Szeged
Szeged is a Hungarian city in the Csongrád-Csanád County. The third largest city in the country, it is sometimes called "the city of sunshine", for its brilliant weather. It is known for the imposing cathedral, a wealth of Art Nouveau and historicist buildings, and for the fish soup Halászlé.
Understand
[edit]
Szeged lies on Hungary's south-eastern border, just south of the mouth of the Maros river on both banks of the river Tisza. It is about 171 km south of Budapest on the M5 highway. It is the lowest elevation city in the country and is known as the "City of Sunshine", because it has the most sunny days throughout the year. Szeged is the main city in Csongrád-Csanád county and serves as a commercial and cultural center of the region. The city's population was around 170 000 in 2011.
Szeged's Open Air Theatre Festival held in the summer attracts people from all over Europe. Szeged is also famous for its gastronomy. Its delicious fish soup is known all over the world, and it has its own festival in September. One of the main attractions of Szeged is the River Tisza, that offers possibilities to do different water sports or boat trips. While boasting hundreds years of history, Szeged has been rebuilt almost entirely after the flood of 1879, which destroyed most of the city. Today, with its avenues, ring roads and beautiful palaces, Szeged is one of the nicest Hungarian cities.
Tourist information
[edit]- 1 Tourist Information, Dugonics tér 2 (North of the University of Szeged), ☏ +36 62 488-690, +36 62 488699, fax: +36 62 488-690. Nov-Mar: M-F 09:00-17:00; Apr-May: M-F: 09:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-13:00; Jun-Aug: M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00; Sep-Oct: M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa 9:00-13:00. Today's Szeged is an important university town and a popular tourist attraction. Services of the office: reservation of accommodation, Wine and Gastronomical Tourism, facultative programmes, professional and field trips. Information about accommodation, restaurants, transport, programmes, attractions and services in the local, region or national perspective. Ask about tours to the area (Szeged-Tape: Árpád Age settlement (12th century), Szeged - Kiskundorozsma (remains of a Benedictine monastery), Fehér (White) Lake (Hungary's largest, 14 km² alkaline lakes, fish ponds today), Ópusztaszer (first national legislation and the location of the conquering Hungarians, a great open air exhibit area), Röszke (15km south-west of Szeged, between the Tisza River backwater dragnet, and the Serbian frontier), Subotica and Palic (City of Vojvodina, the second most populous city in the settlements associated with about 150,000 inhabitants, significant number Hungarian minority live there), Bird Garden of Zákányszék (The decorative bird park (first in Hungary) tiny finches, colorful parrots, rare pheasants, peacocks, Australian ratites.) Spoken languages (in office): English, German, Spanish.
- 2 Information Pavilion, Széchenyi Square walkway (Close to the Town Hall). Jun 1-Sep 15 every day: 08:00-20:00. Information about accommodation, restaurants, transport, programmes, attractions and services in the local.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]If you are flying to Hungary, you will most likely be arriving to the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest and you will want to take the M5 highway South to Szeged. It will take 1½-2 hours to drive from the airport. You must get a sticker for your car to drive on the highway, which you can buy at any gas station (ask for "matrica").
Szeged has a parking zone system, parking tickets are available from newsagent's, local stores, etc.
By train
[edit]It takes about 2 hours to travel by train from Budapest Nyugati train station to Szeged. These trains also stop at Ferihegy, the station for Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, meaning it isn't necessary to travel into the centre of Budapest if travelling to Szeged from the airport. Additionally, there are regional cross-border trains from Subotica in Serbia.
- 1 Szeged railway station (Szeged pályaudvar). The main station, also known as Nagyállomás.
By plane
[edit]- Szeged airfield. Szeged has a small airport for small private airplanes.
Get around
[edit]
Szeged lies on the banks of Tisza river. The western side is generally referred to as "Szeged", while the newer eastern side is called "Új-szeged" ("New Szeged").
There are further parts of the city, which you can think of as districts (although they do not work as districts): Belváros (the center of the city, downtown), Alsóváros, Móraváros, Rókus, Újrókus, Fölsőváros, Tarján, Fodor-kert, Petőfi-telep, Makkosház, Baktó, Tápé, Újszeged, Odessza, Marostői kiskertek, Klebelsberg telep, Kecskés István telep, Iparváros, Béke-telep, Baktó.
Public transportation
[edit]For the size of the city, Szeged has a really good public transportation network. Within the city you can get around by cabs (taxi), trams (villamos), trolley buses (trolibusz) or autobus (autóbusz). If you wish to use these types of public transportation, you will need to find out about their routes, stops and schedules. During the work week, in the busy hours, within the city, most public transportation vehicles will leave every 10–15 minutes.
Schedules
[edit]- Schedule of public transport: [formerly dead link]
- Schedule of City buses [dead link]
- Schedule of buses [dead link] leaving and arriving to Szeged
- Schedule of trolley buses and trams
Tickets
[edit]There's no difference in the tickets for the different types of transportation methods. You can usually purchase tickets from the driver, for which you will always have to get on the vehicle using the frontmost door. On trams, you can also purchase tickets on board using your credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). You can also purchase weekly and monthly passes as well as single-trip tickets from various kiosks and newspaper stands throughout the city. These passes will be valid for all 3 types of public transportation, so you can travel by trams, trolley buses and buses. There are also discounts offered to students and seniors.
