Western Transdanubia

Made up of three counties, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Vas and Zala, this famous wine-producing region is also abundant in thermal water. Especially noteworthy natural assets are Lake Fertő/Neusiedlersee, part of World Heritage, and the Fertő-Hanság National Park.

The region's rivers and lakes are major tourist attractions. Lake Fertő, the rivers Danube, Moson Danube, Rába, Mura and Zala offer a great variety of opportunities and facilities for relaxation and water sports. The lakes are exquisitely beautiful with their wild and romantic surroundings.

A unique treasure surfaces from the depths of earth; the gift of a plentiful flow of thermal water supplies numerous spas, such as the famous thermal baths in Csorna, Kapuvár, Balf, Bük, Zalakaros, and Lenti.

The forested lands near the western border of Hungary are popular hunting grounds to this day. In addition to many different species of small game, there is a significant stock of red deer and wild boar in the woods and forests here.

The region has much to offer to hikers as well. A network of hiking paths links the most picturesque hills and forests of the West Pannonian countryside. The World Heritage site of Lake Fertő and the Hanság National Park extend over into neighbouring Austria.

In fact this region has a number of nature reserves spreading to both sides of the state border. One of them, the Written Stone Nature Reserve (Írott-kő Natúrpark), extends to the Kőszeg Hills including the border hill Írottkő/Geschriebenstein and its Austrian territory, while the Border Triangle Nature Reserve (Hármashatár Natúrpark) includes the Őrség, the Vendland (Vendvidék), the western part of Zala County, the Naturpark Raab in Burgenland, Austria, and the Goricko Nature Park on the Slovenian side of the River Mura.

The region was once a province of the Roman Empire. The so-called Amber Road led across here via Rédics, Zalalövő, Szombathely, Kőszeg and Sopron. Along this route countless ferry crossings, inns and settlements came into existence and the excavated remains of Roman buildings can be explored in Zalalövő, Szombathely and Sopron among other places.

Located not far from Vienna, the centre of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the region appealed to many aristocratic families, the backbone of the Hungarian elite. Consequently the area boasts a wealth of beautiful palaces and mansions, such as those at Fertőd, Nagycenk, Sárvár, Körmend, Egervár and Zalacsány.

Especially attractive and valuable examples of the region's ecclesiastic architectural heritage are the Romanesque church of Ják, the World Heritage listed Pannonhalma Abbey and Basilica, and the 13th-century round church of Kallósd.

Western Transdanubia has been a wine-growing region for centuries, a fact which today also provides a solid foundation for wine tourism. Village holidays are also becoming increasingly popular here too and many characteristic old peasant houses are being converted into perfect tourist accommodation in a rural setting.

Travel destinations in Western Transdanubia