Békés City
City in Bekes County, Hungary
Békés sits in the Great Plain amid wheat fields; visitors come for regional fairs, traditional folk music and hearty country cooking. Nearby cycling routes and thermal baths offer low-key outdoor options.
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Why Visit Békés?#
Set on the Great Hungarian Plain, this county town offers a look at rural Hungary where agricultural rhythms and folk traditions remain strong. Békés draws visitors for its regional festivals, equestrian events and live folk music, while classic dishes like goulash and kolbász are served in market cafés and family restaurants. The flat landscape invites long bike rides and relaxed walks through village streets, making it a good stop for travelers seeking country hospitality and traditional Hungarian customs.
Best Things to Do in Békés#
Békés Bucket List#
Békés Fő tér (Main Square) - Békés Fő tér with historic buildings, cafés and the old Reformed Church nearby.
Local history museum - Local history museum documenting folk traditions, crafts and agricultural heritage of the region.
Reformed Church of Békés - Historic Reformed Church anchoring the town centre and hosting occasional concerts.
Körös river promenade - River Körös promenade offering peaceful walks, fishing spots and sunset views.
Small village bakeries - Family bakeries around town selling regional breads and seasonal pastries to take away.
Rural folk workshops - Occasional folk-craft workshops demonstrating embroidery, pottery and traditional instrument making.
Gyula - Gyula’s medieval castle and thermal baths, a short drive southeast from Békés.
Békéscsaba - Békéscsaba’s Csaba Sausage Museum and Jókai Theatre with regional culinary traditions.
Best Time to Visit Békés#
Békés shines from late spring through early autumn when plains and markets are lively and the weather is warm. Winters are cold and quiet, limiting outdoor activities.
December - February
-5 to 3 °C (23 to 37 °F)
Cold nights and frosty mornings that make countryside trips brisk; indoor thermal comfort is welcomed after outdoor time.
March - May & September - November
5 to 20 °C (41 to 68 °F)
Warm, fragrant springs and golden autumns ideal for rural exploration and local fairs - very pleasant and relaxed.
June - August
18 to 34 °C (64 to 93 °F)
Hot, sunny plains perfect for open-air events and river swims; heat can be intense midday, seek shade then.
Békés's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (553 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. The driest month with just 28 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 69 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Békés#
Békés (county seat area) is most easily reached by Hungary’s national rail (MÁV) and regional bus network from Budapest or Debrecen. For most travellers the intercity train to Békéscsaba with a short onward bus or taxi is the practical route.
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD): The main international gateway for southeastern Hungary; Békés is about 200 km southeast of Budapest. From BUD take train or bus to Budapest Keleti (30-40 min, ~1 200-2 000 HUF on public transfers) then an intercity MÁV train towards Békéscsaba/Békés (total rail travel to the Békés area ~2.5-3.5 h, fares vary by train type).
Debrecen Airport (DEB): Debrecen is closer by distance (roughly 120-140 km) and sometimes convenient depending on schedules. From DEB take a bus or taxi to Debrecen railway station (20-30 min) then a regional train to Békés/Békéscsaba (1-1.5 h).
Train: Békés and nearby Békéscsaba are served by MÁV regional and intercity services. Typical journey times from Budapest Keleti are around 2.5-3.5 hours; fares depend on train type (intercity vs regional).
Bus: Volánbusz services run through the region connecting Békés with Békéscsaba, Szolnok and other towns. Buses can be more frequent for certain local links and are useful for short regional hops.
How to Get Around Békés#
Intercity trains from Budapest or Debrecen to Békés/Békéscsaba plus a short local bus or taxi are the typical approach. For exploring the county a rental car will give the most freedom; otherwise use MÁV and Volánbusz for regional travel.
- Train (MÁV) (From ~1 500 HUF (regional) to several thousand HUF for intercity) - Intercity and regional MÁV trains connect the area to Budapest, Debrecen and Szeged. Intercity trains are faster and more comfortable; regional trains are cheaper and stop at smaller stations. Check MÁV for schedules and seat reservations on longer journeys.
- Regional / intercity bus (Volán) (~500-2 000 HUF depending on distance) - Volánbusz runs regional routes serving Békés and nearby towns; buses are often the alternative when trains don’t match your schedule. Tickets sold at stations or on-board (cash) for many routes.
- Local bus (200-800 HUF) - Local buses and minibuses connect villages and the small towns of the county; frequency is reduced evenings and weekends. They are affordable but can be slow due to many stops.
- Taxi / ride-hailing (Short rides 1 000-3 000 HUF) - Taxis handle station transfers and last-mile travel; ride-hailing apps exist mainly in larger cities, so pre-book or use taxi ranks in smaller towns. Fares are moderate for local trips.
- Car rental / driving (Rental from ~10 000 HUF/day) - Driving is the most flexible option for visiting rural areas and scattered sights in Békés County - roads are generally in good condition on main routes. Useful if you want to explore off-the-beaten-track villages.
- Walking - Town centres in Békés are compact and pleasant to walk around for everyday errands and sightseeing; rural areas require transport between points of interest.
Where to Stay in Békés#
Town centre - $15-35/night
Basic guesthouses and small family-run hotels near the centre. Facilities are simple; online booking may be limited.
Near main square - $35-70/night
Few mid-range options locally; comfortable pensions and business hotels available in nearby Békéscsaba or Gyula.
N/A (Gyula/Békéscsaba) - $90+/night
No luxury resorts in Békés itself. For spa and high-end stays, book in Gyula or Békéscsaba, a short drive away.
Where to Eat in Békés#
Békés offers classic Hungarian country cooking: csárda stews, grilled meats, bakery specialties like pogácsa and simple café fare.
- Local csárda (country inn) - Hearty Hungarian stews and grilled meats
- Town bakeries - Fresh pogácsa, pastries and breads
- Coffeehouses - Cakes, coffee and light savory snacks
Markets and stalls sell regional produce, smoked meats and grilled sausages-perfect for a quick taste of local flavours.
- Central market - Local produce, cheeses and smoked meats
- Local grills and snack stalls - Sausage grills and quick sandwiches
- Pastry shops - Hungarian cakes and seasonal sweets
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Békés’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Békés#
Shopping is typical of a county town: supermarkets, local bakeries and independent shops form the bulk of retail. You’ll find everyday goods and some regional products but no large shopping centres. For fashion chains or a wider selection, travel to a larger city in the county.
Nightlife in Békés#
Nightlife in Békés is limited and relaxed, centred on a few pubs, cafés and seasonal outdoor terraces. There’s little in the way of late‑night clubs, so evenings are low‑key. Local cultural events and festivals can temporarily boost activity, so check the town calendar if you’re visiting then.
