This Hungarian city near the Austrian border is known for its medieval old town, thermal baths, and lively student nightlife. Its castle and narrow streets attract visitors.
Sopron, a city in western Hungary near the Austrian border, has a medieval center with cobblestone streets and buildings from various historical periods. You can climb the 58-meter-tall Fire Tower, visit the Goat Church with its unique coat of arms, or taste local red wines made from the Kékfrankos grape. The surrounding area includes the Lővérek hills with hiking trails and Lake Fertő, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Exploring Sopron's Old Town
Sopron's compact Old Town has cobblestone streets winding between buildings that span centuries of architectural styles. At its center stands the Fire Tower, a 58-meter-tall structure dating back to the 13th century. You can climb to the top for views of Sopron and the surrounding countryside. In the Main Square (Fő tér), you'll find the Goat Church, named for its benefactor's coat of arms featuring a goat.
Savoring Sopron's Wines
Sopron is a significant wine region in Hungary, especially for its red wines. The local Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) grape produces full-bodied reds with spicy notes. You can visit local wineries for tastings and cellar tours to sample Sopron's wines firsthand. In September, the annual Grape Harvest Festival celebrates the region's wine-making traditions with parades, folk music, and wine tasting events.
Venturing into Nature
South of the city center, the Lővérek hills have hiking trails that wind through chestnut forests and offer views over Sopron and Lake Fertő. The lake, which straddles the Hungarian-Austrian border, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique ecology and traditional rural architecture. You can cycle around the lake, go birdwatching, or relax in one of the lakeside thermal baths.
Tasting Local Flavors
Sopron's location at the crossroads of Hungarian and Austrian culinary traditions influences its local cuisine. You can try specialties like Soproni gulyás, a beef stew, or Poncichter beans, a dish that originated with the city's wine-growing community. For dessert, consider trying Soproni krémes, Sopron's version of the classic Hungarian cream cake.
Uncovering Sopron's Past
Sopron's history dates back to Roman times when it was known as Scarbantia. You can see remnants of this ancient past at the excavated Roman Forum, located just off the Main Square. The city's connection to Hungary is marked by the Gate of Loyalty, built into the Fire Tower in 1928 to commemorate Sopron's decision to remain part of Hungary in a 1921 referendum.
Getting to Sopron
You can reach Sopron by train from both Budapest and Vienna, with the journey from either city taking about 2.5 hours. Many visitors from Vienna come to Sopron for day trips due to its proximity to the Austrian border. If you're driving, Sopron is about 220 km west of Budapest via the M1 motorway.
When to Visit
You can visit Sopron throughout the year. Spring and early summer have mild temperatures and flowering plants, making it a good time for exploring the Old Town and hiking in the Lővérek. Autumn is busy with wine-related activities, including the grape harvest and numerous wine events. In winter, the Main Square hosts a Christmas market, selling mulled wine and traditional crafts.
