Győr
Updated October 19, 2026
Also known as: Gyor, Raab, City of Rivers
Main Landmarks in Győr
History
Győr lies in north-western Hungary, at the confluence of the Rába, the Rábca and the Mosoni-Duna, a branch of the Danube, halfway between Budapest and Vienna, about 120 km from each. The Celts founded a settlement here called Arrabona, after the Rába River, and the Romans built a military camp on the Danube frontier. In the 10th century, the Magyars settled, and around 1009 King Stephen I founded a bishopric, building a cathedral on Chapter Hill, Káptalandomb, where the town began. During the Ottoman wars, Győr was a key border fortress protecting Vienna, and its fortifications were strengthened by Italian engineers. In 1594 the Ottomans captured it, but in 1598 Hungarian and Habsburg troops recaptured it in a night attack, using a petard to blow open the gate, a victory celebrated across Europe, with crosses erected saying Say, Christian, thanks be to God that Győr has been recaptured. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Győr was rebuilt in the Baroque style, with churches, monasteries and palaces. In 1809 Napoleon's army defeated the Habsburgs at the Battle of Raab, near the city, and Napoleon stayed here. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Győr became an industrial centre, with the Rába factory, producing vehicles, and since 1993 the Audi Hungaria plant. Today about 130,000 people live in Győr.
Culture
Győr is a Baroque city with a strong Catholic tradition, a thriving industrial economy and a lively cultural life, set among rivers, bridges and islands. Its historic centre, one of the best preserved in Hungary, with narrow streets, squares and houses with ornate corner balconies, won the Europa Nostra award in 1989 for its restoration. The Diocese of Győr, one of the oldest in Hungary, keeps treasures, such as the Herm of St Ladislaus, a gold reliquary bust, and the Weeping Madonna, an Irish icon said to have wept blood in 1697. The city is home to the Győr Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in Hungary, the Győr National Theatre, with its modern building decorated with Victor Vasarely's designs, and the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra. Audi Hungaria, one of the largest engine factories in the world, employs thousands of people, giving the city prosperity and attracting German and international workers. Sport is important, especially women's handball, as the Győri Audi ETO KC team is one of the most successful in Europe, winning the EHF Champions League several times. The city hosts festivals, such as the Győr Summer Festival and the Baroque Wedding, a reenactment in costume. Its rivers and islands, such as Radó Island, offer green spaces, and the nearby Pannonhalma Archabbey adds spiritual and cultural depth.
Climate
Spring
2–21°C
March to May is mild, with temperatures rising from about 11°C in March to 21°C in May, blossoming trees along the river…
Summer
14–27°C
June to August is warm, with days of about 25–27°C and occasional heatwaves, the Győr Summer Festival and the Baroque We…
Autumn
3–21°C
September to November brings mild days of about 21°C in September, falling to about 7°C in November, golden trees along …
Winter
-4–3°C
December to February is cold, with days of about 1–4°C, frosty nights, fog over the rivers and occasional snow. The Adve…
Fun Facts
A Madonna that wept blood
The Weeping Madonna of Győr, an icon of the Virgin Mary brought from Ireland in the 17th century by the Irish bishop Wal…
A gold bust of a king
The Herm of St Ladislaus, a gold reliquary bust from the early 15th century, containing part of the skull of King Ladisl…
Corner balconies on Baroque houses
Győr's old town is famous for its oriel windows, corner balconies attached to the corners of Baroque houses, from which …
A plant that builds engines
Audi Hungaria in Győr, opened in 1993, is one of the largest engine factories in the world, producing about 1.5–2 millio…
One of the oldest monasteries
Pannonhalma Archabbey, about 20 km south-east of Győr, founded in 996 by Benedictine monks invited by Prince Géza, is on…
A theatre decorated by Vasarely
The Győr National Theatre, opened in 1978, a modern building in the centre, is decorated on its exterior with colourful …
Local Cuisine in Győr
Practical Travel Information
Transport & Accessibility
International Transport
The nearest international airports are Vienna, about one hour away by car or train, Budapest, about 1.5 hours, and Bratislava, about one hour. Győr is on the main railway line between Budapest and Vienna, with frequent trains, including Railjet services, to Budapest, Vienna, Munich and Salzburg. Buses connect Győr with Pannonhalma, Sopron and other towns. The M1 motorway links Győr with Budapest and Vienna. Győr-Pér Airport has limited flights. Check timetables in advance, especially on public holidays. Allow extra time at peak hours.
Local Transport
Győr's old town is compact and walkable, with the railway station about 10 minutes from Széchenyi Square and Chapter Hill. Local buses, operated by Volánbusz, serve the suburbs, Audi and other districts, with tickets of about 400–550 HUF. The city is flat, with bike lanes along the rivers, and bicycles can be rented. Taxis are available. Kayaks and canoes can be rented on the rivers in summer. Buses run to Pannonhalma. Check timetables in advance, especially on public holidays. Allow extra time at peak hours.
