Freshen up at Lake Tisza

image

 

One of Lake Tisza's main attractions is its stunning natural beauty. Its crystal clear waters and picturesque landscapes make it a paradise for nature lovers. The lake is surrounded by lush green forests, creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere that instantly captivates you.

Lake Tisza is the second-largest lake in Hungary and its largest reservoir. It tells an exciting story about how nature conquered this man-made lake. The Kisköre dam and power plant started operating in 1973. They aimed to produce energy, manage flooding on the river Tisza, and provide water for the Great Plains. Since then, the 33 km-long lake, stretching over 127 square kilometers, has been re-conquered by nature. It has an established, rich ecosystem with undisturbed wildlife, and today, it is also home to a bird reserve. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 as a showcase area of the Hortobágy National Park. This extraordinary landscape is a mosaic of open water and islands that cover 33 square kilometers in total.


Lake Tisza and its surroundings offer countless program options, such as the Lake Tisza Eco-Centre in Poroszló, which has Europe's largest freshwater aquarium system, fishing, wandering the Lake Tisza nature trails, boat tours exploring the wild and romantic landscape and bird reserve of Lake Tisza, cycling around the lake, or kayaking and canoeing.

The bird reserve and the Lake Tisza Eco-Centre are a veritable refuge for nature enthusiasts. They are both quiet and full of life. The  Eco-Centre opened in Poroszló in 2012, presenting the natural values ​​and wildlife of Lake Tisza and the Tisza Valley interactively. The 2,600 m² main building of the visitor center hosts exhibitions and events, among other things, but also has an observation deck. The aquarium system, with a total volume of 735 m³, is the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. The main building is surrounded by a seven-hectare leisure park with animal exhibits and playgrounds; its open-air museum presents a 19th-century lifestyle. Water tours and small boat trips depart from the eco-center's harbor.

Cyclists, boat enthusiasts, and horse lovers will also find activities that suit their needs, and the lake is home to one of the base stations for boating holidays in Hungary.

When visiting Lake Tisza, it’s not just about the natural beauty; it’s also about experiencing the local culture. The nearby villages and towns offer a glimpse into the traditional Hungarian way of life, allowing you to connect with the locals and learn about their customs and traditions.

The best time to visit Lake Tisza is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. This is when you can fully enjoy the water activities and explore the lake's natural beauty.

Lake Tisza is located about 150 km North-East from Budapest and takes around 2.5 hours to reach by car, bus or train.