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Kőrös-Maros National Park
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Kőrös-Maros National Park reveals south-eastern Hungary through great bustards, wetlands, river floodplains, open puszta and quiet cycling routes.

Kőrös-Maros National Park protects a broad mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, river floodplains and cultivated landscapes in south-eastern Hungary. Established in 1997, it extends across parts of Békés and Csongrád-Csanád counties between the Körös rivers and the Maros, with several separate protected areas rather than one continuous wilderness. Its spacious horizons and low population density create a strong sense of the Great Plain, while the rivers and shallow lakes provide important habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Read more about Kőrös-Maros National Park
The park is particularly associated with the Dévaványa-Ecsegi puszták, where the Réhely Visitor Centre introduces the ecology and traditional land use of the steppe. The area is one of Hungary’s principal great bustard habitats, and seasonal migrations bring cranes, geese, waders and other birds to its grasslands and wetlands. At Réhely, visitors can learn about conservation work and see traditional Hungarian livestock, including grey cattle, racka sheep and water buffalo, in an environment that reflects the historic pastoral economy of the plain.
Water is another defining element. The Körös floodplains contain galleries of willow and poplar, oxbow lakes and damp meadows, contrasting with the dry, open grasslands around Dévaványa and the saline environments of the puszta. Near Kardoskút, the shallow Fehér-tó is especially important for birdwatching. Its appearance changes markedly with rainfall and season: at times it is a broad sheet of water, while in dry periods exposed salt-rich ground becomes part of the landscape.
The national park is best experienced slowly, through marked trails, guided excursions, observation points and visitor centres rather than through a checklist of major monuments. Szarvas, Gyomaendrőd, Dévaványa, Kardoskút and nearby market towns provide useful bases or access points, although facilities and public transport become more limited away from settlements. Cycling, walking and wildlife observation suit the flat terrain, but summer heat, little shade and muddy conditions after rain can affect plans.
Kőrös-Maros also preserves traces of the farming culture that shaped the Hungarian Great Plain. Seasonal grazing, haymaking and floodplain management remain part of the conservation story, while local towns provide access to Hungarian home-style cooking, fish dishes and regional specialities. The park’s appeal lies in its scale, quietness and changing light, together with the opportunity to see how wildlife protection and long-established rural practices coexist.

When is the best time to visit Kőrös-Maros National Park?

Best: June–August · 25–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January331
February528
March1135
April1643
May2253
June (best)2558
July (best)2753
August (best)2748
September2243
October1538
November833
December431

Getting to and around Kőrös-Maros National Park

How to get there

Kőrös-Maros National Park is spread across south-eastern Hungary, so the most suitable arrival point depends on the protected area being visited. Rail services and roads connect nearby towns including Szarvas, Gyomaendrőd, Dévaványa, Mezőtúr, Orosháza and Békéscsaba, although the park’s visitor sites are often outside the town centres. Budapest is the principal international gateway, while Debrecen Airport, outside the park, may be useful for some regional itineraries but has a more limited and changeable service network. From Budapest, continue by train, bus or car towards the relevant access town, then arrange the final rural connection.

Transportation

Public transport is practical between the larger towns but less convenient for linking the park’s separate protected areas. A car provides the greatest flexibility, particularly for reaching Réhely near Dévaványa and dispersed birdwatching locations, but unpaved tracks may not be suitable for every vehicle. Cycling works well on the flat terrain and quiet minor roads, with careful route planning for heat, wind and limited services. Walking is most rewarding on designated trails and at visitor centres; do not leave marked routes in sensitive habitats or drive onto restricted tracks.

Best attractions in Kőrös-Maros National Park

Kőrös-Maros National Park is an attraction in landscapes rather than in a concentration of built monuments. The Réhely Visitor Centre near Dévaványa is the most accessible starting point, combining exhibitions and information about the great bustard with views of traditional Hungarian livestock and the surrounding puszta. Guided activities and observation points help visitors understand why apparently empty grassland is valuable habitat. The Kardoskúti Fehér-tó protected area offers a contrasting wetland setting, especially during migration, when shallow water and surrounding saline ground attract large numbers of birds. Along the Körös floodplains, trails and quiet roads reveal galleries of willow and poplar, oxbow waters and damp meadows. Walking, cycling, wildlife photography and birdwatching are the principal activities, with the experience changing strongly between spring migration, the hot dry months and autumn movements. Families may find the visitor centres more accessible than long open-country routes, while experienced naturalists can spend hours studying habitat and bird behaviour. Because protected areas are scattered, a good visit is usually built around one landscape and one visitor facility, with the national park’s own guidance used to determine access to sensitive sites.

