The first month of the year is not the most pleasant time for many people, with the holidays over, the return to the grey weekdays and the weather not so friendly. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, it’s worthwhile making the days of January more colorful with some body and soul warming experiences. Debrecen offers all the possibilities! Here’s why you should visit Debrecen in January!
At the Déri Museum, you can discover the world of the Cívis, wander through the land of pyramids and pharaohs, and admire the stunning Christ Trilogy by world-famous Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy. At the MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art, you can immerse yourself in the paintings of Imre Égerházi, considered the painter of quiet contemplation, and seek answers to the question of what we learn from nature. At the Reformed College Museum, you can sit in the pews of an old classroom and see one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. For a special experience, visit the Tímárház, a museum dedicated to the traditions of handicrafts in Debrecen, the Szabó Magda Memorial House, which presents the life and work of Magda Szabó, the city’s famous author, and the Bicycle Museum, which tells the history of cycling and displays almost 100 unique bicycles.
Wellness is a real body and soul recharging program, for which Aquaticum SPA is the ideal location! The spa complex, located in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Great Forest, which has been declared a health resort, offers a thermal bath, a spa and a wellness area. The indoor aquapark with lush tropical vegetation, adventure pools and slides, the sauna center and a range of wellness and family activities guarantee relaxation and unforgettable moments. Indulge in a refreshing wellness treatment or a themed sauna session, relax in the healing thermal waters or enjoy “summer” in the Mediterranean aquapark!
Chosen as Hungary’s most beautiful forest, the Great Forest is also a must-see in winter, especially when the landscape is covered in snow. Whether it snows or not, it’s worth putting on your boots and taking a long walk along the forest paths. If you love nature, head to the University Botanicals Gardens, but don’t miss the Froggy Lake in the middle of the Great Forest Park, where you’ll be sure to smile at the peaceful wild ducks skimming on the frozen lake ice. When you’re soaked, grab a hot chocolate at the bar of the Nagyerdei Water Tower or enjoy a delicious meal at Krúdy Restaurant that evokes the atmosphere of the turn-of-the-century!
A walk is not only recommended in the Great Forest, but also in the historic city center, where beautiful buildings will cross your path, from the iconic Reformed Church to the stately merchants’ houses and Art Nouveau palaces. While walking, be sure to pass by the historic neoclassical Town Hall at 20 Piac Street, the pink building at the corner of Kossuth and Piac Streets, built as an investment of the First Savings Bank of Debrecen, the Rickl House at 39 Piac Street about which Debrecen-born writer Magda Szabó wrote a lot in her books, the oldest church in the city, the Reformed Small Church on Révész Square, famous for its truncated tower, and the beautiful Bishop’s Palace on the corner of Hatvan Street. If you need a break on the way, you can relax at the Wellington Café in the Rickl House, the Aranytölgy (Golden Oak) Café in the Bishop’s Palace or the Karakter 1517 bookshop and café behind the Reformed Church.
Debrecen is a cultural capital, so no January is complete without a cultural program. At the Csokonai National Theatre in January, you can see hit plays with English subtitles such as Dostoyevsky’s Demons, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. And speaking of music, January is also the time for the classics! Mozart, Puccini, Saint-Saëns and Bizet will be performed by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kodály Choir Debrecen and the National Philharmonic Orchestra, while the popular percussion ensemble SONUS will be in the carnival mood on their concert.
For a special experience, visit the Garden of Lights at Zoo Debrecen, where the story of Pinocchio, the famous wooden puppet, is brought to life with the most memorable scenes and twists from the fairy tale. In the light exhibition, which opens after dark, you can follow Pinocchio and meet the most important characters: Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, Blue Fairy and others. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed with 200,000 energy-saving LED bulbs, 12,000 meters of string lights, more than 120 decorative trees, 100 installation elements, 8 photo and multimedia points, light tunnels, an interactive playground and state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment.
