Nomadic life along the Danube Bend

We long for either a couple of hours long tour or a whole weekend refreshment, the marvellous natural environment of the Danube Bend may be inviting any time of the year. If we only want to leave behind the bustle of the city, it’s enough to hop on a train with our bike or if we are pretty strong, we can set out even on two wheels. From the capital city on separate cycle path we can experience the fabulous Danube Bend all along next to the Danube and in its floodplain forests. And where is it worth rolling to for some beverages during our tour?

The Danube Bend won’t be a disappointment to us: a number of places with unique atmosphere welcome us right along the cycle path. Not far from the centre of Nagymaros the ‘Piknik Manufaktúra’ (Picnic Manufacture) welcomes visitors with its really inviting, bohemian atmosphere. There is a pile of bicycles almost every time at the entrance, it is observably one of the bikers’ favourite place which is not surprising as the view of the castle of Visegrád is coupled with genuine new wave beers and street food. You shouldn’t drop in with growling stomach as it can happen that you have to wait a bit longer for delicious bites in the case of heavy traffic.

Tandem Bar opened in 2020 is also considered as a compulsory stop which welcomes passers-by between Nagymaros and Zebegény: it is almost impossible to miss it. The atmosphere of the location conjures up the images of ruin bars of Budapest: colourful, chairs and tables assembled from different places, pellet furniture and inevitable fairy lights. This parallel is not an accident as the owner had been managing the legendary Szimpla for more than twenty years and he has brought this mentality to Nagymaros. We can stop for some hours to drink refreshing lemonade at Tandem but we can even spend a whole day at their place: The enormous beer garden, the Danube bank some metres far and programs (concerts, open-air-cinema) for almost every day make sure that we don’t get bored for a minute.

Our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention the Nomad bar in Nagymaros, which has become a real cult place in recent years. Far from the noise of cars, right on the Danube bank we can find a reasonable, barefoot place. It shouldn’t be considered as a pub in contrast with its name, it’s rather a community meeting-place, which makes a home for concerts, cultural programs and campers going over there. The venue is not easy to find, but more persistent people can get special feeling of liberty as a reward: it’s almost like when we set foot in a tiny festival. In good weather we can even dive a bit on the wild free beach, we can go on a short canoe tour or we can cook something in cauldron with our friends.

We’d better throw the tent up with the package too so that we can intimately experience the real nomad life. Several cosy places that are suitable for camping await us along the road. To wake up for the cool air of the Danube is a unique experience: we almost jump out of the tent. For those who find it difficult to get up, we commend the ‘Helyben’ (On the spot) café in Zebegény which also opened its door next to the cycle path. Genuine coffee specialities await coffee lovers: we can taste three different styles of roasting and we can even have breakfast choosing from artisan sandwiches and cakes made of ingredients from local producers.

The special atmosphere of the Danube Bend runs away with everyone, its purity inspires us to turn to life in a different way: a bit more slowly, more carefully. If you would also like some changes in the rhythm, desire for liberty is throbbing in you then you don’t have to do anything else just hop on your bicycle and we can set out to the Danube Bend. Just don’ t leave the mosquito repellent at home!