Everything is “great” in Debrecen, including the city park and the church. The Reformed Great Church can seat up to 2,000 people, and is home to Kossuth’s chair and the Vizsoly Bible. It has one of the country’s finest organs, and you can even visit the organ loft. Take your time and enjoy the quality environment of the book store café.
The college is the cradle of Hungarian culture, established in 1538 and open ever since. It was home to Misi Nyilas, and also Csokonai, János Arany, Ferenc Kazinczy and Ferenc Kölcsey. Time seems to have stopped in its 600,000-volume library.
The best-known attraction is the Munkácsy Hall, but the Chamber of Wonders, the Samurai Courthouse, the interactive archaeological exhibition and the Great Forest sections presented as a natural treasure trove offer visitors not only knowledge, but also exciting entertainment.
If you are in Debrecen, you must visit City Park. The green lungs of the town are very popular with both tourists and locals. The beauty of the crooked promenades near the town centre, and also the harmony and atmosphere of the City Park can best be appreciated from around the fountains and deck chairs in Békástó.
A five-star spa and bath in the City Park, full of tropical plants and attractions. Almost as if you were on an exotic holiday, though you’ll have no monkeys jumping on you from banana trees here
The Visitor Centre has more to offer than just information. It is the place where you should start your tour with the exhibition and the 3D film about Hortobágy, and then go out an experience it in actual reality. This is also where you can hire bikes. Currently, there are developments under way in Debrecen, so you are advised to contact the park and inquire about what is open
The life of the cowboys who wore ‘cifraszűr’ and lived in Hortobágy has always been intriguing. The museum opposite the ‘csárda’ presents what pastoral farming was like and what this lifestyle – which exists almost only in Hortobágy – means
The ‘puszta’ programme, which starts with a one and a half hour ride on a carriage, gives you a taste of Hungarian traditions and temper. The horse-drawn puszta bus will take you to where indigenous animals, such as Racka sheep, Mangalica pigs, buffalos and Hungarian grey cattle graze, while horses and Hungarian cowboys will put on a show for tourists to prove their skills and courage
If you want to discover the diverse surroundings of the lake, you should rent a boat. From spring to autumn, there are 12 paddling trails you can choose from. Cormorants sitting on trees, mallard ducks hiding under the bushes, and also herons and egrets to keep you company on your way through the water ‘jungle’.
Step into a rowing boat or other small boat to get to the boardwalk that takes you through reed beds, marshy pastures and flood area forests, where you can observe plants and animals in close proximity.
After so much culture and history, you will definitely enjoy spending time in the largest spa complex in Europe. From the cinema pool to the ice-cave illusion and tropical, exotic and Roman interiors: if you want to try them all, you will need more than just one afternoon.
Discover Debrecen, Hortobágy and Middle Tisza Region!