This is the most scenic part of the Veszprém county. **Dead volcanoes** rise from the earth like giant hats. They are covered in vineyards that produce mineral wines. The views of the blue water are everywhere. You will see old stone ruins standing guard over the valleys. The white basalt walls of the mountains glow in the afternoon sun. **Veszprém** is the city of queens. It sits on high cliffs with a castle district that looks over the hills. The streets are windy and full of history. It is a town that feels noble and old. The sound of bells rings out across the deep valley in the center. You can walk through the zoo that is built right into the rocky cliffs. Drive to **Tihany** to see the abbey on the peninsula. The lavender fields purple the land in summer. You can hear the famous echo across the hills. It is the heart of the Balaton charm. White houses with thatched roofs line the steep village streets. You can find hidden spots to watch the sailboats gliding across the water.

Veszprém (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Veszprém (county)

Veszprém is the **City of Queens**, a dramatic volcanic landscape where the hills are crowned with white stone. In the early 1000s, the first Queen of the nation made this her home, and for centuries, only the Bishop of Veszprém had the right to place the crown on a Queen head. This royal and holy status created a landscape of grand cathedrals and high walled palaces perched on limestone cliffs. This queenly history is the star of the **Balaton Uplands scenic drive**. The landscape was forged by fire millions of years ago, creating the **Witness Mountains** (flat topped volcanic towers) like **Badacsony** that stood firm while the land around them washed away. In the 14th and 15th centuries, these peaks were topped with eagle nest castles to stop the march of invaders. The volcanic soil became a treasure for wine makers, who discovered that the basalt rock holds the sun heat and gives the white wine a unique **mineral fire**. The 1920s saw a cultural explosion as the turquoise waters of **Lake Balaton** became the Hungarian Sea for artists, writers, and sailors. They built Mediterranean style villas and planted **lavender fields** that turn the hills purple every summer. Today, you can boat through a secret cave lake under a town or walk through a thousand year old abbey garden.

Veszprém (county)