Debrecen guide 
Sights and monuments - In this article, you will learn information about famous monuments in Debrecen, such as the Great Calvinist Church, Hortobágy National Park and others.
Accommodation – Here you will find recommendations for different types of accommodation in Debrecen, from a luxurious 5* hotel in the city center to a nice guesthouse to accommodation on a farm 10 km from the centre.
Food and drinks - Debrecen is famous for its rich gastronomy, which reflects the Hungarian tradition with an emphasis on spicy and meaty dishes such as Debrecen sausages, sausages and the like.
Practical advice – How to get to Debrecen, information on public transport, local currency, flower festival, what to pack for your travels,...
Weather - What kind of weather should you prepare for in Debrecen? When it rains and when the sun shines.
Celebrities - Which famous personalities lived and worked in Debrecen?
AI poem - What has artificial intelligence invented about Debrecen and its history?
Debrecen, Hungary's second largest city, is located in the east of the country, approximately 220 kilometers from Budapest. It lies in the Alföld (Great Hungarian Plain) region near the border with Romania. The city represents an important transport hub.
This important cultural, educational and economic center is often referred to as "Calvinist Rome" due to its strong Protestant tradition. Debrecen still plays an important role in Hungarian culture and religion.
The city has a long history, dating back to the 13th century. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of important trade routes, it played an important role as a trade center in the Middle Ages. At the same time, Calvinism also spread here, and the city became the spiritual center of the Protestant Reformation in Hungary. In 1849, during the revolution against the Habsburgs, Debrecen briefly became the capital of Hungary.
The city is symbolized by the Great Calvinist Church (Nagytemplom), the largest reformed church in Hungary. It is also home to the University of Debrecen, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Hungary, founded in 1538.
The Debrecen Flower Carnival takes place here - one of the most important cultural events in Hungary. Every year in August, the city comes alive with flower parades, cultural performances and festivities. Visitors can admire the beautiful floral allegorical chariots.
Debrecen offers a rich cultural scene with theaters, galleries and concert halls. The city also has a symphony orchestra and hosts a number of music festivals throughout the year.
Debrecen is famous for its traditional cuisine, which includes spicy and meaty dishes. Debrecen sausages (debreceni kolbász) are famous throughout Hungary and are often served grilled or smoked.
Debrecen has an international airport that offers connections to several European cities. The city also has good rail and bus connections with Budapest and other cities. You can easily travel within the city by tram, bus or on foot.
Debrecen offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to affordable guesthouses and apartments.
Sights and attractions
The Great Calvinist Church (Nagytemplom) – This impressive Protestant church can hold up to 3,000 people. During the revolution in 1849, they declared a temporary independent Hungary here.
University of Debrecen - This prestigious institution is not only among important educational centers, but also among beautiful architectural monuments. Its buildings are located in a large university park, where not only students but also visitors like to relax.
Déri Museum - One of the most important museums in Hungary, it offers extensive collections of Hungarian art, archeology and history. Here you can admire, for example, a triptych by the painter Mihály Munkácsy, depicting the Passion of Christ.
Nagyerdő (Great Forest) - This vast park forms the green oasis of Debrecen. It offers beautiful walks, cycle paths, a spa, a zoo and cultural facilities. You will also find the Debrecen Zoo and an amusement park here.
Aquaticum – a well-known thermal and experience complex located in Nagyerdő Park. It offers visitors thermal baths, saunas, swimming pools and wellness services. They built the center under a huge glass dome, so it is suitable for visiting all year round.
Calvinist College (Debreceni Református Kollégium) - Historical educational center, important for the spread of the Protestant Reformation in Hungary, founded in 1538. The collegiate library contains rare old prints and historical documents. During the tour, you will learn more about the history of Calvinism in Hungary.
Kossuth Square - The main square in Debrecen was named after Lajos Kossuth, one of the main leaders of the revolution in 1848. The Great Calvinist Church stands here. They host many cultural events here, including public holiday celebrations and concerts.
