governmental organizations operating here. The Swamp Forest of Dunaszentgyörgyi or the Brinyó Nature Conservation Area is located between Dunaszentgyörgy and Paks, west of the Danube. The area comprises swamp forests, poplar groves, boggy meadows, swamp meadows, wet hayfield mosaics, reeds and bush willows, and provides a habitat for a number of protected animal and plant species. Although an educational trail has not yet been developed here, it is definitely worth taking a guided tour in the romantic swamp forest with the experts of the Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate.

An inner road will soon connect the village with the new Danube bridge at Gerjen.

The village of Dusnok is located in Bács-Kiskun County, between Kalocsa and Baja, 20 km from Kalocsa and 5 km from the Danube, and has about 2,750 inhabitants. Built under favourable natural conditions, the village is surrounded by the Vajas watercourse, and its rich arable land was formed by the waters of the Danube, Vajas and Őrjeg. The riverside village occupies a prominent place in the ensemble of villages around Kalocsa, not only with its natural beauty, but also its cultural life. The locals consider the Vajas to be their carefully kept treasure, which provides people with recreation with its tidy parks, established beach and fishing opportunities. You can take a romantic stroll along it on the promenade called Házaspárok Útja (Spouses’ Path), which can be considered a rarity in Europe. If you prefer a longer tour, it is also possible, since the village is an alternative route for the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route, which connects the Hungarian holy places from Esztergom to Máriagyűd. In addition, the beautiful area and good wildlife of the Lenesi Forest on the outskirts of Dusnok have been attracting hunters and woodsmen for years. Both the hunting lodge in the Lenesi Forest and the pilgrimage accommodation in the heart of the village provide accommodation for guests and tourists who have taken a liking to exploring the values of Dusnok.

Fadd is a large village of 4,080 people in Tolna County, 20 km south of Paks. The Danube has played a key role in the formation of the geographical location for thousands of years. The greatest tourist attraction in Fadd is the Danube oxbow lake, which stretches for about 12 km from Volent Bay to the resort in Dombori. The resort in Dombori is located 8 km from Fadd, where, in addition to excellent beaches and fishing spots, kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts can also indulge their passion. The Hungarian Dragon Boat Championship has been organized every year since 2007 on the former kayak and canoe course as part of the Fadd-Dombori Dragon Boat Festival. The Fadd oxbow lake is a Natura 2000 area, a special nature conservation area of high importance, and is part of the National Ecological Network. Thanks to the asphalt bicycle path along the levee of the Danube, it takes an hour and a half to cover the Dombori-Keselyűs-Szekszárd route. An educational trail runs from the end of Tokaj utca in Fadd on a dirt road next to a field and, after the bridge over the Bartal Canal, to the resort in Dombori.

The main Danube is 2 km from the resort in Dombori. You can cycle on a paved road to the south, in the direction of Szekszárd and Baja, or on an earthen levee in the direction of Gerjen, and even up to Paks.

Fajsz is an ancient Hungarian village of 1,700 inhabitants dating from the Árpád era. It is located in Bács-Kiskun County, on the left bank of the Danube, between Kalocsa and Baja, next to Trunk Road No 51, 16 km from Kalocsa. The village is a typical agricultural community, its inhabitants being mainly engaged in the cultivation of wheat, maize, potatoes, soybeans, cabbage and the indispensable paprika. The village is made magical by the surrounding oxbow lakes, some of which have playgrounds and rest areas nearby. The bank of the Danube is a well-known and popular recreational area for tourists and residents alike. Visitors are glad to get acquainted with the educational trail revealing the wildlife of the streams and enjoy relaxing by the lake. The main architectural attraction of Fajsz is the building complex of the Roman Catholic church and the Village Hall in the centre of the village, between which there is a statue of the Holy Trinity, more than 140 years old, standing in a landscaped environment. Furthermore, the village is part of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route. It is worthwhile for passers-by to stop in this small but lovely village.

