kathleen

We have an extra ½ day and night to spend traveling between Vienna and Budapest. The day would be December 26th, a Sunday. Our top choices are Sopron (a small city) and Bratislava (a large capitol city). Which one would be the better pick? We’d like to walk around picturesque streets, shoot some photographs, and have a nice meal. We know on that particular day not much will be open, so the emphasis would be on outside wanderings. With this in mind, which do you think would have more to offer?

We could remain in Vienna for a second night, but having been there previously a couple of times, we’d rather try someplace new if even for just one night. (We’re flying in from Greece in the morning of Dec. 25th, and since I discussed this quick stopover in a prior post, I won’t go back into it in this one). We really don’t want to go straight to Budapest since we’ll be there for almost three weeks to follow.

Also, since we’ll be traveling by train for this segment, suggestions on places to stay near the train station (nothing fancy, just a clean, neat, convenient place) in either Sopron or Bratislava would be appreciated.

Thanks. Kathy

kathleen

topping for suggestions??

wanderinghun

Dear Kathy,

i would go with Sopron, yes, Bratislava is a capital, but there really aren't that many things to see there. On the other hand, Sopron is a lovely little town perfect for a day trip, you can easily walk around it and see it in one day, without having to feel like you are missing out on something and rush. The town center has some nice restaurants as well as coffee houses where you can easily spend and hour and two just hanging out and crowd watching. Note that through the winter, most of the attractions and museums are closed.

kathleen

Thanks wanderinghun,
Yes, we agree. We’ve more or less decided that going to Sopron would be the better choice for a brief walk around. From what I’ve been reading it seems to be a charming small town. Do you recommend any restaurants or coffee houses in particular?
Kathy

StuDudley

We were in Sopron about 4 weeks ago. Thought it was only OK - nothing special. Acttually, I really didn't think it was that great - compared to the hundreds of other cities/towns in Europe that we've visited. On a Sunday & the day after Christmas, I would imagine that it would be really dead. It is quite small too - and least the central historic area, where we stayed.

We then went on to Budapest for 5 night. Wow !!!

Can you add a day to Budapest???

Stu Dudley

kathleen

Thanks for your input Stu. We want a short, overnight, interesting stop between Vienna and Budapest, so thought of Sopron (and had considered Bratislava). I’m resigned to the fact that nothing will be open except a few restaurants and a place to stay, I hope. We’re still very much inclined to do a visit there. Yes, it will be winter, a Sunday, and the day after Christmas—not the best of situations for a visit, but I would like to wander through the central part of town a while. I’m really interested in what is outside, the town itself—the actual structures and a sense of place, not anything in the museums or inside historic buildings.

I’ll be in Budapest for the following three weeks in a work related residency, so not really wanting to add more time there. Plus, we’ve been to Budapest before and loved it. It’s an impressive city with tons to see and do. We’re looking forward to it all over again. Glad to hear that you had a great time there.

I do appreciate your impressions of Sopron. There’s not much written about it on this board. Where did you stay in the historic center, and would you recommend any restaurants? Kathy

grrr

http://portal.sopron.hu/Sopron/portal/english

http://portal.sopron.hu/Sopron/portal/quarterslist_en

StuDudley

>>I would like to wander through the central part of town a while.<,

That will take maybe an hour - perhaps less.

>>I’m really interested in what is outside<<

Lots of ugly urban sprawl. Our hotel owner said that everything of interest is inside the small old town area. We drove a car there & had trouble finding old town (where our hotel was located) - so we drove through most of the outskirts.

We stayed at the Hotel Wollner. They also have a restaurant, but we did not dine there because it was closed the day we were there (Tues). We ate at a place on the "corner", but I don't remember the name. The hotel recommended it.

Stu Dudley

bilboburgler

neither, go to Gyor far nicer

kathleen

Stu,
If all the ugly urban sprawl is outside the small old town area, then that will be okay. We’ll just have to meander slowly through the small group of old town streets. I’ve been looking through several Sopron websites, the two from grrr (thanks) among others, and I think we can fill a half day enjoyably. It will be someplace new.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Wollner. We’ll look into it.
Kathy

kathleen

Gyor. I see it on the map, and it appears to be on a train route to Budapest. I’ll do some researching and think about it. Thank you Bilboburgler.

mangiacrauti

Sopron is good (and well known) for cheap food, pedicure and manicure, dentists&shopping. The center is little, nothing special. Restaurants are all more or less good. you should try to eat fish or gulasch. It's a border town, so full of Austrians who come for shopping, hairdresser& dentist.
Considering the date, I would suggest Bratislava though.
I guess many shops and restaurants are still closed after x-mas.

kathleen

Thanks for your reply mangiacrauti,
We don’t plan to shop, go to the dentist or visit a hairdresser, but we do plan on eating a meal. We’re still considering Sopron (and now Gyor is in the mix), but not Bratislava. We’re mainly interested in walking around a quaint and interesting old town area in a small town. Not sure Bratislava fits what we’re after.

bilboburgler

Sopron has dentists on every corner. Thats it

singfree

We've been to both places, and was not overly impressed with either city. As other posts stated, Sopron is a place where Austrians go for a cheap spa treatment or dental work. I'm afraid the town will be pretty much shut down on Decmber 26. However, we had some great cream of garlic soup at the Atila Restaurant! Bratislava, as a larger city, would probably offer more to see and do. Sorry, we've never been to Gyor, but heard good things about it. Plan ahead to see what is open that day. Best wishes for a great holiday!