Debrecen is the "capital city of the Great Hungarian Plain", and the county seat and largest city of Hajdú-Bihar County in eastern Hungary. It is the second largest city in the country with over 200,000 inhabitants (2019), and historically the most important city in Hungarian Protestantism.
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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, debrecen@tourinform.hu. Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat 9:00-13:00, Sun: closed (Jul-Aug weekdays until 18:00).
There are many nice streets around, though there are many less attractive ones as well. Try your luck. Nagyerdő (the Big Forest) is beautiful. 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.
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. 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, nagytemplom@info.hu. Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00, Sat 09:00-13:00, Sun: 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.
1 Csokonai Theatre (Csokonai Színház), Kossuth Str. 10 (Center -), ☏ +36 52 417 811, fax: +36 52 410-837, info@csokonaiszinhaz.hu. Cashdesk Mon-Fri 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').
There are lots of nice cafes near the Great Church. 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) 5 Kínai Laci-Konyha, Arany János u. 28. A Chinese restaurant (updated May 2022) 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).
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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