Family-friendly experiences around the country

The Magic Forest Project in Debrecen’s Nagyerdő started in 2013. It has since seen the construction of Nagyerdő Stadium, a new outdoor stage, Ködszínház (fog theatre), the renewal of Lake Békás and a new beach. The latest improvements include the continuation of Pallagi Avenue with a new light show and water feature, followed by the renovation of the popular zoo and amusement park. The Ötholdas Pagony (Five Acre Wood) playground has been renamed Sziget-kék after Magda Szabó’s fairy-tale novel. It is complemented with new themed playground equipment. For grown-ups there are new sporting opportunities at the Nagyerdő outdoor recreational and sports track.

The BalaLand Family Park in Szántód offers a family experience unlike any other in Europe. It is open all year round and covers almost 10,000 square metres of land. Children will love the family wellness area, which has a number of slides and an outdoor water playground, while parents can relax in the leisure pools, jacuzzi, sauna and salt room. The settings of Jules Verne’s famous novel Around the World in 80 Days are brought to life in the giant playhouse and playgrounds, which help children learn about different parts of the world.

The Folly Arboretum in Badacsonyörs is continuously being developed. A new retaining wall, a playground and a lookout tower were built in the garden in 2014. Also, a map was created of the plants in the garden. In 2018 the former home of the founding family, which is used as a visitor centre and restaurant, was renovated, and the Panorama Café and the pastry shop also opened. Recent improvements include an interactive exhibition on the history of the family and the garden, an open-air cinema, a chill-out terrace and an outdoor theatre. The paths are being repaved, and thematic and stroller accessible walkways, electric bicycle and car chargers will be provided for the complete comfort of guests. The garden has a stunning view of Lake Balaton, and is home to 400 coniferous and 200 deciduous trees and shrubs. 

Families will find a host of adventures and active pursuits on every floor of the Sátoraljaújhely Magas-hegyi Sports Centre. It is home to Hungary’s only ski museum and a three-storey viewing platform, which is accessible for people in wheelchairs up to the first level. The 2,275-metre bobsleigh track, which is not only the longest in the country but also the surrounding region, is open all year round and is one of the most important developments. The ski resort features the largest artificial ski slope in the country, as well as an adventure park, a rope course and a study trail. The recently opened Szár-Hegy chairlift is the newest attraction at the sports centre.

The romantic Lillafüred narrow-gauge railway, a favourite of locals and tourists visiting Miskolc, has been completely renovated. All the station buildings, locomotive sheds, workshops and management buildings on the main line (Miskolc, Dorottya Street – Papírgyár – Lillafüred – Garadna) have been rebuilt. A new recreation park called Garadna Grund has been created at the Garadna terminal station. Thirty-two locomotives and freight wagons were also renovated and rebuilt as part of the project.

A winding, 3.5 km study trail, from the car park at Károly Peak to the Forest House in Sopron was opened in 2022. It helps introduce hikers to the interesting aspects of hunting and game management. Hikers can safely reach Muck Peak through this trail, while learning about the world of forests and hunters with the help of 10 interactive displays and hunting equipment. The trail is marked by a green T in a white square. If you are interested in hunting, you will also enjoy the game management exhibition at the University of Sopron, which has also been revamped with interactive features.