Sections of the lake are now part of Hortobágy National Park, Hungary’s first and largest national park and an UNESCO World Heritage Site prized for biodiversity and pastoral history. Begin your trip with a visit to Tisza-tó Ecocentre to learn more about this unique ecosystem. Home to Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium and a park dedicated to local wildlife, the centre’s ethos combines education and conservation. Climb its tower for a bird’s eye view taking in the sheer size of the lake.
Blossoming waterlilies and shifting light patterns on the water’s surface will catch your eye and forest and marsh habitats teeming with life on the water’s edge demand attention, but don’t forget to hunt the skies for the menagerie of rare birds which call the lake home. Kingfishers, purple herons, osprey, swallows and black storks are just a few.
The sunsets over Tisza Lake are stunning and we recommend joining the locals and winding down the day on a lakeside terrace sipping cold beer and watching the sun sink through an apricot sky.
Make a night of your trip and experience the pristine dark sky which has guided shepherds for centuries. Hortobágy is Hungary’s largest designated dark-sky area and its flawless skies and huge horizons provide the optimal canvas for star-gazing. You can go on guided star-walks in the national park through the summer months or enjoy the view relaxing on the water-front.