Harkany

Its medicinal waters and Mediterranean climate make Harkány a popular resort. The historic past of the town and its surroundings provide plenty to see while the local viticulture promises refreshment.

Suitable in the treatment of numerous ailments, the sulphurous thermal waters of Harkány have been internationally known for over a hundred years, making it a sought-after health resort and holiday destination. The wide range of accommodation and restaurants in the town and its surrounding area combined with a wide variety of things to do assure a pleasant stay here.

Harkány has been inhabited for many centuries. According to 1323 documents the first written form of its name was Harkan. Over the centuries Hungarian, German, Croatian and Serbian families have settled here and ethnic diversity is still characteristic of the settlement.

The development of the spa baths started in the mid 1820's, soon after the sulphurous waters had been discovered. The first bathing building was Classical in style; the associated hotel welcomed visitors with 28 rooms. Before long landscaping began on some 23 hectares of land with the planting of trees and shrubs and the creation of footpaths along which statues were placed. An outside swimming area was added to the baths in 1925 and a spa hospital in 1955.

Festivals, exhibitions, concerts and children's programmes are organised regularly in Harkány. Perhaps the best known of these are the 'Devil Chasing Days' (Ördögűző napok), Decorated Eggs Festival (Hímestojás napok), Whitsun Music Festival (Pünkösdi Zenés Fesztivál), the Bathing Festival (Fürdőfesztivál) in mid July and the Harkány Vintage Festival (Szüreti Fesztivál) in September.

The settlement was granted city status on 1st July 1999.

How to get there:
By public transport, Volán busses serve the town by bus from Pécs. By train, Harkány served on the Barcs-Villány railway line. By car, from Pécs, take Route 58 south and look for the Harkány sign close to the Croatian border.