Today Debrecen is experiencing dynamic development and a renewing townscape. In the city centre spreading Mediterranean atmosphere and in the pleasant Nagyerdő, cosy cafés, tee-rooms, confectioneries and restaurants offering traditional local dishes and specialities await visitors.

The bustling cultural life in Debrecen attracts the inhabitants of the neighbouring locations and ten thousands of tourists from other parts of our country and abroad. That is natural because Debrecen often hosts international sports events. In addition, it is the destination preferred by people longing for recovering and it is also the important spot of conference tourism, as well as the spot of numerous cultural events of international interest.

Debrecen as regional centre

Debrecen has had a regional part for centuries and it is the centre of North-Tiszántúl. Resulting from its geographical position it had connecting part between Transylvania and Upper Hungary.

Merchants and craftsmen of Debrecen took advantage of the transit trade benefits.
With over 200.000 inhabitants, Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary. 40 % of the inhabitants of our county also live in our town. The city with county rank is the economic, educational, scientific and cultural centre with essential macro regional part not only in Hajdú-Bihar county, but in North-Alföld and in the eastern part of Hungary as well. It is one of the actual regional centres with complete competence.
The present tourist cooperation is based on the century-old connection and close historic ties between Debrecen and Hortobágy.

Debrecen is a tourist destination

Debrecen and Hortobágy are two outstanding tourist destinations in the area. Debrecen has extremely favourable conditions in the field of health tourism. Apart from the medicinal bath, the various kinds of accommodation have more and more developed wellness, fitness and beauty care services. The natural values, the living shepherd’s traditions and shepherd’s folk art of Hortobágy is considered as something unrivalled in Europe.

Debrecen and its surroundings are rich in traditional programmes. The ethnographical and local historical rarities, the rich folklore, numerous annual official festivals connected with the most important days of the year, the religion and peasant farming are more and more popular and more and more tourists are keenly interested in these special occasions. It offers a wide range of programmes. It is a spot for numerous cultural and gastronomic festivals (such as Debrecen Flower Festival, Hajdúság Carnival, Debrecen Spring Festival, Debrecen Jazz Days, Debrecen National Summer Exhibition, International Military Band Festival to be held every two years, Béla Bartók International Choir Contest, Debrecen Turkey Days, Debrecen Wine Carnival and Cívis Promenade). The Zoo that had been the first zoo after that one situated in Budapest and celebrates its 50 year anniversary in 2008 provides pleasant relaxation and amusement for every member of the family. Nagyerdő Park provides a great number of experiences with its establishments providing recreation (adventure spa, open-air bath, medicinal bath, rowing pond, play-grounds, ice-rink, zoo, amusement park, swimming-pool, sports hall, hotels and restaurants). That is why it is a preferred destination for not only citizens of Debrecen but visitors as well. Cultural programmes provide recreation rich in experiences nearly in every season (spring and autumn festival, summer theatre, wine carnival, flower carnival, light and classical music festivals).

Apart from the most famous event in Hortobágy namely the Bridge Fair, the National Herdsmen’s Contest and Shepherds’ Meeting, the National Shepherd’s Dance Competition, as well as the Hortobágy Equestrian Days with Shepherds’ Festival attract a great number of tourists.

The wide range of conference tourist facilities in the region has been completed with the modern conference centre of Debrecen called Kölcsey Centre and with the modern technical facilities the conditions of conference, incentive and business tourism are provided. The town has an active sports life and it includes spectacular competitions. The cívis town hosted the best athletes of various kinds of sport at European Championships or international tournaments (athletics, swimming, footsal, handball, ice-hockey, water polo and hot-air balloon). The indoor ice-rink and the competition swimming-pool serve for the tourists’ demand and requirements. In the surroundings of Debrecen facilities for riding, fishing, hunting, hiking and cycle tourism are provided and the inner network of cycle paths has been expending.

Connection between the ”Hajdú” people and Debrecen
Hajdúság is nothing else but a historic-geographic area in the middle part of Tiszántúl (the eastern part of Hungary). Originally six patented ”hajdú“ towns the so called “old hajdú towns”– Hajdúszoboszló, Hajdúböszörmény, Hajdúnánás, Hajdúhadház, Hajdúdorog and Vámospércs – are situated on its outskirts. In a wider sense it includes the area of Hajdú County existing between 1876 and 1950, the “hajdú” towns and the surroundings of Debrecen – this latter area includes the region of Hortobágy and the village of Hortobágy.

First experiences in Debrecen

If you have never been to Debrecen and its surroundings, give a chance! Come and see this area! You can attend one of the sightseeing tours as individuals or with groups (link to guiding), or an adventure puszta programme by carriage!