Nyíregyháza

Hungary

Nyíregyháza is the county seat and largest city in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county in Eastern Hungary.

Some of the most popular attractions can be found north of the city in the suburb of Sóstó. The city is mostly looked over by American and British tourists, though often visited by Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, and certainly Hungarian visitors.

  • Tourist Information Centre, Kossuth tér 1. (Center, +36 42 310-735. M-F 09:00-17:00.
  • Tourinform Sóstó Thermal Bath, Nyíregyháza-Sóstó Thermal Bath, Water Tower,Sóstói road ~75 (North, +36 42 411-193. Jun 15-Sep 15: M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su 09:00-13:00.

Tourist Information Centre, Kossuth tér 1. (Center, +36 42 310-735. M-F 09:00-17:00.

Tourinform Sóstó Thermal Bath, Nyíregyháza-Sóstó Thermal Bath, Water Tower,Sóstói road ~75 (North, +36 42 411-193. Jun 15-Sep 15: M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su 09:00-13:00.

Open Air Museum of Sóstó The city is mostly devoid of must-see attractions, though you can take many pleasant walks with the squares and parks or see an exhibit or two. You will most likely want to spend most of your time in Sóstó to see the excellent Open Air Museum and the lake.

  • Open Air Museum of Sóstó, Nyíregyháza-Sóstó, Tölgyes utca 1, +36 42 500552. It wonderfully preserves the architecture and customs of rural life in the region from a hundred years ago. The museum also often holds festivals and events where visitors can step back in time and experience life the way it used to be.
  • Jósa András Museum, Benczúr tér 21. The city's main museum and houses several permanent exhibits and occasional temporary ones. The permanent collection includes exhibits on local painter Gyula Benczúr, the life and works of local author Gyula Krúdy, the life of the museum founder Jósa András, the history of Nyíregyháza until World War I, the Hungarian calvary or huszárs, and the history of money.
  • Greek Catholic Art Collection, Bethlen Gábor utca 5. Artistic relics of the Hungarian Greek Catholic church dating back as far as the 16th century.
  • Water Supply Historical Collection of the Upper-Tiszanian Region, Móricz Zsigmond utca 48. The collection contains items, photos, and portraits relating to water engineering in the county for the past 100 years.
  • Kállay Collection, Széchenyi utca 1. Items relating to and owned by former prime minister Miklós Kállay.

Open Air Museum of Sóstó, Nyíregyháza-Sóstó, Tölgyes utca 1, +36 42 500552. It wonderfully preserves the architecture and customs of rural life in the region from a hundred years ago. The museum also often holds festivals and events where visitors can step back in time and experience life the way it used to be.

Jósa András Museum, Benczúr tér 21. The city's main museum and houses several permanent exhibits and occasional temporary ones. The permanent collection includes exhibits on local painter Gyula Benczúr, the life and works of local author Gyula Krúdy, the life of the museum founder Jósa András, the history of Nyíregyháza until World War I, the Hungarian calvary or huszárs, and the history of money.

Greek Catholic Art Collection, Bethlen Gábor utca 5. Artistic relics of the Hungarian Greek Catholic church dating back as far as the 16th century.

Water Supply Historical Collection of the Upper-Tiszanian Region, Móricz Zsigmond utca 48. The collection contains items, photos, and portraits relating to water engineering in the county for the past 100 years.

Kállay Collection, Széchenyi utca 1. Items relating to and owned by former prime minister Miklós Kállay.

Roman Catholic Temple Nyíregyháza has long been a city of religious diversity and five different religions are represented in the downtown.

Greek Catholic Church, Bethlen Gábor u, 7.

Roman Catholic Temple, Kossuth tér, 4.

Reform Church, Kálvin tér (just south of Kossuth tér, +36 42 507048.

Lutheran Church, Luther str., 1, +36 42 508770.

Orthodox Synagogue, Sip u. This synagogue is no longer used, though it has been restored and can be visited.

Nyírség Autumn and Fruit Carnival (Nyírségi Ősz- és Gyümölcskarnevál). September is the best time to visit the city as the first weekend kicks off the Autumn and Fruit Carnival. Parade floats are made entirely out of fruits grown in the region. Besides the parades, free concerts are held in Kossuth square.

  • Nyíregyházi Zoo. Considered one of the best zoos in the country behind the zoo in Budapest. The zoo has a wide variety of animals from all the regions of the world, including Africa (lions, giraffes, elephants), North America (buffalo, cougars, raccoons), and the polar regions (polar bears, penguins).
  • Móricz Zsigmond town theater, Bessenyei tér 13. Plays are frequently performed here in Hungarian.
  • City stadium, Sóstói út 24/a. (north of the downtown, bus #8 or #8A. Nyíregyháza Spartacus is the local soccer team nicknamed "Szpari." They play here. The team plays in the NB I, Hungary's top professional league.
  • Hungarian Palinka Tasting (Zsindelyes pálinkakóstolás) Pamper your taste buds with a wide selection of different Premium Pálinkas, by Zsindelyes.

