Best places to visit in Mátra

Mátra's Essential Peaks and Ruins

The Mátra mountains host Hungary’s highest elevations, including Kékestető at 1,014 meters and Galya-tető. This collection spans medieval history and natural landmarks, featuring rock-carved fortifications like Siroki Castle and the Gothic ruins of Kisnána. Significant cultural sites include the Jesse Tree altar in Gyöngyöspata and the solemn memorial at the former Recsk forced labor camp. Natural highlights range from the 10-meter Ilona Valley waterfall to the Csörgő-lyuk, the country's longest volcanic cave system.

Mátra's Essential Peaks and Ruins — Map

Grabo112 / Public domain

A

Kékestető Ski Resort

Kékes is Hungary's highest mountain, at 1,014 metres above sea level in the Mátra mountain range.

Takkk / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Siroki vár

Medieval castle built in the 13th century, featuring extensive tunnels and rooms carved directly into the volcanic tufa rock.

VT / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Machine gun watchtower

A reconstructed wooden watchtower at the former Recsk forced labor camp, representing the surveillance structures used by guards in the early 1950s.

VT / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Communist Penal Labour Camp, Recsk

A national memorial park on the site of Hungary's most notorious secret forced labor camp, which operated between 1950 and 1953.

Miklos Kokenyesi / CC-BY-SA

E

Kisnánai vár

15th-century Gothic castle ruins featuring a preserved gate tower that serves as an observation point and a lapidarium.

Eszterhás István / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Csörgő-lyuk

Hungary's longest non-karst cave, formed in volcanic rock and extending over 400 meters through narrow passages.

G

Ilona-völgyi vízesés

A 10-meter-high waterfall situated in the Ilona Valley, where the stream falls over a vertical wall of volcanic rock.

H

Galya-tető

Galya-tető is the second highest mountain in Hungary and in the Mátra mountain range.

Newbog / CC-BY-SA-2.5

I

Benevár

Ruins of an 11th-century castle located on a ridge near Mátrafüred, destroyed during the Hussite wars in the 15th century.

J

Siklóernyős starthely, Sár-hegy

A launch site for paragliders on the slopes of Sár Hill, used for free flying with views over the southern Mátra.

Rakaszmisi / Public domain

K

Kisboldogasszony templom

15th-century Gothic church in Gyöngyöspata, housing a unique 8-meter-tall Jesse Tree altar depicting the genealogy of Jesus.

Ruggyanta / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Nagyboldogasszony templom

A medieval Roman Catholic church in Mátraverebély, originally built in the 14th century with later Baroque modifications.

rlevente / CC BY-SA 2.5 hu

M

Tar Lőrinc udvarháza

Ruins of a 15th-century fortified manor house belonging to Lőrinc Tar, a knight and diplomat for King Sigismund.

Civertan / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

Maconkai-víztározó

A large reservoir on the Zagyva River at the foot of the Mátra, serving as a significant regional fishing and nature site.

Other Lists

Mátra Peaks and Viewpoints Mátra Ruins and Heritage Mátra's Sacred Sites Mátra Natural Wonders