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 Budapest (Városliget) is much more than a green escape from the city centre. At the end of Andrássy Avenue, you’ll find some of Budapest’s best-known museums, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Zoo and one of the city’s favourite places for walking, picnics and simply spending time outdoors.
I often include City Park in my Budapest tours because it brings together several different sides of the city in a relatively small area: grand architecture, Hungarian history, contemporary design and everyday local life. Whether you’re visiting Budapest for the first time or returning for a longer stay, you can spend an hour here — or easily half a day.
Why I Like City Park
City Park has been part of my Budapest for as long as I can remember. As a child, I came here to visit the Zoo and the old Vidámpark amusement park, to go ice skating — something I’ve been doing since I was about five — and, occasionally, to the Circus.
My memories of the Circus are slightly mixed. Once, a clown invited me onto the stage and apparently pretended to spank me behind my back while the entire audience laughed. I couldn’t understand what was so funny. Years later, my mother told me that perhaps the clown had actually been trying to impress her. It didn’t improve my opinion of clowns.
What I love most about City Park, though, is its familiarity. Budapest has changed enormously, and Városliget has changed with it, but I can still come here and recognise the same old trees, the same benches and places I’ve known all my life. There’s something deeply comforting and peaceful about that.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is part of those memories too. It has always been a Budapest institution, and although today it’s one of the city’s most popular attractions, there’s still another Széchenyi if you come early enough. I love watching the regular local crowd arrive in the morning, before most visitors appear. That, to me, is still a very real Budapest experience.
And I like some of the changes too. Some of the new architecture in City Park is genuinely exciting. But on a warm summer evening, I’d probably still rather sit outside at Kertem with friends, drinking a fröccs under the trees.
What to See and Do in City Park
There are so many things to see and do in Városliget that the park can easily fill several hours. These are the places I’d particularly consider including.
Heroes’ Square
At the end of Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square forms the monumental entrance to City Park. The Millennium Monument and its semicircular colonnades introduce some of the major figures and events of Hungarian history.
It’s an obvious starting point for exploring the park — but don’t stop here. City Park becomes much more interesting once you cross the little bridge and leave the grand monuments behind.
Vajdahunyad Castle
One of the most surprising buildings in City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle looks centuries older than it actually is. Originally created for Hungary’s Millennium celebrations in 1896, its different sections showcase architectural styles from various periods of Hungarian history.
Most visitors see the courtyard, but I particularly like walking around the moat to see the castle from the other side.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
With its grand Neo-Baroque architecture and steaming outdoor pools, Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of Budapest’s most recognisable sights and an important part of the city’s bathing culture. Even if you’re not planning to spend several hours in the pools, the building itself is worth noticing as you explore this part of the park.
House of Hungarian Music
One of the newest additions to City Park, the House of Hungarian Music brings a completely different architectural language to Városliget.
Its contemporary design, interactive exhibitions and unusual relationship between the building and surrounding trees make it much more than simply a museum for music lovers.
Museum of Fine Arts
Facing Heroes’ Square, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of Budapest’s great cultural institutions. Its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions are excellent, but I think the magnificent building itself is almost enough reason to visit. If museums are an important part of your Budapest plans, allow enough time rather than trying to squeeze a major collection into an already busy sightseeing day.
Museum of Ethnography
The Museum of Ethnography is another striking contemporary addition to City Park. Its sweeping curved form and landscaped roof have dramatically changed this part of Városliget and create an interesting contrast with the historic buildings around the park.
Budapest Zoo
Budapest Zoo has been part of City Park since the 19th century and is one of the places I associate most strongly with my own childhood. Even if you’re not visiting the Zoo itself, look at the beautiful historic entrance and the wonderful Elephant House nearby — reminders that some of the park’s most interesting architecture isn’t found among its major monuments.
The Lake, Ice Rink – and Simply Being in the Park
Not everything in City Park needs an entrance ticket. The lake changes character with the seasons: in warmer months it’s surrounded by people walking and relaxing, while in winter part of the area becomes Budapest’s famous outdoor ice rink.
I’ve been skating here since I was a child, and it’s still one of those places where City Park feels less like a tourist attraction and more like part of everyday Budapest. And sometimes the best thing to do is simply walk under the trees, sit on a bench — or feed the ducks.
Museums in City Park
City Park is also one of Budapest’s most interesting cultural areas, with several excellent museums in and around the park. The Museum of Fine Arts, House of Hungarian Music and Museum of Ethnography can all turn a walk through Városliget into a much longer cultural day. And just beyond the park, the wonderful little György Ráth Villa is one of my personal favourites for Art Nouveau and decorative arts.
If you’re deciding which ones are worth adding to your itinerary, I’ve put together a curated guide to my favourite Budapest museums.
How Much Time Do You Need in City Park?
How long to spend in City Park depends very much on what you’d like to see.
- About one hour is enough for an introduction: start at Heroes’ Square, cross into the park and walk around Vajdahunyad Castle.
- Two to three hours gives you time to explore at a much more relaxed pace, see more of the architecture and perhaps stop for a coffee or drink.
- Half a day or longer makes sense if you’d like to combine the park with a museum, Széchenyi Thermal Bath or the Zoo.
I wouldn’t try to fit everything into one visit. City Park is much more enjoyable when there’s time to wander a little rather than moving quickly between attractions.
My Favourite Way to Explore City Park
My favourite way to explore City Park is to start at Heroes’ Square and then cross the little bridge into the park.
From there, I like to wander through Vajdahunyad Castle, but rather than only seeing it from the main courtyard, I always walk around to the other side of the moat. It’s one of my favourite views of the castle and somehow feels much quieter and more romantic from there.
From Vajdahunyad, I continue towards Széchenyi Thermal Bath. Even if you’re not planning to spend several hours bathing, it’s worth seeing the grand entrance and foyer. I also love the little drinking hall where you can taste Széchenyi’s thermal water — a small reminder that Budapest’s bathing culture has always been about much more than simply soaking in a hot pool.
Then I like to continue towards the old amusement park area. The Vidámpark I knew as a child has disappeared, but its beautiful historic carousel survives and is now part of the Zoo. Nearby are the wonderful Elephant House and the Art Nouveau entrance to Budapest Zoo — two details I would never hurry past.
And somewhere along the way, there should always be time to stop by the lake and feed the ducks.
That’s probably my favourite thing about this walk. It includes some of City Park’s major sights, but it doesn’t feel like moving through a checklist. There are grand monuments and beautiful buildings, but also little bridges, old memories, ducks and places where you simply stop for a while.
City Park Through the Seasons
City Park changes enormously through the year, and I don’t think there’s really a bad season to visit.
Spring and summer are when Városliget feels most like Budapest’s garden. The trees are green, people linger outdoors, and long summer evenings are perfect for simply sitting somewhere with a drink.
Autumn brings beautiful colours and a quieter atmosphere once the busiest visitor season begins to fade.
And winter gives the park an entirely different character. The ice rink becomes one of its great attractions, while the steam rising from the outdoor pools at Széchenyi makes the baths particularly atmospheric on cold days.
The monuments don’t change, of course. But the experience of the park certainly does.
City Park as Part of Your Budapest Experience
City Park works particularly well as part of a longer Budapest itinerary because the time spent here can easily be adapted to your interests. Some travellers want to focus on architecture and history, others on museums or thermal baths, while others simply enjoy seeing a greener and more relaxed side of Budapest.
My Budapest private tours are fully customisable, so City Park can be included as a short introduction or explored in much greater depth depending on what you’d most like to see.
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.
