Papa, Hungary
There is a small town in Hungary that offers tourists the opportunity to take an unusual but extremely rewarding day trip. Only 164 km (102 miles) from the capital of Budapest, Papa is a traveler’s dream. Along cobble stone streets and amongst an abundance of old churches and a palace, the town is the perfect unusual day trip from Budapest.
Every year, many travelers visit Budapest to get that authentic Hungarian experience. Traveling outside of Budapest is uncommon to most tourists of Hungary, but exploring beyond the capital is the way to truly appreciate the country. Papa is a short distance from Budapest and offers everything a visitor of Hungary could ask for.
Transportation from Budapest
From Budapest, there are two convenient ways to reach Papa. First, renting a car will cost as little as 19 euros and will allow you to drive to Papa in less than 2 hours. There is also the train, which costs approximately 20 euros round trip and will take 3 hours each way. Both of these options are readily available at the Budapest Airport.
In deciding which mode of transportation is best for you, know that Papa is a small town and can be fully explored by foot. Both forms of travel are convenient because free public parking is available throughout the town, and the train station is near the city center.
Driving
If you have decided to drive from Budapest, you will take the E60 west to the 83 towards Papa. Take the first exit into Papa which is a left on Kulso Gyori utca (“utca ” is street in Hungarian). Drive until you come to a fork and stay to the right on Gyori ut. You will soon see the park. At the next fork in the road stay to the left on Varkert ut, the park will be to your right. At the end of the road, make another right. Park in one of the two parking lots to the right, both are free. From here, continue on foot, towards the Roman Catholic Church. The cross topped steeples are visible from the parking lots.
Train
Taking the train from Budapest to Papa will drop you off at Papa’s one and only train station. When you exit the station, cross the street and walk straight up Kazinczy utca. At the end, cross the street and enter the beautiful Papa park. Take the walking trail to the right and enjoy walking beneath the canopy of trees. The huge Eszterhazy Palace will appear to your right, and the temples of the Roman Catholic Church beyond that.
When you come to the end of the park, you will see the bus station to your left. Walk to the right on the sidewalk until you reach the palace on your right and the church on your left. Papa’s popular walking area is just in front of the church, on the other side of the street.
Things to Do
Papa has a multitude of things to do. Besides walking along the ancient cobble stone streets that make up the walking area on Kossuth Lajos utca, there are historic churches to visit, the Papa park, shops, restaurants, the Eszterhazy Palace, and a fully functioning water park.
Walking Area
Situated between the two largest churches in town, the “walking area” in downtown Papa, is busy at any time of day. Full of people shopping, sipping coffee and eating ice cream (during the spring and summer), the walking area is the heart of Papa. Most shops close from 12-1pm for lunch Monday through Friday, at noon on Saturday and all day on Sunday.
Shopping
Spending money in Hungary definitely will not hurt your wallet. Hungary is on the forint which is weak against the dollar, euro, and pound. Shops offer authentic Hungarian products, in addition to merchandise from all over Europe. In most clothing stores, garments made in Italy, can be found in abundance. Leather items are also offered in many shops and are inexpensive.
Drinking Shops
At any time of day, be aware of the possibility of stepping into one of the many “drinking shops” throughout town. For about 1 euro, you can enjoy beer, wine or palinka, a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. Please be advised that there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving in Hungary.
There are a few bars in Papa that you must walk downstairs to get into. Brick walls, dark colored wooden furniture and dim lighting make these establishments most unusual. Two bars of this type are both located in the walking area, Ordog Pince Pub and James Joyce.
Restaurants
Restaurants are not scarce in Papa, offering traditional Hungarian food, as well as international fare. For a delicious meal, travel off of the walking area and find your way to Jokai Mor utca. The Stork’s Nest (Golyafeszek Vendeglo) offers inside and outside seating if weather allows, and serves the best goulash in town. Goulash is traditional Hungarian stew and must be eaten while you are in the country. For dessert, order a traditional Somlo cake, and for your beverage try a wine from the local Somlo region. Enjoy a delicious hot lunch for two, for under 10 euros.
Churches
The Roman Catholic Church, with cross crowned steeples, and the Reformed Church, with star topped steeples, are the two large churches on either end of the walking area. Both churches are extremely impressive to visit. Times in which the churches are open fluctuate but taking pictures from the exterior of both churches is fabulous.
On Fo utca, the White Church hosts the 17th century Black Christ in its parvis. A synagogue, built in 1846, can also be found off of the walking area. Though the synagogue was badly damaged during the Second World War, work has begun to restore the building.
There are multiple other churches throughout the small town. Each church offers unique architecture to appreciate.
Papa Park (Varkert)
Papa’s Varkert (garden), the city park, is brilliant during any season. Offering trails, benches, small memorials and a playground. The Varkert is the perfect place to relax in Papa.
Water Park (Varkertfurdo)
Papa’s waterpark offers something for everyone and is the perfect day excursion. Indoor pools are open all year long and are perfect for laps and relaxation. During the summer, the outdoor pools and water slides are open, along with green lawns and food stands.
Eszterhazy Palace
A large, yellow, two story palace sits directly across from the Roman Catholic Church. The palace, originally from the 15th century, was rebuilt in the 18th century and is comparable to the Palace of Versailles. Massive lion statues guard the palace and historic furniture and paintings fill the interior.
Seasons of Papa
Papa offers four distinct seasons which are represented beautifully in the city park. Fall offers a stunning time to visit Papa. Multicolored leaves fill the park and the crisp air rustles through the almost-naked trees. Papa hosts a wine festival, in the walking area, during the fall season.Temperatures are cool at this time, so bring a coat.
In the winter, expect very cold weather, with the park full of snow. If visiting in December, small stands fill the walking area offering traditional Hungarian cakes, warm wine and thick, pudding-like, hot chocolate. Dress very warm during winter.
During spring the park will be in full green bloom. Weather is mild at this time but the temperature can drop suddenly. Be advised to take a sweater and an umbrella. In early June, Papa hosts its largest festival. In the park area, you will be able to enjoy concerts, rides, drinks and much more. Spring offers the perfect weather to sit outside one of the many cafes and enjoy lunch or coffee.
Summer is hot and humid, with the park still green from spring rain, this is the ideal time to go and enjoy all of Papa. The outside pools and slides in the water park open in mid-June, numerous ice cream stands are open all over town, and Papa enjoys long days which last from 4am to 10pm. Eighteen hours of sunlight allows for plenty of sightseeing time!
Why You Should Take This Unusual Day Trip
Leaving Budapest to visit a small town in Hungary may seem unusual to many travelers, though this day trip will allow you to experience a side of Hungary that the capital does not offer. Papa, with its baroque-style housing, numerous churches, cobblestone streets and incredible prices, is the ideal, unusual European day trip.
Sources-
Auto United
Mav-Start
Varkertfurdo
Restaurants and Bars-
James Joyce
Papa, Kossuth Lajos utca 8
Ordogpince Pub
Papa, Rakoczi Ferenc utca
The Stork’s Nest Restuarant
Gaolyafeszek Vendeglo
Papa, Jokai u. 45
