Debrecen Town Guide

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> Introduction to Debrecen
> How to get there
> What to see
> What to do
> Where to eat & drink

INTRODUCTION TO DEBRECEN

is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the capital of Hajdú - Bihar county. The town is situated in the eastern part of Hungary in the area between the River Tisza and the border line towards Romania. It is one of the cultural and social centres of Hungary. The two outstanding tourist destinations of this area are Debrecen and Hortobágy.

HOW TO GET THERE

The motorways and the electric railway line provide a quick connection with Budapest and other regional centres. The city is situated 220 km from Budapest. It can be easily reached in two or two and a half hours’ time by car and in three hours’ time by train. If You will travel by car You can use the motorways of M35, M30 and M3. Debrecen can be approached in the interurban coaches of Volán Coach Transport Company as well. The coaches of the neighbouring Coach Transport Companies arrive in this area such as Körös Volán Zrt., Tisza Volán Zrt., Jászkun Volán Zrt., Mátra Volán Zrt. and Borsod Volán Zrt. There are 8 railway lines connecting the country seat Debrecen and the towns in the county. The city has the the second largest airport in Hungary, which is situated 5 km from the city centre. It is owned by the local government of Debrecen and it is operated by Airport Debrecen Kft. It is an international trade airport.

WHAT TO SEE

Déri Museum

Address: Déri Square1., Debrecen
Tel: +36-52/322-207, +36-52/417-577
Opening hours:
Thu – Sun: 10.00 - 16.00 in the summer 10.00 - 18.00

There are the monumental paintings made by thevery famous hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy of Jesus Christ, interesting and rare pieces in the permanent collection, ranging from Egyptian mummies to South-Asian weapon rarities. Collection of local history that positions Debrecen in the cultural and thematic history of the region and the country too.
For more information click on the Déri Museum website.

The Csokonai Theatre and the Vojtina Puppet Theatre

offer a lot of programmes for the theatre-going audience.

University of Debrecen

Is the most beautiful part of the town. The impressive neo-baroque building is "decorated" by the well-designed, French-style monumental park with statues of famous preachers and with a huge fountain.

Reformed Great Church

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 10.00 - 16.
Sat: 09.00 - 13.00
Sun: 12.00 - 16.00

Is the symbol of Debrecen. On 14th April 1849 Lajos Kossuth read out the Declaration of Independence here. The chair Kossuth used then is still a precious relic of the Great Church. There is an unparalleled view of the city from the tower. On the way up you can also see the Rákóczi Bell.

Reformed College

Address: Kálvin Square 16., Debrecen
Tel: +36-52/516-85
Opening hours:
between 10.00 and 16.00 from Tuesday till Saturday
on Sunday between 10.00 and 13.00

With its 600.000 pieces, the Library of the College is the greatest such collection of the Hungarian Reformed Church. The Bible collection includes the volumes of the Holy Book in more than 250 languages. In 1831 the coin collection already had more than 6.000 pieces.

Hotel Aranybika (Golden Bull)

The Hungarian composer Béla Bartók gave several concerts in the concert hall of the hotel, thus the hall was named after him.

Saint Anne’s Catholic Cathedral

Address: Szent Anna Street 15., Debrecen
Tel: + 36-52/533-207

The Saint Anne’s Catholic Cathedral was built between 1721 and 1746. The carvings and statues of the by-altars are from the 18th century. It can be visited every day all year round.

MODEM

Address: Baltazár Dezső Square 1., Debrecen
Tel: +36-52/525-018, +36-52/525-010
Opening hours:
Tue – Sun: 10.00-18.00
Thu: 12.00-20.00, in the summer 14.00-22.00

The Modem Modern and Contemporary Art Centre is the biggest art gallery of the region situated in the historical downtown of Debrecen. On the second floor we find the largest – more than 1300 square metre – contiguous exhibition area in the country. The Modem gives home to numerous modern and contemporary fine art masterpieces.

For more information click on the MODEM website.

Tanner’s House

Address: Gál István Street 6., Debrecen
Tel: +36-52/321-260
Opening hours:
Tue – Fri: 10.00 - 17.00
Sat: 10.00 - 14.00

Is one of the significant industrial historical monuments of Debrecen. The exhibitions present to the public the works of art of the craftsmen of the region. Walking along the workshops we can get “the inside story” of the felt maker, folk dressmaker, embroidery maker, potter, blue dye maker and lace-makers.

Debrecen Literary Museum

Address: Borsos J. Square 1., Debrecen
Tel: +36-52/416-950
Opening hours:
Tue – Sun: 10.00 - 16.00

The museum collects the relics of the rich literary traditions of the city.

Other sights

Hero´s cemetery
Cemetery
Csanak house
Red Church
Rickl house
Kaszanyitzky-house
The former Artúr Löfkovics shop
Medgyessy Ferenc Memorial Museum
Delizsánsz Exhibition
Holló László Memorial Museum
Erdőspuszta Exhibition House

WHAT TO DO

Events

Debrecen is the city of festivals and concerts, thousands of people visit the city for the Flower Carnival, the International Festival of Military Bands, the Debrecen Jazz Festival, the Poetry Festival, Summer and Autumn Festivals, or the Debrecen Turkey Festival and the Béla Bartók International Choir Festival.

Aquaticum Medicinal and Bath Centre

Great Forest of Debrecen is the first protected nature conservation area of Hungary is the 1,082 ha. In its territory you can find the Aquaticum Medicinal and Bath Centre with its new indoor Mediterranean Pleasure Bath, as well as the Fun Fair, the Zoo and one of the locals´ favourite places for relaxation, Lake Békás. In the neighbourhood you can find several restaurants with pleasant atmosphere offering delicious Hungarian dishes and specialities baked in an oven.

Spa

Debrecen is one of the largest centres of mineral thermal water in Europe. There are a lot of wellness and spa programmes in the Bath Centre.

Sports

The city has a famous football club, Debreceni VSC. It's one of the best teams in Hungary.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Vigadó

Address: Nagyerdei Park 1., Debrecen
Tel: + 36-52/514-189

The bathing house and the Vigadó were built in 1826 in classicist style. There was a bath then later also a steam bath in the bathing house. Today it is a mellow restaurant with a great garden. It is commonly mentioned with the adjective “old”.