Taxi
[edit]There are a few taxi services in the city. You can call and "order" one to your location. The drivers may not speak English, but should be able to get you where you want to go. Trips usually cost somewhere between Ft 1000-2000 within the city.
- Szeged Taxi: +36 62 333-333
- Tele-4 Taxi: +36 62 444-444
- Gábriel Taxi: +36 62555-555
- Bolt taxi - with mobile app
Parking
[edit]when visiting city center by car you can use:
- 2 parking (Tisza Parkolóház), 93 Tisza Lajos körút. multistory paid parking. credit cards accepted.
- 3 Park and Ride (Torontál téri ingyenes parkoló). Near the beach, city center accesible by tram o bus.
There are parkimeters in the whole city center. The official web is: SzePark, with english version available.
See
[edit]Churches
[edit]
- 1 Cathedral of Our Lady of Hungary (Votive Church, Szegedi Dóm, Fogadalmi templom), Dóm tér ("Cathedral Square"), 15 (Beside the Dömötör tower), ☏ +36 62 420157, +36 20 8232901 (mobil), fax: +36 62 420157, info@dom.szeged.hu. Church: M-Sa 06:30-19:00, Su 7:30-19:00. Sacristy: 06:15-08:00 and 16:00-19:00, Su 07:30-12:30 and 16:00-19:00. Parish Office: M W 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00, Tu Th F 08:00-12:00. This twin-spired church serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Szeged–Csanád. After the great flood of 1879 the municipal board made a vow to erect a monumental Votive Church. It was built between 1913 and 1930, in neo-Romanesque style according plans of Frigyes Schulek and Erno Foer. It is the fourth largest church in Hungary. The dome is 54 m outside (33 m above the inside floor) and the towers are both 91 m high. The cathedral decorated inside and outside with numerous mosaics, statues and low-reliefs. Europe's third largest church organ with over nine thousand pipes is in the Cathedral. One of the most remarkable artistic work among the inside statues is "Christ on the Cross" by János Fadrusz which won Grand Prix in Paris in 1900. Another curiosity is on the ceiling of the sancuary where maria is depicted dressed in shepherd's felt cloak and Szeged slippers in mosaics. In the crypt of the Cathedral eminent clerical personalities are buried. The "Heroes' bell" (or bell of St. Gellert) in the tower on the Tisza side weights 8600 kg,-made in 1927,-only seven times per year used. The second biggest bell of the church is 'St. Emeric', (2669kg, made in 1927) and there are more three smaller bells. Walk around clockwise start at the main entrance (from Cathedral square), Chapel of St. Demetrius, altarpiece of St. Joseph of Kalazant, St. Stephen's side altar, War of the gate (left side, mid part, above the inscription: "Vae Victis" - "Woe to the defeated!"), Cross Fadrusz or Christ on the Cross sculpture (see above), St. Gerard altar, Sacred Heart altar, on the left side of main altar is the St. Demetrius relic shop, before the main altar is the altar with St. Gerard relics, on right of the main oltar is the sacristy, St. Anthony altar, Holy Cross altar, gravestone of Klebelsberg, Gate of Peace (side entrance, above the inscription: "Venite adoremus" - "Come, let us worship"), St. Ladislaus side altar, a altar painting of 'Women at the cross', chapel of 'Maria, the Helper'. Free entry. Tower: adult/reduced Ft 650/400, crypt: Ft 200.
- 2 Serbian Orthodox Church (St. Nicolas church, Görögkeleti Szerb Ortodox Templom), Somogyi utca 3 (Close to Cathedral (north of its)), ☏ +36 62 426091, +36 30 4848778 (mobil), opavle@t-online.hu. F 13:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-17:00. This beautiful Baroque church made by János Popovics was erected in honour of St. Nicolas. The icons displaying Baroque influence, the smoke of incense, the candlelight contributes to a special atmosphere. Ft 200/100.
