You can never get bored in Debrecen between two festivals! In the summer, the city offers many outdoor program opportunities both in the city center and in the Nagyerdő. Here are some tips on where to go and what to do in Debrecen in the summer.
Outdoor cinema: A unique fountain in Hungary, known for its Fog Theater, invites you to “walk on the water” during the day with your toddlers, and in the evening it offers an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience with short films and laser animations projected on a huge, fan-shaped water spray!
Summer theater in the middle of the Great Forest: The more than a hundred-year-old oak trees of the Great Forest and the starry sky offer light summer evening performances by the country’s most popular theaters and actors at the Great Forest Outdoor Theatre performances. See here
Wet adventures at the country’s most modern beach: one of the most unique and spectacular beach resorts in Hungary and Central Europe, Aquaticum Strand opened in the summer of 2020. Located in the heart of the Nagyerdő forest, the aquapark will offer fantastic pools, special attractions, and exciting water features, guaranteeing fun for all generations. And why is Aquaticum considered the most modern beach in the country? Find out! Find out more about Aquaticum Beach Spa – See here
Awe-inspiring experiences 34 metres above the ground: the Nagyerde Water Tower, a historic building over a century old, is still a functioning water tower and offers a wide range of leisure activities. There’s a climbing wall, a café and a splash bar, open-air concerts and a huge garden area, as well as a 34-metre-high lookout tower with views of the surrounding Nagyerdő, the University City and the whole of Debrecen.
A walk among colourful flowers: There is a reason why Debrecen is called the city of flowers. It’s not just the flower carnival, of course, that has earned the city this name. Stroll through the colourful stalls of the Csapó street flower market and then admire the beautiful flowers of Dósa nádor square and you will experience it too!
Downtown fountain tour: charming splashes and fountains cross almost every public square in the city centre. Take a tour and choose your favourite!
A walk in the Great Forest: if the heat is unbearable, you can find cool refreshments in the shade of the huge trees of the Great Forest. Take a stroll along one of the most beautiful parts of the park forest, the Medgyessy promenade, admire the wild ducks swimming peacefully at the Peaceful Lake, visit the impressive French garden at the University Square and relax on the terrace of one of the restaurants in the park.
Family experiences with animals: the Debrecen Zoo is an unmissable destination in summer (too), with new arrivals born or arriving almost every week. The only amusement park in the country, it offers classic historic and modern amusement rides (horse rotation, bumper cars, Ferris wheel, Apollo-X, etc.), as well as regular thematic programmes.
Around the area: not only in the city, but also in the surrounding area, you’ll find a wealth of experiences and adventures. From the Great Forest, you can walk to the Pallag Forest, admire the ruins of the church in Zelemeri, or take an unforgettable trip on the country’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, the Zsuzsi, through the magical Erdőspuszták (Wooded plains), where lakes, lookouts, an arboretum, and a country house offer further nature experiences.
