Mátészalka City

City in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, Hungary

Market days in Mátészalka bring Szatmár folk costumes and pottery stalls to the square. Visitors come for regional sausage, access to rural cycling routes, and seasonal folk festivals that keep old dances and songs audible into the night.

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Costs
Budget: $35-60 per day
Affordable lodging and local eateries keep daily costs low.
Safety
Generally safe
Typical safe provincial Hungarian town; low violent crime.
Best Time
May-September
Late spring through summer best for markets and countryside activities.
Mátészalka is the administrative centre of Mátészalka District in Szabolcs‑Szatmár‑Bereg County.
Local Time
7:22 PM
GMT+2
Weather
Overcast 72°F
Overcast
Population
18,718

Why Visit Mátészalka?#

In the Szatmár region, this market town is known for its strong folk traditions and cross-border cultural mix. Visitors come for lively markets, embroidered Szatmár costumes and folk-dance performances that preserve centuries-old customs, and for nearby rural landscapes that invite cycling and day trips. Local bakeries and family restaurants serve regional sweets and hearty stews, giving a warm, down-to-earth sense of northeastern Hungary.

Mátészalka Bucket List#

Don't Miss

Mátészalka Reformed Church - Spire-dominated church central to town life with frequent services and community events.

Mátészalka Town Museum - Local museum displaying regional folk costumes, agricultural history, and ethnographic collections.

Central Market Hall - Bustling indoor market selling produce, smoked meats, cheeses, and traditional regional specialties.

Hidden Gems

Local folk dance ensemble performances - Occasional showcases of Szekler-Hungarian dances and music in community venues and festivals.

Parcella orchard walks - Small orchard paths behind the town offering seasonal fruit picking and quiet strolls.

Craftsmen’s alley (local artisans) - Cluster of small workshops where woodworkers and weavers practice traditional techniques and sell goods.

Day Trips

Nyíregyháza zoo and Sóstó area - Popular wildlife park and lakeside recreation area offering family-friendly activities and exhibitions.

Hortobágy National Park - Vast Puszta region with shepherding traditions, birdwatching, and iconic Hungarian plain landscapes.

Best Time to Visit Mátészalka#

Mátészalka is most pleasant between late spring and early autumn when the weather suits outdoor festivals and countryside trips. Winters can be sharply cold, so plan indoor alternatives then.

Winter

December - February

-7 to 3°C (19 to 37°F)

Bitterly cold winters at times with snow and icy roads; quieter town life but dress warmly and expect short daylight hours.

Spring & Autumn

March - May & September - November

6 to 20°C (43 to 68°F)

Comfortable, breezy days ideal for farmland walks and local festivals; prepare for sudden showers and cool evenings.

Summer

June - August

18 to 31°C (64 to 88°F)

Hot, sunny summers perfect for outdoor events and river activities; mornings and evenings are best for sightseeing to avoid peak heat.

Climate

Mátészalka's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (612 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
-26°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).

83 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 21°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
16°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

How to Get to Mátészalka#

By Air
By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Mátészalka#

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Where to Stay in Mátészalka#

Budget

Town centre - $20-40/night

Mátészalka offers basic guesthouses and inexpensive hotels near the centre. Options are limited but sufficient for short stays and business trips.

Mid-Range

Near main square - $40-80/night

A few tidy mid-range hotels and family-run pensions provide comfortable rooms and breakfast. Good base for exploring the region.

Luxury

No local luxury - Nyíregyháza region - $110+/night

No major luxury hotels in Mátészalka. For premium amenities, look to Nyíregyháza or regional spa towns about 40-60 minutes away.

Where to Eat in Mátészalka#

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Mátészalka’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger
Pizza
Chinese

Shopping in Mátészalka#

Retail in Mátészalka consists of small shops, supermarkets and a market offering local produce and everyday items. Specialist shopping requires travel to bigger nearby cities, but town markets are good for local goods.

Nightlife in Mátészalka#

Evenings are generally low-key with a few pubs, cafés and restaurants open late during weekends or events. The town livens up more noticeably during local festivals and public holidays.

Nearby Cities #