Experience the best of Debrecen

Debrecen lies on the flat Great Plain of eastern Hungary. The Great Reformed Church, a large church at the city's centre, reflects its strong Calvinist tradition, and the city is often called the Calvinist Rome. In 1849 the Hungarian parliament met here and declared independence from the Habsburgs.

Hortobágy National Park, a UNESCO-listed grassland of marshes, fishponds and grazing herds, lies to the west, where traditional horse herders still work the plain. Debrecen is a practical base for a day trip there. The Nagyerdő, a large wooded park on the northern edge of the city, has a zoo and a thermal spa.

Debreceni kolbász, a paprika-spiced smoked sausage, is the city's signature, and paprika, pork and sour cream appear in many dishes. The Debrecen Flower Carnival in August fills the streets with parades and floats. Summers are hot and winters cold, and May and September are the easiest months for walking.