Adventures

Hortobágy is one of Hungary's least light-polluted areas, where the absence of artificial lights is synonymous with natural beauty and essential for the undisturbed life of wildlife.

Visitors to this light-free national park can enjoy numerous nighttime attractions. The most striking feature is the sheer number of stars visible to the naked eye. While city centers reveal only a handful of stars, and smaller towns allow a view of a few hundred, the sky over Hortobágy offers nearly 2,000 visible points of light. For those experiencing this spectacle for the first time, the star-filled night sky is truly awe-inspiring.

As summer approaches, the Milky Way becomes visible earlier in the evening, appearing as a stunning silver ribbon over areas free of artificial lights. The Sagittarius constellation and its surroundings, pointing toward the center of the Milky Way, are particularly breathtaking as they rise above the horizon of the plains. Spring and early summer evenings also present a rare phenomenon: the zodiacal light, visible after sunset in the western sky. This glow, caused by sunlight scattering off interplanetary dust, is a lesser-known sight due to widespread light pollution but can be easily observed from star parks like this one under clear skies.

These are just a few of the celestial wonders awaiting visitors. Several prominent star clusters are visible to the naked eye, and even a small telescope reveals dozens of nebulae and star clusters. During organized programs, the National Park's expert staff guide participants through the highlights of the star park, offering an unforgettable experience of the pristine night sky.