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Best landmarks in Kőrös-Maros National Park

The defining landmarks of Kőrös-Maros National Park are broad natural forms rather than monumental architecture. The open grasslands of the Dévaványa-Ecsegi puszták embody the traditional Hungarian puszta: a level horizon, saline soils, grazing animals and sparse tree cover shaped by centuries of pastoral use. The Réhely Visitor Centre is an important gateway landmark because it links this landscape with great bustard protection and the conservation of traditional livestock. Kardoskúti Fehér-tó is another recognisable feature, its shallow, seasonally changing waters and pale saline margins creating a striking wetland setting for migrating birds. The Körös floodplain provides a contrasting linear landmark, marked by river channels, oxbow lakes and tall riverside woodland. These places matter not only for scenery but also for the ecological history of south-eastern Hungary, where water regulation and agriculture transformed a once more extensively flooded plain. The most memorable views often come from observation points and roads across the protected grasslands, where the scale of the landscape is itself the principal visual experience.

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Best restaurants in Kőrös-Maros National Park

Dining within Kőrös-Maros National Park is limited and closely tied to small settlements, visitor facilities and nearby towns rather than to a separate restaurant district. Expect straightforward Hungarian cooking in local restaurants, inns and cafés, including soups, stews, seasonal vegetables, grilled meats and freshwater fish where available. The wider Békés region is associated with strongly seasoned sausages and paprika-based dishes, while the Körös area has a long connection with fishing and river landscapes; recipes and availability vary between establishments. Market towns are useful for buying bread, fruit, dairy products and provisions before heading into the park. In nearby Szarvas, Békéscsaba, Orosháza and other settlements, visitors can find a broader choice of cafés and restaurants than at remote nature sites. Rural inns may serve generous traditional meals, but opening arrangements can be limited outside peak periods, so plan food and water before a full day on the puszta or around the wetlands.

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Best bars in Kőrös-Maros National Park

Evening life around Kőrös-Maros National Park is modest and centred on the cafés, beer gardens, restaurants and traditional pubs of nearby towns rather than on a dedicated nightlife scene. Szarvas, Békéscsaba, Orosháza and other larger settlements offer the widest choice, with occasional live music and later-opening venues, while smaller communities generally become quiet after dinner. Local pubs provide an informal place to try Hungarian beer, wine or pálinka, but alcohol is not central to experiencing the park and remote visitor sites have no night-time entertainment. In summer, riverside settings around the Körös may support a more sociable evening atmosphere, though arrangements are seasonal and changeable. Wildlife observation is best undertaken within official guidance; do not enter protected areas at night simply to extend a visit after dark.

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Best nightclubs in Kőrös-Maros National Park

Evening life around Kőrös-Maros National Park is modest and centred on the cafés, beer gardens, restaurants and traditional pubs of nearby towns rather than on a dedicated nightlife scene. Szarvas, Békéscsaba, Orosháza and other larger settlements offer the widest choice, with occasional live music and later-opening venues, while smaller communities generally become quiet after dinner. Local pubs provide an informal place to try Hungarian beer, wine or pálinka, but alcohol is not central to experiencing the park and remote visitor sites have no night-time entertainment. In summer, riverside settings around the Körös may support a more sociable evening atmosphere, though arrangements are seasonal and changeable. Wildlife observation is best undertaken within official guidance; do not enter protected areas at night simply to extend a visit after dark.

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Best shops in Kőrös-Maros National Park

Shopping in and around Kőrös-Maros National Park is primarily local and practical. Small-town high streets, bakeries, food shops and weekly markets in settlements such as Dévaványa, Szarvas, Orosháza and Békéscsaba are useful for provisions, while larger towns provide a wider range of everyday goods. Look for Hungarian paprika, honey, preserves, salami, wine and regional baked goods, checking labels and transport requirements when buying food to take home. Craft and heritage shops may offer folk-inspired textiles, ceramics, carved objects or souvenirs connected with the Great Plain, though selection varies considerably between towns and seasons. The park’s visitor facilities are better suited to interpretation and conservation information than extensive retail. Békéscsaba is particularly associated with its local sausage tradition, but it lies outside the national park and should be treated as a nearby regional food centre rather than as a park product. Carry cash for small vendors and market stalls, especially when travelling beyond the larger urban centres.

