Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok

Exploring Lake Tisza and the Tisza River

Lake Tisza and its surroundings are among the outstanding areas for cycling tourism. The international EuroVelo 11 cycle route also follows the Tisza through Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok. These are two distinct points of reference when planning an active trip: the lake and its surroundings are a cycling tourism hub, while the EuroVelo route follows the river through the county. If you plan to explore by bike, you can take these highlights into account when choosing a trip theme without treating them as the same route.

River landscapes and botanical diversity

The Közép-Tisza–Jászság landscape unit of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate covers the western part of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok. It includes Jászság, the middle Tisza region between Kisköre and Csongrád, Tiszazug and western Nagykunság. The Közép-Tisza Landscape Protection Area is a separate area, extending mainly across the Tisza floodplain between Kisköre and Tiszaug. Within this protected floodplain, Kovácsi-Holt-Tisza is one of four so-called refuge oxbow lakes.

The Tiszakürt Arboretum is a nature destination in its own right. It has national botanical significance and has been a nationally significant nature reserve since 2001. As a botanical collection garden, it is home to more than 1,000 plant species and varieties; at the same time, it provides an important refuge for native flora and fauna. In the Öregkert area, a signposted 3.5-kilometre network of paths is available for walking. So, alongside the plant collection, a specific walking route is also a highlight here.

Museums, theatre and art

In Tiszafüred, the Kiss Pál Museum is one of Hungary’s oldest provincial museums. It is housed in a Neoclassical mansion built by the Lipcsey family in the first half of the 19th century. Two permanent exhibitions explore different periods: one covers Tiszafüred’s approximately 7,000-year archaeological past, while the other displays ethnographic objects, including outstanding items from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Nyúzó Gáspár Pottery House is also part of the museum. It presents evidence of the locally popular pottery craft of the past and the original domestic setting.

In Szolnok, the Szigligeti Theatre is one of the county’s major cultural centres. The Szolnok Artists’ Colony is also of outstanding importance to the county’s visual arts; it is located on the site of the former Szolnok Castle. In Jászberény, the Jász Museum preserves Lehel’s Horn. In recent years, the museum’s community archaeology group has also handed over several hundred archaeological finds and dozens of new archaeological sites to the museum. The Hortobágy UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape lies within the wider region.

Cherry-growing tradition and bathing facilities

Nagykörű is shaped by cherry growing, a tradition with a history there stretching back nearly 200 years. The Nagykörű cherry is a regional variety; its tree and fruit differ from the Germersdorf varieties. Nagykörű is also home to Hungary’s largest contiguous cherry-growing area and the country’s largest collection of cherry varieties, with more than 100 varieties. The annual Cherry Festival is Nagykörű’s largest event. Cherry culture is therefore a reason to visit in its own right, distinct from cycling, museums or nature.

For relaxation and leisure, Cserkeszőlő Thermal and Beach Spa offers 19 pools, water slides, and beach volleyball and beach soccer courts. The facilities cater to all age groups, families and groups of friends. If you would like to combine your holiday with bathing and leisure activities, you can make Cserkeszőlő a separate focus of your regional search.

Choose the right region for your trip

The places and themes mentioned here appeal to different interests: cycling at Lake Tisza or along the Tisza, walks in the arboretum, museums and art, cherry-growing traditions, or leisure at the spa. Focus your search for a holiday apartment on whichever of these is most important for your trip. For further guidance, see the subregions here: Karcag, Törökszentmiklós, Tiszafüred, Karcag, Kunszentmárton, Jászberény, Mezőtúr, Szolnok and Törökszentmiklós.

For the broader travel overview: Hungary.