You'll find something to do or attract you in Budapest City Park (Hungarians call it Városliget) no matter you're young or old, single or have kids.
Take your time, devote at least a whole day to explore this green gem of Budapest.
Getting there: the simplest way is to take the M1 Millenium underground line and get off at Heroes' Square or at Széchenyi Fürdő stations . The parks lies behind the square.
Map of Budapest City Park
Attractions
History of City Park
Restaurants
Events in Budapest City Park
Related Pages from our Website
Brief History of Budapest City Park
The area of today's City Park used to be a swamp and was called Rákos mező where the Hungarian kings were elected between the 13th-16th centuries. It was also a favourite hunting ground of noblemen. Later trees were planted in the territory.
The swamp had been drained and the field was transformed into an English-style park in the 18th-19th centuries when the emperor ordered to establish a "National Garden" where people can relax and entertain within green environment.
Budapest City Park was among the first public parks in the world open to people for relaxation purposes.
The preparations for the Millennium Celebrations in 1896 brought by massive developments of the park and its neighbourhood. Heroes' Square was established on the Norhtern corner of the park.
The elegant Andrássy Avenue flanked by fancy villas was built during these years too.
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Attractions in Budapest City Park
The best way to explore the park is to take walk from its one end (Vajdahunyad Castle) to the other end (Zoo).
Pack some sandwiches and refreshments, a blanket and have a picnic on the lawn under the shades of trees.
Numerous walkways run across Városliget so you can leisurely stroll in the park and admire its attractions. Families with toddlers can easily walk around with pushchairs and the disabled will have little problem to get about too.
Start your walk at Vajdahunyad Castle at the Heroes' Square end of the park. The dream-like edifice constructed for the 1896 Millennial Exhibition is a mixture of several architectural styles (you won't find two similar style turrets).
Today the Castle Houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.
The enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle with the City Lake at its foot
The Gothic portcullis evokes medieval fortress atmosphere
Baroque facade, this part of the building houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture Back to top
The lake entices you for rowing in summer, in winter it's overrun by ice skaters
The mighty sycamores witness many romantic moments
The Széchenyi Bath, one of the largest spas in Europe offers great relaxation for the whole family both in a hot summer day or in winter.
Opposite the Széchenyi Baths you'll find the Budapest's top three places of enetertainment for kids:
Budapest Amusement Park: modern and traditional rides, including some unique historic ones, Children's Garden for kids under 10
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The Grand Circus, the only permanent circus in Central Europe: circus performances, sport events, concerts, operette and dance shows
Budapest Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world: wide varietyof animals, remarkable buildings, lots of green.
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More Attractions in City Park
In the
southeastern corner of the park stands the Transport Museum (Közlekedési Múzeum), highly recommended for children.
Unique large scale (1:5) modells of various historic vehicles and other vintage transportation models dazzle both kids and adults.
The small aviation exhibit housed in Petőfi Csarnok next door the museum could also be of interest. Its highlight is the space capsule of the first Hungarian astronaut, Bertalan Farkas.
Address: Zichy Mihály utca, Petőfi Csarnok
Opening Hours: 1st May-30th Sept: 10.00-17.00 (18.00 weekends)
1st-15th Oct: 10.00-16.00 (17.00 weekends), Closed on Mondays
Admission: free, temporary exhibits: 20% off with Budapest Card
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Restaurants in Budapest City Park
You'll find three restaurants next to the Zoo, all three owned by George Lang the famous American gastronomy guru.
Gundel
Address: Állatkerti körút 2.,
Tel: (+36 1) 321 3550
Price range: expensive, $$$
Perhaps the best known Hungarian restaurant by foreigners. Elegant and expensive place.
Bagolyvár (Owl's Castle)
Offers home-style cooking, within less upscale settings than Gundel.
Address: Állatkerti körút 3.,
Tel: (+ 36 1) 468 3110
Price range: expensive, $$$
1894 Borvendéglő
Address: Állatkerti körút 2.,
Tel: (+36 1) 468 4044
Price range: expensive, $$$A pleasant wine restaurant (though not the best in Budapest) with cellar atmosphere.
Robinson Restaurant
Address: City Park Lake,
Tel: (+ 36 1) 422 0222
Price range: expensive, $$$
An ideal place for romantic, candle-lit dinner on an island on the City Park lake.
Széchenyi Kertvendéglő $$
Address: Állatkerti körút 9-11.,
Tel: (+36 1) 364 0190
Price range: mid-priced
This nice garden restaurant is within the Széchenyi Bath. Relaxed environment, tasty food, dancing and several bars provide for enetertainment.
See also our list of best Restaurants in Budapest.
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Events in Budapest City Park or Nearby
Music Evenings in Budapest Zoo (end of July-August 2010)
Jazz and other light music concerts every night in the middle of summer.
Wine Village, 19th-24th August
56-osok tere,
Visit this festival to taste and learn about Hungarian wines and wine producers.
Fruit brandy makers will also introduce their products. Food tasting, musical shows, wine blessing and an open wine competition are the highlights of the event.
Find out more details about Wine Village in Budapest.
As you can see toddlers enjoy the event as much as their dads
See more Events in Budapest.
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Related Pages from our Website
Budapest Parks - an overview of green areas in Budapest
Margaret Island
Budapest Sightseeing - summary of must-see attractions in Budapest
Attractions in Budapest - guide to our favourite sights and attractions.
Heroes' Square - history, monuments, photos
Budapest Zoo - history, opening hours, attractions, photos
Children Activities in Budapest - things to do in Budapest for families with children
Budapest Museums - list of the most notable museums in Budapest
Hungarian Railway Museum - a great museum for kids
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