Debrecen

Understand

They used to say "who in their sane mind would build a city in the middle of nowhere where there are no mountains, forests, water or roads?" Still, the answer is a mystery, but Debrecen is the second (or third, depends on the census) largest city of Hungary. It used to be Europe's largest Calvinist city (it was called "The Calvinist Rome"), and the Great Church (Nagytemplom) is a reminder of the city's heritage. Debrecen also has a university with the beautiful main building. 1 Tourinform Debrecen, Piac u. 20, ☏ +36 52 412250, fax: +36 52 535323, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa 9:00-13:00, Sunday: closed (Jul-Aug weekdays until 18:00). Ticket office hours M-F 09:00-16:30, Sa 09:00-12:30. Tourist information, souvenirs. Tickets for events.

Getting there

By plane 1 Debrecen Airport (DEB IATA) (5 km southwest of the city center), ☏ +36 20 467 9899. Small airport with a cafe, car rental kiosks inside. There is no currency exchange office, only EuroNet ATMs with draconian exchange rates (10% worse than regular bank one) with additional Ft 920 exchange fee. Free WiFi. (updated Jul 2018) Debrecen is served by about 4-5 flights a day, from several European cities, most of them flown by the budget airline Wizzair. As of summer 2017, there were the following scheduled flights:

London-Luton, Wizzair, 10 times a week; Munich Airport, Lufthansa, 3 times a week; Eindhoven, Wizzair, 3 times a week; Milan-Bergamo, Wizzair, 2 times a week; Paris-Beauvais, Wizzair, 2 times a week; Malmö, Wizzair, 2 times a week; Ben Gurion Airport, Wizzair, 2 times a week. Charter flights also come regularly to the airport.

Getting there: the airport bus takes you to the city centre, train or bus station. Taxi to the city center costs Ft 3000-4000 (2018).

By train

There are regular trains approximately every hour from Budapest Nyugati Station. The duration of the trip is 2½ hours. Check the following site for timetables. Other possible destinations include Eger (need to change train at least one time, 120 km, Ft 2200, 2½ hr), Karcag (59 km, 7-10 per day, one hour, ~Ft 1200), Nyíregyháza (hourly, Ft 1100, ~1/2 hr), Szerencs (99 km, four direct, mostly change at Nyíregyháza, 67-136 min). 2 Debrecen Railway Station (Debrecen Vasútállomás), Petőfi tér.

By bus Buses to Eger (135 km, 7-9 direct per day more with change, 2½ hour), Karcag (direct three more with change, 80 min), Nyíregyháza (53-71 km, five direct, 60-110 min), Szerencs (three hours, all must to change at Tokaj or Miskolc, nine per day). 3 Bus Station (Autóbusz-állomás), Külső Vásártér 22, ☏ +36 40-200-756, [email protected]. Daily 24 hr. Run-down building with no currency exchange offices, Wi-Fi or POS terminals (so prepare some cash to pay for tickets). Online timetable.

By car Debrecen is connected to the national highway system by the motorway M35. From Budapest, follow M3 towards Nyíregyháza and then the M35 (diverge near the 186 km sign). A highway toll applies, and it had to be paid in advance (at most gas stations, price is about Ft 3000 for a regular car for 10 days.) It is about a 2-hour drive. Main road 4 is somewhat shorter, but it is not recommended because it is often overcrowded (hence much slower) and accidents are not uncommon.

Getting around

By foot There are many nice streets around, though there are many less attractive ones as well. Try your luck. Nagyerdő (the Big Forest) is beautiful.

By public transportation

Public transport uses local tickets that cost Ft 440 (or Ft 550 if you buy it on the bus). Don't try to use Budapest tickets; they won't work. The 'DKV' runs two tram, five trolleybus and sixty bus lines in Debrecen. The tram carries people to the most frequently visited places. It starts at the railway station, goes along the main street, turns at the Great Church a bit, goes to the Old Forest, the Zoo, Theme Park and Public Bath, then around to meet the universities, and then back. A cheap way to see most of the city is to get a ticket at the train station, get on, and enjoy the trip until you're back where you started. Bus lines are good, in that you can reach nearby places fast.

