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For those who want to escape the heat but also want a cultural experience, head to a cool museum! The city’s museums and galleries offer a range of exciting exhibitions, giving visitors a unique insight into the city’s local and cultural history, as well as the secrets of classical, modern and contemporary art. The current exhibition at the Déri Museum tells the story of the bombing of Debrecen 80 years ago, the MODEM shows emblematic landscapes and still lifes from the last hundred years, the House of Literature in Debrecen has a number of special exhibits on the giant writer Jókaι, while the Bényi Gallery features fantastic photographs by photographer Éva Keleti.

Summer is no time to miss the cinema, and it’s perhaps even more fun to watch a film when the garden cinemas open, where you can immerse yourself in the world of cinema under the stars for a few hours. There are two outdoor screenings in Debrecen: in the inner garden of MODEM and in the courtyard of 24 Batthyány Street.

Where better to endure the hottest days of summer than on the water? Hungary’s most modern outdoor aquapark, Aquaticum Strand is not only a great way to beat the heat, but also a great place to get super wet, all under the vast shade canopies of the Great Forest. The Aquaticum Strand, which has won numerous international awards, offers 5,700 square meters of water, 15 different pools, a 12-metre-high sun deck, giant slides, diving platforms and many more water attractions and activities.

The European University Games is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events, where athletes from European universities compete against each other. The event is organized every two years by a university city, Debrecen and Miskolc in 2014. More than 5,000 participants from 400 universities in 40 countries are expected to take part in the multisport event, which will feature 17 sports in total, between 12 and 24 July 2024.

Observed on the second Saturday in July, Miniature Train Day is a tradition worth building upon, so we and our partners have in store a whole weekend of thematic activities for July 13 and 14.

Hungary’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway, celebrates its 142nd birthday in July. On Saturday 13 July, Zsuzsi’s oldest railway is the oldest railway in Hungary.

The 56th Hortobágy Equestrian Days is held from 12 to 14 July 2024. In the past decades, the event has become the region’s most important and internationally renowned event, whose main aim is to promote the past and present of the pastoral culture of the Hortobágy region, the work of the Mátai Stud Farm and its collection of horses, which is still in use today.

There’s never a dull moment in Debrecen, especially in summer, when the city offers a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy. Here are some tips on when to travel, where to go and what to do in Debrecen in summer.

The Kölcsey Rooftop Bar has opened on the roof terrace of the Kölcsey Centre, where you can watch live matches of the 2024 European Football Championship. The bar features a led wall display, drinks, premium sandwiches and unrivalled views.

“And military bands have been everywhere, where they have been able to give hope and faith to the fighting soldiers and the civilian population”: this year’s International Military Band Festival will be held in Debrecen’s main square with spectacular performances by ten foreign and two Hungarian bands.

The 26-year-old Az Utazó magazine announced its traditional public vote for the best tourism service providers of the past year among its readers and readers of Hungarian media beyond the borders of Hungary. The winner of the Water Park of the Year category this year was Aquaticum!

Summer is round the corner and with it the festival season, which promises better and better programs in Debrecen this year. It’s worth browsing the program now and adding everything you like to your calendar to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, Debrecen’s museums periodically host exciting temporary exhibitions that offer a unique insight into the city’s local and cultural history, as well as the mysteries of classical, modern and contemporary art. Current exhibitions explore the history of the Hussars and the bombardment of Debrecen 80 years ago, the fascinating world of monochrome painting and books, emblematic landscapes and still lifes from the last hundred years, and special pieces from an 18th century family of goldsmiths.

The Dining Guide Top100 Restaurant Guide has again this year listed exactly where to go to find the best rural restaurants in Hungary. IKON restaurant in Debrecen is on the top list, while Jardin pastry shop has also been included in the best pastry shops section.