Foktő is located in Bács-Kiskun County, right next to the Danube, 5 km from Kalocsa,. The village, with a population of about 1,600, is located along Vajas-fok, a water course, which flows from the Danube. You can find similar small phenomena in many places by the Danube. The sights of Foktő are its Roman Catholic and Calvinist churches. The tomb of Károly László, Lajos Kossuth’s secretary, is in the Calvinist cemetery. The village is part of the EuroVelo6 cycling route along the levee of the Danube. You can take a very pleasant hike in the floodplain forests between the levee and the river. In summer, be sure to visit Meszes Beach on the riverbank at Foktő. At low water levels, you can walk and sunbathe on the sandy riverbank evoking a seashore. A fire pit, a buffet and a beach volleyball court serve the recreation of visitors. Lovers of fishing can indulge their passion in the Vajas Canal between Foktő and Kalocsa. The village is mainly intended for visitors who want quiet, peaceful recreation, who like the Danube, fishing, boating and strolling along the bank of the river. From the levee of the Danube, you can cycle to Kalocsa on a new bicycle path.

With its population of just below 1,000, Géderlak is located between Dunapataj and Kalocsa along the ‘Little Danube’. It is located 16 km from Kalocsa and 9 km from Dunapataj. The sandy bank of the Danube is suitable for beachgoers and, together with its riparian forest, it offers recreation for lovers of nomadic tourism. In addition, with its water surface of nearly 1.5 hectares Lake Kobolya provides a useful opportunity for lovers of fishing. The Roman Catholic church, built in 1808 and registered in the national register of listed buildings, is located in the centre of the village. Géderlak is a modest small village, but its hard-working population has, reflecting the demanding nature and taste of the landscape, turned its living environment into a tourist attraction: its neat houses, public institutions, facilities that fit into the landscape, and its clean, tidy streets welcome visitors in an artistic atmosphere all year round.

The town of Paks is opposite Géderlak, on the right bank of the Danube. A ferry operates between the town and the village throughout the year.

Gerjen is a dead-end village of 1,200 inhabitants located on the right bank of the Danube, 22 km from Paks and 27 km from Szekszárd. Kalocsa-Meszes is on the opposite, left bank. The natural conditions of the village make it suitable for peaceful recreation, relaxation and long strolls. Its built environment and established infrastructure allow the village to be open to the challenges of the 21st century. Year after year it attracts an increasing number of visitors with its diverse events, such as the Danube Rock Motorcycle Festival or the Gerjen Equestrian Days. Due to the hospitality of the inhabitants and the charm of the village, the number of returning guests is increasing. Those who come from the other side of the river will soon be able to do this on a new bridge, which is being built 4-5 kilometres north of the village. The bridge will connect the Kalocsa and Paks areas on both banks of the Danube. A bicycle path over the bridge will offer another varied route for holidaymakers.

Harta is a large village of 3,600 inhabitants on the left bank of the Danube, 22 km from Kalocsa. The natural beauties of the village are the Danube bank and the Puszta. In the case of the former, a bridge leads to an island 1 km from the village, from where you can clearly see the panorama of the largest bend of the Danube in the Great Plain. In addition to the cosy resorts on Felsőzátony Island, there are also camping facilities. Here and around the village limits, anglers and hunters can indulge their passion. It is worth visiting the building of the Folk Museum and Local History Collection in Harta to get acquainted with the painted furniture of Harta, the unique folk costume and the works of the painter Tibor Gallé.

A romantic large town of about 15,000 inhabitants, Kalocsa is located in Bács-Kiskun County, 135 km south of Budapest. The town is a 1,000-year old archiepiscopal seat and is best known for its Hungarian specialities: seasoning paprika, folk art and the triad of writing, embroidery and artistic painting. You can explore its sights during a walk in the town centre: the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, the Astriceum Archiepiscopal Museum and the Archbishop’s Palace, including the Cathedral Library. Next to the Cathedral are the Visitor Centre and the Paprika Museum, and not far away there is the Károly Viski Museum with its significant ethnographic collection. The permanent exhibition of painter Imre Vinczellér can be seen in the Kalocsa Gallery, the former synagogue, and in front of the bus terminal there stands the modern Chronos 8 light tower, the work of cybernetician sculptor Nicholas Schöffer. It is also worth paying a visit to the museum established in the house where Schöffer was born. At the Kalocsa Porcelain Manufactory, visitors can observe all production processes, from porcelain casting to painting and firing in the kiln. You can take a walk in the Archbishop’s Garden and have some refreshment at the Platán Event Centre. The House of Tradition Preservers has been established in the entrance building of the garden. Fans of creative recreation can try their hand at pottery in the Pottery Creative House. The most noted local events are the International Danube Folklore Festival, the Kalocsa Paprika Festival and the Blue Bird Festival. Kalocsa’s established network of bicycle paths awaits those wishing to cycle, and a section of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route also leads through the town.