Safety & Health
Personal Safety
Győr is very safe, with low crime. Normal precautions apply against pickpocketing in crowded places, such as festivals and the railway station. Cobbled streets in the old town can be slippery in rain and winter. On the rivers, wear a life jacket when kayaking, and be aware of currents. Do not swim in the Danube or Rába outside designated areas. Do not drive after tasting wine in Pannonhalma. In an emergency, call 112. Most visits are trouble-free with basic precautions.
Medical Services
Győr has the Petz Aladár University Teaching Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in western Hungary, and private clinics, with some English- and German-speaking doctors. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card, and non-EU visitors need travel insurance. Pharmacies are common. Tap water is safe to drink. Call 112 or 104 for an ambulance. Carry your insurance details and any personal medicines. Keep a small first-aid kit for day trips. Pharmacists can advise on minor problems, and some speak German.
Budget & Costs
Travel Costs
Győr is affordable, cheaper than Budapest and Vienna. A guesthouse costs about 15,000–25,000 HUF, a mid-range hotel 25,000–40,000 HUF and the best hotels from 40,000 HUF per night. A lunch menu costs about 2,500–4,000 HUF, and a restaurant dinner 5,000–10,000 HUF. The Basilica treasury costs about 1,500–2,500 HUF, the Bishop's Castle 1,500–2,500 HUF, Rába Quelle 3,500–7,000 HUF and Pannonhalma tours 4,000–6,000 HUF. A mid-range traveller should budget about 18,000–30,000 HUF per day. Prices rise noticeably in the high season. Card payments are widely accepted in tourist areas.
Budget Tips
Eat lunch menus, napi menü, in local restaurants. Walk around the old town, which is free. Visit free sights, such as Széchenyi Square, Bécsi kapu tér, the rivers and Radó Island. Rent a bicycle to explore the flat city. Travel by train from Budapest or Vienna, booking in advance. Visit Pannonhalma by bus. Stay in a guesthouse in the old town. Walking is free and often the best way to explore. Booking early usually secures better prices. Tap water is safe and free.
Culture & Traditions
Social Norms
Győr residents are friendly, hardworking and proud of their city and its handball team. Greet with jó napot when entering shops and restaurants. Many people speak German, due to the closeness of Austria and Audi. Dress modestly in churches and at Pannonhalma. Tip about 10% in restaurants, unless a service charge is included. Say egészségedre when toasting. A few words of the local language are always appreciated. Patience and a smile go a long way. Handball is a common topic of conversation.
Cultural Activities
Attend the Baroque Wedding in August, a reenactment of an 18th-century wedding in costume. Join the Győr Summer Festival. Watch the Győr Ballet. Attend a handball match of Győri Audi ETO KC. Visit Pannonhalma Archabbey. Attend St Ladislaus Day on 27 June. Visit the Advent market on Széchenyi Square. Explore the old town's corner balconies on a walking tour. Attend the Győr Wine Festival. Check local listings for free events during your stay. Ask your hotel about seasonal festivals. Taste Pannonhalma wine.
Unique Experiences in Győr
Visit Pannonhalma Archabbey, founded in 996, a UNESCO site, touring its basilica, cloister and library with about 400,000 volumes, then walk through the arboretum and herb garden and taste the abbey's wines. Tours cost about 4,000–6,000 HUF. Book an English tour in advance, and dress modestly.
See the Herm of St Ladislaus, a gold reliquary bust from the 15th century, and the Weeping Madonna, an Irish icon said to have wept blood in 1697, in the Basilica on Chapter Hill. The treasury costs about 1,500–2,500 HUF. Visit on St Ladislaus Day, 27 June, for the procession.
Walk through Győr's Baroque old town looking for its carved corner balconies, from Széchenyi Square to Bécsi kapu tér, then climb the Bishop's Castle tower for views over the rivers. Walking is free, and the tower costs about 1,500–2,500 HUF. Go in the late afternoon.
Watch a match of Győri Audi ETO KC, one of the most successful women's handball teams in Europe, multiple winners of the EHF Champions League, in the Audi Aréna, with passionate fans. Tickets cost about 2,000–8,000 HUF. Book in advance for Champions League matches.
Relax in the thermal pools of Rába Quelle in the evening, with views of the illuminated old town and the Basilica across the river, after a day of sightseeing. Tickets cost about 3,500–7,000 HUF. Bring a swimsuit, flip-flops and a towel, and visit the wellness area.
Travel Recommendations for Győr
Stop in Győr on the way between Budapest and Vienna, as it is halfway between the two capitals, with frequent trains. Sp…
Visit Pannonhalma Archabbey, about 20 km away, one of the oldest monasteries in the world, with a magnificent library an…
Plan your visit for the Baroque Wedding in August or the Győr Summer Festival, when the old town comes alive with costum…
Explore the city by bicycle, as Győr is flat and has bike lanes along the rivers, connecting the old town with Radó Isla…
Attend a handball match of Győri Audi ETO KC if you are in town during the season, as the team is one of the best in Eur…