Makó is the fourth largest town in Csongrád County, in Southeastern Hungary. This small town was once the 11th most populated city in the Kingdom of Hungary. The city lays by the Maros River and Körös-Maros National Park but it is located just about 10 kms from the Romanian border, making a popular tourist destination not just for Hungarians but for Romanians as well.
FUN FACT: The town is also home to Central Europe's largest natural gas field!
Due to its location, the climate is one of the warmest in the country, summers are mostly dry and hot. These weather conditions are perfect for the town's iconic symbol: the red onion. Onions have been grown to this region for over a hundred years and during this period, farmers developed a special method to grow these products bigger and healthier. Onions from Makó is one of the Hungarikums, a collection of value worthy quality products with Hungarian characteristics. This list currently has 75 items, such as pálinka, Hungarian grey cattle, gulash soup or Herend porcelain, but it is continuously expanding.
What to See Here
Makó Downtown
The Onion House is a cultural center with a theatre close to the thermal bath. This building was rebuilt by the design of Imre Makovecz, a well-known Hungarian organic architect. (He designed multiple building in the town like the central bus station). The structure with its four towers is a very unique sight. The programs of the cultural center is available here. The Jozsef Attila Museum offers multiple options for visitors from a Skanzen (open-air museum) through the history of the town to the story of Jozsef Galamb and the Ford T model. Tickets are available for 800 HUF. The city center gives home to Hungary's second largest synagogue as well.
FUN FACT: Not just József Galamb American engineer was born here in Makó, but lots of famous Hungarian emigrants such as Joseph Pulitzer journalist or Andre DeToth film director.
Hagymatikum
One of the most famous attraction of Makó is the Thermal Bath of Makó or the so called Hagymatikum. This building complex is the design of Imre Makovecz as well. Though its name suggests that ("hagyma" means onion in Hungarian) and kind of looks like an onion, the structure represents the bubbling water. The building itself is very light and spacious with impressive wooden roof structure and full off ornaments.
The Spa and thermal Bath offers 18 pools both indoor and outdoor - thermal baths, baby ponds, swimming pools, a slide pool, experience pools with massage elements, even a cave! The Kids Area has 2 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools with slides, a baby & mom room and a playhouse. The Wellness Section includes the Sauna World with 9 saunas, various options for massage, Spa Services such as Red Vine Bath or salt baths, and Beauty Services like hairdressing and cosmetics.
If you get hungry, try the traditional Hagymatikum Restaurant or the food court outside. The Nyugi Bar is rather a café but offers food as well and accessible from both the bath and the street. The adult ticket costs 3100 HUF, sauna costs additional 1600 HUF. Massages range from 3300 to 6300 HUF. See the other ticket types, medical treatment prices and more here. Pick a free book from shelf and lay out to sunbathe on the roof terrace or rent a sunbed and beach umbrella outside.
TOP TIP: Try the night bathing on Friday or Saturday! For 1500 HUF, you can enjoy saunas and most of the pools from 7.30 PM to midnight. Check out the official page for programs and the exact dates.
Canopy Walkway
A big favorite of us is the Canopy Walkway on the bank of Maros River. The canopy walkway is actually an educational trail of the tree canopy and its wildlife. The 10 meter-high and 191 meter-long promenade opened in 2013 and has some cool features like the suspension bridge or the Onion Terrace where you can take a rest. On the educational signs you'll find Hungarian, English and Romanian descriptions as well, as it was built together with a Romanian town.
Enjoy the view from the 18 meter-high tower, then come down though the 40 meter-long tube slide! You'll get a sack for the slide, so don't worry about your clothes just enjoy the ride. The canopy walkway is open everyday between 9.00 and 7.00 PM and fee to visit, except the slide that costs 200 HUF. It's part of the Maros Kalandpart Adventure Park, where you'll find attractions like obstacle course (for adults as well!), climbing wall, canopy, trampoline and more. Check out the prices and opening hours here.
TOP TIP: Arrive before sunset and watch from the top as the sun goes down behind the trees, it's quite beautiful!
When to Visit
Makó is always welcoming tourists but the best time to come is probably in September. The "Onion Capital" is home to the annual Onion Festival that is held in September each year. Visitors can taste different gastronomical specialties, participate in cooking competitions, sport events and family programs but but also various concerts and attractions awaits during this three day. Unfortunately the festival has been cancelled this year.
How to Get Here
Makó is about 2 hours from Budapest by car on M5 highway or 30 from Szeged. If you want to arrive by bus or train, it'll take two hours to get to Szeged from Budapest and another hour from there to Makó. We recommend the car option, as public transport can be complicated due to constructions and usually there are delays.
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