1. Votive Church of Szeged — Hungary’s Most Beautiful Cathedral

The Votive Church of Szeged (Fogadalmi Templom) is a breathtaking masterpiece of Art Nouveau and Neo-Romanesque architecture and the fourth-largest church in Hungary. Built between 1913 and 1930 as a fulfilment of the city’s vow after the devastating 1879 flood, it dominates Szeged’s skyline with its twin 93-metre towers — the second-tallest church towers in Hungary. The interior is stunning: enormous Zsolnay pyrogranite tiles cover the roof, the organ is one of the largest in Europe (with over 9,000 pipes), and the main altar is a magnificent marble and mosaic work depicting the Szeged flood and the city’s deliverance. The Szeged Open-Air Festival (one of Europe’s oldest theatre festivals) is held on the cathedral’s grand staircase and square every summer.

Location: Dóm tér, Szeged city centre.

Entry: €3–4 for the church. Tower climb: €4.

Highlights:

• Spectacular Zsolnay pyrogranite roof tiles — the largest Zsolnay-clad roof in Hungary
• 9,000-pipe organ — regular concerts showcase its incredible acoustics
• Twin 93-metre towers dominating the Great Plain landscape
• Dóm tér — Hungary’s largest square, surrounded by arcaded university buildings
• Szeged Open-Air Festival (June-August) — performances on the cathedral steps

2. Szeged Paprika — The Spice That Defined a Nation

Szeged is the world capital of paprika — the sweet, vibrant red spice that is the soul of Hungarian cuisine. The unique microclimate of the Szeged region (hot, dry summers and mineral-rich soil) produces paprika peppers with exceptional colour, flavour, and aroma. The Szeged Paprika Museum (Paprika Múzeum) tells the fascinating story of how this New World spice arrived in Hungary via the Ottoman Turks and became the defining ingredient of Hungarian cooking. The museum is housed in a historic paprika mill with antique grinding machinery. The annual Paprika Festival in September celebrates the harvest with pepper-stringing competitions, tastings, and traditional music. You can buy authentic Szeged paprika directly from local producers — far superior to the generic jars found in supermarkets.

Location: Paprika Museum at Szent István tér (near the Votive Church).

Museum entry: €3.

Highlights:

• History of paprika — from Ottoman trade to global kitchen staple
• Antique grinding mills and traditional processing equipment
• Blind taste test between sweet, semi-sweet, and hot paprika varieties
• Fresh paprika strung into garlands — a beautiful Hungarian tradition
• Paprika shop with authentic Szegedi Fűszerpaprika certificates of origin

3. Tisza River & Anna Thermal Bath

The Tisza River flows through the heart of Szeged, with wide, tree-lined promenades on both banks that are perfect for cycling, walking, and relaxing at riverside cafés. The Napfény (Sunshine) Beach on the Tisza’s Maros branch offers natural swimming in the river during summer. Better yet, Szeged’s Anna Thermal Bath is one of Hungary’s finest spa complexes, with 13 pools including outdoor thermal pools, a wave pool, a children’s section, and a medical wellness wing. The thermal water (78°C / 172°F at the source) is rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate, particularly effective for treating joint problems and post-surgery rehabilitation. The outdoor pools are beautiful in summer and magical in winter with steam rising into the cold air.

Anna Bath location: Tisza Lajos körút 24, 15-minute walk from Dóm tér.

Entry: €8–14 for a full day pass.

Highlights:

• 13 indoor and outdoor pools including a wave pool and thermal pools
• Tisza riverfront promenades for sunset walks and cycling
• Napfény Beach — natural swimming on the Tisza in summer
• Medical spa treatments using Szeged’s deep thermal water
• Széchenyi Square — the beautiful Art Nouveau square on the riverbank

4. Szeged’s Art Nouveau Architecture

After the 1879 flood wiped out the original city, Szeged was rebuilt in spectacular Art Nouveau style with the help of international donations — earning it the nickname “the Paris of the Great Plain.” The city’s reconstruction was coordinated by architect Ödön Lechner, the father of Hungarian Art Nouveau, and his influence is visible everywhere. The Reök Palace (Reök-palota) is a masterpiece of colourful Hungarian Art Nouveau, now housing contemporary art exhibitions. The Széchenyi Square ensemble with its fountain, the Town Hall with its Zsolnay-tiled roof, and the pedestrianised Kárász Street lined with elegant early 20th-century buildings make Szeged a joy to explore on foot. Most buildings feature green, gold, and blue Zsolnay ceramic tiles on their roofs — a Szeged signature.

Best walking route: Start at Dóm tér → walk through Kárász Street → Széchenyi Square → Reök Palace → Tisza River promenade.

Entry: Free (exterior viewing). Reök Palace: €3–5.

5. Szeged Open-Air Festival — Theatre Under the Stars

The Szeged Open-Air Festival (Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok) is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious outdoor theatre festivals, running annually since 1931. Every summer (late June to August), the grand staircase and square of the Votive Church transform into a spectacular open-air stage hosting operas, musicals, ballets, and concerts. Past productions have included Aida, Carmen, The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables, with orchestras, choirs, and casts of hundreds performing against the stunning backdrop of the illuminated cathedral. The acoustics of the square are exceptional, and a night under the stars at the Szeged Festival is one of Hungary’s most magical cultural experiences.

Location: Dóm tér (Votive Church square).

Tickets: €12–50 depending on performance and seating.

Season: Late June to mid-August.

6. Szeged Food — Fisherman’s Soup & Beyond

Szeged is the birthplace of one of Hungary’s most famous dishes — Szegedi halászlé (fisherman’s soup), a rich, spicy soup made with river fish (carp, catfish, pike) and generous amounts of Szeged paprika. It’s traditionally cooked over an open fire in a cauldron and served in deep bowls. Unlike other Hungarian soups, halászlé contains no flour or sour cream — the thickness comes from the paprika and the fish itself. The city is also known for Szegedi goulash (with sauerkraut instead of potatoes) and pickled fish specialities. The Szeged Market Hall (Mars tér) is a vibrant indoor market where you can buy fresh produce, local paprika garlands, and prepared foods.

Best food spots:

• Szeged Market Hall — fresh produce, paprika strings, and cooked food stalls
• Hági Restaurant — the most famous halászlé in Szeged, served in a courtyard
• Kárász corner — several good restaurants on the pedestrianised main street
• Virág Confectionery — historic 1930s patisserie with legendary cakes
• Pick Sausage Factory shop — home of the famous Pick téliszalámi (winter salami)