Sopron

Description

Located at the foot of the Alps, on the Austrian border, in Hungary is the charming town of Sopron. Sopron is located only 6 kilometres away from the Austrian border and 60 kilometres from Vienna and is therefore frequented by Austrians. This jewel of a town has managed to keep traces of its Roman, medieval and Baroque past. What makes Sopron so popular is its proximity to Lake Fertő as well as its beautiful natural areas, mountain springs, beautiful medieval structures and its friendly inhabitants, among other things. This beautiful holiday resort offers so much to do and see, and is definitely a must-visit when in Hungary. For Muslims visitors however, finding Halal-friendly facilities like Halal food and prayer areas in Sopron will prove to be difficult.

The first stop on every visitor’s itinerary should be Fo tér or Fo Square. This charming open square is surrounded by historic and monumental Roman, Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance buildings and structures like the Town Hall, Fabricius House, Storno House and the iconic Firewatch tower. The Firewatch tower, located on the northern side of the Old Town is the symbol of Sopron. Its Roman foundation is a great example of Sopron’s past. As this is the town’s tallest building, visitors must climb to the top to experience the breathtaking views of the historic town and the foothills of the Austrian Alps. The balcony on top was previously used by guards to keep watch of the area and to give warnings in case of a fire. This 61 metre tower also houses a local history collection. Visitors here will also get to see the loyalty gate or the Gate of Honor; which was presented by the government to the town, and is located to the south of the tower.

Tourists must also pay a visit to the City Hall which was built in 1896, as well as Storno House. Storno House is located right next to Firewatch tower and was built in the Middle Ages. It is one of the most well-known buildings in Sopron, and is now a museum known for housing a diverse and priceless collection of paintings, ceramics, furniture, old porcelain, wood carvings and more.

A walk around the town is also a must. The Old Town is lined with charming old houses and narrow cobbled lanes. Tourists will also come across part of the medieval city wall, along with one of its two gates here.

Those visiting the town can also take advantage of skiing opportunities in nearby Austria, as well as hiking in the mountains outside Sopron. They can also participate in a plethora of water activities on nearby Lake Fertõ. Because Vienna, Austria is so close by, Austrians make up a large part of Sopron’s tourism. Sopron has numerous shops and boutiques that are frequented by locals and tourists and are known to never disappoint.

Nearby Airports

The closest major international airport to Sopron, Hungary is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, located in Budapest, approximately 201 kilometres from the center of Sopron. The airport is accessible by public and private transport.

Halal Restaurants

Finding Halal food in Sopron will be challenging since there are no known Halal restaurants in the area. However, Muslim visitors can dine at local seafood or vegetarian restaurants after making sure the dishes served do not consist of any non-Halal items. They should be aware that restaurants in Sopron also serve alcohol. If tourists are able to locate a Halal meat shop in Sopron and they have the facilities to prepare their own meals, this would be the best option.  

Mosques

There are no known Islamic Centers or mosques in Sopron, and therefore Muslim travelers will find it difficult to locate prayer facilities in the city. The best option is to offer their prayers in the privacy of their hotel room or to simply enquire with locals for a private area in the vicinity that can be made use of when traveling outdoors.

Things to Do and See in Sopron

• Firewatch Tower  
• Fabricius House  
• Viennese Suburb  
• Town Wall  
• Lovér Hills  
• Arcaded House  
• Mining Museum  
• Fo tér   
• Town Hall  
• Baker's Museum  
• Bezerédj Palace