←Hungary travel guide
Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary
Debrecen
The great plain's proud capital, with a neoclassical church at its heart
CultureHistory & Heritage
Debrecen is Hungary's second-largest city and the historic centre of the eastern Great Plain region, long a hub of Calvinist culture and Hungarian national identity. Its neoclassical Reformed Great Church, the largest Protestant church in Hungary, dominates Kossuth Square, where Lajos Kossuth proclaimed Hungarian independence in 1849.
Check Hungary visa requirements →
Best time to visit
May to September
Region
Hajdú-Bihar County
Main airport
Debrecen DEB (DEB)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Debrecen
UNESCO World HeritageNature
Hortobágy National Park
Hortobágy National Park covers approximately 820 square kilometres of the Great Hungarian Plain and is the largest protected grassland in Europe, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The open puszta landscape has been shaped by more than two millennia of pastoral land use, and traditional grey cattle, Hungarian racka sheep, and water buffalo are still kept here by csikos horsemen. Visitors can observe rare bird species including the great bustard, explore the nine-arched stone bridge (the longest in Hungary), and watch traditional equestrian demonstrations.
UNESCO World Heritage
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Hungary. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Hungary.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Debrecen
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hungary
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Hungary page at Yoogo.
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF), and despite being an EU member, it has not adopted the euro. Card payments are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, and rural areas.
Hungary is generally considered a safe destination, with low rates of violent crime. Travellers should exercise normal precautions in busy tourist areas of Budapest, where pickpocketing can occur around major landmarks and public transport.
Budapest has an extensive public transport network of metro lines, trams, and buses. Intercity rail services connect the capital to most regional cities, with MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) operating frequent routes. Car hire is practical for exploring rural areas such as the Tokaj wine region and the Hortobágy puszta.
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds, making them ideal for sightseeing in Budapest and exploring the countryside. Summer (July to August) is the peak season for Lake Balaton, though temperatures in cities can reach 35 degrees Celsius.
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, a Finno-Ugric language unrelated to most European tongues and considered challenging to learn. English is widely understood in Budapest's hospitality and tourism sectors, though knowledge is more limited in smaller towns and rural areas.
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Hungary, and the country has a well-functioning public healthcare system. EU/EEA citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while non-EU travellers are advised to arrange comprehensive travel health insurance before departure.
Tipping is customary in Hungary, particularly in restaurants, where 10–15 per cent of the bill is the norm. Rather than leaving cash on the table, it is standard practice to tell the server the total you wish to pay when settling the bill. Rounding up the fare is appreciated for taxis.
Hungary has good 4G coverage across cities and major routes, with 5G available in Budapest and other urban centres. Travellers from outside the EU can use an eSIM from a provider such as Airalo for convenient data access without swapping a physical SIM card.