Nagyerdei Water Tower - The historic water tower from 1910 offers a wonderful view of the entire city. The tower was renovated and opened to visitors in 2014. If you're looking for a beautiful place with a view, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Nagyerdei Water Tower.
Hortobágy National Park - One of the largest and oldest national parks in Hungary, known for its pastures and traditional herding methods. They put it on the UNESCO list. The wilderness, the vast Hungarian steppe, is home to wild animals as well as traditional shepherds and their livestock. Visitors can admire the local fauna, including rare species of birds.
Accommodations
In Debrecen, you can choose from approximately 250 accommodation capacities. Apartments are the most represented, followed by guest houses and hotels. You can choose accommodation with air conditioning, with parking or perhaps with a swimming pool.
You can enjoy luxury, for example, at the 5* Hotel Divinus, which you can find halfway between the city center and the Great Forest. You can relax in the spa or wellness center, in the jacuzzi, in the solarium or in the steam sauna. You can have refreshments at the bar in the hotel pool. There is also a private parking lot, a children's playground, a restaurant and the possibility of renting bicycles.
The 3* Inter Hotel offers accommodation with an outdoor pool near the city center. Guests can use the restaurant, bar, sauna or hot tub. If you come by car, you can park for free in the area, if you want to arrange a transfer, the 24-hour reception will be happy to help you. You can relax in the garden or on the outdoor terrace.
The 4* guesthouse Lábasház Debrecen is located in the city center and offers accommodation with breakfast. The local restaurant serves Italian or vegetarian dishes. At the reception, they will store your luggage, arrange transfers, public transport tickets or provide tourist information. You can relax on the terrace or in the bar.
If you prefer accommodation away from the city bustle in the peace of the countryside, Lazy Days offers accommodation on a farm with ponies about 10 km from the center of Debrecen. In the accommodation you can use a garden, a sunny terrace with outdoor furniture, a grill, a shared kitchen, free parking or a children's playroom. On request, they can arrange a pony ride for you.
For a complete offer of accommodation in Debrecen, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com. You can also use Booking.com.
Typical foods and drinks
Debrecen has become famous for its rich gastronomy, which reflects the Hungarian tradition with an emphasis on spicy and meaty dishes. Typical dishes and drinks from Debrecen, full of distinctive flavors, are prepared from local ingredients. In the shop, we often come across products such as Debrecen roast, Debrecen sausages and the like.
Debrecen sausages - One of the most famous dishes not only in Debrecen, but also in the whole of Hungary. These sausages seasoned with paprika, garlic and other aromatic spices have a characteristic taste. They can be served smoked, baked or grilled. Traditional dishes are often prepared from them.
Goulash - Although goulash is prepared all over Hungary, the Debrecen version contains more spices, especially paprika, a staple of Hungarian cuisine. This rich meat dish is usually served as a thick soup with chunks of beef or pork, potatoes and vegetables.
Hortobágy palacsinta - A pancake filled with seasoned meat (mostly beef or veal, but sometimes also chicken or sausage) and served with a rich spicy paprika sauce. The food comes from the Hortobágy region, near Debrecen.
Halászlé - This spicy fish soup made from carp or catfish was popular in Debrecen mainly due to the influence of regional fishing traditions. It is prepared with a generous amount of paprika, which gives the soup a red color and a sharp taste.
Wine - Hungary has a rich winemaking tradition, and in the vicinity of Debrecen they prefer wines from the Tokaj and Eger regions. Tokaj sweet wine, especially Tokaji Aszú, became famous all over the world, while red wine from Eger (Egri Bikavér) all over Hungary.
Fröccs - A refreshing drink popular especially in the summer months, which consists of wine mixed with soda. There are several varieties of fröccs that differ in the ratio of wine to water.
Debrecen Beer - Although Hungary is not as famous for its beer as other Central European countries, the local breweries in Debrecen produce a variety of beers that are worth tasting. Recently, small breweries and craft beers have been booming in Hungary.
Practical advice for the trip
How to get to Debrecen? You can fly to Debrecen International Airport, which offers connections to several European cities. You can easily get to the center from the airport by taxi or city bus.
