Margaret Island (Margit-Sziget)

Margaret Island was once a hunting reserve and also houses the ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan monastery and church. The island gets its name from a saint who onced lived there. Take the kids to the zoo, check out the musical fountain, and relax in the thermal pools. City sightseeing tours, hop-on hop-off bus tours, and regional tours often stop at Margaret Island; many offer optional cruises.

• Margaret Island is an ideal destination for families, offering playgrounds and open space for play.

• When the sun is shining, do as the locals do and pack a picnic for dining alfresco.

• Discounts to shows on the island’s open-air stage are offered with the Budapest Card.

Margaret Island is in the Danube River, between the Margaret and Árpád bridges. You can walk to the island via the Margaret Bridge, or take the 26 bus, which runs from the Árpád híd metro station, crosses the length of Margaret Island, and terminates at the Nyugati pályaudvar station.

There’s no bad time to visit Margaret Island, though the park is most enjoyable when flowers are blooming and the sun is shining, from April to October. In fall, the foliage is a draw. Weekends are the busiest time on the island.

Experience Budapest from a different perspective with a cruise on the Danube River. From the water, see the city’s historic bridges, neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building, and world-renowned Buda Castle. Sightseeing cruises typically pass Margaret Island, and many offer amenities like Wi-Fi, drinks, and wine. If you want a personalized experience, you also can book a private river cruise.