
They used to say "who in their sane mind would build a city in the middle of nowhere where there is no mountains, forests, water or roads?". Still, the answer is a mystery, but Debrecen is the second (or third, depends on the census) largest city of Hungary.
It used to be Europe's largest Calvinist city (was called "The Calvinist Rome"), and the Grand Church (Nagytemplom) is a reminder of the city's heritage.
Debrecen also has a university with all kind of science areas. It has about 25000 students. The main building at the Nagyerdő is beautiful.
Despite being the second largest city in the country, Debrecen has very few attractions to show for it. The Nagytemplom is a must see and easily accessible. As for museums, the Déri Museum is definitely worth a trip, but all the others really depend on how much Hungarian art interests you. Most of the major attractions are in the city park, or Nagyerdő, where you could easily spend a pleasant afternoon.
Places of Worship
Museums
Nagyerdő - The City Park
Located just north of the downtown is the 2280 hectare city park which offers fine walks as well as several opportunities for fun and entertainment.
It can be easily accessed from Budapest by driving on M3 highway and then M35 (about at 186 km sign) highway but vignette is required(it is about 2 hours). Or follow the main road 4 from Budapest or anywhere except east (more than 3 hours travel from Budapest), but it is not recommended because main road 4 is overcrowded and accidents are common.
There is an airport [2], but commercial traffic is low. There is a discount airline flying to München, Germany, so via that Debrecen can be reached from all Europe. It is planned to extend the air traffic through involving more cheap-flight companies. Charter flights come regularly to the airport.
Roads are okay. The city is small enough though that you could easily get around by foot or by public transportation.
Public transport uses local tickets. Don't try to use Budapest tickets; they won't work.
The tram [3] carries people to the most visited places. It starts from the Train station, goes along the main street, turns at the Grand Church a bit, goes to the Old Forest, the Zoo, Theme Park and Public Bath, then around to meet the Universities, then back. A cheap way to see most of the city is to get a ticket at the train station, get on, and enjoy the trip until you're back where you started.
Bus [4] lines are fair. You may expect to be able to reach nearby places fast.
Many nice streets around. Many ugly ones. Test your luck.
Try Nagyerdő (the Big Forest): it is still beautiful.
Avoid everything in Kálvin tér (the square on the right of the Big Church, in the middle of the circle of houses), like Gara cukrászda (a bakery, probably the worst "Somloi Galuska" of the World) or Gilbert Pizzéria. They emphasize style over flavor.
Piac utca(in front of the Big yellow church) has some nice places, try "Trendo". They serve various kinds including hungarian cuisines. Near the big church is where you can find nice cafes.
There's csokonai restaurant , main steak house of hungarian style, located in kossuth street, right in front of csokonai szinhaz ( opera house).
Try Flaska restaurant by the Apollo movie theater in the heart of the city. THeir have good hungarian cuisene. For desert head to the Mandula cukraszda (one of the best bakery in town) near ember pal street.