Originally created as part of a water management project, the lake quickly became a beloved holiday spot for locals, drawn by its affordable charm and uncrowded beauty.

In recent years, it has blossomed into a fully-fledged eco-tourism hub, featuring bike trails, boat tours, birdwatching havens, and even floating houses.

What makes Lake Tisza special is its pristine ecosystem. This is one of Hungary’s richest wildlife areas, home to hundreds of bird species, rare plants, and lush wetlands.

The Lake Tisza Ecocentre in Poroszló is a great starting point for families and curious minds - it features Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium system and plenty of interactive exhibits.

Whether you’re kayaking through reed-lined channels, cycling the 70-km loop around the lake, or just soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, Lake Tisza invites you to slow down and connect with Hungary’s wild side.

Top Tip: Avoid the summer crowds by visiting in spring or early autumn—still warm, but quieter. It’s also an ideal destination for day trips or long weekends, and it's easily accessible by car or train from Budapest.

Lake Tisza is a 127 square kilometre artificial reservoir created from the river. Its northern and mid sections are ideal for ecotourism and fishing, while the southern part is well suited for active water tourism. Of the 380 bird species in Hungary over 200 have been observed here.

By the Tiszavalk Bay is the internationally recognised bird reserve while at the Poroszló Basin a water promenade has been created. Motorised water vehicles are permitted in the southern part of Lake Tisza. This is also the favourite destination for those who love swimming.

There are ever increasing traces of otters and, to the great joy of biologists and animal lovers alike, it appears that the once extinct beaver has also returned.

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A portion of the area is also a natural reserve where flora and fauna surprise visitors with the variety of their undisturbed splendour. The islands and bays around the lake provide a home to groups of rare birds and the waters are richly stocked with fish and, with the exception of trout, almost all freshwater fish are present.

The entire lakeshore is protected by embankments against flooding, and the top of these embankments are surfaced and thus perfect for cycling.

The forests along the floodplains inside the embankments belong to the hunters. The area is rich in wildlife of various kinds. Most frequent are wild boars, hares and pheasants, but visitors are also likely to spot roe deer and an occasional muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) in the reeds by roads. A feared predator of the area is the wild cat, though only rarely are they seen by people.

The largest fields of water chestnut (Trapa natans) and floating yellow heart (Nymphoides peltata) are found here in all of Europe. Source: hungarystartshere.com

How to get there:

By car take the M3 motorway and turn south at the Füzesabony exit.

By railway, take the Budapest-Miskolc line, then change at Kisújszállás. From there or from Heves local Volán buses are available.