Known as the center of the Danube Bend , the settlement is the fifth most populous city in Pest County, and at the same time an attractive tourist destination – on the one hand due to its millennial history and on the other hand due to its rich cultural life. 

Vác is a town in Pest county in Hungary with approximately 35,000 inhabitants. The archaic spelling of the name is Vácz.

Tourism 

Every year a large number of tourists visit Vác, mainly due to its easy accessibility, rich history and abundance of sights. However, it is not among the 20 most popular settlements in Hungary in terms of guest nights spent in commercial accommodation. 

Hikers should definitely take a walk in the main square on the banks of the Danube. Hungry tourists can choose from dozens of restaurants in the city center. Those arriving for several days are advised to book their accommodation in advance, as there are not many of them in Vác.

Sights

Buildings

March 15 Square building complex:

• White Church and convent
• Mercy Hospital and Greek Catholic Chapel
• City Hall
• Palace of the Grand Duchy
• Greek church and exhibition place
• Kuria
• National Institute for the Deaf

Konstantin Square building complex:

• Vác Cathedral
• Apor Vilmos Catholic College building (formerly priestly institute- seminar )
• Bishop’s Palace
• Priests’ corner buildings
• Diocesan Library of Vác
• Vác Episcopal and Chapter Archives
• Kispréposti Palace
• The building complex of the Piarist High School (Vác)
• Modern building of the State Music School

Churches, monasteries:

• Piarist church, convent and novitiate
• Franciscan Church and Convent (also known as the Church of the Friends ); here is King Geza I buried.
• Reformed church and rectory
• Lutheran church and community house
• Seven Chapel-National pilgrimage site
• Deákvár parish church
• Mushroom chapel
• Calvary
• St. Roch’s Chapel
• Synagogue
• Faith Church Vác

Other sights, monuments:

• Stone gate ( triumphal arch in honor of Maria Theresa , second half of the 18th century )
• Pointed tower and Roman remains (after limes and garrison)
• Baroque bridge of Gombás stream (Kőszentes bridge: six sacred statues can be seen on the bridge), built in 1753-1757.
• Red House
• Honvéd monument
• Railway station building

Museums, exhibitions 

• Wine Museum – Váci Curia Wine House & Wine Collection : Wine history exhibition, where those interested can taste the rarities of wine.
• Main square gallery
• Göncöl House- Mother Earth’s Ornaments Geological Exhibition : The geological collection of more than 600 pieces can be seen in an expert lecture.
• Greek Church Exhibition Grounds (Ignác Tragor Museum): The former sacral building now houses the temporary exhibitions of the Ignác Tragor Museum.
• Medieval Cellar Exhibition Grounds (Ignác Tragor Museum) : In the 14th century cellar you can see finds from the Árpádian era to the end of the Turkish era.
• Memento Mori & Ars Memorandi (Ignác Tragor Museum) : The crypt of the former Dominican church was found during the renovation work. Due to the special climatic conditions, we can see mummified corpses, coffins, costumes and funeral supplies. In the summer of 2015, the exhibition was expanded with a local history department, in the framework of which we can gain an insight into the history of the city from the end of the Turkish era (1686) to the beginning of the 19th century.
• Modern Art Collection : The collection features the most prestigious works of the last forty years, from New Year’s Eve to Salvador Dali.
• Sports History Exhibition
• St. Michael’s Sub-Church (Ignác Tragor Museum) : The medieval floor plan and interior of the St. Michael’s Church can be seen in the main square of the city.
• Tower Gallery
• Vác Depository – Museum Collection of Public Interest
• Váci Smile Album – Ferenc Sajdik Collection : The collection presenting the unique oeuvre of Ferenc Sajdik is located on the main square of Vác
• Vác Art Collections (Pannónia House) : The Art Collection is home to the works of such famous artists as Gyula Hincz, István Gádor, Géza Gorka, Sándor Nagy, Andrea Vertel. The building also houses an unparalleled cast iron exhibition, as well as the works of the bookbinding artist György Váczi and the monumental sugar buildings of Béla Haraszti. An exhibition of Vác’s sports successes can also be found in the building.
• Vác Cathedral Treasury and Diocesan Collection : The frescoed palace houses a permanent art exhibition that guides the interested in the millennial history of the Diocese, and since 2006 concerts have been held in the building.

The Danube bank with the music pavilion

Other attractions 

• Post office
• Rose Garden (behind the Madách Imre Cultural Center)
• Danube Promenade (Ferenc Liszt, Endre Ady and Attila József)
• Music Pavilion (on the Danube Promenade)
• Vaci Bath and Swimming Pool

Attractions near the city 

• Caves of Naszály mountain
• Floodplain study trail

Events

Váci Spring Festival
In the spring months, the Váci Spring Festival awaits those interested with a wide range of programs every year, organized by the Madách Imre Cultural Center.

Vác Humor and Caricature Festival
At the Vác Humor and Cartoon Festival, humorous exhibitions, presentations and theatrical performances follow one another in several places. A series of fun programs that attract an outstanding number of visitors.

V4 Visegrád Four Festival and Theater Meeting
The international theater meeting of the Visegrád Four. Four countries, four days, four performances, four concerts at the V4 Festival .

Vác Lecsó Festival
The Vác Lecsó Festival awaits visitors to the festival with a cooking competition, musical programs and an outdoor concert.

Harvest Parade A
traditional Harvest Parade and then a vintage ball await the visitors. Musical dance productions alternate in the main square.

Váci New Year’s Eve
Mulled Wine Cooking Competition New Year’s Eve Mulled Wine Cooking Competition , with musical programs, New Year’s Eve atmosphere next to the Váci Borjurta tent.

Vác World Vigalom
The Vác World Vigalom , a three-day cultural festival held every year since 1993 on the last weekend of July (the weekend before July last in 2014), is the largest cultural event in Vác. The idea for the festival came from an event in August 1764. At this time, at the invitation of Bishop Kristóf Migazzi , Mária Terézia and her court visited Vác and spent five days there. The episcopal city organized many entertainments for the visit, and by that time the only triumphal arch of Hungary, the Stone Gate, was completed. The three-day festival is held every year on the penultimate weekend of July. The Baroque stands out among the many cultural programs of the festivalcostume competition. The free series of events ends with fireworks .

Europe Festival
Every year, the Europe Festival is held on May 1st , where local bands usually perform. The festival is free.

Mary’s day
with a long history and tradition of Mary Vac-day farewell organizes the Vaci Diocese each year. A farewell Mass will also be held at the farewell, at the weekly chapel in the grove, here Bishop Miklós Beer of Vác will preach the word, before which a festive procession will take place. The farewell includes the Mary’s Day Farewell Fair. At the Vác Fairground, stunted productions, an unloading fair, a bouncy castle, carousels and various concerts await those interested. It is held every year on the second weekend of September.

National Meeting of Hikers
Family and cultural programs, excursions, bike and walking tours. – Danube water tour, boat trips, bike tours in the Danube Bend, walking tours, study trails, nearby Nayzály, Cserhát and Börzsöny

Autumn Art Weeks
Cultural programs for all ages. Theatrical performances, serious and light music concerts await visitors during the festival.