Hortobágy  – Experience the Heart of the Hungarian Puszta

🏞️ Overview

• Location: Eastern Hungary, Hajdú-Bihar County

• Best Known For: Vast grasslands (Puszta), traditional Hungarian pastoral culture, wild animal species, and bird migrations

• UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (since 1999)

📍 Top Attractions in Hortobágy

1. 🐎 Hortobágy National Park

• Established in 1973 – the first national park in Hungary

• Covers over 800 km²

• Explore vast alkaline steppes, meadows, wetlands, and marshes

• Spot Hungarian grey cattle, water buffalo, racka sheep, and wild horses

2. 🌉 Nine-Arch Bridge (Kilenclyukú híd)

• A beautiful, historical stone bridge built in 1833

• The longest road stone bridge in Hungary

• Central landmark in Hortobágy village

3. 🐑 Shepherd Museum (Pásztormúzeum)

• Learn about the ancient shepherding traditions of the Puszta

• See traditional tools, costumes, and animal husbandry exhibits

4. 🦅 Hortobágy Wild Animal Park (Vadaspark)

• Take a guided safari ride to see wolves, vultures, wild horses, and jackals in a natural setting

• Educational and family-friendly

5. 🐎 Máta Stud Farm

• Historic horse breeding farm

• Watch traditional Hungarian horsemanship shows, where riders perform daring stunts

• Great for families and animal lovers

6. 🐦 Crane Migration (October)

• Hortobágy is a global hotspot for birdwatching

• In autumn, up to 100,000 cranes stop here during their migration

• Early morning or sunset tours are the best time to view

🗓️ Best Time to Visit