Day trip to Debrecen – a quick guide and itinerary
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Last week we put together a day trip itinerary for Pécs. This week we have created a guide for visiting Debrecen in a day. It is part of a series of articles that hopes to encourage visitors to Hungary to explore the country beyond Budapest.
Located on the plains of Eastern Hungary, Debrecen is the country’s second biggest city. It was one of the first settlements to be established after the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin. Known for its famous flower festival, Debrecen is definitely worth visiting on a day trip from Budapest!
How to get there
Visitors can take a train from Budapest-Nyugati Station to Debrecen. The journey takes between 2 to 3 hours, which is slightly longer than if going by car. Return tickets can be purchased under €30 and can be bought on the day of travel.
It is a little known fact that Debrecen actually has an international airport. A range of airlines connect the city to the rest of Europe, including WizzAir and Lufthansa.
Things to see
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The Great Reformed Church is the largest Protestant Church in Hungary (featured image). Debrecen is the centre of Protestantism in the country, and the Great Reformed Church of Debrecen is the city’s most famous landmark. Built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style and making use of baroque elements, is also the symbol of the Hungarian Protestant faith. The church tower also has a great view of the city below.
- Go walking in the Great Forest (Nagyerdei) Park. Established as a protected area in 1939, it has wonderful paths meandering between trees that are hundreds of years old. The park is home to a range of wildlife including the Northern goshawk, the marten and the wild boar.
