Tokaj

Tokaj is an historic town in northern Hungary, as well as the center of the Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The region is home to almost 600 wineries and is where the world renowned Tokaji wine is produced. The oldest classified wine region in Europe, vineyards were established here as early as the 12th century, although most wine cellars were built between the 16th and 17th centuries, including a vast system of cellars carved out of solid rock. The region produces only white wines, primarily sweet dessert wines.

The town of Tokaj stands at the confluence of the Tisza and Bodrog Rivers and dates back to the 14th century. Although it once belonged to Hungary’s royal family, it suffered during the world wars and lost its importance, only regaining town status in 1986.

Practical Info

To reach the town of Tokaj, take a train from Budapest’s Keleti station heading toward Nyiregyhaza. Tickets cost 10-12 Euros and the journey takes nearly three hours. Once in Tokaj, you can get around the town on foot and visit some nearby villages by train. To reach wineries in the region, try booking a wine ship tour along the Rivers Bodrog and Tisza or ordering a wine bus from the Tourinform office.