Overview
Miskolc combines Diósgyőr Castle with the cave-bathing heritage of Miskolctapolca. The castle's Knight's Hall adds a medieval focus to a visit.
Day Trips · History · Food
Did you know?
- Avas hill opens its wine cellars for the Borangolás event.
- The Knight's Hall forms part of Diósgyőr Castle.
- A narrow-gauge railway leads toward Lillafüred in the Bükk mountains.
Why go?
Miskolc is Hungary's third-largest city (population ~157,000), serving as the regional centre of Northern Hungary. The city offers a unique combination of post-industrial heritage, historic churches spanning Gothic to Baroque styles, and the extraordinary Miskolctapolca Cave Bath where visitors swim through a 150-metre cave system with thermal water at 20-36°C. The surrounding Bükk Mountains provide hiking opportunities, while the nearby Diósgyőr Castle offers medieval exploration. For backpackers seeking an authentic Hungarian city experience away from Budapest crowds, Miskolc delivers museums, churches, and spa culture at significantly lower costs than the capital.
Getting in
Miskolc Tiszai Station (Tiszai pályaudvar) at Kandó Kálmán tér 1-3 is the main railway station, built in 1901 and modernized in 2003. The International Cashdesk operates daily 03:00-23:00. Train Ticket Office is at Arany János u 2 (M-F 07:10-18:40, Sa 07:10-14:40). Borsod Volán Bus Station at Búza tér (east of centre) has waiting room daily 04:00-24:00. From Budapest, trains take approximately 2.5-3 hours to reach Miskolc.
Get around
Miskolc has two tram lines and extensive bus routes converging at Tiszai Station. Both tram lines and many bus lines terminate at Tiszai Station. Urban bus routes serve the Avas area including routes #29, 32, 35, 35E. For Diósgyőr Castle, take tram #1 or bus #1 to stop 'Diósgyőr VK'. The Miskolc Pass Tourist Card provides discounts on attractions and is available from the Tourist Information Centre.
Where to stay
Budget accommodation in Miskolc centres around pensions near downtown and the Miskolctapolca spa district. Hotel Lido at Kiss József Street 4 offers singles from Ft 3,000 and doubles from Ft 4,200. Hotel Kolibri downtown has doubles at Ft 14,400 with superior rooms up to Ft 16,600. Hotel Bástya in Miskolctapolca provides three-star standard rooms at Ft 13,000/24,000 for single/double. For cave bath proximity, Hotel Anna on Miskolctapolcai út offers doubles from Ft 9,000.
Food and drink
Downtown eating options include Chinese restaurant Julia at Búza tér (menus from Ft 490), Tusculanum restaurant at Zilahi u. 7 (try 'Grandmother's Meat Soup'), and multiple pizza establishments. Street food at Búza tér includes Lángosgyár serving lángos. For Hungarian cuisine, Régiposta Kisvendéglő at Kazinczy Ferenc u. 14 offers traditional dishes. Wine enthusiasts should visit Avas hill where over 900 wine cellars exist; Aranykorona Hotel offers wine tasting on Fridays for Ft 2,500. Kortyolda brewery at Széchenyi u. 26 creates unique beer using Tokaji wine and local malt.
Things to do
The Miskolctapolca Cave Bath (Barlangfürdő) at Pazár István sétány 1 is the top attraction—all-day tickets cost Ft 3,800 for adults with thermal pools at 29-36°C. Diósgyőr Castle (Diósgyőri vár) features guided tours at Ft 1,500 for adults including the Knight's Hall (380 sq meters) and Central Europe's largest Wax Museum. The Herman Ottó Museum at Papszer utca 1 charges Ft 1,400 for adults. For panoramic city views, the 72-metre Avas Lookout Tower provides 360-degree vistas. The National Theatre offers tickets from Ft 1,100-2,000.
When to go
The Avasi Borangolás (open day of wine cellars) occurs on the Saturday nearest May 11, when 30-40 of the 900+ Avas hill wine cellars open to visitors from 12:00-20:00, free admission. Summer suits cave bathing with comfortable cave temperatures year-round. Spring and autumn offer pleasant hiking in the Bükk mountains. Winter is cold but indoor attractions like theatres, museums, and the cave bath provide alternatives. Miskolc Pass Tourist Card provides free or discounted entry to many attractions.
Safety
Miskolc is generally safe for travellers with standard urban precautions. The downtown area around Széchenyi Street and Városház tér is well-frequented. As with any city, remain cautious in less touristy neighbourhoods after dark. ATM access is widely available including at the Telecommunications Museum location (Erste Bank 24-hour ATM).
Connectivity
Post Office is at Kazinczy Ferenc utca 16 (the same building houses the Telecommunications Museum). WiFi availability varies by establishment; major hotels and some restaurants offer free WiFi. For mobile connectivity, Hungarian carriers offer prepaid SIM cards at convenience stores and newsstands.
Go next
Lillafüred (15 km west) is reachable by narrow-gauge railway—a picturesque village in Bükk mountains beside Hámori lake with caves to explore. Eger (60 km west) is famous for Baroque architecture, castle, and 'Bull's Blood' (Bikavér) wine. Tokaj, a UNESCO-listed wine town producing high-quality white wines, is about 50 km northeast. Hollókő (UNESCO World Heritage) preserves a traditional village 45 km north. Sárospatak features Rakoczi Castle. Mezőkövesd offers spa with hot mineral water. For skiing, the Bükk region has ski facilities at Bánkút.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
1001 Éjszaka Gyros
Eat
Avalon Ristorante
Eat
Calypso Tavern
Eat
Dolce Vita Restaurant and Pizzeria
Eat
Falánk Fanny Pastry Shop
Eat
Fapados Étterem
Eat
Julia Chinese restaurant
Price when recorded: Menus from Ft 490 (Sep 2009)
Eat
Kemencés Étterem
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget travellers can find rooms from Ft 3,000 (Hotel Lido single) to Ft 9,000-14,400 for doubles at downtown pensions. Miskolctapolca district offers spa-adjacent accommodation options.
Connectivity
Post office at Kazinczy Ferenc utca 16. WiFi available at hotels and some cafes. Hungarian SIM cards available at convenience stores.
Food
Downtown meals start from Ft 490 at Chinese restaurants. Hungarian cuisine at traditional establishments. Lángos (fried dough) available at Búza tér market area.
Money
Hungarian Forint (Ft) is the local currency. ATMs widely available including 24-hour options. Credit cards accepted at train station and larger hotels.
Transport
Miskolc Tiszai Station serves as the main railway hub with international cashdesk daily 03:00-23:00. Bus Station at Búza tér operates waiting room 04:00-24:00. Two tram lines and extensive buses converge at Tiszai Station.
