In Szekszárd (F7–8) there was already a well-developed wine-growing culture in Roman times. In 1987 the town was granted the title “International wine and vine town” by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. A particular feature of the region is that it is the home of the Szekszárdi Kadarka wine; but the area also produces Bull’s Blood, a blend of three red wines. King Béla I founded a Benedictine Monastery here in 1061, the ruins of which can be seen in the inner courtyard of the old county hall, which was built in the Classicist style. During the Turkish occupation the town was almost completely destroyed, before later being settled by German speakers. The first settlers arrived at the beginning of the 17th century, contributing to the cultural development of the town and surrounding area. Szekszárd is home to the only German language theatre in Hungary (outside Budapest), the Deutsche Bühne Ungarn. Traditional handicrafts are represented by the “Sweet Memories from our Past” museum and shop, with its Hungarian honey-cake, candle and confection making.
The “cellar village” at Sióagárd-Leányvár (F7), comprising some 340 wine cellars, is part of the Szekszárd Wine Route and not to be missed.

Mohács (F8–9) you will find the town of Mohács on the lower stretch of the Danube in the National Park. It is famous for, among other things, its “busójárás” procession, a folk tradition in which the winter is buried and the coming of spring is welcomed. The men of the town dress up in animal-skin costumes and wear painted masks for the joyous, noisy procession. The spectacle attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Nearby, the Historic Commemoration Park recalls the Battle of Mohács, which marked the beginning of 150 years of Turkish occupation.

The succession of wine cellars forming the Mohács–Bóly White Wine Route stretches across one of the hottest areas of the country. Thanks to the climatic and soil conditions, the white wines produced here are full-bodied and have a rich bouquet, and many of them are traditional Hungarian wines. Nearby is Nagynyárád (F9), which is famous for the folk tradition of blue-dyeing; its centuries-old machines are still working today in the workshop, and there is a shop as well.

Following the Tolna Wine Route you will sample mainly white wines, although blue grapes are also harvested in the southern areas. Along the way we come across Györköny (F7), the strikingly attractive jewel of this wine route. The community is also known as the village without chimneys, in which every house has its own presshouse in the nearby cellar village.