Situated near Hungary’s southern border with Serbia along the Tisza River, Szeged is often described as the nation’s “sunniest city” for its warm climate and cheerful disposition. As the cultural hub of the Great Hungarian Plain, Szeged offers a more relaxed pace compared to bustling Budapest.

No.	Activity	Description
1	Dóm Square	Explore Szeged’s main square with landmarks like the Votive Church and Town Hall.
2	Tisza River Walk	Enjoy tree-lined paths and views along the Tisza River.
3	Tisza River Cruise	Take a scenic riverboat cruise on the Tisza River.
4	Jewish Quarter	Wander the historic Jewish quarter with its synagogue and cafes.
5	Open-Air Ethnographic Museum	Visit a museum showcasing regional history and folk crafts.
6	Szeged Beach	Relax at Szeged’s urban beach on the Tisza River.
7	Csárda Restaurant Dining	Dine at traditional inns with Hungarian cuisine and music.
8	Central Market Hall Shopping	Shop for local products like paprika and souvenirs.
9	Pickle Factory Museum	Tour a museum detailing Szeged’s pickle industry.
10	Ópusztaszer National Park	Visit a park commemorating Hungarian history with exhibitions and nature trails.

From Art Nouveau architecture and riverfront promenades to folk crafts and paprika-infused cuisine, Szeged rewards visitors with its vibrant energy and sunny disposition. Here are 15 of the best things to experience in Szeged, Hungary in 2024:

Wander Through Dóm Square

Name and Location: Dóm Square, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: Dóm Square is the main square in Szeged’s town center. It is surrounded by impressive architecture like the Votive Church, Town Hall, and Reök Palace. This area has been the heart of Szeged for centuries.

What to Expect: A lively open square with beautiful historic buildings, fountains, and places to sit. There are often events, markets, and festivals held here. Great for people watching and taking in the atmosphere.

Visitor Information: Free to visit. Get there by walking or taking public transportation. Cafes and restaurants surround the square.

The cafe-lined main square contains Szeged’s most significant landmarks including the Votive Church with its soaring twin spires, the elaborate Town Hall designed in Art Nouveau style, the Reök Palace displaying medieval artifacts, and the striking Klauzál tér Market Hall built in 1912. Don’t miss seeing the Whale Fountain’s dramatic sculpture either.

Walk Along the Tisza River

Name and Location: Tisza River, flows through Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: The Tisza is one of the major rivers of Hungary, and has played an important role in Szeged’s growth and culture. Severe flooding in 1879 led to a redesign of Szeged.

What to Expect: Walking paths along both banks of the river offer beautiful views. Relaxing spots to sit by the water. Boating and river cruises available.

Visitor Information: Free access to riverfront areas. Book ahead for boat tours.

Peaceful tree-lined walking paths line both sides of the Tisza River as it bisects the city. Locals come to jog, cycle, picnic, and simply admire views of the water and passing boats gliding by. Grab coffee on the Patisserie Gerbeaud terrace before browsing the Open Air Ethnographic Museum alongside the riverbank.

Take a Tisza River Cruise

For a scenic perspective on Szeged, embark on a riverboat sightseeing cruise along the Tisza River. Options range from one-hour cruises that loop around the city center to longer excursions including meals and folk dance performances. Sit back and watch Szeged’s architecture glide by from the water.

Wander the Atmospheric Jewish Quarter

Name and Location: Jewish Quarter, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: This area dates back to the 1700s and was the center of Jewish life in Szeged for centuries. The architecture reflects its history.

What to Expect: Quaint cobblestone streets with synagogues, small shops, and cafes. Interesting historic and cultural sites. Peaceful, nostalgic neighborhood.

Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Guided tours available. Accessible by foot, bike, or public transport.

Szeged once held one of the largest Jewish communities in Hungary before WWII. Today, the old Jewish quarter still retains its historic synagogue and merchant street lined with intimate cafes behind wrought-iron gates. Stop for coffee and cake at a Jewish bakery before visiting the 1867 Great Synagogue and Jewish history exhibits.

Explore the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum

Name and Location: Open-Air Ethnographic Museum, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: Founded in 1960, this museum displays traditional Hungarian folk architecture,artifacts, and demonstrations of folk arts and crafts.

What to Expect: Outdoor exhibits of peasant cottages, farm buildings, churches and more. Traditional music, dance, and costumes.

Visitor Information: Admission fee. Open daily. Easily reached by car, bus, or bike.

Situated along the Tisza River, this excellent museum recreates traditional historic dwellings and structures from around the region including thatched peasant cottages, pasture lands, farm buildings, and workshops. Folk crafts, costumes, and tools are also displayed. Demonstrations showcase glassblowing, pottery throwing, and weaving.

