"NEC ARTE, NEC MARTE", ("neither by force nor by tricks"). Today your starting point is Komárno: a symbolic place for Central Europe.

The route follows the Danube along a number of Hungarian cities. The day offers a nice change between nature and culture. One minute you are driving over the hills through beautiful forest areas. Not much later you drive into a city, where you can visit a number of cultural attractions. These towns also offer you an excellent opportunity to soak up the local culture and taste various Hungarian dishes. Because the route is so varied, the roads are of good quality, and there is plenty to see and do along the way, this route gets 4.5 stars from me.

But before you get on the bike, you have the opportunity to visit some fortifications in Komárno and Komárom. In the 400 years of the Roman Empire, the Pannonian Limes or (Danube Limes) was a heavily fortified frontier running from Klosterneuburg (Austria) to Belgrade (Serbia). Due to the strategic location of Komárno / Komárom (on the Danube and Váh river) fortifications were constructed here to defend the border.

Also in more recent history, the strategic location of Komárno / Komárom has been recognized. Fortifications were expanded to resist, among others, the Ottoman Empire. Over the centuries, invaders have always been successfully stopped: no party has succeeded in taking the fortifications. That is why the city proudly bears the title “nec arte, nec marte” and serves as a symbol of the resilience and pride of Central Europe.

You will have noticed that these two cities are very similar. Several times in history, Komárno and Komárom have been 1 large city as well as 2 smaller cities, each on their side of the Danube. Today they are again two cities in two different countries, but the population is mixed: in the Slovak part, for example, more than 60% is Hungarian.

As soon as you start the route, you will soon pass the border the moment you cross the Danube via the Elisabeth Bridge (RP2). This river is the border with Slovakia and is again and again the marker for a cultural hotspot: Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre are located at the foot of the Danube.

After crossing the border, you can refuel in Komárom before starting the route (RP3).

The first 30 kilometers you follow the Danube. This is the second longest river in Europe (after the Volga). The river originates in the Black Forest in Germany and ends after about 2800 km in the Black Sea, on the border between Romania and Ukraine. The Danube has played an important role in the history of Europe. It formed a natural border during the Roman Empire, served as a supply route and was a good migration route for the Asian shepherds, the Magyars, who eventually also settled in Hungary.

At Süttő you leave the Danube to enter the Gerecsei Nature Park. The road slowly winds through a number of hills up to a height of about 300 meters. Eventually the route bends back to the Northeast and the Danube slowly reappears and you enter Esztergom. Before you visit the center, you drive to the “Vaskapu” (Iron Gate). On top of this hill (404m high) is a restaurant with terrace (RP8), which offers a nice view of the Danube. You can park your motorcycle here and have a quiet lunch before entering the tourist bustle of the city of Esztergom (RP9).

From the 10th to the 13th century, Esztergom was the capital of Hungary. Today, the city is home to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary and is home to Hungary's largest basilica. The basilica is also visited by the Hungarians, partly because Archbishop Mindszenty is buried here. He is famous and loved among the Hungarians for his resistance to the oppression of Nazism and Communism.
At the foot of the mountain, around the basilica, you will find the old remains of the castle of Esztergom. You can wander through the narrow alleys and steps and admire the occasional view of the Danube.

If you don't have the time (or desire) to explore the city of Esztergom, you can park at RP10 to the left of the road. From here you can walk up the Mária Valéria bridge and take a photo of the basilica and the castle.

From Esztergom you leave the Danube again for a while and drive into the Pilis hills. The road climbs to a height of 620m (Két-bükkfa-nyereg). At the dobogókő (or Kloppende Steen) you can stop briefly to take a nice picture of the Pilis hills with the Danube in the distance (RP11).

The route continues its way again through the hills to the East. Eventually you will arrive in Szentendre. If it is late in the day, you can skip the last loop of the route and continue straight to the hotel. But if you still have time to spare, I recommend that you continue the route to Visegrád.

Visegrád was the seat of several Hungarian kings during the Middle Ages. The palace of King Mátyas (Matthias Corvinus), one of Hungary's most important rulers, has been completely restored and is open to visitors. If you want to visit the palace, follow the route instructions at RP16. The route itself continues to the Citadel on top of the mountain. Here you have a spectacular view of the Danube Bend. It is certainly worthwhile to visit the citadel, but it is especially worthwhile because of the views. At the citadel there is also a small restaurant where you can take a break before starting the last part of the route (RP17).

When you leave Visegrád you will see a ruin on the right side of the road. Ponte Navata was one of the fortifications that were part of the Pannonia or Danubian Limes, of which you have also seen remains in Komárno / Komárom.

The route now follows the Danube Bend to Szentendre. Just before you enter the city, you can refuel in Leányfalu (“Girls village”). The route ends at Fantázia Lángos Büfé. This bar is located near the banks of the Danube and is part of the attractive old town. Szentendre has an almost Mediterranean feel. You can stroll around and get lost in the small alleys, looking at the colorful houses and various art galleries.

There are more than enough cozy terraces where you can rest from a beautiful day. On the terrace you can chat about everything you have seen and done, and make plans for the next day. Perhaps a visit to Budapest? The capital is almost “around the corner” from here.

If you're feeling peckish, try a delicious Lángos at Fantázia. This deep-fried bread is also sometimes called Hungarian pizza and is especially delicious with a good dose of fresh garlic and cream. Enjoy your meal!