- 3 St. Michael's Church of Tápéi (Tápéi Szent Mihály templom), Szeged - Tápé, Honfoglalás u.54. (Northeast, close to Tisa), ☏ +36 62 496788. Summer: Sa 08:00-9:00, 17:30-18:00, Su 09:00-09:30, 17:00-18:00; winter: Sa 08:00-09:00, 16:30-17:00, Su 09:00-09:30, 16:00-17:00. A Roman Catholic Church built in 1390s, in Gothic style, using the walls of 11th-century church. Remains from this period can be see at buttressed, early Gothic sanctuary and the lower part of the tower of church. The Baroque transept (main nave) and the tower was built in 1770. The present nave dates from 1940. The fresco fragments of the sanctuary
- 4 Szeged Synagogue (Hungarian: Szegedi zsinagóga, Új zsinagóga), Jósika u. 10., Hajnóczy utca 12. Su-F 09:00-14:00 (closed on Jewish holidays). It is a 1907 building designed by the Jewish Hungarian architect Lipót Baumhorn. The building one of the finest examples of the unique fin de siecle Hungarian blending of Art Nouveau and Historicist styles sometimes known as Magyar style. It served Szeged's large Neolog community. Inside: its 48.5m tall domed ceiling, draws on multiple historical styles to produce its overall mixed Art Nouveau and Moorish Revival style. The rib-like wall above the organ has Gothic origins, while the columns supporting the galleries are Roman. The interior is decorated with painted stained glass, all of them are the work of the artist Miksa Róth. The design of the Torah Ark alludes to the Holy of Holies in the Temple of Solomon by using sittim wood from the banks of Nile, the wood called for in the building of the Temple of Solomon in 1 Kings. The hinges are in the shape of the Hysop plant, a plant used in the ancient Temple service. The artistically carved pews, the harmonizing blue, gold and ivory-while decorations were made according to the designs of Immanuel Löw. Adults: Ft 500, students: Ft 250; the tickets include the guiding, in English.
- 5 Church of St. Roch (Szent Rókus templom), Szent Rókus tér (North of Bus Station), ☏ +36 62 498294, +36 30 8589189. Daily 06:00-12:00, 15:00-19:00. A Roman Catholic church. The neo-Gothic Szent Rókus Church has two towers, built by Ferenc Raichle in accordance with Sándor Aigner's and Károly Rainer's design in 1910.
- 6 The New Reformed church (Új református templom), Honvéd tér 1. (Close to Big Department Store). The new Calvinist church planned in 1928. Completed only in 1944. Its dominant brick facade, was built of row. The tower of church has a flight of stone stairs leading up to the main entrance decorated with multiple orders of arches, above which there is a triangle with the Calvinist symbol of the flagged lamb made of coloured mosaics in it. The face of the clock tower is constructed of small illuminated squares. Above it there is the bell chamber with arched windows and an all-round corridor; the tower of 41m height is crowned with a small cap and a star.
- 7 Demetrius Tower (Dömötör torony), Dóm Square (front of the much larger Votive Church). By appointment. The oldest building in Szeged. The foundation was most probably laid during the 11th century, while the lower part was built in Romanesque style from the 12th century, and the upper part in Gothic style from the 13th century. The tower was once part of the former Szent Dömötör templom (St. Demetrius church). The upper part was rebuilt from the original stones in 1926. The architecture of the tower is similar to another found in Southern France, or in the territory of the former Byzantine Empire. Outside on the upper part, there are 48 pointed windows in three levels. On the lower part, a gate was cut and turned to a baptismal chapel in 1931. Above the gate there is a replica of the oldest sculpture in Szeged, the "Kőbárány" (stone lamb), an Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) representation from the early 12th century. The replica replaced the original sculpture in 1991. Inside the tower, there is a fresco by Vilmos Aba-Novák of the baptism of Hungarians in the 11th century
- 8 Saint Nicholas Church (Minorite Church, Szent Miklós templom), Munkácsy Mihály utca 7 (St. George's Square (Szent-György tér)), ☏ +36 62 420172, fax: +36 62 420172. M-Sa 17:00-19:00, Su 07:00-12:00. The building of the Roman Catholic church was completed in 1767, in Late Baroque, based on the plans of the architect Vencel Lechner.
- 9 Szent Gellért church (Szent Gellért templom), Tátra tér 5 (North of center), ☏ +36 62 483750 (Guidance - only Hungarian), +36 62 483-750 (parish office), fax: +36 62 483750, iroda@szentgellert.szeged.hu. Opening hours: M-F 09:00-12:00, 15:00-18:00. A Roman Catholic church. It was built in 1975, in Modern style, designed by István Tarnai. Free.
- Jesus's Heart church, - Szeged, Fő tér, - Tel +36 62 425370, It was built in 1936, in modern style, planned by Fábián Gáspár, plebania.ptelep@freemail.hu
- 10 Reformed church of Kálvin square (Kálvin téri református templom), Kálvin tér. built in 1884
- Reformed church of Petőfi Telep (Petőfi Telepi Református Templom), 6727 Szeged, Sirály utca 14. Phone: +36 62 426496, Sun:08:30-10:00
- 11 Alsóvárosi Church and Monastery (Church of Grey Friars, Szeged-Alsóvárosi Ferences Templom), Szeged, Mátyás tér 26 (West three blocks from Train Station), ☏ +36 62 442384, szeged.pleb@gmail.com. M-F 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00, Su 07:00-11:00, 17:00-20:00. In the center of Alsóváros district stands a over 500-year-old group of buildings: a Franciscan church and monastery. The church was completed in 1503 in Gothic style. There are two icons of Maria in the Franciscan church of Alsóváros. One of them is placed in the baroque main altar. The other icon is the Black Mary.
