Holiday in Debrecen

What makes Debrecen special as a destination?

Debrecen is Hungary's secret second capital – a city with over 200,000 inhabitants in the east of the country, known as Calvinist Rome, the seat of the Hungarian independence movement, and home to one of the largest thermal baths in Europe. While Budapest attracts all the attention, Debrecen offers an authentic side of Hungary that many tourists never get to see: a vibrant university town with a 650-year history, magnificent architecture, and a surprisingly cosmopolitan flair. The heart of the city is the Great Reformed Church (Nagytemplom), Hungary's largest Protestant church and a symbol of the Calvinist heritage that has shaped the city for centuries. Here, in 1849, Hungarian independence from Habsburg was proclaimed. The Kossuth Square in front is an elegant meeting place with cafés and the stately town hall. The Piac utca, the main street, connects the square with the train station and is lined with Art Nouveau buildings, shops, and restaurants. The absolute highlight for wellness lovers is the Aquaticum Mediterranean Adventure Bath and the adjacent Nagyerdő (Great Forest), a spacious city park with a thermal bath, zoo, botanical garden, and open-air stage. The thermal water from 1,600 meters deep is rich in minerals and feeds several indoor and outdoor pools. For less than the price of a visit to a German swimming pool, one can enjoy a full thermal bath experience here. For German tourists, Debrecen is an excellent starting point for exploring the Puszta (Hortobágy National Park), Hungary's vast steppe, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city has its own international airport with Wizz Air connections, making travel uncomplicated. Debrecen is ideal as a combination with Budapest or as an independent weekend destination for those who want to experience real Hungary away from the tourist trails.