Madocsa, next to the Danube, is a village of 1,800 inhabitants in the northeastern part of Tolna County. It belongs to the Paks Subregion, the centre of which is Paks, less than 15 km away. The closed community of the village has preserved many things from its material and intellectual culture: folk style features, use of equipment, clothing, customs, folk poetry genres, such as village-mocking rhymes and folk songs. Slavonian oak trees are a valuable attraction of the village from a tourist point of view. The huge trees are referred to as the kings of European forests. Slavonian oak is a straight-stemmed version of the common oak. Madocsa’s oaks are a great excursion destination, enabling nature lovers can get acquainted with the species-rich flora and fauna of the forest. There is primeval grassland in the area between the Danube and the village. Due to its historical, cultural and natural values, such as the Calvinist church built in 1803, it is worth visiting Madocsa. The Danube bank is a popular destination for cyclists and water tourists.

Ordas was established among tall floodplain forests on the northwestern edge of Kalocsa Sárköz on the left bank of the Danube. It is 18 km from Kalocsa and 5 km from Dunapataj and Géderlak. Its humus-rich soil is favourable for growing vegetables. One of the sights of the village is its Calvinist church, which was built in 1785-86. The village of Ordas is the closest to the Danube in this region – it can be said that it was built on its bank. Indeed, it has a marina. Tourists have the opportunity to stop and drop into this small village with its family atmosphere. Today, the village is home to nearly 500 people, who draw strength for their daily lives from their rich heritage.

Paks is located in Tolna County, right next to the Danube, between Trunk Road No 6 and the M6 Motorway, 125 km from Budapest. The national reputation of this major town of 19,000 inhabitants is mainly due to its nuclear power plant, which is the only one in Hungary. A second nuclear power plant will also be built here, which will ensure the safe and climate-friendly supply of electricity to Hungary, so we can justifiably feel free to call Paks a city of the future. Among the sights, the Information and Visitor Centre of MVM Paksi Atomerőmű Zrt. and the Atomic Energy Museum should be highlighted, where visitors can gain an insight into the mysteries of electricity generation. In addition, there is the Church of the Holy Spirit designed by Imre Makovecz, the Paks Gallery, the Town Museum, the Lussonium garden of Roman ruins and the unique press houses in Sárgödör tér, where it is worth tasting the Paks dark rosé siller wine. The town is legendary for its Swabian folk customs and excellent fish soup. Although lot a very large town, it hosts a lot of events, such as the International Gastroblues Festival, the Coffee, Wine and Pálinka Festival and the Atomic Run. Athletes from Paks have achieved excellent results in judo, kayaking and canoeing, basketball, chess and football. Those looking for active tourism opportunities can hike on Ürgemező, with its rich flora and fauna, located on the western edge of the town, or can discover the largest loess wall in Central Europe on Sánchegy. While the Danube, which passes by the town, is a real fishing paradise, it also offers opportunities for visitors and locals to pursue a variety of other water sports. You can make a trip by bicycle to the north on the new paved bicycle path to the nuclear power plant or to the south to the row of charming press houses in Dunakömlőd with its Swabian traditions. You can make a trip in the direction of Bölcske and Madocsa on the levee along the Danube, and you can also cross to the other side from the ferry point.

Solt is located in Bács-Kiskun County, on the left bank of the middle section of the Danube, on the western edge of the Great Plain, 32 km north of Kalocsa. Révbérpuszta is located on the bank of the Danube, west of this town of 6,100 people. The vibrant horseherd show, the catchy folk music, the mouth-watering Kiskun dishes and the fiery drinks introduce guests to the joys of local life. It is also worth spending some time on the Danube bank in Solt. The largest natural environmental value of the town is an approximately 13-km-long section of the Danube River, to which the Solt and Bölcske Islands and the Danube oxbow lake (Little Danube) are connected. It is possible to camp here and go fishing and hiking. One of the most beautiful listed buildings in Solt is the Vécsey Palace, which today functions as a town library. In the town, an established network of bicycle paths awaits those wishing to cycle, and a section of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route also leads through Solt.