By taxi There are three main taxi companies in the city: Bolt taxi City Taxi Debrecen and Főnix Taxi, both have mobile apps.

By car Roads are okay. The city is small enough though that you could easily get around by foot or by public transportation.

See

The Nagytemplom is a must see and easily accessible. As for museums, the Déri Museum is definitely worth a trip, but all the others really depend on how much Hungarian art interests you. Most of the major attractions are in the city park, or Nagyerdő, where you could easily spend a pleasant afternoon.

Places of worship 1 Great Church (Reformed Great Church, Nagytemplom), Kossuth tér (in city centre close to Kálvin tér shopping centre), ☏ +36 52 412694, fax: +36 52 412694, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-16:00, Sa 09:00-13:00, Sunday: after church service till 16:00. During services and official programmes the church is closed. Debrecen's most recognizable building and a symbol of the city. It is the centrepiece of what was once called "Calvanist Rome". Visitors can tour the interior, as well as go up in the tower to see the Rákóczi bell, the largest bell in Hungary, and excellent views of the city. Tickets: Adult/Reduced Ft 400/300. 2 Arpad Square Presbyterian Church (Árpád téri református templom), Árpád tér, ☏ +36 52 412801. 3 Greek Catholic Church (Görög katolikus templom, Istenszülő Oltalma Templom), Attila tér 1 (the tram is 600 m away. In nearby bus stop #5 and 15 buses and #2 trolley.), ☏ +36 52 533207, [email protected]. Masses M-F 06:45, 07:30, 18:00; Su 06:45, 07:30, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 16:45, 18:00 (summer). The church was built in 1910, in Neo-Byzantine, based on the plans of János Bobula. Unlike other Greek Orthodox churches there is no iconostasis here. The main sights are the inlaid altar and pulpit with mosaic ornaments in 1910. Valuable seccos and colourful glass windows ornate the church. 4 Csonka Church (Calvinistic Small Church, Small Protestant Church, Csonkatemplom), Kossuth utca or Révész tér 2, ☏ +36 52 342872, fax: +36 52 453569, [email protected]. Opening hours by appointment M-F 08:30-12:30. 5 Bible Society of Debrecen Baptist Church (Debreceni Biblia Baptista Gyülekezet), Faraktár utca, 42, ☏ +36 30 9119887, [email protected]. 6 Kápolnás Street Synagogue (Kápolnás utcai zsinagóga, Status Quo Ante zsinagóga), Kápolnás utca, 1 (Close to the church at Pásti Street 4), ☏ +36 52 415861. By appointment. This was built in 1910 in eclectic style. This is a Byzantine structure of modernised Moor form, emphasized also by the large dome emerging from its wider environment. Free. 7 Mester Street Reformed Church (Mester utcai református templom), Mester utca Révész Square?. 8 Lutheran Church (Miklós utcai evangélikus templom), Miklós St., 3, ☏ +36 52 534408, [email protected]. Church service Sundays at 10:00. Only L

