Hortobágy National Park
Hortobágyi Nemzeti Park
Central Europe's largest natural grassland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where herding culture, native livestock and migratory birds create the distinctive landscape of Hungary's Great Plain.
Hortobágy National Park was established in 1973 as Hungary's first national park. It covers about 800 square kilometres and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999 as the 'Hortobágy Puszta' cultural landscape of herding. Across the vast saline grasslands are shadoof wells, herdsmen's huts and wetlands. Native breeds are raised here, including the Hungarian Grey Cattle, the Mangalica (curly-haired pig), and the Racka sheep with its spiralled horns. In autumn, tens of thousands of common cranes stop over here, making it a top destination for birdwatching. The visitor centre is by the Nine-Arch Bridge in the village of Hortobágy, where you can arrange horse-drawn carriage tours, visit the wildlife park and explore the herdsmen's museum. It is about 35 km from Debrecen, roughly 40 minutes by train or car.
Opening hours
Open all day; visitor center approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Hortobágy Great Inn (Nagycsárda)
- Hortobágy Shepherd Museum
- Nine-holed Bridge
- Hortobágy Bird Park & Hospital
- Máta Stud Farm & Puszta Carriage Tour
- Hortobágy Puszta Animal Park
- Hortobágy Wildlife Park
- Hortobágy Fishponds & Narrow-gauge Railway