The historic spa city of Gyula is already calling: book your stay for the city’s biggest gastronomic bash, the Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál), running May 22–24, 2026, with accommodation options available across the long weekend from Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25. Pálinka tastings, local flavors, wellness time, and family-friendly fun make it a standout early-summer escape—if you lock in your room in time.
Where to Stay: Wellness, Romance, Family Time
Wellness Hotel Gyula pitches itself as more than just a place to sleep. Set in a romantic, historic environment, it’s aiming at everyone: couples chasing a getaway, groups of friends up for a lively weekend, kids who want playtime, parents needing a spa break, and seniors looking to recharge. As a family-friendly wellness hotel, it focuses on carefree downtime for every generation. It’s a year-round favorite not just for vacations, but for any break, and here’s a standout: throughout the year, including holidays, every package includes full board at a half-board price.
Steps from the Castle and Baths
If location is everything, Abbázia Apartment and Studio delivers. It’s in the heart of Gyula, only about 50 yards from the Castle and the famous Castle Bath, so festival venues, heritage sights, and green spaces are all a stroll away.
Angelhaus Guesthouse offers a quiet, leafy setting close to the Castle Bath and welcomes guests year-round. Another apartment just 50 yards from the Gyula Castle Bath puts the Castle and Boating Lake one minute away on foot. Designed to tick all the boxes, it’s geared for travelers who want comfort plus convenience.
Canal-Side Apartments for Groups
Right in the city center and by the Living Water Canal, an apartment house sits 100 yards from the summer entrance to the baths and a 10-minute walk from the Castle and main promenade. With six separate, tastefully furnished units and a total of 20 beds, it’s a smart pick for large families or groups of friends traveling together.
Space to Spread Out: Superior Suites
Aqua Hotel Gyula Superior is tailored to families with young children and bath-goers, with superior rooms that include a separate living room and bedroom—great for longer stays when you need space to unwind. Corvin Hotel Gyula & Wellness Apartments makes a similar promise to couples seeking romance, families with kids, and spa-focused travelers. Choose from superior open-plan or family rooms with separate living and sleeping areas for extra comfort across a multi-night visit.
Boutique Vibes in the Center
Corso Boutique Hotel Gyula sits right in the city’s commercial core. From here, it’s a short walk to Gyula Castle, the baths, museums, shops, restaurants, patisseries, and nightlife. Its rear entrance opens directly onto the city’s lively promenade, lined with flower-filled parks and bubbling fountains. Inside, an exclusive wellness area sets the tone for full-body refreshment and clear-headed calm, and the sauna world offers five different types to try.
Cozy Hideaways and Central Bases
Bányai Guesthouse invites you to switch off in one of the Southern Great Plain’s prettiest cities. For an in-the-middle-of-everything stay, Central Apartment sits in the very heart of Gyula: the main square, pedestrian street, world clock, fountains, the iconic Hundred-Year-Old Confectionery (Százéves cukrászda), the birthplace of Ferenc Erkel, museums, the Ladics House, Petőfi Square, churches, and the bus station are 250–500 meters away, while the train station is about 900 meters. The property spans a varied complex, with apartments ranging from a roomy 110 square meters down to a cozy 18 square meters.
Eats, Treats, and Sips
Körös Garden Snack Bar nails the mood for casual dining with extras like foosball, darts, and billiards. The menu roams from international specialties to lighter, health-focused picks, while also shining a light on the flavors of Békés County’s regional cuisine.
At the Almásy Mansion Visitor Center (Gyulai Almásy-kastély Látogatóközpont), the café pairs nicely with a museum gift shop that’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Mondays. For a meal with a view, Elizabeth Hotel’s Art Nouveau-style, air-conditioned Almásy Restaurant seats about 70 and opens to a 40-seat terrace facing Gyula Castle. Candlelit summer dinners feel extra special with that panorama.
Specialty Coffee and Sweet Craft
Craving a standout brew? Gyula’s specialty coffee houses roast fresh, high-quality beans with distinctive varietal and terroir notes from around the world—one spot proclaims: “Because every good family has a Black Sheep.” Another tiny café offers global coffees in an intimate nook.
Inside the Gyula Artisan Confectionery (Gyulai Kézműves Cukrászda), CADEAU Bonbon Manufactory (CADEAU Bonbon Manufaktúra) has been crafting chocolates since 1998. Today they produce more than 80 kinds of top-tier bonbons, delivering unique shapes and premium ingredients for a one-of-a-kind selection.
Quick Bites and Hearty Plates
Need refueling? Grab a Julius Meinl coffee or a restorative tea, alongside counter favorites like freshly made daily sandwiches and flatbreads. For something heartier, head to a brick-vaulted csárda serving homestyle dishes and the city’s standout fish specialties. The main dining room seats 100, with a 25-seat private room for groups, and a garden with reed-roofed booths that regulars love. The attached hotel offers 22 air-conditioned rooms.
Events, Elegance, and Wine
Gyula Rouge positions itself as the place for life’s milestones. The menu thrives on bold details, color, and flavor, inviting guests to discover new essences. Expect an elegant setting, live music, wine tastings, and beautifully plated dishes—where the quality stays high, and the stories keep changing.
The organizers reserve the right to change the schedule and dates. Book early, pack your curiosity, and toast the festival with a glass of pálinka in the shadow of the castle.
