Discover Békés: nature, birdlife and culture

Discover Békés through first-hand nature experiences, cultural history and regional traditions. Wetlands and birdwatching are as much a part of the region as waterways, museums and historic buildings. These themes offer different starting points for planning your trip: from a walk through an animal park to tours on request and a themed cycling route.

Observe nature and explore the waterways

The Körösvölgyi Animal Park is set in a 26-hectare grove in Anna-liget, Szarvas. A walking trail of about two kilometres passes bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures. The visit brings together different habitats and animal areas along a single route.

The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail starts at the park’s jetty. It follows a one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake; eight floating buoy stations provide information about the oxbow lake and its wildlife and plant life. The trail can only be reached by canoe or boat and is particularly suited to canoeists and rowboat users travelling without an expert guide. Unlike the walking trail in the animal park, travelling on the water is an integral part of this experience.

The Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre is located in Réhely, near Dévaványa. It is the only place in Hungary where visitors can see great bustards up close. Expert-led tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomy demonstrations are available on request. The Réhely Trail starts and ends at the visitor centre, making the centre’s activities and the circular trail two different ways to visit.

Kardoskúti Fehértó also offers a special connection to birdlife: this internationally recognised wetland has been protected under the Ramsar Convention since 1979. Two observation towers make it easier to watch the birds. The Kardoskúti Bird Migration Museum complements this nature theme with an interactive exhibition about bird migration and the region’s distinctive flora and fauna.

Near Biharugra, Bihari Madárvárta is three kilometres from the centre of the village and can be reached by a paved road. Another reason to visit is Bihari Táj Napja, held every year on the third weekend in May. You can then see wild orchids growing in the Ugrai Meadow, learn about the birdlife of the Biharugra fishponds on an expert-led tour, and attend other educational and cultural programmes. If you plan to time your trip to coincide with the event, check the latest dates in advance.

Routes, history and culture

The Mágor-pusztai Trail is just over 500 metres long and showcases the natural and cultural-historical features of the protected area. This short route combines nature and history, offering a different experience from the longer birdwatching and water-based activities. Gyula Castle, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into an older architectural history: built in the 15th century, it is now the only intact lowland brick castle in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Munkácsy Mihály Museum in Békéscsaba is home to a wide-ranging collection. It includes objects relating to natural history, archaeology, ethnography, history and art history. The museum therefore offers several ways to explore nature, the past and cultural history, rather than focusing on a single subject.

A regional tradition takes centre stage at CsabaPark. This gastronomic events centre preserves, maintains and showcases the traditions of Csabai sausage-making, and is also the venue for the Csabai Sausage Festival. Anyone interested in local food culture will find a tangible connection here to the region’s sausage-making tradition.

Discover the region on a themed route

The Wenckheim Tourist and Cycle Route is a themed cycling route that takes you past the region’s cultural monuments and natural and distinctive landscape features. It brings together two perspectives on the region: cultural heritage and landscape. Along with the different trails and visitor sites, it lets you focus your trip on birdwatching, cultural history, regional food culture or cycling.

Discover more destinations

Füzesgyarmat, Mezőhegyes, Békéscsaba, Gyula, Szarvas, Békés, Orosháza, Szeghalom, Mezőkovácsháza, Sarkad microregion

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