16 of the best · Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is full of green escapes: an island park in the Danube, City Park with its museums and lake, wooded hills behind Buda with a railway run by children, and riverside strips for cycling and fried fish.
Our 16 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Budapest.
A park in the river
A green island park in the middle of the Danube, with a running track, a musical fountain, gardens and medieval ruins.
Museums, a lake and the zoo
Budapest’s great park behind Heroes’ Square, with a lake, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Baths, the zoo and new museums.
Meadows in the Buda Hills
Meadows and forest trails high in the Buda Hills, famous for its strudel and winter sledging.
Budapest’s green side.
The back story
A car-free island of gardens, ruins, a musical fountain and a running track, between Buda and Pest.
The back story
Forest trails, a lookout tower and a railway run by children: Budapest’s green escape.
The back story
Hot water carved a labyrinth under the Buda Hills, and you can walk, or crawl, through it.
Parks and gardens.
One of the oldest zoos
The city zoo and botanical garden in City Park, opened in 1866, with Art Nouveau animal houses.
Állatkerti körút 6-12Explore View on map
Museums, a lake and the zoo
Budapest’s great park behind Heroes’ Square, with a lake, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Baths, the zoo and new museums.
A park in the river
A green island park in the middle of the Danube, with a running track, a musical fountain, gardens and medieval ruins.
A park in an old factory
A modern park on the site of an old factory near Széll Kálmán Square, with lawns, a lake and playgrounds.
Forests and views.
Run by children
A narrow-gauge railway through the Buda Hills, run by children under adult supervision.
The city at your feet
The rocky hill above the Danube, crowned by the Citadella and the Liberty Statue, with the widest views over Budapest.
Meadows in the Buda Hills
Meadows and forest trails high in the Buda Hills, famous for its strudel and winter sledging.
Part of Hungary’s longest cave system
A show cave of narrow passages and great chambers, visited on guided tours.
Szépvölgyi út 162Explore View on map
Mineral crusts and crystals
An easy show cave famous for its mineral formations.
Pusztaszeri út 35Explore View on map
Up to János Hill
A chairlift up to János Hill, the highest point of Budapest, with the Elizabeth Lookout Tower.
Riverside escapes.
A green peninsula
A landscaped peninsula on the Danube in south Buda, with lawns, restaurants and bars.
Summer on the island
The big open-air pool complex on Margaret Island, with thermal and swimming pools, a wave pool and slides in summer.
Fried fish by the Danube
A long riverside strip in northern Buda, with bike paths, rowing clubs and fried-fish kiosks.
Many riverside kiosks and the Children’s Railway have seasonal timetables; check before you go.
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