Playful, friendly and adventurous: this is what the Danube Bend looks like for a child

On the banks of the Danube, the wonderful guest houses almost touch each other. Our biggest problem may be that we cannot choose. There are countless options for families, most of the accommodation providers are prepared also for the arrival of the smallest ones, as exploring the Danube Bend (also) with children can be a fantastic experience! In the picturesque Zebegény, we warmly recommend the ZebRegény Guest House, located in the central but quiet street of the settlement, which has been decorated with exceptional taste by its decorator owner. If you start your adventure here, do not miss the majestic Károly Koós church in the centre of the settlement, from which the guest house is just a stone's throw away, and halfway between the two there is an excellent gastro-stop, Füstölgő Sarok (Smoking Corner). Although it is worth coming here not exactly because of the children, it would be a sin to miss the barbecue dishes prepared in wood-burning and charcoal ovens. The "corner" only "smokes" on Saturdays and Sundays at noon, but that beef brisket is worth a visit, no matter how our jaunt turns out.

There are also sweets in Zebegény, and not just any sweets! The great strudel has been prepared for 18 years at the Monarchia Rétesház (Monarchy Strudel House) on the brookside, so let's get ready that our family will want to taste the range. In order not to be smitten with remorse, after eating strudel, you can take the Károly Koós lookout, which is located in just a few minutes' walk (and a slight hill) along the Z sign from the centre. The lookout offers a wonderful panorama of the river, Dömös opposite and the undulating ridges of the Pilis. As in almost all settlements on the banks of the Danube, in Zebegény it is worth walking down to the river, where skipping stones and running in the sand is a pleasant pastime for older and younger children. If you are hungry, you can buy an excellent scone on the beach!

Hello Hungary tip: the Danube Bend is filled with built-up bicycle paths winding through beautiful landscapes. A wonderful route awaits bikers from Zebegény to Ipolydamásd and from there to Letkés. On the way, do not miss Szob and the hyper-super playground next to the port. 

If we speak about the means of transport: a permanent trump-card for parents and families, if we plan to travel with a special vehicle. Of course, the bicycle is also like that, but in the Danube Bend there are many opportunities to vary the better and better travel options. From the Nyugati railway station, spectacular double-decker trains depart through Vác to Szob, in which you can comfortably sit and admire the breathtaking panorama. Thus, the train is not only a great choice for travelling between settlements, but also enhances the experience factor. If the destination is Visegrád or Szentendre from Zebegény, then it is worth getting on a boat in the port of Nagymaros, but you can also travel from Budapest to Esztergom by hydrofoil or excursion boat in the warmer months.

It is worth coming to this friendly, pleasant little town primarily for the view and the atmosphere, but there is one more reason to visit it on Saturdays. At the farmers' market in Nagymaros, you can find high-quality, handmade products from local primary producers, so among other things, you can "capture" dairy products, smoked meats, jams, honey, eggs, fruit and vegetables, as well as souvenirs. If we are lucky, we can even catch a music and dance show! As an end to the market, let's visit the recently renovated playground on the Danube bank, where not only diverse play elements, but also one of the most beautiful views of our country awaits, with the Visegrád citadel in the background. The romance provided by this place is almost intoxicating, do not be ashamed if tears come to your eyes! Next to the playground, we find the child-, dog- and vegetarian-friendly Piknik Manufaktúra, which evokes the atmosphere of a ruin pub, where they are not only extremely friendly, but also have craft beer on tap and the pie is also a champion! Finally: if you want sweets in Nagymaros, you can visit the Sakura confectionary on the way to the station, or Édeske, where you can buy excellent ice creams and cakes.

Perhaps for most of us, the open-air museum comes to our mind about Szentendre, and the famous umbrella street. But this magical city holds much more! What is more, we also find great child-friendly units and programmes here. Of course, strolling along the Danube is also a given here, but in Szentendre playing on the river bank will not end with skipping stones. Not far from the Danube esplanade, you will find one of the largest and most colourful playgrounds in the area, the Postás free beach. We can quench our thirst in the Kacsakő Bisztró, and if we ever manage to get away from here, we can walk along the Bükkös stream into the city centre. Let's wander through the winding streets, make a wander of the narrowest street of the town, take photos under the colourful umbrellas, and hunt for souvenirs. An excellent place for the latter is the Newsee Store, which is not only a gallery and art shop, but also an excellent café and tea room with a super-friendly children's corner. You can find good children's books and beautiful handmade souvenirs in the Parti Medve bookstore as well. On the way out of Szentende, visit one of the popular child-friendly attractions in the area, the Szentendre Zoo. 

Tip: Wherever our journey takes us, we should start the day with a hearty breakfast so that a rumbling stomach does not end the fun early. The Kavics Termelői Reggeli brings to our door a box full of delicacies, in which there are only high-quality, additive-free products from local producers. The service is available in Zebegény, Nagymaros, Kismaros, Börzsönyliget, Verőce and Magyarkút.