Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok

The Tisza-tó in the northern part of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok serves as a tourist hub. The Tisza-tó and its surroundings are among the region’s outstanding areas for cycle tourism. The route of the international EuroVelo 2 cycling route is separate: it follows the Tisza through Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok. Other defining features of the region include the Tiszakürt Arboretum, museums in Tiszafüred and Jászberény, and cherry growing in Nagykörű.

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

The Tiszakürt Arboretum offers a distinct focus on nature and plants. Since 2001, it has been a nature reserve of national significance and is home to more than 1,000 plant species and varieties. In addition to serving as a botanical collection garden, it provides a retreat for native flora and fauna. The Öregkert area has a signposted 3.5-kilometre walking trail network. The botanical collection and the area’s importance as a natural environment give the arboretum two distinct focuses.

If you would like to include cycling in your trip, there are two regional options: the Tisza-tó and its surroundings as an area for cycle tourism, and the EuroVelo 2 route along the Tisza through Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok. They offer different ways to incorporate cycling into your travel plans.

For swimming and leisure activities, visit the Cserkeszőlő thermal and beach baths. They offer 19 pools, slides, and beach volleyball and beach soccer courts. The facilities are suitable for all ages, families, and groups of friends. This makes it possible to plan a stay focused on swimming and leisure activities rather than one centered on walks or museums.

The Kiss-Pál Museum in Tiszafüred is one of Hungary’s oldest rural 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 Tiszafüred’s approximately 7,000-year archaeological history and its folk culture. The folk culture exhibition includes outstanding objects from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Nyúzó-Gáspár Pottery House, which belongs to the museum, displays evidence of the once-popular local pottery craft and the original living environment.

In Szolnok, the Szigligeti Theatre is one of the county’s major cultural centers. The Szolnok Artists’ Colony is located on the site of the former Castle of Szolnok and is of outstanding importance to the county’s visual arts. Another cultural landmark is the Jász Museum, which preserves Lehel’s Horn. In recent years, its community archaeology group has donated several hundred archaeological finds and dozens of newly identified sites to the museum.

Cherry growing in Nagykörű has a history of 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 biggest event. No specific event date is given, so plan according to the information available for the relevant year.

For cycling, the Tisza-tó and the EuroVelo 2 route offer different starting points; nature enthusiasts may be interested in the arboretum or the protected Tisza floodplain. Museums, the theater, and the artists’ colony offer different cultural experiences, while Cserkeszőlő has swimming and leisure facilities.

For an overview of the region, you can also visit the subpages for Mezőtúr, Szolnok, Törökszentmiklós, Tiszafüred, Karcag, Kunszentmárton, Jászberény, Karcag, and Törökszentmiklós.

Where is a tourist hub in the region?

The Tisza-tó in the northern part of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok serves as a tourist hub.

How long is the signposted trail network in Öregkert?

The walking trail network in the Öregkert area of the Tiszakürt Arboretum is 3.5 kilometres long.

What does the Kiss-Pál Museum display?

The two permanent exhibitions cover Tiszafüred’s approximately 7,000-year archaeological history and folk culture objects, including outstanding items from the 17th and 18th centuries.

For the broader travel overview: Hungary.