Sóstó fürdőház Thanks mostly to Sóstó (which is Hungarian for "Salt Lake"), Nyíregyháza has many opportunities to spend time in the water, for recreation or health.

  • Aquapark, Sóstói út, +36 42 596860. Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00. A waterpark that is divided into three "worlds": thermal world, which is like a traditional bathhouse; fun world, which has slides and wave pools; and children's world, designed for little children. Daily ticket Ft 2900. After 16:00 Ft 1900, cabin rentals Ft 1900, lockers Ft 500, hangers Ft 300, a store of value Ft 700, electronic wristband with credit facility Ft 9,000, solarium (3 minutes) Ft 300 (2014).
  • Park baths, Bernát u. 1-3 / Sóstói út 66 (in Sóstó, one min from local Tourinfo, +36 42 475736, +36 42 500-106. Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00. A small waterpark with 7 pools, a giant slide, a mini-golf course, and nudist bathing (only on the female side). Daily ticket Ft 2900. After 16:00 Ft 1900.
  • Sóstó bathhouse and hotel, Nyíregyháza - Sóstógyógyfürdő, Sóstói út 75? (North shore of the Lake, +36 42 411191. Hotel: 24/7, bath: daily 08:00-21:00, spa service: daily 08:00-20:00. 2 mineral pools ideal for relaxing in, a jacuzzi, and a sauna. The most expensive of all the places in town as tickets start at Ft 1990 for an adult day ticket.
  • Lakeside baths, Tófürdő, Blaha Lujza sétány 1 (on the southern side of Sóstó lake, +36 42 500 106. Your only chance to swim in the lake. Only open from July to August.
  • Júlia Bath, Malom u. 19 (Center, +36 42 504-030. Morning swim M-F 6:00-09:00, M-Th 10:00-20:00, F 10:00-23:00, Sa Su 09:00-20:00. The only bathhouse in Nyíregyháza. It is cheaper than the ones in Sóstó, and as such tends to be a bit more crowded. As a plus, there is a large pool specifically for swimming and not just sitting, as well as a warm thermal pool outdoors. The steam room is included in the admission, but you have to pay extra to use the sauna. Adult Ft 1600, swimming ticket (before opening period of 3 hours) Ft 900, traditional sauna (unlimited) Ft 1200, Finnish sauna (for 2 hours) Ft 12000, each additional hour Ft 2200, Infrared sauna (30 minutes) Ft 500.

Aquapark, Sóstói út, +36 42 596860. Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00. A waterpark that is divided into three "worlds": thermal world, which is like a traditional bathhouse; fun world, which has slides and wave pools; and children's world, designed for little children. Daily ticket Ft 2900. After 16:00 Ft 1900, cabin rentals Ft 1900, lockers Ft 500, hangers Ft 300, a store of value Ft 700, electronic wristband with credit facility Ft 9,000, solarium (3 minutes) Ft 300 (2014).

Park baths, Bernát u. 1-3 / Sóstói út 66 (in Sóstó, one min from local Tourinfo, +36 42 475736, +36 42 500-106. Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00. A small waterpark with 7 pools, a giant slide, a mini-golf course, and nudist bathing (only on the female side). Daily ticket Ft 2900. After 16:00 Ft 1900.

Sóstó bathhouse and hotel, Nyíregyháza - Sóstógyógyfürdő, Sóstói út 75? (North shore of the Lake, +36 42 411191. Hotel: 24/7, bath: daily 08:00-21:00, spa service: daily 08:00-20:00. 2 mineral pools ideal for relaxing in, a jacuzzi, and a sauna. The most expensive of all the places in town as tickets start at Ft 1990 for an adult day ticket.

Lakeside baths, Tófürdő, Blaha Lujza sétány 1 (on the southern side of Sóstó lake, +36 42 500 106. Your only chance to swim in the lake. Only open from July to August.

Júlia Bath, Malom u. 19 (Center, +36 42 504-030. Morning swim M-F 6:00-09:00, M-Th 10:00-20:00, F 10:00-23:00, Sa Su 09:00-20:00. The only bathhouse in Nyíregyháza. It is cheaper than the ones in Sóstó, and as such tends to be a bit more crowded. As a plus, there is a large pool specifically for swimming and not just sitting, as well as a warm thermal pool outdoors. The steam room is included in the admission, but you have to pay extra to use the sauna. Adult Ft 1600, swimming ticket (before opening period of 3 hours) Ft 900, traditional sauna (unlimited) Ft 1200, Finnish sauna (for 2 hours) Ft 12000, each additional hour Ft 2200, Infrared sauna (30 minutes) Ft 500.

Nyíregyházi Zoo. Considered one of the best zoos in the country behind the zoo in Budapest. The zoo has a wide variety of animals from all the regions of the world, including Africa (lions, giraffes, elephants), North America (buffalo, cougars, raccoons), and the polar regions (polar bears, penguins).

Móricz Zsigmond town theater, Bessenyei tér 13. Plays are frequently performed here in Hungarian.

City stadium, Sóstói út 24/a. (north of the downtown, bus #8 or #8A. Nyíregyháza Spartacus is the local soccer team nicknamed "Szpari." They play here. The team plays in the NB I, Hungary's top professional league.