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Kőrös-Maros National Park essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), as throughout Hungary. Contactless and card payments are common in larger towns, accommodation businesses and established visitor facilities, but small rural shops, market stalls and cafés may prefer cash. Carry forints when travelling between settlements, and do not assume that a remote trailhead or viewing point has a payment facility. ATMs are concentrated in towns rather than in the national park itself; check bank charges and choose to pay in forints rather than accepting an unfavourable conversion offered by a card terminal.
Safety
The park is generally calm, but its exposed landscapes require sensible preparation. Summer sun, high temperatures, ticks, strong winds and dehydration are more realistic concerns than serious personal danger. Stay on permitted paths, keep well away from nesting birds and livestock, and avoid approaching wild animals. After rain, tracks can become slippery or deeply rutted. Drivers should take care on narrow rural roads and watch for agricultural vehicles, bicycles and animals. Mobile coverage can vary, so tell someone your intended route when walking or cycling in a remote section.
Emergency Situations
Call 112 in an emergency anywhere in Hungary for police, fire and ambulance assistance. Give the nearest settlement, road, visitor centre or clearly identifiable landmark, as many park locations have no conventional street address. For a non-urgent medical issue, ask accommodation staff or a visitor centre for the nearest appropriate service. In serious outdoor incidents, remain on or return to a marked route if possible, keep your phone charged and avoid entering restricted wetland or grassland areas while attempting to reach help.
Do's and Don'ts
Follow marked paths and the instructions of national park staff, keep dogs under control where they are permitted, and take all litter away. Do not pick protected plants, disturb nests, feed wildlife, enter closed areas or use drones without checking the applicable rules. Keep a respectful distance from grazing animals and never pass through a herd without guidance. Photography is welcome, but avoid loud behaviour and sudden approaches at observation points. Hungarian public etiquette, including queueing and modest behaviour at religious or historic sites, applies here as elsewhere in the country.
Local Tips
The park is a collection of distinct landscapes rather than a single compact attraction, so choose one or two areas for a day rather than trying to cover everything. Réhely offers the clearest introduction for first-time visitors, while Kardoskút is especially worthwhile for wetland birdwatching when water conditions are favourable. Ask the national park about guided walks and seasonal access before travelling. Nearby towns are better places to buy food and water than the park itself, and early morning or late afternoon usually provides kinder light and more comfortable temperatures.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloSzia[see-yah]
GoodbyeViszlát[vees-laht]
YesIgen[ee-gen]
NoNem[nem]
Please/You're welcomeKérem[kay-rem]
Thank youKöszönöm[kuh-suh-nuhm]
Excuse me/SorryElnézést[el-nay-zayst]
How are you?Hogy vagy?[hodj vahd?]
Fine. And you?Jól vagyok. Te?[yohl vah-yohk. tay?]
Do you speak English?Beszélsz angolul?[beh-sayls ahn-goh-lool?]
I don't understandNem értem[nem air-tem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseSzeretném megnézni az étlapot, kérem[se-retnaym meg-nayzni az ait-lah-pot, kay-rem]
I don't eat meatNem eszem húst[nem eh-sem hoosht]
Cheers!Egészségedre![eh-gehsh-ay-ged-reh]
I would like to pay, pleaseSzeretném kifizetni, kérem[se-retnaym kee-fi-zet-nee, kay-rem]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Segítség![seh-geet-sayg!]
Go away!Menj el![men-yel!]
Call the Police!Hívd a rendőrséget![heevd ah ren-door-shay-get!]
Call a doctor!Hívd az orvost![heevd az or-vosht!]
I'm lostElvesztem[el-ves-tem]
I'm illBeteg vagyok[beh-teg vah-yok]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Szeretnék venni...[se-retnayk ven-nee]
I'm just lookingCsak nézelődöm[chahk nay-zeh-loh-dohm]
How much is it?Mennyibe kerül?[men-nee-beh keh-rool?]
That's too expensiveEz túl drága[ez tool drah-gah]
Can you lower the price?Le tudnád csökkenteni az árat?[leh tood-nahd chuh-kent-eh-nee az ah-rat?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hány óra van?[hahn-y oh-rah vahn?]
It's one o'clockEgy óra van[edj oh-rah vahn]
Half past (10)Fél (10)[feh-l (10)]
MorningReggel[reh-gel]
AfternoonDélután[day-lu-tahn]
EveningEste[esh-teh]
YesterdayTegnap[teh-nahp]
TodayMa[mah]
TomorrowHolnap[hol-nahp]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hol van a...?[hol vahn ah...?]
What's the address?Mi a cím?[mee ah teem?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Meg tudnád mutatni (a térképen)?[meg tood-nahd moo-tat-nee (ah tayr-kay-pen)?]
When's the next (bus)?Mikor jön a következő (busz)?[mee-kor yohn ah keh-vet-keh-zoh (booz)?]
A ticket (to ....)Egy jegy (valahova)[edj yehg (vah-lah-hoh-vah)]

