Sopron chose Hungary. After the First World War, a 1921 plebiscite let residents of this border town vote on whether to join newly independent Austria or remain part of Hungary, and enough of them chose Hungary that the town earned the nickname Civitas Fidelissima, the most loyal town, a title still stamped on official seals and celebrated every December. That vote is why Sopron sits inside Hungary today despite being surrounded on three sides by Austrian territory.
The medieval centre that vote preserved is now considered Hungary's best-kept: a near-complete circuit of narrow lanes and Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque townhouses survived both world wars largely untouched, unusual for a Hungarian city this close to a border. The 61-metre Firewatch Tower, part Roman foundation and part medieval and Baroque rebuild, still marks the entrance to it, and the wine hills around Sopron, planted mainly with the dark Kekfrankos grape, extend the visit well beyond a single afternoon of sightseeing.
The 1921 Plebiscite and Civitas Fidelissima
A December 1921 vote let Sopron's residents choose between joining Austria or staying in Hungary, and the town's decisive vote for Hungary earned it the title Civitas Fidelissima, the most loyal town, still used in official contexts and marked annually. It's the reason Sopron remains Hungarian despite being nearly encircled by Austrian territory.
The Firewatch Tower and Medieval Old Town
Standing 61 metres over the main square, the Firewatch Tower combines Roman-era foundations with a medieval lower section and a Baroque upper gallery added after a 1676 fire, and its viewing platform looks out over one of the most intact medieval town plans in Hungary. Coach groups typically drop near the tower and walk the compact old town on foot.
Kekfrankos Wine Country
The hills around Sopron have produced wine since Roman times, but the region's modern identity rests on Kekfrankos, a dark, spicy red grape that thrives in the area's mineral-rich soil close to Lake Ferto. Cellar visits and tastings are a standard extension to a Sopron old-town tour, especially given the short distance from the centre.
What Bus Hire Costs in Sopron
As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Sopron runs around 68,000 to 118,000 HUF per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 112,000 to 195,000 HUF per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 165,000 to 290,000 HUF per day. Sopron's border-town tourism and wine trade keep it among Hungary's higher-priced regional markets, with steady demand from both Hungarian and Austrian day-trip traffic. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges -- send your details for a free quote.
Quick Facts
- Country: Hungary
- Airport: nearest is VIE (Vienna, approx. 70km) or BUD (Budapest, approx. 215km)
- Currency: HUF (Hungarian Forint)
- Drives on: Right
- Language: Hungarian
- Population: approx. 62,000
- Demand: High, steady with cross-border Austrian traffic
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