We are big fans of parks and nature in general. We love to lie on the grass! When we travel, many of our very long walks exploring around finish in a park with nice grass to rest on. And fortunately for us, Budapest has a lot of parks to enjoy.
To write this top 5 parks in Budapest you should visit was challenging because there are many choices. But anyway, check our favorite and that can be a starting point for you during your next visit to this cool city.
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Margaret island (Margit sziget).
Margit Island is a beautiful park and a famous landmark in Budapest. The island is 2.5 km long and it’s surrounded by the Danube River. As you see, from the beginning of this trip (Bulgaria-Romania-and Hungary now), the Danube has been a beautiful constant in the landscape.
You can spend a complete day on Margaret Island doing something or just nothing. We visited this park after several days of daily exploration of Budapest. We were a bit tired so we took a day off hahaha Yes, holidays can be tiring haha We walked to Margaret Island to meet a Hungarian friend. We stayed for a while in the fountains that welcome you at the entrance. The sound of the falling water is very relaxing. We moved fast from there not to fall asleep.
We rented a quadruplet (bike) and it was very fun to drive around the park while scaring pedestrians with our ‘fast’ speed or maybe it was the way we drove hahaha After an hour of going around, we got back to the entrance for giving back the rental bike. Then we walked to the mini zoo to see some deer and birds.
And then, grass time! Hahaha We chose a cool spot to lie on the grass. We were chatting a lot. Our Hungarian friend is a cool and fun guy. And suddenly, we fell asleep hahaha We laughed a lot when we woke up haha We were truly tired from the previous days. And Margaret Island is full of tall and robust trees. Under their shade, it gets very fresh and relaxing.
After this spontaneous nap hahaha We walked to the bar area. Yes! Margaret Island is a large place that includes not only bars but even a hostel (Island Hostel Budapest). That was a surprise for us. To book accommodation in such a park sounds very cool! Margaret Island is a great place and very well located. It can work very well for staying and exploring the rest of the city. We took the note to share it with you!
Later, we stopped on the terrace of a bar called Hippie Island. We drank some Hungarian beers while chatting and watching people enjoying around. Some were exercising on the running track, a 5 km circle all along the length of the island. Others were dancing, reading on the grass, playing volleyball, frisbee, badminton, etc.
By then, it was already around 5 or 6 pm. We walked to the entrance and the fountain's show was on. Margaret Island has this popular show in which there’s a music program that includes mostly classical music but also pop and rock music. The music is played for the fountains to dance in front of you. When it gets darker, lights turn on and the show gets even more visually attractive. The vibe is awesome!
Young people and adults are there without hurry, chatting or in silence watching the fountains, either standing up or sitting on a chair. We left the park around 7.30 pm. And on the way back we had the chance to admire the evening face of the city. Budapest is a beautiful postcard to admire during the day and night!
Margaret Island is a park in Budapest you should visit! Car traffic is forbidden on the island for the safety of the visitors (pedestrians, and cyclists). In this park, there is also a Japanese garden, an outdoor thermal spa (only in Summer), the ruins of a Dominican cloister of the 13th century, restaurants, a rose garden, and a professional swimming pool regularly used by athletes to train. You can have a great picnic here and much more fun!
By the way, if you are curious how parks look like in the other end of the world, check out the best parks in Mexico City.
Budapest City Park (Városliget Park).
This is a different concept of a park. It covers a massive area. It’s considered the main park due to the big amount of attractions it includes. City Park is located on the Buda side and be sure you will be there sooner or later. Either because you directly want to explore the complete park or because you are interested in one of its attractions (historical buildings, monuments, museums, the zoo, ponds, green areas, playgrounds, etc.).
In the past, the City Park was an exclusive hunting ground for nobility. It became a public park, little by little. In the 18th century, the first trees were planted (1751). And until the 19th century, it became a public park. In 1896, Hungarians celebrated the millennial anniversary of the Magyars’ settlement in the country. The celebration boosted the building of different infrastructure, buildings, and landmarks. Example: The Gallery of Arts, the Comedy Theater, Heroes’ Square, the Grand Boulevard, Millennium Underground, and Andrássy Avenue. The City Park (approx. 520,000 square meters) was the main place for the celebration.
So nowadays, visitors have many places to visit in the City Park. For sure you need more than a day to visit everything and very comfortable shoes. Of course, public transportation is available all around the city. Transportation in Budapest is affordable and efficient. And you may need it to visit the City Park.