Relax at Szeged Beach

Name and Location: Szeged Beach, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: This artificial urban beach along the Tisza River opened in 2019. It provides recreation, entertainment, and city beautification.

What to Expect: Sandy beach, sunbathing, volleyball, open-air cinema, concerts, and festivals during summer. Beach bars, paddleboats, loungers, and umbrella rentals available.

Visitor Information: Free access. Seasonal opening from May to September. Easily reached by bike, public transport, or on foot.

During summertime, a riverside strand along the Tisza transforms into Szeged’s popular urban beach. The artificial golden sand with beach chairs, umbrellas, and changing rooms makes locals feel like they’re at the seaside. Volleyball courts, food stalls, an open-air theater, and bars add to the festive atmosphere.

Dine at a Csárda Restaurant

Name and Location: Csárda Restaurants, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: Csárdas are traditional Hungarian inns/restaurants, often with folk music and dancing. Szeged has many excellent csárdas.

What to Expect: Hearty Hungarian dishes like goulash, pork, cabbage rolls, paprika chicken, dumplings, and sausage. Rustic, warm atmosphere. Live folk music.

Visitor Information: Various locations. Reservations recommended, especially for dinner with music/dance shows.

For authentic meals in a rustic atmosphere, dine at one of Szeged’s csárdas – traditional countryside inns serving hearty Hungarian fare and folk music performances.

Classics like goulash, fish soup, stuffed cabbage, noodles, game, and Tokaji wine are menu staples. Establishments with rich history include the Old Csárda and the Halászcsárda by the river.

Shop for Paprika at the Central Market Hall

Name and Location: Central Market Hall, Felső Tisza-part, Szeged

History and Significance: Built in 1897, Szeged’s enormous market hall is renowned for its paprika selection. Over 160 vendor stalls.

What to Expect: Spices, produce, meat, cheese, baked goods, souvenirs, cafes/eateries. Lively atmosphere. Go early for the best selection.

Visitor Information: Free entry. Open daily. Easily accessible by foot, tram, or bus.

Built in 1899, Szeged’s enormous market overflows with vendors selling meats, cheese, produce, sweets, andHungary’s famous paprika in multiple varieties.

Trying a spicy paprika sausage followed by The Tisza fruit dumplings is essential. The upstairs section has folk embroidered clothing and souvenirs. Don’t leave without some paprika.

Tour the Pickle Factory Museum

Name and Location: Pickle Factory Museum, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: Szeged is famous for its pickled vegetables. This museum highlights the history and process of Szeged pickling.

What to Expect: Exhibits on cucumber pickling, tasting samples, souvenir shop. Fun for all ages.

Visitor Information: Small admission fee. Guided tours available. 10 minute walk from city center.

An offbeat but fascinating museum, this spot details the history of Szeged’s once-booming pickle industry with period equipment and photography. Learn the 200-year old process of pickle preparation and sample the briny wares. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it – the pickle museum tells an important Szeged story.

Take a Day Trip to Ópusztaszer National Park

Name and Location: Ópusztaszer National Park, Ópusztaszer, Hungary (day trip from Szeged)

History and Significance: This was an important historic Hungarian meeting site. The Memorial Park was established in 1982 to commemorate this history.

What to Expect: Panorama painting of the original National Assembly, open-air ethnographic museum, nature trails. Offers great views of the Danube-Tisza plain.

Visitor Information: Admission fee. About 1 hour drive from Szeged. Go by rental car, bus tour, or private transfer.

Just outside Szeged, this national park commemorates when Hungarian tribes settled the region in 896 AD. The expansive Memorial Park contains historical exhibitions inside a U-shaped building panorama.

Visitors also enjoy nature trails, horse shows, and a recreated village with folk craft demonstrations at the Skanzen open-air museum.

Visit the Wooden Spoon Museum

Name and Location: Wooden Spoon Museum, Oskola utca 32, Szeged

History and Significance: Opened in 2015, this quirky museum showcases hand-carved wooden spoons and cooking utensils from around the world.

What to Expect: Opportunity to view ornately decorated wooden spoons and kitchen tools. Small gift shop. Fun, unique attraction.

Visitor Information: Small admission fee. Open Fridays and Saturdays. 10-15 minute walk from city center.

Seemingly random, Szeged has an entire museum dedicated to the craft of handcarved wooden spoons and cooking utensils. Displaying nearly 5,000 pieces, the museum examines the decorative folk art spanning centuries. Workshops allow visitors to try carved their own wooden spoon to keep as a handmade souvenir.

See a Show at the Open-Air Festival Theater

Name and Location: Open-Air Festival Theater, Szeged, Hungary

History and Significance: This theater located in Szeged’s botanic garden has hosted performing arts festivals since 1931.

