Margaret Island Budapest
Margaret Island Budapest – Hungary’s car free Margaret Island is located in the Danube between Buda and Pest, linked by bridges and easy to access on foot. Among the grassland and the flower gardens, such as the Japanese and the Rose garden, there’s plenty more to do.
It makes a fantastic site as a base and it’s located next to the city’s most famous and renowned riverside attractions. [Our full guide to Budapest is here.]
Music Fountain – Margaret Island Budapest
FREE – By day the Music Fountain offers creative water displays, similar to firework displays, set to music. People gather on the benches to watch and relax, or they sit on the edge of the fountain on hot days and dip their feet in the water. By night the water is illuminated with changing light colours. A thing of beauty for all ages.
BUDAPEST Sign – Margaret Island Budapest
FREE – You know you’re on holiday when you get a snap at the Budapest sign. We visited at night, so it’s hard to get a pic when you’re back lit, but we prevailed 🙂
‘Things to Do in Budapest’ Guide
Hire Cute Vehicles – Margaret Island
There are colourful cars for little kids to pedal round the island, or larger vehicles for families or lively groups of friends. We didn’t hire but it looked so much fun that it’s on my list for next time!
Hippie Island – Margaret Island
There are several kiosks or very simple cafes, they’re absolutely fine if you just need to grab a drink but we wanted to sit down and enjoy the bar we were in. Therefore we loved Hippie Island. Lots of sun loungers, umbrellas for shade, and plenty of sun. Could have whiled away a few hours here.
Palatinus Baths – Margaret Island
I loved the informal relaxed look of the outdoor pools at the Palatinus Baths, which first opened in 1919. People ate picnics, sunbathed in the grass. I really REALLY want to take my kids here. Palatinus apparently offers over a dozen pools in total, including 4 kids’ pools, an artificial wave pool, slides, indoor pools (some hot, some cold plunge pools).
Head off on a Boat Trip
Many boats depart from the Molo dock on Margaret Island. We loved our unlimited prosecco cruise, which was so civilised and allowed us to see the key sights from the water. This Unlimited Prosecco Cruise departs from Margaret Island. Here is a second cruise option to consider, very close by, that leaves from the Pest side of the River.
Where to Stay – Stay on the Island!
You can actually stay on the island so you wake up to this green playground every day.
LUXURY
The modern Ensana Thermal Margaret Island offers a spa area, hot tub, indoor and outdoor pool. In the Platán Restaurant with its terrace enjoy magnificent views of the park, or consider the Boróka Bar with terrace and the Neptun bar at the swimming pool.
MID RANGE
The Ensana Grand Margaret Island is more traditional and dates back to 1873. It houses a spa, and its Széchenyi Restaurant offers fine dining with views over the park. Apparently the hotel’s connected to the Ensana Thermal Hotel (mentioned above) by a long, heated underground corridor allowing guests access to the sister hotel’s pools and facitliites. How intriguing.
BUDGET
The colourful Island Hostel Budapest offers dorm and private rooms at great prices, and in close proximity to the Palatinus Baths. Book a four-bed dorm for a family of four.
Additional Knowledge
Two bridges link the island to the ‘mainland’, one at the top of the island, and one at the bottom. So it is very easy to access.
For a full guide to Budapest click here.
Margaret Island isn’t great for public toilets, as most facilities require a cash payment of €1 or a few HUF. If the toilets are situated at a cafe, they’re free with a receipt from the cafe or you can pay. Worth baring in mind if you plan to travel cash free. Apart from that, have fun!
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