If you like to travel by train or bus, Debrecen is well connected to the main transport arteries in Hungary, especially to the railway lines from Budapest. The train journey from the capital takes approximately 2.5 hours.
The city has an efficient public transport system, including trams, buses and trolleybuses. Buying a day or multi-day ticket can save you time and money.
In Hungary, payment is made in the Hungarian forint (HUF). Some hotels and shops also accept euros, but it is usually cheaper to pay in the local currency. Most restaurants, shops and hotels accept card payments. However, they may prefer cash in small businesses and markets, so it is recommended to carry a smaller amount of forints. Exchange offices and ATMs can be found mainly in the city center.
In the city center you will find many traditional Hungarian and international restaurants. You can often find good value deals on the lunch menu. Most restaurants are open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cafes are usually open from the morning.
If you're visiting in the summer, bring light clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
In winter, on the other hand, don't forget warm clothes and jackets, especially if you plan to visit outdoor attractions. Also carry an umbrella or a raincoat.
If you like flowers, visit Debrecen in August, when the famous Flower Festival (Virágkarnevál) takes place.
Debrecen is a relatively safe city, but you better follow the usual safety precautions. Avoid deserted places at night and be careful with your personal belongings in busy places.
Hungary has quality healthcare. It is recommended to have travel insurance to cover any medical expenses.
If you need a local internet connection, many cafes, restaurants and hotels offer free connections.
If you plan to stay longer, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card from one of the local operators (Telenor, Vodafone or Telekom).
Weather
A mild continental climate prevails in Debrecen with significant differences between the seasons. Summers tend to be warm to hot, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C, while temperatures often drop below freezing during cold winters.
It rains fairly evenly throughout the year, although less in summer and more in spring.
Debrecen is one of the sunniest cities in Hungary, with a large number of sunny days throughout the year.
Famous personalities associated with Debrecen
Lajos Kossuth (1802–1894) – prominent Hungarian politician and leader of the revolution of 1848–1849. Although not directly from Debrecen, the city played a key role during the Hungarian Revolution, where Kossuth temporarily led the Hungarian government.
Ferenc Kölcsey (1790–1838) – poet, politician and author of the Hungarian national anthem. Kölcsey was born in a nearby county and educated in Debrecen, where he also worked as a teacher and lawyer.
Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) – famous Hungarian composer, musicologist and pedagogue. Kodály was actively involved in the development of Hungarian music and pedagogy. He studied and taught in Debrecen.
Endre Ady (1877–1919) – an important Hungarian poet, journalist and representative of the modernist trend in Hungarian literature. Ady had close ties to Debrecen, where he studied law and later worked there during his journalistic career.
A poem about Debrecen created by artificial intelligence
Debrecen, a city in the wide plains,
where the desolate wind whispers the tale of maidens of old,
rolling fields, golden ears of grain,
the past sparkles playfully underfoot.
The walls of the Great Church rise to heaven,
the Calvinist faith is firmly rooted here,
since ages people have bowed here in prayer,
be it revolution or peace, the city always rises.
Lajos Kossuth, hero and voice,
here in Debrecen he led the nation again and again.
The revolution was boiling, the people were moving forward,
their song rang out in the fight for freedom.
Once upon a time carts rumbled in the marketplace,
horse-drawn carriages covered people's plans.
The flower carnival shines into the distance,
brings joyous laughter every year.
Kodály music sounds in the city streets,
every note in the heart has its harmony,
Endre Ady wrote his dreams here,
his poems flow like the wind through the world every day.
Déri's museum keeps the treasures of the world,
art and history that will move the heart again.
And Hortobágy, the nearby plain,
wild nature and human paradise.
Here tradition mixes with the modern world,
every corner has its own story, the one you drive through the city,
Debrecen is like an old tree that stands
its roots deep, its leaves swarming.
Whether summer heat or winter frost,
you will find peace and time in Debrecen.
A city that stands firmly in time
forever beautiful in people's hearts.