Szarvas: Nature, culture and thermal baths

Szarvas brings together wildlife, historic sites, museums and a thermal bath with a summer cultural programme. Which of these aspects interests you most may influence your choice of destination and stay. If you’re looking for a hotel in Szarvas, you’ll find a range of ideas here for things to do during your visit—from walking trails to exhibitions.

Wildlife and trails in Szarvas

At Szarvas Zoo, visitors can learn about the past and present wildlife of the Carpathian Basin. Körösvölgyi Állatpark also focuses on the wildlife of the Carpathian Basin: there, you can get to know species up close that were or are native to the area, or are currently spreading.

Two trails give a clear idea of different walking distances. The 2,100-metre trail at Szarvas Zoo runs around Anna Gardens and passes birdhouses and enclosures. The 1.1-kilometre Történelmi Emlékút begins behind the Ótemplom, near Szent-István Park, leads to the Körtöltés embankment of Holt-Körös and ends at a windmill described as the centre of historic Hungary.

Bicycles and canoes are available to rent for exploring Szarvas’s natural and historic attractions, as well as the Körös floodplain. Check whether rentals are available before your visit.

Thermal baths and a summer cultural programme

Szarvasi Gyógyfürdő has indoor sports, teaching and whirlpool pools, medicinal-water pools, saunas and a solarium. The pools include two Turkish-style medicinal-water therapy pools, a 25-metre swimming pool and bathing pools with a depth of 90 centimetres. You can also plan your visit around the specific pools on offer.

In summer, Szarvasi Vízi Színház, on the banks of Holt-Körös, hosts cultural programmes every evening. On weekends, you can see musical and dance productions by Cervinus Teátrum, Jókai Színház and Magyar Teátrumi Társaság. The performances vary, so if you’d like to plan your visit around them, check the programme for your travel dates.

Museums and cultural heritage

At Mini Magyarország Makettpark in Szarvas, you can see detailed, interactive models. The park is located in one of the country’s largest arboretums. It combines miniature worlds with a setting that may also appeal to visitors who want to explore nature and culture together during their stay.

The Tessedik-Sámuel-Museum offers insights into the life and work of Tessedik Sámuel. Its themes also include Neolithic fertility figurines dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years. The programme includes temporary exhibitions, concerts, family afternoons and book presentations; individual events vary.

The permanent art and ethnographic collection at Ruzicskay Alkotóház, associated with György Ruzicskay, is on display in Erzsébet-liget. Visiting hours may change, so it’s worth checking the current times before your visit. At Szarvasi Szlovák Tájház, the distinctive layout and period furnishings show the everyday life of a wealthy Slovak farming family. The house dates from the 19th century.

Technical and family history also shape the townscape. Szarvasi Szárazmalom was built in 1836 by the Bolza family, together with carpenters from Slavonia, using the Indian system. It has been preserved at its original location and is still operational. Bolza-kastély is part of the Bolza family’s heritage in Szarvas; it can only be viewed from the outside.

An experience on the outskirts of Szarvas

On the outskirts of Szarvas is the Sárarany Szalmaporta craft house. There, you can see straw-weaving creations. Oven-baked dough dishes are also available to sample as part of a rural guest-table experience. Advance booking is required.

Discover more destinations: Békésszentandrás, Kondoros, Gyomaendrőd.

Go to the main travel overview: Szarvasi.