PHOTOS: Tips for a perfect weekend getaway in the European Capital of Culture

Veszprém, also known as the City of Queens, was chosen as this year’s European Capital of Culture for a reason. Situated close to Lake Balaton, the city offers a wide range of activities and tourist attractions that would be a shame to miss. In this article, we have compiled the best ideas for a weekend getaway in this beautiful city.

First of all, if you are travelling to Veszprém from Budapest, it is recommended to set off early in the morning. Both buses and trains are available from the Hungarian capital to Veszprém. Veszprém can be reached by train in an hour and a half, with trains leaving every hour from Déli railway station even on weekends. If you are travelling by bus, you should take into account that the journey is longer, taking about 2 hours to get to Veszprém. However, the bus station in Veszprém is about a 5-minute walk from the city centre.

Saturday

A great place to start the day is the pedestrian street (Kossuth Street) in the city centre. The pedestrian street is lined with charming, colourful houses. It is worth being observant when walking around the city, as there are numerous tiny statues in Veszprém. One of these statues can be found right in the pedestrian street.

Just a few minutes from the pedestrian street is one of the city’s most atmospheric pastry shops, the Mackó Confectionery. For families, it is definitely worth stopping by, because, as its Hungarian name suggests, it is a place where you can enjoy your cake in the company of teddy bears.

• Read also: Hungarian city named one of Europe’s top tourist destinations

If you prefer a more secluded place to sip a coffee, tea or a refreshing lemonade in a pleasant, quiet environment, Íródeák Teahouse is a perfect choice. The teahouse is located in the courtyard of the county library building.