Miskolc Bucket List: Best Activities and Amazing Places to Visit in Miskolc, Hungary
Miskolc is a city located in Hungary’s northeastern region and is mostly known for its factories and industries. Besides the plants and factories, this city also has boundless beech-covered hills in its backdrop.
Diosgyor Castle, which used to be a summer retreat for Hungary’s royalties, is one of the top landmarks in the city and holds numerous medieval carnivals and reenactment during summer. But there are more attractions in Miskolc that can fit into your weekend plan. Here are our Top 15 Best Things to Do in Miskolc:
1. Admire Castle of Diosgyor
Located some eight kilometers from the city center, the Castle of Diosgyor was built in the mid-14th century by Louis I of Hungary in the slopes of the Bukk Mountains. Since its inception, the castle was handed down to generations of six different queens, thus the moniker “Caste of Queens.”
These days, the Castle of Diosgyor hosts several games and festivals in the summer.
2. Plunge in one of Miskolctapolca Cave Bath
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One thing that shouldn’t miss out on your Hungary bucket list is swimming in a thermal cave bath. Imagine swimming in warm waters in a labyrinth of canals running through glowing caves. What makes these radiant baths so unique is that they are natural and different areas have different water temperatures.
You could actually spend a full day here – a large outdoor pool, spa center, children’s playground, drinks, and dining options – just bring your own flip-flops and towels.
3. Ride a picturesque forest train
If you plan on visiting Lillafured (we will talk about it later), the best way to do it is by taking a forest train ride. Winding through the forest and Bukk mountains, this train adds a fairy tale experience to your journey.
During the off-season, the train is operational only on weekends, but you can enjoy daily service in the summer.
4. Visit Lillafured
Only 30 minutes away from Miskolc, you will find this scenic town within the Bukk National Park. It is a charming resort that has been around since the beginning of the 20th century.
Here you will find a finger-like lake, a 20-meter waterfall, dining options, and the Palace Hotel, which was designed in a brilliant nee-Renaissance style by Kalman Lux in the late 1920s.
Sprawling down the foothills is a beautiful terraced shrubbery, which deserves an individual entry in our list.
Other attractions include a narrow-gauge railway, natural limestone cave, strips of beech and oak forest, and a small museum.
5. Stroll in the Terraced Gardens in Lillafured
Flowing down the hills near the hotel are the Lillafured gardens between Garadna and Szinva rivers. You will also find the 20 meters high waterfall, the tallest in the country.
Each terrace is named. For instance, you can find “Terrace of Youth and Meetings,” dedicated to an outdoor entertainment space and children’s playground.
There is also the Terrace of Sculpture, an open-air exhibition space where you can find public art installations and sculptures.
6. Cool down at Lillafured Waterfall
Looking at this idyllic waterfall, you will be forgiven to think that it is all-natural. The construction of the Palace Hotel forced the Szinva stream to be redirected, creating a 20 meters manmade waterfall that happened also be the tallest waterfall (manmade or natural) in Hungary.
The fall changes as seasons come and go. There is a loud discharge in spring, but come August, there is only a gossip trickle, while in winter, it all frozen.
7. Ride a wooden boat on Hamori Lake
The Hamori Lake was formed when the Garadna and Szinva streams were obstructed to provide a steady water supply to the iron furnace in Lillafured town.
It stretches about 1.5 kilometers and features a picturesque promenade where you can hire a paddleboat or rowboat. You can also rent a bike during the summer.
8. Check into the Otto Herman Museum
Named after the famous 19th-century sage Otto Herman, this museum is the largest in Miskolc and features collection from the Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen County. The main building is dedicated mainly to Hungarian painting from Art Nouveau and Baroque, arranged chronologically.
Start with the 17th and 18th century works by notable Hungarian painters such as Adam Manyoki and Jakab Bogdany and climb up to the Romantics like Mihaly Munkacsy until you reach the birth of Modernism art in Hungary.
9. Admire the architecture and design of the Greek Orthodox Church
Built-in the 19th century in Baroque Zopf style, this Greek Orthodox Church is the biggest Iconostasis in the whole of Central Europe.
It is one of the most remarkable constructions in Miskolc and features more than 80 murals from the Life of Jesus.
10. Visit the Pannonian Sea Museum
Renovated in 2013, the Pannonian Sea Museum will take you on a trip back in time to the prehistoric Pannonian Sea era. It is believed modern-day Hungary was immersed by the sea two million years ago.
The museum showcases the fossilized cypress trees from seven million years ago and other artifacts of ancient animals and plants.
11. Tour the wine cellars
Visit the Avas Mountain’s northern hills in Miskolc center, where you will find over 900 wine cellars ranging from 200 to 300 years old.
The wines are made from some of the best quality grapes you can find anywhere else.
12. Check out the wooden church
This wooden church was built on a 1938 church site burned down in an arson attack, which was also built on a site of another 18th-century wooden church.
The church’s current version was built in 1999 but looks modern and features some intricately engraved dapper decoration while the majority of the church is made from pine and larch.
13. Visit the zoo
The Miskolc Zoo is the oldest of its kind in Hungary, having been around since the 14th century. It is home to various animal species such as wildcats, brown bears, kookaburras, buffalos, patas monkeys, and more.
14. Climb up the Miskolc-Avas TV Tower
Built-in the Soviet era, this breathtaking structure is located south of Miskolc and was completed in 1966 by Gyorgy Voros and Miklos Hofer. Today the tower offers great views of Miskolc.
15. Attend Meat-Jelly Festival
When winter comes to an end, usually February or March, Miskolc residents usually make the event with a folk celebration called Meat-Jelly Festival. You can also take part in if you are in town around this time.
Miskolc Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your visit to Miskolc, we listed places to visit and other amazing Miskolc, Hungary. We also listed some of the best travel deals and tour packages and excellent flight deals and accommodation.
Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Miskolc hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Miskolc, Hungary? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
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