Budapest is the perfect combination of Vienna and Berlin. The pomp and pageantry of the past monarchy can be found in the Hungarian capital coupled with the visible neglect of the old buildings under communism. In addition to heaps of cultural sights such as the Fishermen’s Bastion, the Parliament, Matthias Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site!), the thermal baths and of course the nine iconic bridges, the city offers legendary nightlife in the unique ruin bars, each a work of art in its own right.
But this article will not be dedicated to these highlights you probably already know, but in usual Tatonka fashion to the outdoor pleasures of Budapest. Because there are a lot of them.
Memento Park Budapest – History appreciation with a lot of irony.
Let’s start our outdoor sightseeing tour in Budapest with one of the more whimsical attractions: Memento Park. After the end of the socialist regime, a few of Hungary’s most impressive statues and monuments commemorating the period were collected at this site and now form a creepy cabinet of 20th century Soviet sculpture. In addition to the inevitable Lenins and Stalins, there are imposing monuments to workers, war and peasants – the classic themes of socialism, in fact. All the statues are nestled in a pretty garden setting, which offers a neat red flower socialist star as a special highlight.
How to get there:
Memento Park is open daily from 10:00 am to sunset. From downtown, take Metro 4 to Kelenföld vasutallomas, then hop on bus 101B, 101E or 150 to the Budateteny vasutallomas (Campona) stop. The park is located a bit outside in the southern part of the city. If you want to go there by bike, it’s about 11 km from Deak Ferenc Ter – but you’ll be rewarded with an interesting glimpse of everyday Budapest away from the crowds.
The best view of the city: A morning hike up Gellért Hill.
We found this great idea on Travelinspired: If you want to see Budapest from above and enjoy this view in peace, you better set an alarm (or don’t go to bed at all). Gellért Hill is a popular destination for locals and tourists during the day. Therefore, it can get quite crowded and hectic at times. However, if you climb Gellért Hill in the morning for sunrise (via an asphalt footpath, so you don’t need any special equipment), you’ll have a good chance to watch the city wake up undisturbed. It’s an ideal start to the day – or the perfect end to an exciting night.
How to get there:
Gellért Hill is probably best reached on foot from the city or by cab at this hour. For the late risers, public transportation is a good option: Take Metro 4 to Fövam tér and cross the Freedom Bridge, or take a Danube ferry to the Szent Gellért tér stop.
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Danube islands: peace, nature, tranquility – and in August the Szíget Festival.
In addition to the Buda Hills (where you can mountain bike, by the way), Budapest is distinguished by another scenic feature: Large Danube islands turned into city parks. The most famous of these islands is Margaret Island, a beautiful English-style park where you can walk, jog, bike or just relax under a tree. You’ll also find a beautiful Japanese garden and a musical fountain that plays water games accompanied by music several times a day. For open-air water rats, there is also the Palatinusbad with a total of ten pools, a wellness area and several water slides.
Less well known, but much quieter and more natural is Òbuda Island. Here you can lose yourself among forests and meadows if you need a break from the roaring city. But in August, the Szíget festival turns the island into a huge party.
The absolute underdog of the Danube islands, however, is Nép Island. Here, old factory buildings and parks from the socialist era are crumbling away and nature is sprawling more or less unchecked wherever it can find room. For travelers with a taste for end-of-life scenery and industrial charm, Nép Island is certainly worth a detour – the island is slowly being rediscovered by locals and even offers a beach bar or two.
How to get there:
Margaret Island: Trams 4 and 6 head to the Margit híd stop. From there you can reach Margaret Island via a pedestrian bridge. There are no cars on the island itself. Here you can either walk or rent a bike.
Òbuda Island: Outside the Szíget Festival, there are no shuttle buses from the airport or from the city center to the island. The best way to get to the island is by train: just go to Filatorigát and, with the help of your smartphone, walk a few meters to the footbridge to the island.
Nép Island: Take Metro 3 to the Ujpest-városkapu stop and walk across a bridge to the island using your smartphone.