Do

1 Csokonai Theatre (Csokonai Színház), Kossuth Str. 10 (Center -), ☏ +36 52 417 811, fax: +36 52 410-837, [email protected]. Cashdesk M-F 09:00-12:00, and 13:00-19:00. From Ft 1000. (updated Jul 2014) 2 Nagyerdő - The City Park (Debreceni Nagyerdő Természetvédelmi terület) (just north of the downtown). The 2280-hectare city park which offers fine walks as well as several opportunities for fun and entertainment. (updated Jul 2014) Football: Debreceni VSC play soccer in NB 1, the top tier. Their home ground Nagyerdei Stadion (capacity 20,340) is in Nagyerdő Park 2 km north of city centre. 3 Amusement Park (Vidámpark), Ady Endre út 1 ('Nagyerdő'). Not as large or impressive as the park in Budapest, but nevertheless boasts to be the largest such park this side of the Tisza. There are 15 rides including a fantasy castle, Ferris wheel, and a children's railroad. Ft 200 plus Ft 300-400 per ride. (updated Jul 2014) 4 Zoo (Állatkert), Ady Endre út ('Nagyerdő'). Daily 09:00-18:00 (smmer). , together with the Vidámpark forms the Culture Park. Ft 1500. (updated Jul 2013) 5 Aquaticum Termal bath (Aquaticum Mediterrán Élményfürdő, Debreceni Gyógyfürdő), Nagyerdei Park 1 ('Nagyerdő'). M-Th 11:00-21:00, F-Su 10:00-21:00. With hot spring water, pools, and slides, it is obligatory to visit. It is open all year, and is the major resort of the town. It features a water park, public pool, bath house, hotel, and restaurants. Two-hour tickets Ft 5400, sauna Ft 3000. (updated Jul 2023) 6 Skating Rink (Műjégpálya), Derék Street, 33 (SW), ☏ +36 52 537272, fax: +36 52 537273, [email protected]. Sa Su 09:00-11:30, 15:00-17:30, 18.00-20:30. Ft 1200. (updated Jul 2014) 7 Sport Complex (Oláh Gábor utcai sporttelep), Oláh Gábor utca 5. (updated Jul 2014) 8 Sport Swimming Pool (Sportuszoda), Zákány utca 4, ☏ +36 52 506676, [email protected]. M-F 06:00-22:00, Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 08:00-19:00. The swimming pool complex offers a long course (50 m) competition pool, a short course (25 m) training pool, a learner pool, a Jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna, and an outside thermal pool (34-36 Celsius). Ft 1340. (updated Jul 2014) Memorial Garden (Emlékkert). 9 Botanical garden (Botanikus kert), Móricz Zsigmond Rd (Take tram 1), ☏ +36 52 512900. Arboretum Daily (Mar 21-Oct 20) 08:00-18:00, (Oct 21-Mar 20) 08:00-16:00, Orangery: M-Th 08:00-15:00, F 08:00-12:00. Weekends and holidays can not visit the greenhouses.. Ft 750. (updated Feb 2026) 10 Grasslands with Forest (Erdőspuszták) (SE 9 km). 11 Cemetery of heroes (Hősök temetője), Bölcs utca 16 (NW).

Events Flower Carnival (V

Buy

Banks Exchanging money can be cheaper here than in Budapest.

1 CIB Bank, Piac u. 1−3. (Center), ☏ +36 40 242242, fax: +36 1 4896147, [email protected]. M-Th 08:00-18:00, F 08:00-16:00. ATM 24/7. (updated Jul 2014) 2 Commercial and Credit Bank (Kereskedelmi és Hitelbank), Kálvin tér 8 (Center), ☏ +36 52 521 230, +36 1 3353355 (Tele Center 20 30 70 ), fax: +36 52 521261. M 08:00-17:00, Tu-Th 08:00-16:00, F 08:00-15:00. (updated Jul 2014) 3 Erste Bank, Downtown branch (Debrecen, Belvárosi Fiók), Hatvan utca 1/B. first floor 9. (Center), ☏ +36 40 222 222. M 08:00-17:00, Tu-Th 08:00-16:00, F 08:00-15:00. (updated Jul 2014) 4 OTP Bank, Piac u. 45-47 (Center), ☏ +36 40 366388, +36 1 3666-388, fax: +36 52 457-077, [email protected]. M 07:45-18:00 Tu-Th 07:45-17:00, F 07:45-16:00. Traded currencies: USD EUR, free WiFi; child- and wheelchair- friendly branch (updated Jul 2014) 5 MKB Bank (Magyar Külkereskedelmi Bank), Vár utca 6/c (Center), ☏ +36 52 528110, +36 1 3733333, +36 40 333666, [email protected]. M 08:00-17:30, Tu-Th 08:00-16:30, F 08:00-15:00. (updated Jul 2014) 6 Raiffeisen Bank, Piac utca 18 (Center), ☏ +36 40 484848, +36-1 4848484, [email protected]. M Tu Th 08:00-16:00, W 08:00-17:30, F 08:00-15:30. ATM 24/7. (updated Jul 2014)