- 12 Church of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary (Árpádházi Szent Erzsébet Templom), Torontál tér 4. / Székely sor 2 (Close to Belvárosi bridge, in 'Újszeged' district, East side of the City), ☏ +36 62 430350, fax: +36 62 430350, pleb23@invitel.hu. Masses: Su 07:30, 09:30, 18:00, M-F 18:00. A Roman Catholic church. Built in Neo-Gothic style, in 1910. The main tower was over 30 m high with towers on both sides. The length of the church in the interior is 21 m and it’s 13 m wide. The building’s height is 12 m. In order to construct a main altar, two side altars and a pulpit in New-Gothic style material from the nearby Rochus church in Szeged was delivered to the district New Szeged. The main altar presented the church patron Saint Elisabeth while the right main altar was devoted to the Virgin Mary. On the left side there was a Saint Cross altar erected. The confessional and the cupboard in the vestry were built by József Jamrik. The organ was purchased from the local organ building manufacture of János Szoukenik.
Museums
[edit]
- 13 Ferenc Mora Art Museum (Móra Ferenc Képzőművészeti Múzeum), Roosevelt tér 1-3, ☏ +36 62 549040, fax: +36 62 549049, info@mfm.u-szeged.hu. Daily 10:00-18:00. - works by Hungarian painters like: Munckacsy, Istvan Csok, Rudnay, Josef Rippl-Ronai and Szeged Synagogue. Ft 1290.
- 14 Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum (Pick Szalámi és Szegedi Paprika Múzeum), Felsõ Tisza-part 10, fax: +36 62 480800, info@pickmuzeum.hu. Tu-Sa 15:00-18:00. Industrial History Museum Adult Ft 980, Reduced Ft 740.
- Black House (Museum of Currency, Fekete Ház), Somogyi u. 13., ☏ +36 62 425033, +36 62 425872, fax: +36 62 312033. Daily 10:00-18:00. A branch of Ferenc Mora Museum.
- Castle Museum and Kass Gallery (Vármúzeum és a Kass Galéria), Vár u. 7, ☏ +36 62 549040, fax: +36 62 549049, info@mfm.u-szeged.hu. Daily 10:00-18:00. Kass Gallery Tu-Su 13:00-17:00. Ft 690.
- Matthias Varga's Exhibition House of Theatre (Varga Mátyás Színháztörténet Kiállítóház), Bécsi krt. 11/A, ☏ +36 62 549040, fax: +36 62 549049. By appointment. Ft 590.
Monuments
[edit]- 15 Gróf-palace (Gróf-palota), Tisza Lajos körút 20/b.. Designed Raichle J. Ferenc, in 1912-13
- 16 Town Hall (Városháza), Széchenyi tér 10, ☏ +36 62 564364.
- 17 Water tower (Régi Víztorony), Szent István Square. This is the oldest reinforced concrete building in Hungary.
- 18 Reök Palace (REÖK Palota). This has an Art Nouveau facade, with balconies and wrought iron railings.
- 19 National Theatre of Szeged (Szegedi Nemzeti Színház), Vaszy Viktor tér 1, ☏ +36 62 479279, fax: +36 62 475562, info@szinhaz.szeged.hu. Cash desk opening hours: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-12:00 (entrance at Stefánia út 6), or One hour before the show begins on the spot. This is the main theatre of Szeged, built in 1883 by the well-known company of Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer in Eclectic and Neo-baroque style. Tickets Ft 800-3500.
- Monuments of Széchenyi square, Széchenyi tér (vary). #2 Photo Studio (Fotóműterem), #2/a Aigner house I., #3 Popper house, #9 Zsótér house, #16 Aigner house II.
- Monuments of Lechner square, Lechner tér (vary). #2/a Raffay house , #2/b Szígyártó house, #9 Saint Rosalia Chapel (Szent Rozália-kápolna)
- Somogyi Károly Városi és Megyei Könyvtár
- Püspöki palota
- Indóház tér és vasúti pályaudvar
- Dorozsmai szélmalom (ipari műemlék)
- Egyetemi Füvészkert
- Szegedi Csillagvizsgáló
- Szegedi Vadaspark
- Szent István-szobor
- Gőzfürdő (Anna-fürdő), Tisza Lajos körút 24. * Márer-ház, Tisza Lajos körút
- Móricz-ház, Szent Mihály u. 9.
- Szeged Állomás, Indóház tér
- Ungár-Mayer-palota, Kárász u. 16. built in 1910-1911
- Raichle-palota, Szentháromság u. 2.
- Lakóház, Mikszáth Kálmán u. 4.
- Wagner-kripta, Belvárosi temető
- Tűzoltólaktanya, Kossuth Lajos sugárút
- Kárász street - main street, downtown
- Tisza river
Do
[edit]Open-air theater
[edit]- In the summer you don't want to miss the famous "Open-Air Festival". It is called open-air, because the Dóm square is turned into a stage with seats. It usually starts around the beginning of July and ends sometime in August. The shows play for about a week and then they change. Tickets are not always easy to get, but you can always get them from scouts (of course at a higher price) before the show starts. If you are on a limited budget, you can purchase tickets for a lower price and after the show has started you can move to a better (empty) seats.
