Margaret Island: Budapest’s Car Free Playground in the Middle of the River

Margaret Island is a two and a half kilometer park in the middle of the Danube, reached by two bridges, with no cars on it. Budapest families go there every weekend. Visiting families walk past it. Do not walk past it.

Rent a bringohinto at the entrance, a four seater pedal cart with a canopy. Two adults pedal, two kids sit in the front and steer, badly. You circle the island in an hour with stops. It is the single happiest hour of most families’ Budapest trip and it costs a few thousand forint.

The musical fountain at the south end does a show on the hour with music and lights, and the kids will want to stay for the whole thing. The small zoo in the middle has deer, peacocks and birds of prey. The ruins of a medieval convent are a good place to run.

The pool and the rest

Palatinus is the outdoor pool complex on the island. Wave pool, slides, thermal pools, a kids’ pool, lawns to lie on. It is where the city swims in summer and it is half the price of the famous baths. Bring the whole day’s things.

The water tower has a lookout. The rose garden is worth ten minutes. The running track around the edge is where the joggers are, and small kids on scooters use it too.

Get there on tram four or six to the Margaret Bridge stop, walk onto the island from the middle of the bridge. Or take the boat from the Pest embankment. Then dinner back in the city at a place with langos on the menu.

Planning Hungary with kids? Start with the full Hungary family travel guide, or send me the ages and the dates and I will come back with what is really available.