Danube Bend

(Local Name: Dunakanyar) The Danube Bend (or Danube Knee; Dunakanyar) is one of the favorite recreational and excursion spots around Budapest. The name is applied to the extremely charming section of the Danube between Esztergom and Szentendre, where the river winds its way through the Visegrád Mountains and then turns sharply south (the river's "knee") towards Budapest. Because of the wooded hills which border it this section has become known as the "Hungarian Wachau". The main tourist centers are the beautiful towns of Esztergom, Visegrád and Vác, together with Szentendre, the little town so popular with artists. Walkers and nature-lovers will be attracted to the region lying behind the Danube Bend, in the Pilis Mountains and the Visegrád Hills to the south, as well as the quieter Börzsöny Mountains or the Cserhát mountain region to the north and east of the Danube.