Festivals
[edit]There are several events taking place in Szeged during the summer. The best way to find out about their times is from the free local magazine (called "Szegedi Est") that you can find in most restaurants, bars, clubs and cinemas.
- Wine Festival
- Beer Festival
- Days of Szeged
- Hungaricum Festival
- Szegedi Ifjusagi Napok (SZIN) - Szeged Youth Days. An open-air festival with Hungarian and international bands, held every year at Partfürdö in late Aug.
Movies and theaters
[edit]
- There are two main theaters in Szeged. One the main one is close to the museum, near to the bridge in downtown. The smaller theater is also near-by, a few blocks from there.
- 1 Belvárosi Cinema (Belvárosi Mozi) (near the Mora museum, next to the main theater.). A traditional, old, large movie theater. It has been upgraded and offers 3D movies.
- Cinemacity: in the Szeged Pláza shopping mall.
Baths and pools
[edit]Like some other Hungarian towns, Szeged also has thermal baths. The two best known are:
- Anna Bath (Anna fürdő) (downtown of the city). It has been renovated and offers an amazing experience . The bath has two sections, which offer various natural, thermal water based pools, spas, saunas. The younger (mainly 20-30s) crowd enjoys visiting the bath's Night Swimming events every Monday, Wednesday, Friday night 21:00-00:00. The entry fees are half-priced for these events (about Ft900).
- Thermal (Thermálfürdő) (at the swimming pool complex on the Újszeged side of the city.). is an older, indoor thermal bath.
Other
[edit]- See the city from the air: head out to the local airport. You can select from various airplane tours ranging that last about 15 minutes to 1½ hours around the city. They also have programs[dead link] when they let you fly the airplane.
- Go-cart: The Szeged Go-Cart[dead link] ring is on the road 47, outbound from Szeged, just before the junction of M43 and 47. The track is made of old tires in an old parking lot, and is about 800 m in length. Prices are reasonable.
- Biking: Along the eastern bank of the Tisza river runs a paved bicycle path; the route is quite scenic and peaceful once you get away from the city a bit. If you head south for seven to eight kilometers, you'll reach the Serbian border, which you can't cross, of course. You can rent a bicycle from the tourist information office.
- 2 Zoo-Szeged (Vadaspark).
- 3 MolnAir Ballooning, ☏ +36 70 385-0035, info@molnair.hu. April to October. Hot air balloon flights over Szeged. Meeting in Szeged airport. Adult: 42,000 Ft, children: 25,000 Ft.
Buy
[edit]- Tesco Szeged, Rókusi blvd. (can be reached by Line 2).
- Tesco, in Móraváros (line 4).
- Cora Szeged? It was renamed. (Cora (Auchan) has its own bus line, eliminated.).
- 1 Spar supermarkets (Spar szupermarket), Szivarvany St, info@spar.hu. Buying everyday products (especially groceries) could be cheaper than in other European countries like Britain, France, Italy or Germany.
- Lidl discount store (Lidl diszkontáruház), info@lidl.hu. A supermarket chain. Buying everyday products (especially groceries) could be cheaper than in other European countries like Britain, France, Italy or Germany. Most electronic equipment like iPods and computers are, however, considerably more costly here.
- ALDI discount store (ALDI diszkontáruház)
- 2 Shopping mall (Nagyáruház), Jókai u. 1, ☏ +36 62 470270. several shops closed as of june 2024. Also some fast food restaurants. Budget shopping.
Eat
[edit]Szeged is famous for its local, traditional food. The most famous of all is probably the Fisherman's soup (Halászlé), which is made from various freshwater fish using lots of paprika (this is not necessarily spicy, but you can definitely order it that way).
Szeged is also known for its good quality sausage and salami. Pick is Szeged's own brand, which is also exported to various countries around the world. Make sure that you try the famous "Pick salami". You can buy these products at most local grocery stores and smaller, family-owned 24/7 stores.
If you are looking for international food, just check the local grocery stores. You shouldn't have too much problem finding anything from around the world. Even Americans can find their favorite cream cheese and peanut butter and jelly if they look around.
The quality of the food varies by restaurants, but is good in general. Meats and cheese can be found at most places, and they are often breaded and fried. If you go to a standard restaurant, the portions will be generous and more than enough to feed an adult.
There are lots of fast food places in the city. The most popular ones are local pizza restaurants, which are all around town. Some of them, which are open until the morning hours, are popular gathering places for the late night crowd. Of course, the international fast food chains are also present (Burger King, McDonald's, etc.), they are popular mostly among younger people. Compared to the local fast food places, these chains offer smaller portions for higher prices.
Budget
[edit]All these are in the city centre:
Mid-range
[edit]Traditional Szeged-style fish restaurants
[edit]The traditional fisherman's restaurants are a great choice for visitors. Locals also visit these on a regular basis because of their excellent fish soup and wide selection of good other food. There are three main fishmerman's restaurants in town.
- 8 Roosevelt Téri Halászcsárda (Roosevelt square Fish Tavern), Roosevelt tér 14 (close to downtown, right across from the Móra Ferenc Museum by the bridgehead of the "old bridge").
