Szekszárd is bringing culture and wine together in a series of captivating free lectures called Kultúrkortyok at the Babits Mihály Cultural Center. On October 21, 2025, Dr. Miklós Kun will explore the intriguing question: “Why didn’t Albert Szent-Györgyi lead Hungary in 1945?” Expect insightful stories, debate, and perhaps a glass of local red to round things off.
Where to Stay: A Wine-Lover’s Paradise
If you want to make the most of your visit to Szekszárd, the city offers a surprising array of unique accommodations, each with its own distinct character.
Hotel Merops is a boutique wine hotel just a short stroll from the city center, beside Mészáros Winehouse (Mészáros Borház). The atmosphere here is serene and infused with the spirit of the local vineyards—perfect for those seeking tranquility or more active relaxation. With just eight rooms and two apartments, Merops focuses on intimacy, personalized service, and a variety of gastronomy events both on and off the property. Their Main Street Bistro at the Nádasdi House (Nádasdi-ház) delights locals and tourists alike with its rich menu and memorable dishes. Regular wine tastings bring visitors and locals together, and you can even organize your own birthday, dinner, or corporate event in their atmospheric cellar.
Sió Motel awaits at Szekszárd’s northern gateway, right on Route 6, on a spacious 6.2-acre stretch between the Szekszárd and Tolna wine regions, close to the forests of Gemenc and near Sárköz.
Hotel Zodiaco (Hotel Zodiák), the area’s only 3-star hotel, is focused on satisfaction and modern comfort. Every year they refine and improve the experience, aiming to make each business trip or weekend getaway better than the last.
Where Wine Lives and Breathes
Attila Birtok estate and vineyard lies in the Baranya Valley (Baranya-völgy), boasting 35 acres of vines. They process Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zweigelt grapes. Their restaurant is dedicated to achieving harmony between food and wine—head chef Norbert Makk puts modern twists on traditional Hungarian cuisine, always ensuring the flavors pair perfectly with Bodri wines.
The impressive Bodri Winery isn’t just a vineyard—it’s a sprawling 247-acre tourism center, complete with a grand wine cellar (19,375 sq ft), event space, restaurant, show kitchen, and guesthouses, nestled in a stunning southern valley. Their main cellar dazzles with 12 domes and a vast aging cellar (3,229 sq ft) open for guided tours. The 15,069-sq-ft rosé plant can produce large volumes of excellent wine. Bodri’s beautifully appointed guest rooms accommodate up to 61 guests and offer the comfort of a Roman-style spa, jacuzzi, and sauna. The Optimus Restaurant serves modernized, diverse Hungarian cuisine.
Authenticity, Tradition, and Experimentation
Borfaragó Pince, in the heart of Szekszárd’s “upper town,” occupies what was once a joinery and woodcarving workshop. The cellar offers wine tastings, artisan wines, and remarkable folk woodcarvings. If you want to gather with friends or colleagues off the beaten path yet within easy reach, this is your spot.
The vineyard’s core is now on Várdomb Hill (Várdomb-domb), specializing in Kékfrankos—both as a standout single-varietal wine and as the backbone for blends. Other varieties include Rhine Riesling, Cserszegi Fűszeres, Kadarka, Kékoportó (Portugieser), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Most vines grow in Porkoláb Valley (Porkoláb-völgy), and every wine they bottle comes exclusively from their own grapes. Their commitment to artisanal tradition means no industrial yeasts, enzymes, additives, colorings, taste or scent enhancers, filters, or sterilization—just pure, unadulterated wine.
They’re unafraid to experiment: almost every red grape they grow also gets a rosé treatment, earning recognition at international competitions. Their reds are a point of pride, typically blending local favorites like Kékfrankos and Kadarka with international grapes—Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Noir—while always preserving the distinct character of Szekszárd.
For a break from the ordinary, unwind on a sunlit vineyard slope and savor the very best of Szekszárd.
The Eszterbauers: Heritage in Every Glass
The Eszterbauer family, with German and Serbian roots, keeps centuries-old wine traditions alive in Szekszárd. At their showcase winery, family members themselves host tastings for groups of eight to fifty, serving everything from snacks to multi-course gourmet dinners. Their online shop is stocked with award-winning bottles.
Their 16.3-acre vineyards span four local sites, dominated by Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Kékfrankos.
Plan Accordingly
Programs and schedules may change, so check the latest updates before visiting. Whether you come for the culture, the cuisine, the wine—or all three—Szekszárd is ready to welcome you with open arms and a full glass.
