This riverside Hungarian city is known for its healing thermal baths, medieval castle ruins, and Ottoman mosque. Local museums display regional artifacts and fine art.
Szolnok sits at the meeting point of the Tisza and Zagyva rivers in central Hungary. The city's 444-meter Tiszavirág Bridge spans across the Tisza, while the multi-platform railway station connects several international routes. Walk through the RepTár aviation museum to see Cold War-era fighter jets, relax in 56°C thermal waters, or join locals at the June Mayfly Festival when thousands of insects create a natural spectacle over the river.
Getting to Szolnok
Trains run frequently from Budapest to Szolnok, covering the 100-kilometer journey southeast of the capital. The railway station, built in 1977, has multiple platforms serving international routes. An Interspar supermarket and several small shops operate near the station. To reach the city center, walk 20 minutes or take a local bus.
RepTár Aviation Museum
At RepTár, climb into the cockpit of MiG fighters and examine military aircraft from the Cold War era. The 4D cinema and MiG 29 simulators let you experience military aircraft and helicopter flights. The museum includes a thematic playground for children and detailed technical information about each aircraft.
Parks and Green Spaces
Walk through Tiszaliget's sports facilities and paved paths along the river. The Rozárium section of Verseghy Park grows specialized Hungarian rose species. Explore 125 hectares of the Széchenyi Park Forest on marked nature trails that introduce the plants and animals native to the Great Hungarian Plain. Bagolyvár Game Park houses Hungarian wildlife and farm animals.
Water Activities and Wellness
The city's thermal springs emerge from nearly 1,000 meters underground at 56°C. Several riverside baths and hotels use these waters, which locals visit for their therapeutic properties. During summer, take boat trips on the Tisza River to see the city's riverbanks and bridges from the water.
Local Food Scene
Try the Tisza fisherman's soup, a Hungarikum (protected Hungarian specialty) prepared according to traditional local methods. Local confectioner László Hegedűs created the mousse isler, adapting the Austrian dessert by replacing jam filling with chocolate mousse. You'll find this specialty in most city confectioneries.
Annual Mayfly Festival
The five-day Mayfly Festival in June coincides with the natural phenomenon of mayflies emerging over the Tisza River. Join concerts, participate in workshops, watch sports competitions, and taste local foods while witnessing thousands of mayflies dance above the water.