- 9 Kiskőrössy Halászcsárda (Kiskörössy Fish Tavern), Felső Tisza-Part 336 (in the northeastern part of Szeged, on the bank of the Tisza River.). This is an excellent choice in the warmer months, because you can enjoy your meal next to the river and quite often they will also have musicians perform traditional Hungarian folkmusic or Gypsy music for the guests. You'd probably want to catch a cab to get to this restaurant, and then use another cab to get back to your hotel.
- 10 Fehértói Fish Tavern (Fehértói Halászcsárda), Budapesti út 41 (is outside the city, next to the old E5 highway going towards Budapest. You can ask a cab to drop you off here and they can also bring you back.). This restaurant breeds its own fish and is known for its excellent fish soup. Their prices are reasonable as well.
Other restaurants
[edit]- 11 Gőry restaurant (Gőry Pince & Terasz), Liszt u. 9. Extra large portions of food, which are almost impossible to eat all at once. Food is excellent. Prices: higher than usual
- 12 Cirmi Gastropub (Cirmi Kézműves Gasztrokocsma), Tisza Lajos krt. 76. (In the downtown), ☏ +36 62 800 124. Su-Th 12:00-23:00, F-Sa 12:00-01:00. Serving what you might expect at a gastropub, has gained some acclaim for its burgers.
- 13 Alabárdos, Oskola u. 13 (near John Bull Pub). They have a nice restaurant section and a separate section just for grabbing a beer or tasting wine. Food is good. Prices: higher than usual.
Splurge
[edit]- 14 John Bull Pub, Kárász u. 17.
Sweet
[edit]
Hungary has very good home made style pastries and cookies. Szeged has a few bakeries around town that have excellent food selection. Ordering is quite simple, since most of the baked goods are displayed behind a glass window. They are usually freshly baked. Just point and pick what your eyes like and enjoy. Some of the more popular pastry shops around town:
- Hatos Rétes. on Klauzál square, known for strudels ("rétes" in Hungarian).
- Z. Nagy Cukrászda. One of the best pastry shops in the city, where most of the locals go to. You can find it under József Attila sugárút 24.
Drink
[edit]- John Bull Pub (downtown, about 50 meters from the Virág Cukrászda). Great place to grab a beer with clients or friends, and can be an excellent choice for a romantic dinner. They have a big menu, with a good selection. Prices: high
Coffee shops
[edit]Coffee shops are very popular among students. There are quite a few in town, where the younger crowd likes to meet up to study or talk.
Clubs
[edit]
Szeged is a University town and it has a very active night life throughout the school year. The high school and college crowd gets mixed up at most places, although some clubs try to target specific age groups with their events.
Most places have entrance fees, but offer discounts if you have a student ID. Regular fees are around 500-1000 Forints depending on the day of the week, the place and the event.
Parties are advertised to start early at night, but the crowd doesn't start to gather really until about midnight or 01:00, and usually party until the morning. This is true even on weekdays (for example Wednesday is a very big party night). Many times people meet at local pubs for a drink and talks before hitting these places.
- GinTonic (This is a club in the basement of the older Tisza Hotel in downtown.). It has dance nights every Friday. It is in the same block as Retro, but on the other side of the building. This is a highly popular party place among foreign students who study in the city. They usually play the latest popular dance songs. Ft 800.
- JATE Klub. This is one of the popular university clubs that is open during the day as well as at night. There is a large bar section and several dance floors with different types of music. Concerts and other cultural events are also common here. If the evening appears to be slow, the crowd might go over to the SZOTE Klub (which is true vice-versa). The high school and college crowd blends really well in this place. They play all types of music from alternative through the latest popular dance songs to older Hungarian favorites. Sometimes they collect entrance fees, but you can get in without a fee if you get there earlier.?.
- Retro. A newer coffee house, that turns into a dance club at night. Dance nights are held on Fridays and Saturdays. The place mostly attracts graduates, late 20s and above. They like to play songs from the 1980s, 1990s and today's hits. Ft 1000.
- Sing-Sing. This is one of the largest dance clubs in Southern Hungary. It is right next to Szeged's main bus station and farmer's market. This club usually attracts the younger high-school crowd (their average age is probably around 20). It is well known for its semi-monthly nude (both male and female) dance shows, concerts with invited guests and teen parties. They usually play the latest dance hits.
- Sandor Pub (Sándor Söröző), Csap Str. 1. (Petőfi-telep its, old name Somogyi-telep or Tápé, about 300 meters from the Tisza River) This is one of the smallest dance clubs. It operates once a month (Szintipop Retró-Video Buli Klub with karaoke).
Sleep
[edit]
You will have various choices to stay at while in Szeged. The city has some larger and more expensive hotels, but there are quite a few cheaper and comparable places where you can stay.
Budget
[edit]In Szeged, and in most other, bigger Hungarian cities you can find a cheap room in college dorms. Most places will let you pay cash and stay for a few days. There are a few of these around town and the best way to find one is probably to ask one of the younger, "student looking" locals.
