'''Vac''' is a city in Pest County, Hungary. It is located on the eastern bank of the Danube near the magnificent Danube bend. Though not visited nearly as much as either Szentendre or Visegrad it can become a pleasant and enjoyable stop over between the two.
Get in
By train
Trains leave from the Budapest Nyugati station typically 4 times an hour. Two are slower szemely trains which stop at each city and will get you to Vac in about 45 minutes. One is the faster gyors train, which goes directly to Vac. Tickets for both of these cost 525 Ft one way. Then there is one that takes a round-about way to arrive, going through both Fot and Vacratot. This train will take closer to an hour and a half. The ticket for this train is 560 Ft one way.
By car
From Budapest take road #2 or 2/A (E77).
By boat
Hydrofoils depart in the summer from Budapest, Szentendre, and Visegrad.
Get around
The train station is only a short 10 minute or less walk along Szechenyi u. to Marcius 15. ter. From there you can reach all of the main attractions without any need for public transportation, though if you need the schedules they can be found here [http://www.volanbusz.hu/content.php?page=helyi&menu=2&submenu=2].
See
Architectural Sights
'''Cathedral''' Vac's cathedral on Konstantin ter is the building that defines the town. It was begun in baroque style but completed in Neoclassical. It can only be visited during mass or by prior arrangement for tourists, so you may just have to stand outside, admiring its massive columns and statues.
'''Marcius 15 ter.''' The main square of Vac is a blend of Rococo and Baroque mansions, but you'll also note the archeaological diggings that dominate the area. The '''Dominican Church''' is the baroque cathedral dominating the south side of the square. There is also the '''Town Hall''' and the former '''Bishop's Palace''', which stands at #6.
'''Town Prison''' on Koztarsasag u. is still a functioning prison. It gained notoriety during communism and the Horthy regime for being one of the cruelest prisons in the area and there are several famous escape stories. Today you can get eerily close to the building and see the guard towers, as well as a memorial for those who were imprisoned and died there.
'''Round Tower''' is on the northern end of the waterfront. It is the only remaining part of the former town fortifications. Today it is built into a far more modern house.
'''Diadaliv''' (Triumphal Arch) is on Koztarsasag u. just north of Marcius 15 square and flanking the town prison. Also sometimes called the Stone Gate, it was built in 1764 at what was then the town boundary to welcome Empress Maria Theresa. It is notably smaller than most other similar arches (only one lane of traffic can go under it and there are no stairs to the top), still it is nonetheless a beautiful structure in the city.
Museums
The town's only real museum is the '''Ignac Tragor Museum''' [http://www.muzeumok.hu/search/museum_en.asp?ID=553], [http://www.muzeum.vac.hu], though it has several branches. The main offices are on Zrinyi u. 41/a.
'''Memento Mori''' is on Mar. 15 square and houses the findings of the Dominican church crypts, including a few mummies.
'''The Medieval Cellar''' on Szechenyi utca 3-5. leads visitors down into a cellar built by King Matthias and displays archeaological findings.
'''Greek Church Exhibition Space''' is on Marcius 15. ter 19. contains history, art, and culture from the once thriving but now nearly non-existant Greek Church in Vac.
'''The Gyula Hincz Collection''' on Kaptalan utca 16. features an exhibit on the history of the town (though it is all written in Hungarian) and a loft featuring artwork for local painter Gyula Hincz.
'''Diocesan Museum''' on Marcius 15. ter 4. is a collection of church arts and relics.
Do
'''Jozsef Attila setany''' is the primary waterside promenade and a walk along it is probably the most worthwhile thing to do in Vac. Besides the Danube and scenery this is an excellent place for people watching and enjoying leisure time with the locals.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Choco Cafe Vaci Csokizo. arcius 15. ter 20.. ain square. 36(27)305-839. ttp://www.chococafe.hu/. Unique Chocolaterie on main square. Hot chocolates made of real chocolate (worth to try!), coffee specialties, wide tea selection. Classic equipment, friendly atmosphere.
Sleep
Get out
Trains continue on to Visegrad, a former royal city featuring a castle and citadel on the Danube Bend.
The alternative route to Budapest goes through Vacratot, home of one of the best botanical gardens in the country and Fot, home of a major cathedral.