October is a cooler month, but it is also the time of Indian summer. Enjoy nature in its beautiful autumn colors, soak up the autumn cultural buzz or relax with a refreshing wellness program guaranteed to re-energize you for the winter. Debrecen offers great opportunities for all this in October.
1. Nature in autumn is a riot of color, so October is a great time to take long walks in the Great Forest, voted the most beautiful forest in Hungary. The fresh forest air is not only great for a walk, but you can also take great photos in the warming sunshine of the Indian summer days.
Tip: Visit the university botanical gardens or visit the zoo, where you can not only see exotic species up close, but also admire the native oak trees of the Great Forest and a range of unique plant species from giant sequoias to extraordinary cacti.
2. When the weather turns cool, head to the Aquaticum SPA! The spa complex in the magnificent natural surroundings of the Great Forest is the perfect place to relax in the hot thermal waters or enjoy a refreshing sauna session, or if you’re feeling like summer, the tropical climate and pools of the indoor aquapark will make you feel like you’re back at the beach.
Tip: Aquaticum Sauna World has also joined the national Sauna Weekend series of events on 5-6 October, when you can immerse yourself in the mysteries of sauna bathing with the help of renowned sauna masters on special sauna sessions.
3. Famous native of Debrecen, Magda Szabó is the most translated Hungarian writer. In Debrecen a whole festival is dedicated to her memory at the time of her birthday on 5 October. In addition to the MagdaFest, the Csokonai National Theater will be presenting performances in October such as Waiting for Godot, Oliver! and The Boys from Pál Street.
Tip: The historic building of the Csokonai Theatre reopened in 2023, renovated inside and out. You can explore the building not only during performances but also on guided behind-the-scenes tours.
4. The built and cultural heritage of Debrecen can be truly discovered by walking through the streets alongside museum exhibitions. In the historic city center, there are a number of themed walks, from romantic civis houses to the memorials of Magda Szabó and the War of Independence, to the stately merchants’ houses.
Tip: If you’re in Debrecen, don’t miss one of the world’s most beautiful libraries at the Reformed College, the impressive Munkácsy trilogy at the Déri Museum and the panoramic view of the city center from the tower of the oldest church in the city, the so-called Truncated Church.
5. The festival season in Debrecen will not stop in autumn! In October, you can see popular Hungarian artists such as Wild Fruttik, Analog Balaton, Saya Noé, Ismerős arcok and Peter Šrámek in the city’s concert halls.
Tip: The Oktoberfest, once born in the heart of Bavaria and now known worldwide, will open its doors in Debrecen at the beginning of the month. From 3 to 5 October, you can experience the Bavarian way of life on Egyetem Square, accompanied by lots of beer and pretzels.
+1 The most beautiful natural phenomenon of autumn is the crane migration. The sight of tens of thousands of cranes at sunset is a magical experience, which you can explore on guided tours with the help of the guides of the Hortobágy National Park.