- Ortutay Kollégium, Boldogasszony sgt. 26–28 Center, ☏ +36 62 547-154, +36 20 299-0829, szeged.szvk@gmail.com. Cap.: 300 beds.
- Dennis Gabor College (Gábor Dénes Kollégium), Mars tér 14 (W half km), ☏ +36 62 547154, +36 20 2990829 (Hostel booking), szeged.szvk@gmail.com. Capacity: 280 people.
- 1 Balassi Institute College of Aaron Martin (Balassi Intézet Márton Áron Szakkollégiuma), Kálvária sugárút (abbrev. sgt.) 87. (W two km), ☏ +36 62 420140, +36 62 452-141, fax: +36 62 420-140, kanyari@freemail.hu. Occupancy: Jul-Aug 40 rooms/120 beds. During the year: three double guest rooms with refrigerator, toilet, shower. Also email kanyari@mad.hu Guest rooms: individual placement/dorm Ft 2700/2500, student room (3-4 people): individual placement/dorm Ft 2200/1400.
- 2 Berdi-Bene Guesthouse, Erdei Ferenc utca 54. (S six km), ☏ +36 30 739 7188, info@berdibenevendeghaz.hu. The rooms have two or three beds, but are also rentable for one or two persons. The rooms have Internet access. All of the room has its private bathroom. Big courtyard. Double rooms for two person Ft 14000/room. Double room for three person Ft 18000/room. Children up to 2 years free of charge.
- Familia Pension (a couple of minutes walk from Dóm square (the Votive Church) and a few blocks from the main railway station and the 500-year-old Mátyás Church.).
- 3 Madzsar Jozsef College (Madzsar József Kollégium), Bal fasor 39-45 (Bus 71, 72, 84), ☏ +36 62 545-849, fax: +36 62 546403, kollegiumiszallas@gmail.com. Year-round guest apartment, a guest room and a few dorm rooms for 4-10 persons; Jul 1-Aug 31 for 139 persons, double dorm rooms with sink and built-in wardrobe; triple-suite dorm room; guest rooms: one bed, kitchenette. On every floor there is a lounge with TV, toilets, showers, kitchen. Guest apartments: apartment with one double and one single room with private entrance, bath, bathroom, kitchen. 24-hour reception service; closed storage for bicycles and motorcycles; courtyard parking, free Wi-Fi internet, laundry facilities; kitchen on each floor, electric cooker, microwave oven, refrigerator; fitness room, computer room; soft drinks and coffee machines. Guest house (apartment) 1 double room with private entrance Ft 4800, 1 single room with private entrance Ft 4600, guest room Ft 3800. Dorms 7 x 3 bed, en-suite room Ft 3000, 57 x 2 bed Ft 2900. Extra bed in room Ft 2000.
- 4 Mora Ferenc College (Móra Ferenc Kollégium), Közép fasor 31-33. (E one km), ☏ +36 62 544101, fax: +36 62 544-099, info@mora.u-szeged.hu. Open only Jul 1-Aug 31. The rooms have three beds, but also rentable for one or two persons. The rooms have Internet access, refrigerator and sink compartment, the showers and toilets are in the hallway. There are a limited number room and apartments with private bath or shower.In the neighbourhood there are two restaurants: the Egyetemi Étterem and the Blues Kert. Traditional dorm rooms per 1-2-3-4. Adults/students Ft 2800/2100/person. Children up to 6 years free of charge. Single and double rooms with bath Ft 4000/8000.
Mid-range
[edit]- Hotel Bella, Pacsirta u. 31 (in downtown), ☏ +36 62 542325, fax: +36 62 542326, hotelbella@vnet.hu. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Number of rooms/beds: 25/48. Five single rooms, 19 double rooms, two double with extra bed, 1 apartment (with two rooms) 25900 Single/double Ft 10900/15,900, Double with extra/1 apartment (2 rooms) Ft 18,900/25900.
- Matrix Hotel Szeged, Zárda u. 8., ☏ +36 62 556000, fax: +36 62 556010, reservation@matrixhotel.eu. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Elegant and friendly rooms. 11 double bedrooms, 3 of which can be supplied with extra beds. Single/double Ft 12 300/15 000, extra bed in room Ft 4500, breakfast Ft 1800, air-con Ft 1 500/day. Three-course lunch or dinner Ft 3000. Pet Ft 3,000. Parking in closed yard free. Main season prices tax all included..
Splurge
[edit]
The bigger hotels are usually closer to downtown. Szeged is not that big in size and you can probably walk or use public transportation to most places.
- 5 Hotel Tisza (Tisza Szálloda), Széchenyi tér 3 (Right downtown.), ☏ +36 62 478278, fax: +36 62 478278, info@tiszahotel.hu. An older, but renovated hotel in an excellent. 45 rooms and 5 suites, some air-conditioned, with colonial style furniture, in-room high-speed internet access, mini-fridge, bathroom amenities, cable TV channels and Cardo mattress. +phone=+36 30 201-5586. Room prices include buffet breakfast, WiFi Internet access in the room. Half or full pension can be provided in the neighbouring restaurant, Port Royal Restaurant, according to previous accordances. May-Sep: apartment for 1/2/3/4 people Ft 27 000/31 500/34 500/38 400. Superior room for 1/2/3/4 people Ft 18 300/21 500/17 300/19 700. Standard room for 1/2/3/4 people Ft 13 000/16 400/20 100/22 500. Air-conditioning Ft 1500. Parking in the hotel's garage Ft 2000/car/night. During Festival Season in parts of Jul and Aug, there is a 10% surcharge.
