Parks · 16 of the best in Budapest
The Buda Hills and the Children’s Railway
The back story
About The Buda Hills and the Children’s Railway
Behind Buda, wooded hills rise to over 500 metres, laced with trails and reached by a cogwheel railway, a chairlift and a unique narrow-gauge line run by children.
A railway run by children
The Children’s Railway, the Gyermekvasút, runs for about eleven kilometres through the forest. Apart from the drivers, it is operated by children aged 10 to 14, who sell tickets, wave the flags and announce the stations under adult supervision, a tradition since 1948.
Elizabeth Lookout
On János Hill, the highest point of Budapest, the Elizabeth Lookout tower, built in 1910 and named after Empress Elisabeth, offers views across the whole city and the hills.
On the Children’s Railway, the conductors are children.
Normafa
Normafa’s meadows are the favourite starting point for walks, with a famous strudel kiosk and sledging in winter.
Our advice: take the cogwheel railway up to Széchenyi-hegy, ride the Children’s Railway to János-hegy, climb the Elizabeth Lookout and come down by the Zugliget chairlift. Allow half a day.
Why it's on our list
- The Children’s Railway
- Elizabeth Lookout
- Normafa
- Getting there
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Buda Hills and the Children’s Railway before you go.