Poroszlo Ecocentre

The Tisza-tavi Okocentrum opened in 2012 on the western shore of Lake Tisza and is built around a set of large freshwater tanks that follow the river from its mountain headwaters down to the lowland floodplain, ending in a tank deep enough to walk under, stocked with the sturgeon, catfish, carp and pike of the Tisza system. It is usually described as the largest freshwater aquarium complex in Europe. Outside, a floating boardwalk crosses a reconstructed wetland with hides, and boats run into the backwaters of the lake, which is an artificial reservoir that has become one of the more important bird areas in Hungary, with heron and egret colonies and white-tailed eagles.

What you actually see

• Tanks following the river's course - headwaters to floodplain in sequence.
• The walk-under deep tank - sturgeon and catfish overhead.
• The floating wetland boardwalk - hides over reconstructed marsh.
• Boats into the lake backwaters - the bird colonies of Lake Tisza.

When to go

April to October for the boardwalk, the boats and the birds; the aquarium works year round. Half a day. Summer weekends and school holidays are busy.

Honest expectations

It is aimed squarely at families and can be loud and crowded. The boat trips depend on water levels and weather. Lake Tisza is a reservoir, not a natural lake, and parts of the shore are heavily developed.

Nearby

Lake Tisza surrounds the village; the Hortobagy lies south-east.