Hortobágy National Park (UNESCO)

The Hortobágy Puszta is Europe's largest contiguous natural grassland area — an endless, flat steppe stretching to the horizon, without a tree or hill to break the view. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the Hortobágy National Park (82,000 hectares) is the quintessence of the Hungarian myth: Csikós on galloping horses, gray cattle with meter-wide horns, Racka sheep with corkscrew-shaped horns, and Mangalica woolly pigs.

The Csikós Horse Show

The Csikós — Hungary's legendary horsemen shepherds — are the stars of the Puszta. Their stunts are breathtaking: They ride standing on the backs of two galloping horses side by side (the Puszta Five — one man controls five horses at a gallop, standing on the two rearmost), have horses lie down on command, crack meter-long whips, and display horsemanship of such virtuosity that even experienced riders are left speechless. Horse shows take place daily at the studs near the Hortobágy Bridge — the Nine-Arch Bridge (Kilenclyukú híd), the longest stone bridge in Hungary (1833), is itself a landmark.

Horse show with carriage ride and Puszta lunch (goulash in a kettle): approx. 6,000–10,000 HUF (15–25€). Bookable on-site or through hotels in Debrecen.

Bird Paradise

The Hortobágy is one of Europe's most important bird sanctuaries. In autumn (September–November), up to 100,000 cranes rest here on their way south — a natural spectacle of biblical proportions. In spring (March–May), spoonbills, great egrets, white-tailed eagles, and over 340 other bird species return. Guided birdwatching tours start from the national park visitor center.

Debrecen

Hungary's second-largest city (200,000 inhabitants) lies on the edge of the Puszta and is the cultural center of Eastern Hungary. The Reformed Great Church (Nagytemplom) — the largest Reformed church in Hungary — is the landmark. The Great Forest (Nagyerdő) on the outskirts houses thermal baths, a zoo, and the university. Debrecen was twice (!) a provisional capital of Hungary and played a key role in Hungarian history.