I always encourage my guests to take public transport, it’s cheap, convenient and very easy. What’s more is that you can enjoy such a great view from the trams, buses or boats, don’t miss it!
The Royal Palace of Visegrád is one of the most fascinating stops in the Danube Bend and a highlight I always try to include when touring the area. Together with the Upper Castle, the palace forms a remarkable castle complex that offers insight into how Hungarian royalty lived at the height of their power.
Located above the Danube, in the historic town of Visegrád, this palace allows visitors to step directly into the world of 15th-century royal life.
From ruins to royal splendour
The fact that we can admire the palace today is thanks to the work of a passionate Hungarian archaeologist, who discovered the ruins hidden beneath an orchard. Thanks to decades of archaeological research and careful reconstruction, the palace has been brought back to life as a stunning example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
We owe a great deal to the archaeologists and historians who recreated the lavish interiors, gardens, and fountains that once impressed visiting dignitaries from across Europe.
A royal residence fit for King Matthias
The original stone residence, built in the 14th century, was relatively modest — just under 5,000 square feet. However, under the reign of Matthias Corvinus, the palace was transformed into a spectacular royal residence with around 350 rooms.
According to legend, during grand celebrations in the 15th century, marble fountains flowed with red wine — a detail that perfectly captures the wealth and prestige of the Hungarian royal court at the time.
What to see in the Royal Palace of Visegrád
Today, visitors can explore:
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elegant Gothic cloisters
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a refined Renaissance loggia
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reconstructed living quarters of Hungarian kings and queens
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decorative fountains and palace gardens
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original artefacts and relics from the Middle Ages
The palace is beautifully laid out and easy to explore, making it both educational and visually impressive.
Visiting the Royal Palace on a Danube Bend tour
The Royal Palace of Visegrád is an essential stop on many Danube Bend day trips and works especially well as part of a private countryside tour from Budapest. Combined with the Upper Castle and views over the Danube, it offers a perfect balance of history, architecture, and scenery.
City Park (Városliget) is the second-largest park in Budapest and without question one of the locals’ favourite places to relax. Located at the end of Andrássy Avenue, this vast green space is a perfect mix of nature, culture, leisure, and iconic sights — all in the heart of Pest.
Whether you’re visiting Budapest for the first time or returning for a longer stay, City Park offers something for every pace and interest.
What to see and do in City Park
There are so many things to do in Városliget that it easily fills several hours — or even an entire afternoon. Highlights include:
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the Budapest Zoo, over 150 years old and one of the oldest zoos in the world
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the City Circus, a unique cultural institution popular with families
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the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath, where you can soak in warm outdoor pools year-round
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Vajdahunyad Castle, showcasing a fascinating mix of architectural styles
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the park’s lake, perfect for a boat ride in summer or ice skating in winter
Of course, City Park is also ideal for simpler pleasures: a picnic under the trees, a relaxed walk, or just watching local life unfold.
City Park as part of Budapest sightseeing tours
Thanks to its location, size, and variety, City Park is included in many of my Budapest walking and driving tours. It works beautifully as a stop that combines history, architecture, and everyday local life — all in one place.
Whether paired with Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, or the thermal baths, Városliget adds a refreshing, green balance to a sightseeing itinerary.
A local tip for visiting City Park
City Park is enjoyable in every season, but it’s especially lovely in spring and summer, when the trees are in full leaf and locals spend long afternoons outdoors. If you’d like to explore it at a relaxed pace or include specific highlights, it can easily be adapted as part of a customised walking or driving tour.
Budapest Füvészkert may look difficult to pronounce at first — but it’s absolutely worth getting to know. Tucked away in Budapest’s 8th district, this peaceful botanical garden is one of the city’s most underrated sights and a true hidden gem for visitors looking beyond the usual landmarks.
Founded in the 1770s, Füvészkert is the oldest botanical garden in Budapest. Despite its compact size — around three acres — it’s home to more than 7,000 plant species, making it surprisingly rich and diverse.
One of its most remarkable residents is a 150-year-old Chinese ginkgo tree, the oldest tree in the garden and a quiet witness to centuries of change around it.
What to see inside Füvészkert
Walking through Füvészkert feels like stepping into several different climates in the middle of the city. Highlights include:
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the Palm House, filled with tropical and subtropical plants
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the Victoria Glass House, home to the impressive Amazonian water lily
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extensive collections of palms, cacti, bromeliads, and orchids
It’s a calm, beautifully maintained space — ideal for slowing down, especially on warm summer days or during a quieter afternoon of sightseeing.
Füvészkert and Hungarian literature
Füvészkert also holds a special place in Hungarian culture. It is one of the key locations in The Paul Street Boys (Pál utcai fiúk), the famous novel by Ferenc Molnár that generations of Hungarians grow up reading. For locals, this literary connection adds an extra emotional layer to an already atmospheric place.