Malls 7 Debrecen Plaza, Péterfia utca 18. (just north of the city centre and easily reached by tram #1), ☏ +36 52 456700, [email protected]. Restaurants, cafes: Daily 10:00-22:00. Cinema: M-Sa 13:00-23:00, Su 10:00-23:00. Stores: M-Sa 09:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00. CBA supermarket M-Sa 07:00-20:00, Su 07:00-19:00. - Pharmacy M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00. (updated Jul 2014) 8 Forum shopping mall (Fórum üzletközpont), Csapó utca 30. (Center. - Take bus: 11, 15, 22, 24, 31, 43; tram 1), ☏ +36 52 598-800, fax: +36 52 598-801, [email protected]. Shopping center: M-Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 09:00-19:00. Shops: M-Sa 09:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00. Spar: M-Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 09:00-18:00. Parking 24/7. A newer mall just a block east of Debrecen Plaza. It also has a food court and many stores - being larger and more diverse than Debrecen Plaza. (updated Jul 2014) 9 Délibáb shopping center (Délibáb üzletház), Ötvenhatosok tere 6/a. (North), ☏ +36 52 541710, fax: +36 52 541710, [email protected]. M-F 06:00-24:00, Sa 06:30-21:00, Su 07:30-21:00. National Tobacco Shop, Spar supermarket (M-F 06:30-20:00, Sa 06:30-18:00, Su 07:30-17:00), drugstore Markt, Chinese department store (men, women and kids fashion, accessories), Blue Rags fashion (Women's fashion retail) , Storage Box, Főnix Savings Bank, Rövi

Eat

There are lots of nice cafes near the Great Church.

Budget

In the city centre 1 Blaháné Étterem, Blaháné u. 13. (updated May 2022) 2 Himalája Gyros, Vár u. 10. (updated May 2022) 3 Byblos Gyros, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky u. 1. (updated May 2022) 4 Pizza Fortuna, Péterfia u. 42. (updated May 2022)

Near the city centre 5 Kínai Laci-Konyha, Arany János u. 28. A Chinese restaurant (updated May 2022)

Mid-range 6 Melange Étterem, Debrecen, Csapó u. 24. A very fine restaurant with amazing decor. (updated May 2022) 7 Csokonai Étterem, Kossuth utca 21. Main steak house of Hungarian style, on Kossuth street, right in front of Csokonai Szinház (opera house). Prices as of July 2014: Starters: Ft 1,050-2990; Mexican dishes Ft 1,850-2,190; soups Ft 800-1300; poultry dishes Ft 2090-2390; fish dishes Ft 2500-3500; pork dishes Ft 2090; beef dishes Ft 2400-3000; noodles Ft 1450-2450, pizzas dozen types Ft 1090-1850. (updated May 2022) 8 Flaska Vendéglő (Flaska Söröző), Miklós utca 4 (by the Apollo movie theatre). Has nice Hungarian dishes. (updated May 2022) 9 Mandula Confectionary, Ember Pál u. 23, ☏ +36 (52) 345 360. One of the best bakeries in town. (updated May 2022) 10 Kashmir Restaurant, Thaly Kálmán utca 2 Péterfia street corner, ☏ +36 52 321 560. Not too bad if you've never had Indian food before. For those who have, do not have high expectations, and be prepared to be paying over the odds for food which all seems to taste the same. Prices as of July 2018: Soups/appetisers Ft 1200/1800, kebabs and platters Ft 2100-4900, main courses Ft 2600-3200, vegetarian dishes Ft 1600-2000, seafood Ft 4000-5500, sweets Ft 800. (updated May 2022) 11 Korzó Ételbár & pizzéria, Hatvan utca 1 (This reastaurant is on the left side of the Great Church), ☏ +36 670-2953439, [email protected]. 09:00-23:00. Small fast food place. Quick, polite service. Cards accepted, English spoken, big terrace. Ft 1300-1900 (Jul 2018). (updated May 2022) 12 Govinda Vegetarian Restaurant, Magyari u. 2, ☏ +36 30 372 9959. M-F 12:00-14:00, only open for lunch. A vegetarian restaurant and is the closest you can get in the city to homemade Indian cuisine. (updated May 2022)

Splurge

Drink & nightlife

1 Calico Jack Pub, Bem tér 15. (updated Jul 2018) 2 Palma Pub, Simonyi út 44 (near the University). Very popular with people visiting the town on business. Also here is offered a variety of European cuisines. (updated Jul 2018) 3 Roncs, Csapó u. 27. Wreck pub is nice for a drink. Really cool place. (updated Jul 2018) Around 4 Hal köz (old fish market), near the main square, you can find good places.