History of Kőrös-Maros National Park

The Great Plain before intensive settlement

The landscapes now protected by Kőrös-Maros National Park developed through the interaction of rivers, periodic flooding, saline soils and grazing. Before large-scale drainage and agricultural expansion, the Körös and Maros systems created wetlands, marshes, meadows and seasonally dry grasslands across south-eastern Hungary. Human communities used these environments selectively, fishing in floodplain waters, cutting hay and moving livestock between wetter and drier ground. The surviving puszta and wetland habitats are therefore cultural landscapes as well as natural ones, shaped by long-term adaptation to the Great Plain.

Medieval settlement and the Körös region

During the medieval period, villages, estates and religious institutions occupied the more productive parts of the Körös region, while marshes and periodically flooded land remained difficult to cultivate. Settlements were connected by river crossings and routes across the plain, but flooding could isolate communities and alter local boundaries. The archaeological remains and historic patterns around the park’s wider area reflect this changing relationship between permanent settlement and water. Later depopulation and the movement of villages left some areas more open, helping preserve extensive grassland habitats.

Ottoman-era disruption and resettlement

The Ottoman wars brought major disruption to the central and south-eastern Hungarian plain. Many settlements were damaged, abandoned or reduced, and insecurity affected agriculture, trade and population movement. After the region was incorporated into the Habsburg monarchy, resettlement and estate development gradually reconstructed rural life. The landscape that emerged was not an untouched wilderness: it combined recovering villages, large estates, grazing areas and wetlands whose extent still varied with the rivers and seasonal water.

Pastoral farming and the traditional puszta

From the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, extensive livestock keeping became a defining element of the open plain. Hungarian grey cattle, sheep, horses and buffalo were suited to grazing systems that used meadows, saline grasslands and floodplain pasture. Herdsmen, seasonal work and estate farming shaped both the appearance and cultural memory of the region. Conservation work within Kőrös-Maros National Park maintains some traditional grazing practices because they help prevent scrub encroachment and preserve the short grasslands required by species such as the great bustard.

River regulation, drainage and agricultural transformation

Nineteenth-century water management transformed the Körös region. River regulation, embankments and drainage reduced the frequency of flooding and opened more land to arable farming and permanent settlement. These projects brought major economic benefits but also reduced or fragmented wetlands and altered the movement of water through the plain. Oxbows, marshes and floodplain remnants within the modern national park are important partly because they preserve examples of habitats that once covered far larger areas.

Modern nature conservation and the national park

The expansion of intensive agriculture and the decline of traditional land uses increased pressure on the Great Plain’s grasslands and wetlands during the twentieth century. Protected areas were gradually established to safeguard bird habitats, saline soils, floodplain forests and characteristic pastoral landscapes. Kőrös-Maros National Park was founded in 1997, bringing several important protected areas under one conservation framework. Its work now combines habitat management, species protection, environmental education and carefully controlled public access, with the great bustard and wetland birds among its best-known conservation priorities.

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Evendo Travel Guide to Kőrös-Maros National Park

The ultimate, 100% free app-based travel guide to Kőrös-Maros National Park, covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan your perfect trip with ease.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy bookings for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Discover the natural beauty of Kőrös-Maros National Park with Evendo, your comprehensive and free app-based travel guide. Plan your visit, find top attractions, and book experiences—all in one place.

  • History of Kőrös-Maros National Park
  • Travel essentials and curated local tips
  • Easy navigation through the park
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and amenities
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate companion for exploring the stunning Kőrös-Maros National Park in Hungary. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, our app is designed to help you make the most of your trip. Navigate through the park with ease and discover its hidden gems using our detailed maps and local tips.

Explore famous landmarks like the Körös River, Maros River, and the rich biodiversity of the park’s wetlands. Don’t miss out on must-visit attractions such as the Körös-Maros Biosphere Reserve and the iconic Halásztelki Tower. For food lovers, the app guides you to the best local restaurants where you can savor authentic Hungarian cuisine.

Evendo offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Kőrös-Maros National Park. Each location comes with rich descriptions, images, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. Plus, you can book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

Download Evendo now and start your adventure in Kőrös-Maros National Park! With our app, you'll have everything you need to explore this beautiful destination right at your fingertips.

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