Eisenburg: Nature, Thermal Baths and Cultural Heritage

The Írottkő Nature Park is located in the northwestern part of Vas County. It includes the entire 4,303-hectare Kőszeg Landscape Protection Area. Those wishing to make nature and protected landscapes the focus of their trip will find a clearly defined regional highlight here.

Landscape, cycling routes and regional experiences

The Őrség also offers a distinct way to experience the county’s landscape: it is rich in ethnographic and cultural-historical heritage. Őrség National Park was established on 1 March 2002 to preserve and showcase the natural, ethnographic and cultural-historical values of Őrség. Nature and culture go hand in hand here.

For active exploration, the Termál Kerékpáros Túraút combines cycling with visits to architectural and natural attractions, as well as other thermal baths. In Vas County, the route passes five thermal bath complexes. The Vulkán Tour offers a different focus: it leads to Kis-Somlyó, Ság-hegy and Belső-hegy. You can plan your trip according to whether you would like to combine cycling with thermal baths or explore these three named hills.

Thermal baths in Bük and Sárvár

Vas County is home to two internationally recognized thermal baths: one in Bük and one in Sárvár. The two baths are 25 kilometres apart. Bükfürdő lies at the transition between Alpokalja and Kisalföld, two kilometres from the small town of Bük. It is an independent medical and tourist centre, as well as one of Hungary’s spa resorts. Sárvári Gyógy- és Wellnessfürdő offers a wide range of medical, health-promoting and recreational services.

These details offer different points of reference for planning your trip: Bükfürdő combines its location between two geographical regions with its status as a medical and tourist centre; Sárvár is distinguished by its wide range of health and recreational services. If thermal baths are an important part of your trip, you can make a point of considering these two places.

Churches, museums and cultural history

St Michael’s Church in Csempeszkopács was built around 1250 in the Romanesque style. The church of Ják Abbey is also Romanesque and was consecrated in 1256. Together, these buildings offer a point of comparison between Romanesque churches dating from the mid-13th century, while their recorded dates differ in precision.

The Vasi Skanzen presents the rural way of life and folk architecture of Vas County from the past two centuries. Since opening in 1973, it has rescued and reconstructed 43 buildings from 27 settlements. The exhibition thus brings together two perspectives: the region’s way of life and architecture, and the history of the preserved and reconstructed buildings.

The Nádasdy Ferenc Museum focuses on both its collections and the history of the Hussars. The museum displays art and cultural history objects from the castles and palaces of Vas County. It also features an exhibition on the history of the Hussars, described as unique in Hungary.

Regional products and planning for food and drink

At the Natúrbolt in Jurisics Castle in Kőszeg, Kőszeg wines, especially red wines, Hegyalja rapeseed and chestnut honey, gingerbread, and jams and syrups from Lukácsháza are displayed and sold. The selection brings wines and various regional products together in one named location. For help planning where to eat, the Vas County Tourism Association also provides a gastronomy map and an online search for recommended restaurants and wineries. As listings may change, it is advisable to check the online selection before making specific plans to dine out.

For your stay, you can start by deciding what matters most for your trip: landscape and cycling, thermal baths, cultural history or regional products. The named places and offerings provide different themes to explore.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Szombathelyi, Csepregi, Őriszentpéteri, Sárvári, Celldömölki, Kőszegi, Szentgotthárdi, Körmendi, Vasvári

For the overview of the wider region: Hungary.