Hortobágy National Park Park

Address: Hortobágy National Park, Hortobágy area, Hungary

Website: https://www.hnp.hu/en/

Hours: Park accessible year‑round

Admission: Park access and landscape are publicly accessible (entrance to specific visitor centres/exhibitions may charge)

Hortobágy National Park is a protected area on the Great Hungarian Plain that preserves a large area of traditional puszta grassland and associated habitats. It was established as Hungary’s first national park in the early 1970s and is regarded as a core part of the Puszta cultural landscape.

The landscape is characterised by open steppe, alkali lakes and low ridges with a rural pattern of grazing and seasonal livestock management. Wildlife, traditional herding, and grazing-adapted plant communities are principal attractions.

The area developed over many centuries through pastoral agriculture and seasonal grazing, with human land use shaping the open grassland character now conserved as a national park. It has been recognised for both natural and cultural values.

Hortobágy lies in eastern Hungary on the Great Hungarian Plain; the protected area is centred on the Hortobágy region and is accessed from nearby regional towns.

• Pastoral traditions: The park preserves traditional pastoral practices and native Hungarian grey cattle herds; seasonal shepherding demonstrations are offered for visitors.

What to See#

• Nine-arched Bridge: The historic Nine-arched Bridge (Kilenclyukú híd) is a notable stone bridge within the Hortobágy area and serves as a local landmark on traditional transhumance routes.

Hortobágy National Park is reached by road from the nearby regional centre of Debrecen - many visitors travel by car or by regional bus services that run between Debrecen and villages on the Hortobágy plain. Driving from Debrecen to the park visitor areas typically takes under an hour; once in the area local roads and short walks connect to viewing points and visitor centres.

• Plan visits for early morning or late afternoon during spring and autumn migrations-these times offer the best birdwatching and softer light across the puszta.
• Stop at Hortobágy town to see the iconic Nine‑arched Bridge (Kilenclyukú híd) and to connect with local visitor services: guided birding drives and shepherd demonstrations are typically organized from the village and reveal parts of the park many day visitors miss.