Where to stay in Szeged: Belvaros or Tisza

Szeged is Hungary's city of sunshine, the sunniest in the country, and it shows: grand elegant avenues, wide squares and eclectic, Art Nouveau palaces, proudly rebuilt after the great flood of 1879 that razed almost everything. It is a lively university city on the river Tisza, famous for paprika, fish soup and Pick salami, with thermal baths, theatres and a celebrated open-air summer festival. Off the foreign-tourist track and very cheap, it is entirely walkable: staying overnight lets you live it in the evening, among cafes and walks by the river.

The centre is compact and orderly, but the districts have different characters. Here is how they really feel, with indicative prices and the places worth having nearby.

Where to stay in Szeged, area by area

The Belvaros, the centre

The heart is the Belvaros, the inner city, around the grand Szechenyi ter, the town-hall square, and the pedestrian Karasz utca, full of cafes and shops. Here you find Art Nouveau palaces like the Reok Palace and the national theatre. Sleeping here means everything is on foot and the best atmosphere. It is the right call for a first-timer, with prices that stay low.

• Szechenyi ter and the town hall
• The pedestrian Karasz utca and Klauzal ter
• The Reok Palace, an Art Nouveau gem
• Historic cafes and the national theatre

To stay right in the centre, look for a stay in the Belvaros.

Dom ter and the Tisza

Towards the river, Dom ter is the grand square of the Votive Church, the red-brick cathedral, the stage in summer for the open-air festival. Not far away are the New Synagogue, among the finest in Europe, and the banks of the Tisza with promenades and baths. It is the area for anyone who loves culture, the river and a little quiet steps from the centre.

• The Votive Church and Dom ter
• The Moorish-style New Synagogue
• The walks along the Tisza
• The Anna Baths for a thermal soak

For culture and river near the centre, see stays towards Dom ter.

The university quarter

Around Dugonics ter, with its musical fountain, beats student Szeged: bars, venues and low prices, with the university a step away. It is the choice for anyone after evening life, a young atmosphere and cheap stays, right in the centre.

• Dugonics ter and the musical fountain
• The student bars and venues
• The university and the library
• Low prices and evening life

For a young vibe and low prices, look for stays near the university.

The edges and the station

Just outside the ring of boulevards, towards the station and the residential districts, there are cheaper hotels and apartments, with easier parking and still a few minutes by tram from the centre. It is the practical choice for anyone arriving by train or car who wants to spend even less.

• Hotels and apartments with parking
• Prices even lower than the centre
• Direct trams to the Belvaros
• Handy for arriving by train

For rock-bottom prices and convenience, look for hotels near the station.

What it costs

Indicative figures: Hungary uses the forint (HUF, about 390 per euro) and Szeged, off the Budapest circuit, is genuinely cheap.

• A double room in a mid-range 3-4 star: roughly 35-60 euros a night.
• A dinner for two of Hungarian cooking with a glass of wine: about 35 euros; the signature dish is halaszle, the spicy fish soup.
• Coffee: around 1.50 euros; a beer 2 euros.
• A tram ticket: about 1.30 euros; the centre is walkable anyway.
• Tourist tax: a small local tax (IFA), usually around a euro or so per person per night. You pay it at the hotel.

To get a real sense before you choose, compare current prices in Szeged.

Getting there and around

Szeged has no scheduled airport: the reference hub is Budapest (BUD), about 165 km away, linked by train in about two and a half hours. An alternative is Belgrade, across the Serbian border. From Budapest the trains to Szeged are frequent and direct; by car you arrive easily by motorway.

In town you do not need a car: the centre is compact and done on foot, and trams and buses cover the rest for a few forints. Szeged is also very flat and bike-friendly, handy for getting around along the Tisza.

When to go

• January-March: cold and quiet, prices at their lowest, a Christmas market in December and a calm city.
• April-June: a lovely, sunny spring, mild weather and few crowds, an excellent window.
• July-August: hot on the plain, but the evenings come alive with the open-air festival on Dom ter, one of Hungary's most important.
• September-October: pleasant weather, harvest and wine festivals, autumn colours.
• November-December: cool and cosy, great prices and the Advent mood.

Good to know

Where should I stay on a first visit? In the Belvaros, the centre around Szechenyi ter and Karasz utca: everything is on foot and the atmosphere is best.

Do I need a car in Szeged? No, the centre is pedestrian or served by trams and everything is close. A car only helps for exploring the surroundings.

Is it really cheap? Yes, outside Budapest Hungary is very affordable for eating, sleeping and going out.

How much is the tourist tax? Little: the local tax (IFA) is usually around a euro per person per night.

How many days do I need? Two nights: one for the centre, Dom ter and the Tisza, the other for the baths, the synagogue and an evening among the students.

Before you book, compare live prices in Szeged on Edenfinder and pick the area that fits your trip.