  • Market. open daily. For some fresh food.
  • Flea Market. every weekend. The real show is this: hundreds of stalls selling all sorts of items, mostly of Chinese origin. This market is often frequented by Ukrainians and Romanians, which only adds the adventure.
  • Nyír Plaza, Szegfű u. 75 (outside the city center, directly accessible only by the infrequent #11 bus or walking. A small shopping mall and contains various shops, a food court, a bowling alley, and a multiplex movie theater.
  • Renomé, Szent István u. 4. (In the city center, +36 (42) 410 437. Stationery and other office supplies.
  • Flower Factory, Hősök tere 15., +36 30 337 5577. 10AM-5PM. Shop for fresh roses, carnations and other flowers.

Market. open daily. For some fresh food.

Flea Market. every weekend. The real show is this: hundreds of stalls selling all sorts of items, mostly of Chinese origin. This market is often frequented by Ukrainians and Romanians, which only adds the adventure.

Nyír Plaza, Szegfű u. 75 (outside the city center, directly accessible only by the infrequent #11 bus or walking. A small shopping mall and contains various shops, a food court, a bowling alley, and a multiplex movie theater.

Renomé, Szent István u. 4. (In the city center, +36 (42) 410 437. Stationery and other office supplies.

Flower Factory, Hősök tere 15., +36 30 337 5577. 10AM-5PM. Shop for fresh roses, carnations and other flowers.

Gyros at the Nyíregyháza Train Station As with all of Hungary, expect to find lots of places to eat a gyros. However, in the Nyíregyháza region you shouldn't expect the gyros to be served in a pita. It is always served inside a large hot dog bun with chicken meat.

  • Anno 1366 restaurant, Damjanich utca 6 (not far from the train station. A medieval times-themed restaurant with a good variety of old-style Hungarian food. As a bonus, many foods are served to you on a sword.
  • Royal Restaurant, Zrínyi Ilona utca 1 (just off Kossuth square.. They serve a large variety of pizza and pasta, but be warned: Ketchup is frequently substituted for tomato sauce.

Anno 1366 restaurant, Damjanich utca 6 (not far from the train station. A medieval times-themed restaurant with a good variety of old-style Hungarian food. As a bonus, many foods are served to you on a sword.

Royal Restaurant, Zrínyi Ilona utca 1 (just off Kossuth square.. They serve a large variety of pizza and pasta, but be warned: Ketchup is frequently substituted for tomato sauce.

  • John Bull Pub on Dózsa György u. 1., across the street from City Hall has a fantastic selection of Hungarian food and beer. Surprisingly, locals rarely come here and the restaurant is mostly frequented by foreign businessmen.

John Bull Pub on Dózsa György u. 1., across the street from City Hall has a fantastic selection of Hungarian food and beer. Surprisingly, locals rarely come here and the restaurant is mostly frequented by foreign businessmen.

  • Balmazújváros - A few daily buses, more trains all via Debrecen (~Ft 1500, 1-2½ hours depend of connections. Local History Museum, Peter Veres Memorial Exhibition, Semsey Palace.
  • Debrecen (Take an IC train, hourly, Ft 1100, ~30min) — the second largest city in the country
  • Eger. Eger is best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings (including the northernmost Turkish minaret), dishes and red wines.
  • Lake Tisza, Tiszafüred (Buses to Tiszafüred resort town via Debrecen. Hungarians began to flock to the site for holidays, since it compared favorably with the crowded and expensive Lake Balaton, the traditional holiday site. The lake (or reservoir) has a new local ecology with a diversity of birds, plants, and animals.
  • Hajdúszoboszló. - a very nice bath city, also excellent for a day trip.
  • Mátészalka (Buses, every half hour until ~19:'00, 1:30 h, also a few direct train), — a small town famous for it's early 20th century Jewish history and it's vibrant flea-market in modern times
  • Miskolc (IC trains, hourly until 23:00, ~HUF1900, one hour, 2014),- the third largest city in Hungary located near the Bükk hills.
  • Szolnok (Take an IC train, hourly until 23:00, ~HUF3700, two hours), - A small city on the banks of the Tisza river
  • Tokaj (Buses, one morning, one afternoon, ~ an hour) - Hungary's most famous wine region.

[[Balmazújváros]] - A few daily buses, more trains all via Debrecen (~Ft 1500, 1-2½ hours depend of connections. Local History Museum, Peter Veres Memorial Exhibition, Semsey Palace.

[[Debrecen]] (Take an IC train, hourly, Ft 1100, ~30min) — the second largest city in the country

Eger. Eger is best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings (including the northernmost Turkish minaret), dishes and red wines.

Lake Tisza, Tiszafüred (Buses to Tiszafüred resort town via Debrecen. Hungarians began to flock to the site for holidays, since it compared favorably with the crowded and expensive Lake Balaton, the traditional holiday site. The lake (or reservoir) has a new local ecology with a diversity of birds, plants, and animals.

Hajdúszoboszló. - a very nice bath city, also excellent for a day trip.