- Hotel Dóm (Dóm Hotel Szeged), Bajza u. 6, ☏ +36 62 423750, fax: +36 62 423750, foglalas@domhotelszeged.info. A newer hotel. 16 rooms. Air-conditioned rooms, a nice restaurant, sauna, jacuzzi and a parking lot. Dóm Restaurant has a wide selection of traditional Hungarian and international dishes. The restaurant is suitable for 55 people. There is a small meeting room which is suitable for 20 people. +phone=+36 30 8348883. Room prices include buffet breakfast, use of the hotel spa facilities (jacuzzi, sauna, infrared sauna, massage bed), Wi-Fi, Air conditioning use. Twin room Ft 26 500, suite Ft 38 000 include all tax.
- City Hotel Szeged, Arany János utca 5., ☏ +36 20 5813148. Elegant rooms and intimate restaurant Rézangyal Bistro. The 12 rooms provide a beautiful panorama, and are equipped with televisions, safe and wifi connection. Twin room for one/two people Ft 11 000/13 500, standard room for one/two people Ft 12 500/15 000, deluxe for one/two people Ft 15 500/18 500, Apartment for one/two/three/four people Ft 16 500/22 500/25 500/29 500. Penthouse apartment for one/two/three/four people 25 900/32 000/36 000/40 000-.
- 6 Novotel Hotel (within walking distance from downtown.). Four star.
- 7 Hunguest Hotel Forrás, Szent-Györgyi A. u. 16-24, ☏ +36-62-566-466. In Újszeged, on the Tisza River's opposite side from downtown. The hotel has an indoor thermal bath, which is open around the whole year.
- Hotel Mozart, Oskola u. 16., ☏ +36 62 800040. Check-in: 14:00 to 22:00, check-out: 07:00 to 10:00. Four-star hotel, air-conditioned rooms with LCD TV, minibar, safe, kettle, bathroom scales, -Wi-Fi and Internet access, breakfast. Double room for 1 person/2 persons Ft 18 000/21 000 (2014).
- Hotel Soleil (Soleil Szálló), Kelemen u. 7. (in the center of the city), ☏ +36 62 556575, +36 62 55-65-76, info@hotelsoleil.hu. Thirteen rooms. Mid-Jun-Aug: standard room for 1 person/2 persons/3 persons/4 persons Ft 20 600/25 600/36 300/44 600; deluxe suite two/four persons Ft 68 000/85 800, Apartment 2 × 2 person occupancy 52600, Apartment 4 × 2 person occupancy Ft 96600. Extra bed 6 years/7-14 years/15 years of age Ft 0/6000/10000.
Stay safe
[edit]Szeged is a pretty safe city. You can enjoy walks around the whole town even at late night hours. Most places and streets are well lit, so you won't have to worry about getting lost.
Connect
[edit]
Szeged postal code is: H-6700 to H-6791. Area Phone code: 62
Internet, hotspots
[edit]Szeged has many free WiFi (hotspot) locations. The largest square downtown - the Széchenyi tér - has free on-street wifi.
- 3 Main Post Office (Nagyposta), Széchenyi tér 1 (Downtown, Vár street corner), ☏ +36 62 623400, fax: +36 62 624192. Open: M 08:00-20:00, Tu-F 08:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-12:00.
Cope
[edit]Consulates
[edit]Romania, Kelemen László utca 5, ☏ +36 62 424 431, fax: +36 62 424429, szeged@mae.ro. M-F 9:00-15:00.
Go next
[edit]- Baja - This is a local commercial centre and the provider of public services such as education and healthcare. A small cosmopolitan town (pop. 37 000) with some minorites such Germans; Croats; Serbs; Slovaks and Romanis. Also there are some museums and art galleries. The city churches representing the variety of religion.
- Kecskemét - A city approximately halfway on the road and railway to Budapest. It boasts a pretty historical center that is largely pedestrianized.
- Pécs - Part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Subotica in Serbia - Just on the other side of the border. The time you need to get there varies according to the waiting time at the border but usually it takes approximately 2-3 hours. It is a nice first stop if you want to explore some other cities in Serbia as well.
| Routes through Szeged |
| Budapest ← Kecskemét ← | N   S |
→ Röszke  |
Bátaszék, close to  ← Baja ← |
W  E |
→ End |
| End ← | W  E |
→ Makó → Nagylak  Romania  |
| End ← |
W   E |
→ Makó → Csanádpalota Arad (Romania)  |
Szolnok ←  ← |
N  S |
→ Border crossing Tiszasziget - Đala → Belgrade |