Hortobágy National Park
Hortobágy is one of the largest protected steppes in Europe. Here Hungarian Grey Cattle, stud horses, the spiral horned Racka sheep and buffalo herds graze on the open pastures. The area of the Hortobágy National Park became a World Heritage site in 1999.
The Nine-Arch-Bridge near the village of Hortobágy is the longest road stone bridge in the country. The almost 300 years old typical `Puszta` restaurant Hortobágy Csárda offers original country dishes. The nearby Shepherd Museum shows the life of shepherds, who lived out in the open, in winter and summer. The incomparable flora and fauna, the folk art and the tools used in the crafts that are characteristic of the Hungarian Puszta, are exhibited in the Hortobágy Körszín. Visitors can see grey cattle, buffaloes, goats and mangalica pigs in the Puszta Animal Park, in open-air folds and pens. The many faces of the Puszta are shown in the paintings of the Hortobágy Gallery.
Máta is the home of the famous Hortobágy Stud: the Nonius strain has been bred here for 300 years. From the fishpond keeper's-house visitors can observe the extraordinarily rich water world, while the lookout tower at the Szálkahalom keeper's-house offers a view of the bird life of forests and salt lakes. If you are looking for adventure, make an excursion in a horse-drawn wagon on the endless flat-land.
Balaton Upland National Park
The area to the north of Lake Balaton is memorable for its spectacular volcanic mountains and breathtaking views of the water below. The Balaton Uplands National Park, established in 1997 and extending from the Tihany peninsula to Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) to the West, is also a Mecca not only for Hungarian nature lovers, but also for international visitors. Attractions of particular interest include the volcanic geysers near Tihany and the rich birdlife of Kis-Balaton.
