Gyoengyoes Harvest Days and White Wine Festival
Three-day harvest festival in September with a harvest parade, folklore, craft market and concerts.
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Gyöngyös
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ℹ️Practical info — Gyöngyös
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take a ride on the Mátra narrow-gauge railway; it's a great way to access the mountains directly from the town.
- The Orczy Castle houses the Mátra Museum with an impressive mammoth skeleton, plan at least an hour for a visit.
- Farkasmály wine row is just outside the center, excellent for tasting local wines in historic cellars.
- For mountain excursions to Kékestető, check the local bus schedules as parking at the peak can be limited.
- Enjoy the view from the St. Bartholomew's Church tower, but note it might be closed during services.
🍽 Food
🍽
Mátrai borzaska
Try this traditional heavy dish in local Hungarian restaurants around the main square.
🍽
Mátra wines (Olaszrizling, Muscat)
Taste excellent local whites at the Farkasmály wine cellars or central wine bars.
🍽
Wild game stew
Found at inns along the scenic roads leading up into the Mátra mountains.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Local Mátra wines
Buy bottles directly from the cellars or specialty shops in the town center to take home.
🛍
Local farmers' market
Visit the market area for fresh regional produce, artisanal cheese, and local honey.
🧘
Orczy Park
A peaceful green space surrounding the castle, good for a relaxing walk.
🧘
Sástó
A short drive away, offering a serene lake environment and a great lookout tower.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
3
100th anniversary of the Gyöngyös water tower
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the water tower's construction, a special exhibition opened at the Mátra Museum. The display documents the history of the structure and its significant role in the city's water supply.
Matra Wine Days
Late-spring wine festival in Gyoengyoes showcasing the wines of the Matra wine region with tastings and family programs.
Gyöngyös is situated at the pretty southern foot of the Mátra Mountains and is widely regarded as the gateway to the range due to its strategic location. The town's history stretches back to ancient times, and it was officially granted royal town status in 1334 by King Charles Robert, fueling its growth as a trade hub. A defining moment in its modern history was the devastating fire of 1917, which led to an extensive reconstruction of the city center in neoclassical and eclectic styles. The Gothic Church of St. Bartholomew stands as a major architectural landmark, housing one of Hungary's most valuable ecclesiastical treasuries with rare medieval goldsmith works. Gyöngyös is also the historical center of the Mátra wine region, world-renowned for its white wines cultivated on rich volcanic slopes. The Orczy Palace houses the Mátra Museum, which features extensive natural history exhibits, including a rare and complete mammoth skeleton. Today, the town is a lively cultural and educational center, serving as a primary base for hikers exploring the nearby Kékes peak.
- Location: Heves, Hungary
- Top sights: Great Synagogue of Gyöngyös · Haller House · Statue of Vak Bottyán
- Nearby: Mátrafüred (6 km)
- Population: ~31.018
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -3 | -1 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 4 | -1 |
| Rain mm | 41 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 75 | 80 | 83 | 67 | 58 | 56 | 49 | 47 |
Live webcam – Gyöngyös
See what it looks like near Gyöngyös right now.
Gyongyos: Bethlen Gabor lakotelep: Gyöngyös -> Budapest · 0.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Granted official town status in 1334 by King Charles Robert.
- The Mátra Museum features Hungary's only complete mammoth skeleton.
- A massive fire in May 1917 destroyed 547 buildings in the center.
- Center of the Mátra wine region, Hungary's second-largest wine area.
- St. Bartholomew's Church houses the nation's second richest treasury.
- Terminal for the scenic Mátra narrow-gauge railway to Mátrafüred.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:292.6 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 15–21 €Entries 18€ · Transport 0€
Your walk begins in the lively Main Square, the heart of Gyöngyös. In the morning, you'll explore the monumental St. Bartholomew's Church and the nearby Franciscan Church. After a deep dive into natural and local history at the Mátra Museum at noon, you'll dedicate the afternoon to the region's wines at the Wine Museum. The day concludes with a peaceful visit to the small St. Anne Chapel.
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🚶 6'0.13 km
📍
10:03 · 47'
St. Bartholomew's Church
Admire the Gothic architecture and the impressive treasury.