Sleep

1 Hostel (Debreceni Egyetem és a Kölcsey Ferenc Református Tanítóképző Főiskola Kossuth Lajos III. Kollégiuma), Egyetem tér 1, ☏ +36 52 238500. (updated Jul 2014) 2 Reformed College, Kálvin tér 16. (Center). Hostel (updated Jul 2014) 3 Dorcas Center & Camping, Erdőspuszta (SE 6 km). Bungalow, motel, cottages, camping area. From Ft 2000 p.p.. (updated Jul 2014) 4 Stop Pension (Stop Panzio), Batthyány utca 18 (in the centre, take a tram to stop County Hall and walk east to Mu-Terem Art Gallery turn north 100m), ☏ +36 52 420301, fax: +36 1 6901861, [email protected]. Calm and pleasant. Ft 7100/9400 including all tax. (updated Jul 2014) 5 Cívis Grand Hotel Aranybika, Piac utca 11, ☏ +36 20 3636121, [email protected]. Next to the Reformed Cathedral. The present Art Nouveau building was built in 1915. Ft 14 000/16 000. (updated Jul 2014) 6 Centrum Hotel (Cívis Hotel Kálvin), Kálvin tér 4 (North of the Great Church), ☏ +36 52 418522, +36 52 525300, fax: +36 52 525301, [email protected]. In centre, near the Reformed College and the Great Calvinist Church. From Ft 18 000. (updated Jul 2014) 7 Hotel Platán, Somlyai u. 10 (5 minutes from the town centre, near the airport: take bus 44 from Debrecen Railway Station), ☏ +36 52 537700, fax: +36 52 537 703, [email protected]. A four-star hotel. Single/double from Ft 14 400/19 800. (updated Jul 2014) 8 Hotel Grand Forest (Hotel Nagyerdő), Pallagi út 5. From Ft 15 000. (updated Jul 2018) 9 Sport Hotel, Olah Gabor St, 5 (right next to the DVSC stadium), ☏ +36 52 514444. buffet breakfast 3,300 Ft, use of closed parking spaces and Internet access Ft 20 500 single; 23 500 Ft double; one person apartment 26 000 Ft; 2 person apartment 29 000 Ft, City Tax: 400 Ft per night. (updated Jul 2014)

Go next

Eger — best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings (including the northernmost Turkish minaret), dishes and red wines. Hortobágy — excellent for a day trip. This is an 800 km² national park in Eastern Hungary, rich with folklore and cultural history. The park, a part of the Alföld (Great Plain), was designated as a national park in 1973 (the first in Hungary), and elected among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1999. The Hortobágy is Hungary's largest protected area, and the largest semi-natural grassland in Europe. It used to be believed that this alkaline steppe was formed by the clear cutting of huge forests in the Middle Ages, followed by measures to control the course of the Tisza River, allegedly resulting in the soil's current structure and pH. However, Hortobágy is much older, with alkalinization estimated to have started ten thousand years ago, when the Tisza first found its way through the Great Hungarian Plain, cutting off many streams from their sources in the Northern Mountains. The formation was finished by grazing animals, mastodons, and wild horses during the Ice Age, followed by domesticated animals. The Nine-holed Bridge is a popular site. Traditional T-shaped sweep wells dot the landscape, as do the occasional mirage of trees shimmering in the reflected heat of the Puszta. Lake Tisza (Tisza-tó). Also known as Kisköre Reservoir (Hungarian: Kiskörei-víztározó). This is the largest artificial lake in Hungary. It is at the southeastern edge of Heves county. Following the reservoir's completion, Hungarians began to flock to the site for holidays, since it compared favorably with the crowded and expensive Lake Balaton, the traditional holiday site. As a result, tourist infrastructure has been developed on the reservoir—renamed Lake Tisza—and the government has designated it an official tourism destination. - The lake (or reservoir) has a new local ecology with a diversity of birds, plants, and animals. Nyíregyháza — a smaller city with several parks and squares and the water resort of Sóstó. Oradea, Romania Szerencs - famous all around Hungary for its chocolate and medieval castle