Szekszárd is the seat of Tolna County and a town of county rank. It has a population of nearly 32,000 and is located 145 km from Budapest, 35 km from Paks and 16 km from the Danube. Its geographical location, rich cultural traditions, natural beauties, excellent wines and wineries impress not only the locals, but also visitors. One of the oldest wine regions in Hungary can be found here. The sights of the town can be reached on foot – there are no long distances. The heart of Szekszárd is Béla Square. The square is guarded by the Catholic church, Central Europe’s largest single-nave church. Here you will find a statue of the Holy Trinity, the City Hall building and the old county hall. The classicist block was designed by Mihály Pollack. The ornate Wine Fountain is located in the outside courtyard of the building. Within a few minutes’ walk, you reach the birthplace of the great Hungarian poet Mihály Babits, which today is a memorial museum. Garay Square is just minutes away from Béla Square. One of the defining buildings in the former is the German Theatre, where the country’s only German-language theatre operates. Other interesting sights include the following: the characteristic Augusz Building; the House of Arts, home to exhibitions of contemporary and classical artists and high-quality concerts; the Mór Wosinsky County Museum, which houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions; and the famous Grapes Lookout Tower (also known as Calvary Lookout), where you have a  bird’s eye view of the town. The most famous events are the Szekszárd Grape Harvest Days, the Wine Region Half Marathon and the Gemenc Grand Prix International Bicycle Race.

The simplest way to access Szekszárd by bicycle is from the Danube Bridge via Keselyűsi út, and you can explore a significant part of the historical wine region and the villages of Sárköz. The Gemenc Forest is 10 km from Szekszárd and is a popular destination for hikers and hunters. This floodplain forest, which runs along the Danube, offers plenty of opportunities for active recreation.

Tengelic is located in Tolna County, 25 km from Szekszárd and 20 km from Paks, close to the M6 Motorway. The modest village of 2,200 inhabitants has a rich past, beautiful mansions and friendly people. Fully renovated, the Cultural Centre provides a worthy environment for community and cultural events. Outside the village boundaries are the mansions of the former owners, such as the Csapó Mansion, the Gindly-Benyovszky Mansion, the Jeszenszky Mansion, the Bernreider Mansion and the Schell Mansion. Other sights include the Baroque Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, the Millennium Statue Group, Csapó Park, which is the protected park of the mansion, and Benyovszky Park. The last-mentioned is the protected park of the Gindly-Benyovszky Mansion – part of it is a closed area, while the rest is open to the public. The park and the lake are home to a number of special plants and rare bird species.

A green path leads along the mansions: a path network marked with unique road signs, which, detached from the busy road, connects the sights of the village and the values of the natural and cultural heritage. The asparagus fields on the outskirts of the village are unique and provide an interesting sight, especially during the period of flowering. Today, on the 40-hectare site of the former County Education Centre and Arboretum, there is a three-star hotel with its own medicinal water. The birdlife of the area is enriched by grey herons and black woodpeckers, and its valuable plant rarities are sand iris and various orchid species. The natural environment and the mansions surrounding the village offer opportunities not only for ecotourism and nature lovers, but may also be attractive for those who like fishing and hunting.

Although a bicycle path does not yet lead to the village from Paks, it can be safely accessed at weekends on a low-traffic road.

Uszód is located in Bács-Kiskun County, 10 km from Kalocsa and 15 km from Dunapataj. It was established among tall floodplain forests on the northwestern edge of Kalocsa Sárköz, directly on the left bank of the Danube. Lovers of water sports, fishing and nature, as well as boaters often moor at the beautiful riverbank. The characteristic dance of the village of 920 people is the ‘gubbantós’. The traditional folk dance ensemble has won several awards. The women in Uszód still make dolls dressed in local wear, scratched and painted eggs, and both hand- and machine-embroidered tablecloths. The Péter Benedek Memorial House, the Boldizsár Memorial House under local protection, the row of linden trees in Árpád Street, one of the most beautiful banks of the Danube and the inhabitants of the village all welcome visitors.