🚶 9'0.32 km
🚶 21'0.9 km
📍
12:07 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Don't miss the famous mammoth skeleton and the natural history pavilion.
🚶 12'0.47 km
📍
13:06 · 47'
Wine Museum of Gyöngyös
Good for a lunch break with a tasting of local Mátra wines.
🚶 19'0.81 km
09:00→15:292.6 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 15–21 €Entries 18€ · Transport 0€
The morning at Main Square requires an umbrella, but the arcades offer some cover. Visiting the magnificent churches is the ideal bad-weather program for the morning. We spend the afternoon dry inside the Mátra Museum's exhibitions at Orczy Castle. To finish, we enjoy the atmosphere of the Wine Museum with a glass of Mátra wine while the rain patters against the windows.
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🚶 6'0.13 km
🚶 9'0.32 km
🚶 21'0.9 km
📍
12:07 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
The mammoth skeleton is a highlight worth taking your time for.
🚶 12'0.47 km
🚶 19'0.81 km
09:00→15:292.6 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 15–21 €Entries 18€ · Transport 0€
Gyöngyös in winter has a crisp, frosty charm. The Main Square exudes tranquility in the cold air before we warm up inside the heated churches. The Mátra Museum offers a welcome escape from the cold into the region's rich history. In the afternoon, a wine tasting at the Wine Museum warms us from the inside. As the sun sets early behind the Mátra peaks, the city lights shine with a festive glow.
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🚶 6'0.13 km
📍
10:03 · 47'
St. Bartholomew's Church
Note the opening hours, which may be shorter during winter.
🚶 9'0.32 km
🚶 21'0.9 km
📍
12:07 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
The heated castle is the best place for the cold midday hours.
🚶 12'0.47 km
🚶 19'0.81 km
09:00→14:124.2 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Your bike tour starts in the city center and quickly takes you to the Mátra Museum in the Orczy Castle. After some culture, you'll cycle back to the center to St. Bartholomew's Church. Noon is dedicated to a side trip to the nostalgic Mátra Forest Railway. In the afternoon, you'll continue cycling to the Mátra Gate, the symbolic entrance to the Mátra Mountains, where you can enjoy nature and end the day.
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🚲 6'0.57 km
📍
10:03 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Lock your bike securely while exploring the castle and its park.
🚲 7'0.61 km
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10:57 · 47'
St. Bartholomew's Church
Take a short break to admire the largest Gothic building in the region.
🚲 11'1.3 km
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11:55 · 47'
Mátra Forest Railway
Check the schedule for a short nostalgic ride into the Mátra mountains.
🚲 13'1.72 km
09:00→14:124.2 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
A bike tour in Gyöngyös in the rain requires good gear but offers empty roads. After starting at the square, we head to Orczy Castle to spend time dry. The ride to the forest railway is short and refreshing. Take the path to the Mátra Gate carefully; the damp forest smells especially intense now. An adventure for weatherproof cyclists who love nature.
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🚲 6'0.57 km
📍
10:03 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Secure and partially covered bike parking in the castle courtyard.
🚲 7'0.61 km
🚲 11'1.3 km
🚲 13'1.72 km
09:00→14:124.2 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Cycling in winter in Gyöngyös is a sporty challenge in the crisp air. Starting at the square awakens the senses, then the Mátra Museum provides a warm cultural break. The ride to the forest railway leads through frosty landscapes. It gets colder uphill to the Mátra Gate, but the exertion keeps you warm. The snow-capped Mátra peaks in the background offer a spectacular backdrop.
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🚲 6'0.57 km
🚲 7'0.61 km
📍
10:57 · 47'
St. Bartholomew's Church
The massive walls retain the cold; don't stay still for too long.
🚲 11'1.3 km
🚲 13'1.72 km
09:00→16:4126.2 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 22€ · Transport 5€
The day starts by parking in the center of Gyöngyös. You'll explore the Main Square, St. Bartholomew's Church, and the Mátra Museum on foot. In the late morning, you drive into the Mátra Mountains to the Oxygen Adrenalin Park for adventure and lunch. On the way back in the afternoon, you stop at the Mátra Forest Railway for a nostalgic ride before ending the day at a local winery.
