Budapest » Budapest Parks
Budapest Parks
Budapest's favourite park is without a doubt the Margaret Island, named after Princess Margaret, who lived in a convent here in the thirteenth century (the ruins of which can still be seen). The former water tower is a UNESCO protected monument and is now an unusual exhibition space. The open-air theatre is a popular venue for performances of opera and ballet in the summer months. What with the musical fountain and the centuries-old trees, a walk around Margaret Island is a pleasure at any time of the year. There are no cars are allowed, but bicycles can be hired and the number 26 bus runs the entire length. There is a swimming pool, lido, two hotels and a number of eateries.
Gellért Hill is another very popular place, largely because of its fantastic views over the city. The big statue near the base of the hill is of Bishop Saint Gellért, martyred on this spot in the eleventh century, and the buildings comprising the Citadel on the top mark the putting down by the Habsburgs of the War of Independence in 1848. There is a small chapel built into the south face of the hill. Resembling the one at Lourdes it dates originally from 1926, but after being forcibly closed for many years it was reopened in 1989.
The largest green space in Pest is the City Park, and at weekends it is visited by large numbers of families looking either to relax or to enjoy some of its many attractions. The Museums of Fine Arts, the Palace of Arts, the Millenary Monument and Vajdahunyad Castle were all constructed as part of Hungary's millennial celebrations in 1896, but here visitors will also find the Zoo, the Fun Fair, the Circus, the Széchenyi Baths, the Transport Museum, and - much favoured by young people - the Petőfi Hall. In summer there is pleasant rowing on the small lake; in winter ice skating. It is lovely to walk or bicycle under the shade of the mature trees.
Népliget (People's Park), to the south-east of the city centre, became a public park in 1860. Covering nearly 300 acres it a pleasant mix of trees, flowers and grass, with some of the inner paths lined with statues. It is also the location of the Planetarium, under whose 75-foot-wide dome are projected wonderful astronomic shows as well as laser shows to the accompaniment of both pop and classical music. A small part of Népliget is named Centenarium Park, to commemorate the centenary of the unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda in 1873.
The Buda Hills are to the north-west of the capital. These gentle hills, ranging in height from 1,300 to 1,600 feet, are popular places for nature-lovers and walkers. There are designated paths through the forests that are suitable for both walking and cycling. There are some interesting ways of getting here. The Cogwheel Railway runs from Városmajor to Széchenyi Hill; with the exception of the engine driver, the Children's Railway, from Széchenyi Hill to Hűvösvölgy, is run entirely by children. Look out for the steam-hauled special services. The Chair Lift is a fun way of getting up to János Hill, from where there are superb views over the whole of Budapest.
At Sas Hill there is a 74-acre nature reserve (entrance, with a guide only, at XI. Tájék u. 26); it is an unparalleled oasis of tranquillity in a capital city of two million inhabitants. There are examples of flora from the Dolomites, from the Mediterranean and the steppes of Russia. There are rare animals too – including ladybird spiders, which, distinguished by their black-spotted red abdomen, like to rest on the rocks basking in the sun; also the snake-eyed skink, which, like its name suggests, resembles a snake, although it has legs and is in fact a lizard.