Eastern Hungary

The Puszta, River Tisza, Hortobágy and Hajdúszoboszló

Hortobágy is home to Europe's largest expanse of grassland prairies (the 'Puszta'), as well as salt lakes and marshes with treasures to be seen nowhere else. 'The prairies billow like the sea', as the Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi, an enthusiastic admirer of the prairies and the river Tisza, put it. The Tisza is the lifeblood of this sandy country as well as the source of an inexhaustible supply of fish, the principal ingredient of the delicious Hungarian fish soup. In this region the sun shines more hours than any other region in the country, and abundantly flowing thermal water helps health-seekers to recuperate.

Hortobágy
One of Europe's largest expanses (over 1,400 km2) of protected prairie, where Hungarian grey cattle, stud horses, Racka sheep with spiral shaped horns and buffalo herds graze on open pastures. A World Heritage site since 1999, the Hortobágy National Park stretches over an area of 82,000 hectares.
The Kilenclyukú híd (Nine-Arch Bridge) is Hungary's longest (167.3-m) stone bridge open to road traffic. It spans the river Hortobágy near the village of Hortobágy. The nearly 300-year-old Hortobágyi csárda ('inn'), a characteristic Puszta restaurant, offers a selection of herdsmen's dishes. The Pásztormúzeum (Herdsmen's Museum) provides an insight into the life of Hortobágy herdsmen and shepherds. The Hortobágyi Körszín displays the unique flora and fauna, folklore and crafts of the region, where.visitors can also see grey cattle, buffaloes, goats and Mangalitsa pigs in open-air pens and sties. Máta, 2 km away from the village of Hortobágy, is the habitat of the Hortobágy stud. The Nonius breed has been reared here for 300 years. The fishpond keeper's lodge at the Hortobágy National Park opens a wide view of an extraordinarily rich water world. The lookout tower at the keeper's lodge at Szálkahalom provides an excellent view of birdlife in the surrounding woods and salt lakes.

Hajdúszoboszló
The most popular health resort of the Puszta has been the Mecca for Rheumatics for 75 years. The 75°C thermal waters, springing from a depth of 1,100 m, have long been used for curative purposes. A 2-3 week remedial treatment in the thermal baths works wonders for locomotor, gynaecological, dermatological and internal diseases. The micro-climate of the baths is attributable to the iodine-saline vapour lifting from the 10,000-m2 water surface. With an annual 2,000 hours of sunshine, the spa on a 25-hectare area, the boating lake and the aquapark make it an ideal destination. The Bell House outside the spa boasts a collection of patented aluminium bells. The frescoes in the 18th-century St. Ladislaus church depict the discovery of the thermal waters. In the Pottery House (2 Ady utca) the replica of a 19th-century interior, decorated with black ceramics from Nádudvar is on display.

Largest cities of the region:

Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary, the scientific and cultural centre of the eastem part of the country. The town is 220 kilometres from Budapest. Large part of the city's touristic attraction is related to its geographical position, religious traditions, cultural values and events.

Eger is a city of wines. Its fort has an excellent view of the beautiful downtown. The city, with its glorious historical past, minarets and palaces is a place of thermal baths and of course excellent cuisine. It is 125 kms far from Budapest.

Gyula is one of Southeastern Hungary's most significant cultural centers with its vibrant tourism and rich collection of historical treasures and sites. Its nice climate and cool parks are ideal for leisure tourism.

Kecskemét carries the beauty and wonder of Alföld (the Great Hungarian Plain). Bács-Kiskun county's capital is located 80 km from Budapest.

Mezőkövesd is interesting and attractive for tourists because of its folk art. Also the Zsóry Spa is one of the best known thermal baths of Hungary.

Miskolc's history stretches back to the ancient culture of the ice age era. Its first inhabitants, a Celtic tribe began to settle here at the end of the Iron Age.

Nyiregyhaza is the capital of Hungary's north-eastern Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. First mentioned in 1209, the city has gone through constant development during the centuries: first as an administrative settlement and later as a center for royalty.
In Szeged the number of sunny days is 2100 hours a year, therefore this town. Its located at the junction of the rivers Tisza and Maros and often called the "town of sunshine".

Szolnok is the capital of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county at the meeting point of the Tisza and Zagyva rivers. It is and important waterway, road, and railroad junction of Alföld.