Is Füvészkert included in Budapest tours?
Füvészkert isn’t usually part of standard sightseeing tours, but it can be a wonderful addition to a customised itinerary, especially for travellers interested in gardens, literature, or quieter, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
If you’re exploring Budapest beyond the highlights — or simply need a peaceful break from the city — Füvészkert is well worth a visit.
I love the evening tours, I tell my guests all the time that Budapest has two entirely different faces as it looks different during the day and during the night. My favorite building is the Parliament, it looks like a magnificent gingerbread cake with all the lights and colors of the night.
Right in the middle of the Danube lies Margaret Island, the largest and most beloved green space in Budapest. Today it’s a peaceful park, but its past is anything but ordinary.
This island was once home to medieval monasteries, a place of isolation for lepers, and later the refuge of Princess Margaret, who gave up her royal life to live here in devotion. These layers of history add a quiet depth to a place that locals now treasure simply for its beauty and calm.
It’s no surprise that Margaret Island is a firm favourite among Budapesters. I usually avoid comparing places, but if I had to explain it to first-time visitors, I’d say it’s our very own Central Park — greener, calmer, and surrounded by water.
Why it’s not always on my tours (but often recommended)
Margaret Island isn’t usually included in my standard tours, simply because it’s a bit of a walk from the historic city centre. That said, whenever we do include it — as part of a customised walking or driving itinerary — guests always love it. It feels like discovering a different side of Budapest: quieter, more local, and very much off the beaten path.
That’s why I especially recommend visiting in late spring and summer, when the gardens are in full bloom and the island truly comes alive.
The best way to explore Margaret Island
One of my favourite ways to discover the island is by renting one of the special group bicycles that can seat up to six people. It’s fun, relaxed, and perfect for covering more ground without rushing.
I suggest starting at the southern end and making your way north. Along the way, don’t miss:
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the serene Japanese Garden
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the colourful Rose Garden
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the small zoo, especially lovely for families
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the iconic Water Tower
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and, of course, the Musical Fountain, where it’s worth stopping to simply sit, listen, and enjoy the atmosphere
Margaret Island may not be on every itinerary, but it’s one of those places that stays with you — a green pause in the middle of the city, and a glimpse into how Budapesters like to slow down and enjoy life.
If you’d like to include Margaret Island in a customised walking or driving tour, I’m always happy to adapt the route.
I’m very much honoured because my Trabant tour will be included in a French TV show about Budapest. The idea is a really good one, it gives tips and recommendations about what to do in my lovely city when you visit Budapest for 2-3 days.
The filming was a very special experience for me, I can’t wait to see the cut version which I’ll share once I have it.
Truly wonderful.
I’ve received this article from three guests of mine at different occasions – and thank you so much guys for your preparations before your actual trip to Budapest. I need to tell that most of the places recommended by The New York Times are both fun and nice, still, I have the impression I can show you so much more when you come to visit my beautiful city.
Feel free to ask for my special recommendations!
To understand how much locals love the Széchenyi Baths, it’s enough to know that we even have a nickname for it: “Szecska.” Opened in 1913, Széchenyi is not only one of Budapest’s most famous bathhouses, but also the largest thermal bath complex in Hungary.
With a total of 18 indoor and outdoor pools, Széchenyi is a must-see for anyone interested in Budapest’s unique bathing culture.
Architecture Inspired by Water and Wellness
The Széchenyi Baths are housed in one of the city’s most richly decorated buildings. Its architecture blends Neo-Renaissance and Classicist elements, creating a grand yet playful atmosphere that reflects the joy of bathing.
Don’t miss the main foyer, where statues, frescoes, and mosaics are all dedicated to themes of water, healing, and bathing culture — a beautiful introduction to Hungary’s long spa tradition.
Outdoor Pools in Every Season
One of Széchenyi’s greatest attractions is its large outdoor thermal pools, which are open all year round.
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Summer: lively, social, and energetic — perfect if you don’t mind crowds
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Winter: surprisingly peaceful and atmospheric, with warm thermal water surrounded by steam and snow
Personally, I recommend visiting Széchenyi in winter, when the contrast between cold air and hot water creates an unforgettable experience.
Visiting Széchenyi on a Guided Bath Tour
Széchenyi is an essential stop on my Baths of Budapest walking tour, where I introduce visitors to the city’s most important bathhouses while explaining:
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Hungarian bathing traditions
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how locals use the baths today
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architectural and historical background
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practical tips for visiting
A guided visit helps turn a busy bath complex into a meaningful cultural experience.
Practical Information
For up-to-date details on ticket prices and opening hours, it’s best to check official sources before your visit, as these may change seasonally.
