Eger

Everyone loves Eger and it's immediately apparent why: beautifully preserved Baroque architecture gives the town a relaxed, almost Mediterranean feel; and it is flanked by two of the Northern Uplands' most beautiful ranges. Hungarians like to visit Eger because it was here that their ancestors fended off the Turks for the first time during the 170 years of Turkish occupation. This is a perfect city for negotiating on foot because there is something interesting around every corner and the town centre - with its 175 protected buildings and monuments - is closed to traffic-
Walking tour in downtown area The best overview of the town is from the

13th-century Egercastle the entrance of it is at Dozsa Square. The Minaret, with 100 narrow spiral stairs twisting claustrophobically to the top, is the northernmost Turkish monument in Europe. The Main Walking Street - Szechenyi Street - waits for you with its many pubs, cafes and confectioneries. Do not miss the public baths. The most interesting and flourishing period in the history of the baths of Eger was undoubtedly the days of Turkish rule in Hungary (16th and 17th centuries). The town was occupied by the Ottomans in 1596, and that event a very special and prosperous Turkish bathing culture was established in Eger. As it appears from the following passage from 1791, this culture lived on in subsequent centuries. You will find many-many wine cellars. The wine cellars are almost as long as the streets of the town. The inhabitants of Eger like their wine cellars as much as their houses. Famous wine cellars can be founded in the Szepasszonyok volgye (Valley of beautiful women), where cellars are lining in a que and you can go in and out the open ones and taste different wines from different makers. More about Eger wines The valley itself is in walking distance from the city, see map below.

Shopping, Transportation in Eger

Eger has plenty of opportunity for shopping, the main street (szechenyi) has many smaller/larger boutiques, shops mainly for clothes, books and souvenirs. The quite new Agria Plaza, the local shopping mall, is only walking distance (200m) from the Basilica. You have to walk towards the main street, pass the Basilica, cross the street than you are there.
Larger shops, like Tesco, Lidl are in the city outskirts, but easily accessable by bus.

Mass transport of Eger is heavily on buses. But normally you do not need any vehicle to get around in the downtown as it is not that big.
You can catch a bus to Tesco or Lidl, number 11, 12 are perfect, both bus go to the train station as well. Bus tickets available at the newsagencies and the bus drivers as well. You have to have coins to buy a ticket at the driver.


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