In the middle of the Danube, between Buda and Pest, there is a place that feels completely different from the rest of Budapest. Margaret Island, or Margitsziget, is one of the best places in the city to slow down, walk around and spend some time surrounded by nature.
The island is almost completely covered by parks and green areas. There are no busy streets like in the city centre, so the atmosphere is much quieter. You can come here for a short walk, but you can also easily spend half a day exploring the different parts of the island.
How to get there
Margaret Island is quite easy to reach from the centre of Budapest. One of the simplest ways is to take tram 4 or 6 and get off at Margitsziget / Margit híd. From the bridge, you can walk directly onto the southern part of the island. Bus 26 also travels through the island and is useful if you do not want to walk the entire distance.
Once you arrive, walking is probably the best way to discover it. However, the island is quite long, so you can also rent a bicycle or one of the funny pedal cars called bringóhintó, which are very popular with groups of friends.
A huge park in the middle of the city
Probably the nicest thing about Margaret Island is that you do not really need a plan. You can simply walk around and see where the paths take you.
There are huge lawns where people sit in the sun, have picnics, read or meet their friends. Other areas are full of large old trees and feel much more peaceful. You will also see people running around the island, cycling or just lying on the grass.
Even though you are very close to the centre of Budapest, sometimes it is easy to forget that you are still inside a capital city.
The island also hides some historical places, including medieval monastery ruins, as well as the Water Tower, gardens and small paths away from the busiest areas.
Relax at Palatinus
If the weather is good, one of the best places to stop is Palatinus, the large bathing complex located directly on the island.
It combines the typical Budapest thermal-bath experience with something closer to a summer swimming pool. There are thermal pools, swimming areas, slides and a wave pool, while part of the complex also operates throughout the year.
It is especially nice after walking around the island for a few hours. Instead of visiting another monument, you can spend part of the afternoon swimming or simply relaxing in the water.
The Japanese Garden
Towards the northern part of Margaret Island there is a completely different environment: the Japanese Garden.
It is not very large, but it is probably one of the most peaceful parts of the island. There is a small lake, water lilies, rocks, unusual plants and little bridges surrounded by trees.
This is the kind of place where it is worth stopping for a few minutes instead of just walking through. Sitting on one of the benches, with the sound of the water and almost no traffic noise, makes it difficult to believe that central Budapest is only a few kilometres away.
The Musical Fountain
At the southern end of the island you can find one of its most famous attractions: the Musical Fountain.
We already talked about it in a previous article a few days ago, where we focused more on its shows, music and atmosphere. Here, it is worth mentioning again because the fountain is also one of the main symbols of Margaret Island and one of the first places you see when entering from Margaret Bridge.
During the shows, the water jets move together with music, and in the evening the lights make the whole experience even more impressive.
It is a perfect place to stop during a walk around the island, especially at the end of the day, when many people sit around the fountain, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Comments are closed.