Heroes’ Square. This is a place for sure you don’t want to miss. It’s a great Budapest landmark. It´s the main entrance to the City Park. It’s located at the end of Andrássy Avenue. It’s full of monuments, sculptures, Hungarian pride, and history.
Vajdahunyad Castle. This castle was a project for the 1896 Hungarian celebration too. The castle’s design was inspired by a Transylvanian fortress. Baroque, Romanesque, and Gothic details were added to represent architectural styles from all over Hungary. It was finished in 1908. In this castle, you also can see the Ják Chapel, the Anonymous Statue, the Gatehouse Tower, and the Apostles’ Tower.
Agricultural Museum. It’s hosted on one side of the Vajdahunyad Castle. It tells the history and evolution of agriculture in Hungary, including other activities like fishing, planting, forestry, and animal domestication.
House of Music. It was opened in January 2022 in the heart of the City Park. This is a modern building that houses the history of Hungarian music and its representatives (composers, musicians, etc.).
Museum of Ethnography. This is a new museum. It just opened on May 23rd, 2022. Its design includes a roof garden of more than seven thousand square meters.
Széchsyi Bath. This is a very popular place in the city. Thermal baths have a deep tradition all across the country. Széchsyi Bath has 15 thermal pools indoors. The water is described as high in magnesium, calcium, and hydrogen carbonate. And there are 3 pools outdoors. People go to have fun, a refreshing and relaxing day, or to heal specific pains with hot and mineral water. Don’t forget your swimming suit, flip-flops, and cap, if you want to swim. Széchsyi Bath is open the whole year and on Saturdays, they host club nights. It sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Budapest zoo. It was opened in 1866 housing 500 animals and it’s still there for you to visit.
City Park Ice Rink and Boating Lake. This is a large area of 12,000 square meters located between the Vajdahunyad Castle and Heroes Square. It was opened in 1870 and it became one of the oldest ice rinks in Europe. During Winter, people can skate there. And in the Summer, it becomes a pond for boating or hosting different events. It’s forbidden for doggies but we saw many jumping into the water to have fun and to refresh a bit hahaha We will keep their secret!
You also can visit the House of the Hungarian Millennium and the different playgrounds. Just to give you a reference, the biggest playground is around 13,000 square meters. There you will find different attractions, like the air balloon you can take for having a panoramic view of the beautiful Budapest. It goes 150 meters above the ground and it started operating this 2022.
A picnic can be a great idea to rest a bit and recharge energy to continue exploring Budapest City Park!
Elizabeth square (Erzsébet tér).
On the Pest side, you will find a beautiful, green, and relaxing park, called Elizabeth Square. It’s located in the historical center of the city, in the Lipotváros district. Going by metro, the closest stop is Deák Ferenc tér. It’s much smaller than the previous ones on this list, but it’s a very nice spot to spend a great time. You can enjoy it being alone, with friends or family.
The park has two parts, one is more traditional. You will see The Danubius fountain there. And the other is more modern and its design includes tables and benches for people to gather, have picnics, etc.
In the past, this area was the main Pest market. The name of the park honors the wife of the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph. She was Elizabeth but she had a popular nickname, “Sisi”. During the communist time, this name was changed to Engels square and Stalin square. When communism ended, the original name got back, Elizabeth square.
We discovered the park while walking in the center. We saw there was a small souvenir market so we checked the stuff. The prices were ok so we bought some magnets and key chains. Then we saw a chimney cake shop and we directly bought one because we love it! We went around while eating our chimney cake and we saw benches, nice green areas, and the eye of Budapest! Yes, the big Ferris wheel is there. We saw it from different points in the city and finally, we found it there! It’s in Elizabeth square where you can jump into it to have some fun and an alternative view of the city. Its highest point reaches 65 meters.
After that, we saw a couple of restaurants, ice cream shops, a fountain, and a sort of pool. We got interested so we got closer but we didn’t see people trying to get into the pool. Many young folks were around lying on the grass or sitting on the benches while drinking beer, and other drinks and chatting with friends. The environment was very cool. It was like being at a party but it was not such a thing. Officially it’s forbidden to drink on the street but guess what? At least in the parks, a lot of people were drinking alcohol. And Elizabeth square was not an exception. The good news is that the police don’t bother you if you don’t make trouble. Fair enough!
