Villány

The basics

A stone’s throw from the Croatian border, warm and sunny Villány has produced wine since ancient Roman times. Today, it is still widely regarded as one of Hungary’s top wine destinations, and its dozens of wineries—including celebrated producers such as Bock, Attila Gere, and Jackfall—are the stuff that tasting trips were made of. But Villány is also home to historic churches, thermal spas, museums, national parks, and neighboring towns with centuries of history—day trips from Budapest help you tick them all off with ease.

Things to know before you go

• If you’ve enjoyed one too many wine tastings, be sure to visit the nearby Hárkany Thermal Spa: Open from May to October, it’s one of the country’s best-known open-air baths.

• For an introduction to the wine region’s history (as well as an optional tutored tasting), head to the Villány Wine Museum.

• Temperatures can soar in the summer—if you plan to enjoy Villány’s famously potent wine, bring water bottles and sun protection with you, and schedule meals between tastings.

• If you’re looking for time in nature, venture to Danube-Drava National Park, located on the banks of the Danube and home to an array of wildlife.

How to get there

The closest major hubs to Villány are Pécs in Hungary (roughly 1 hour by direct train or bus, and less than 1 hour by car) and Osijek in Croatia (1 hour by car, and home to Osijek Airport). If you’re coming from Budapest, it’s 2 hours by car via the M6, making Villány within day-trip distance of the Hungarian capital.

When to get there

Thanks to its warm climate and scenic beauty, Villány is a popular destination all throughout the year. If you can, time your trip with one of the region’s many annual festivals. Options include From Cellar to Cellar in January; Villány Wine Buzz in May; the Ördögkatlan Festival (a popular arts and culture event) in August; and the Villány Red Wine Festival in October.

What to see and sip in Siklós

One of the Villány wine region’s most important and historic hubs, the town of Siklós (just a 15-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride away) is worth carving out time to discover. In addition to its own wineries, Siklós is known for the medieval Siklós Castle as well as the Malkocs Bej Mosque, a remnant of the area’s Ottoman occupation.