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📍
09:10 · 47'
City Center Parking & Main Square
Park your car here for the first part of the day.
🚗 3'0.13 km
🚗 5'0.61 km
📍
10:52 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Discover the rich history and nature of the Mátra region.
🚗 40'11.09 km
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12:19 · 47'
Oxygen Adrenalin Park
A great place for adventure and lunch with a panoramic view.
🚗 40'11.15 km
🚗 14'3.2 km
🍽️
14:47 · 84'
Winery in the Mátra region
End the day with a tasting of the famous local white wines.
09:00→16:4126.2 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 22€ · Transport 5€
Rain is no obstacle for this car tour through the Mátra region. We park conveniently in the center and visit the treasury of St. Bartholomew's Church. Afterwards, the Mátra Museum offers hours of dry entertainment. Driving to Oxygen Adrenalin Park takes us to higher elevations, where fog banks give the mountain a mystical aura. The day ends perfectly at a cozy winery, sheltered from the weather.
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📍
09:10 · 47'
City Center Parking & Main Square
Use covered parking to stay dry when getting out of the car.
🚗 3'0.13 km
📍
10:00 · 47'
St. Bartholomew's Church
Just a short walk from the parking lot to the church entrance.
🚗 5'0.61 km
📍
10:52 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Direct access to the castle is possible, handy in heavy rain.
🚗 40'11.09 km
📍
12:19 · 47'
Oxygen Adrenalin Park
Some attractions are covered; check visibility for the chairlift.
🚗 40'11.15 km
📍
13:46 · 47'
Mátra Forest Railway
The closed wagon features a great view of the rain-soaked forest.
🚗 14'3.2 km
🍽️
14:47 · 84'
Winery in the Mátra region
Safe parking at the winery; you can load your wine directly.
09:00→16:4126.2 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 22€ · Transport 5€
A winter drive through the Mátra is a snowy experience. We start in the center of Gyöngyös, admiring the frost-covered architecture. The Mátra Museum is the perfect place to warm up between stops. Driving up to Oxygen Adrenalin Park requires good winter tires but offers a fantastic view of the snow-capped mountains. The day ends cozily at a winery, where the fireplace is lit and the wine tastes especially good.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
City Center Parking & Main Square
Parking lots are cleared, but watch out for ice when getting out.
🚗 3'0.13 km
🚗 5'0.61 km
📍
10:52 · 47'
Mátra Museum (Orczy Castle)
Enjoy the view of the snow-covered castle park from inside.
🚗 40'11.09 km
🚗 40'11.15 km
📍
13:46 · 47'
Mátra Forest Railway
Steam trains in the snow are a particularly photogenic subject.
🚗 14'3.2 km
Sights in the town Gyöngyös (20)
Szent Bertalan Vallásturisztikai Látogatóközpont és Kincstára🏛 museum
Visitor centre and treasury focusing on religious tourism in Gyöngyös.
🌐 szentbertalankincstar.hu🕒 Mo,Su off; Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Frequently asked questions
What are the main sights in Gyöngyös?
The Orczy Castle (Mátra Museum) and the St. Bartholomew Church treasury are the most significant sights.
How can I get to the Mátra mountains from Gyöngyös?
Regular buses operate, and the Mátra forest railway takes visitors directly to Mátrafüred.
Are there free parking spots in the city center?
Parking is paid in the immediate city center. Free spots can mostly be found near larger supermarkets on the outskirts.
What is a local specialty in Gyöngyös?
Try the Mátra region wines and the Palóc soup, which is served in many local restaurants.
When is the market held in Gyöngyös?
The large market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at the town marketplace.
Gyöngyös: where is it located?
Gyöngyös is located in Heves, Hungary.
Gyöngyös: what is there to see?
Highlights include Great Synagogue of Gyöngyös, Haller House, Statue of Vak Bottyán.
Gyöngyös: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Gyöngyös: why is it worth visiting?
Gyöngyös is situated at the pretty southern foot of the Mátra Mountains and is widely regarded as the gateway to the range due to its strategic location.
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