It’s a place full of locals and we liked that because the park is a part of their lives. A place where Hungarians finish the day after work, date, relax and have fun. We talked with some guys and they recommended us to stay or to get back in the evening. We couldn’t do it that day, but we got back the next day in the evening. It was very cool! Frequently, during the evening, there’s live music, so it gets more fun.
And Hungarians are practical people so we imitated them hahaha They arrive at the park already well prepared, with their wine bottles, beers or the alcohol they prefer, cups if necessary, snacks, and even their favorite music. Like this, they don’t have to worry about the outfit or budget for accessing a bar. And believe us, during the evening and night, the vibe and fun in this park are pretty much what you could expect from a bar. With the big advantages that people enjoy in more free, comfortable and open space. Smoke from cigarettes doesn’t suffocate you. You don’t have to scream to beat the music’s decibels and the rest of the noise to have a conversation.
That night we discovered what the sort of pool was! There’s a bar beneath the park so this pool has a transparent ceiling to create the effect of an aquarium. It was fun because after some beers there, we got close to the pool and we had a vision hahaha We could see through the water some neon lights and many folks dancing and ordering drinks from a bartender. I thought I was too drunk but M also saw it, so everything was fine. We laughed! You can go to the bar if you feel like it.
Since we are staying longer in Budapest, we have gotten back to Elizabeth square several times. We like it a lot! During the day and night. The place is safe and in very good condition. We recommend you to visit it without a doubt. Cheers to Elizabeth square! It deserves a toast haha
Városmajor park.
Városmajor is a large park located on the Buda side. It’s another nice space for people to relax, exercise, have picnics, gather, and have fun. Its concept follows the traditional concept of the park. Visitors have different sports facilities to train, like outdoor gym, basketball or tennis courts. The paths are wide and there’s a running track so pedestrians and runners can enjoy. There are many playgrounds.
You will find sand games, musical instruments, and more nice stuff for kids to enjoy. Green areas are well maintained so you can lie on the grass to take a nap, sunbathe, or just watch people around.
Besides, the Városmajor has an open-air theater. Our accommodation is not far from here. Last weekend we visited this park and we found a pop music concert. There’s space enough for people to sit or be around the open-air theater enjoying the show.
It’s a quiet park we used to rest in after walking around Buda's side. We felt motivated to exercise. Maybe because of the outdoor gym or perhaps, it was the remorse after eating lángos and chimney cakes without limit hahaha
Millenáris park.
Millenáris is a different, industrial and modern type of park. Design is the accent here. It’s on the Buda side, in the heart of a residential and commercial area. Millenáris park was opened in 2001. We discovered it on a rainy day. When the rain went stronger we were surrounded by trams and other vehicles, but not a single place to hide. Then we ran to the Mammut mall that was nearby. The name of the mall fits well with its size. In a moment, we took an exit thinking it would lead us to the street. But not, we appeared in a very nice garden. We thought it was a green innovation of the mall, but not, we were at Millenáris Park. It’s kind of hidden in the streets of the city. It was built in the former estate of a factory called Ganz Works, a manufacturer of electrical and mechanical parts.
The park looks like a pretty garden with well-defined pathways and areas for specific activities. Stone, glass, and metal are materials you will see around, interacting with the natural elements (trees, grass, water). It’s divided into two parts. The green area and some buildings. Both are used to host different events and exhibitions. In the green area, you will see the playground and a pond, a big Japanese garden surrounded by comfortable benches to lie on and take sunbathe. Many people stay there watching the fish.
There are still elements of the machinery that was used in the factory. They were kept as industrial ornaments that evoke the past of the estate. It’s a nice and different park.
Conclusion
Budapest is a green city with plenty of parks to enjoy. Only as a sample, now you know these top 5 parks in Budapest you should visit. Go to more than one so you can feel the differences between them.
Hungarians seem to like a lot to be outdoors. It’s very nice to see how at any time, there are people at the parks exercising, walking their dogs around, gathering with friends or workmates, having picnics, studying, playing music, dancing, drinking, celebrating birthdays, etc. This gives Budapest a very alive, active, and friendly vibe. Parks are a great place to meet people if you feel like it.
Check more interesting articles about Budapest, Hungary:
Avoid the Pest side of Budapest at all costs! Here is why!
5 Reasons to Fall in Love with the Buda Side of Budapest: An Insider's Guide
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