What to Expect: Concerts, plays, ballet, and operas performed on an open-air stage during summer festival season.

Visitor Information: Ticketed events. Season runs May – August. Easily reached via public transport.

Counted among Europe’s largest open-air theaters, this venue in Szeged’s town park hosts concerts, operas, plays, and the annual Szeged Open-Air Festival each summer that attracts over 150,000 spectators. It’s an atmospheric way to experience performances during warm summer nights beneath the stars.

Take a Tram Ride Around Town

Name and Location: Szeged Tram System

History and Significance: Szeged has an extensive tram network that provides an easy way to explore the city. The system opened in 1884.

What to Expect: Clean, efficient trams running on several lines across the city. A scenic ride seeing key sights.

Visitor Information: Tram tickets available from machines/booths at stops. Day passes and multi-ride cards offered. System runs ~5am to 11pm.

Established in 1908, Szeged’s cute yellow tram system is a convenient and scenic way for sightseeing around the city. Tram 1 does a loop connecting all the major attractions while Tram 4 goes to Újszeged. Buy tickets once and freely transfer between lines. Trams run early morning until just after midnight daily.

Peruse the Anna Baths History Exhibit

Name and Location: Anna Baths, located in the heart of the historic city center, offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of spa culture.

History and Significance: Dating back to the early 19th century, Anna Baths stands as a testament to the longstanding tradition of thermal bathing in the region. It played a pivotal role in shaping the local culture and wellness practices.

What to Expect: Visitors will experience an interactive exhibit that showcases the evolution of bathing practices, historical artifacts, and stories of famous visitors who have graced its halls.

Visitor Information: Open year-round, the exhibit is accessible for a small fee. Guided tours are available, offering insights into the Baths’ fascinating history.

Before relaxing in thermal baths, be sure to visit the Anna Baths small but fascinating exhibit detailing Szeged’s bathing culture back to Roman times. Artifacts, photos, and historic drawings illustrate how baths evolved through the centuries up the present. An often overlooked but excellent introduction to spa history.

Unwind at a Thermal Spa

Name and Location: Soothing Springs Spa, nestled in the scenic outskirts of the city, surrounded by tranquil natural beauty.

History and Significance: With a history dating back several centuries, this spa is renowned for its therapeutic mineral-rich waters, believed to have healing properties.

What to Expect: A luxurious retreat offering a variety of thermal pools, saunas, and spa treatments that promise relaxation and rejuvenation.

Visitor Information: The spa is open daily. Reservations are recommended, especially for spa treatments. It offers amenities like lockers, robes, and a café.

With an abundance of natural thermal springs, Szeged offers many places to soak and relax. The elaborate Anna Baths contain different aromatherapy pools and saunas.

Szent Erzsébet Baths has indoor and outdoor pools surrounded by parkland. Napfényfürdő Aquapolis features pools, waterslides, and beach volleyball for families.

Browse the Craft Fair at Klauzál Square

Name and Location: Klauzál Square, located in the vibrant heart of the city, known for its bustling atmosphere and cultural events.

History and Significance: This fair celebrates the rich artisanal heritage of the region, bringing together local craftsmen and artists for decades.

What to Expect: An array of stalls featuring handmade crafts, local art, and traditional goods. A great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts.

Visitor Information: The fair occurs annually, typically in the spring. It’s free to enter, with workshops and live demonstrations available.

On weekends, local artisans sell handicrafts, artworks, foods, clothing and antiques at this lively outdoor fair on Klauzál Square located by the river.

Find handblown glass pieces, ceramics, lavender products, embroidery, woodcarvings, and bijouterie jewelry. Mingle with locals over langos pastries and homemade palinka fruit brandy from the food stalls.

Attend the Theatrum Open-Air Festival

History and Significance: Established to celebrate the performing arts, this festival has become a hallmark event, showcasing talent from across the globe.

What to Expect: A diverse lineup of performances, including theater, music, and dance, in an enchanting open-air setting.

Visitor Information: Held during the summer months, tickets are available for individual performances or as a festival pass. Food and drink vendors on-site.

Each summer Szeged’s Open Air Festival transforms Dóm Square into an enormous theater for outdoor performances underneath the Votive Church.

Local and international music, dance, acrobatic and dramatic productions take place for multiple weeks, often incorporating the square’s buildings into the sets. A magical theater experience.

Conclusion

With its sunny climate, rich history, and lively spirit, Szeged beguiles visitors who take the time to wander through its atmospheric neighborhoods and appreciate the laidback riverfront pace. Use this list of top 15 things to do get the most out of this cultured university city in 2024.

From admiring the ornate architecture and folk crafts to unwinding at thermal baths and outdoor cafes, Szeged offers the perfect taste of urban life on the Great Hungarian Plain.