Hungary has been part of the international events since long.
The arrival of tourist has continued in 2024 after covid was eliminated.
Going to the streets, parks, shopping malls is normal everywhere, but in Budapest, outdoor activities are beyond that.
Pubs are open, people can go out and eat in restaurants, clubs welcoming the guests to party.
Following are the list of Activities that you can try on your next Budapest trip in 2024.
Budapest bridges
Budapest can be easily declared as one of the top 10 beautiful cities.
There are seven bridges with unique architecture and structure connecting the Buda and Pest cities.
It’s a great outdoor activity in Budapest for couples to walk along these bridges to see the various views of the beautiful city.
You can explore these bridges with Budapest buses,operating on different routes that will take you across Danube river.
Of course, walking along each bridge is a daunting task, but 3 of the 7 are a must-visit.
A walk along each bridge is around 10-15 mins.
There are pedestrian walkways on each side of bridges.
Chain bridge Budapest is currently being renovated and hence not assessable.
- Szabadsag Bridge (Green Bridge Budapest)
- Széchenyi Lánchíd (Lions Bridge Budapest)
- Margit Hid (Margaret Island Bridge)
Tip: If you have a one-day Budapest pass, you can go along the sightseeing Budapest TRAM 2,which passes across each bridge on the pest side.
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Exploring the Margaret Island
Margaret island is an eye shaped island between Buda and pest.
It is a huge island and one of the top attractions in Budapest.
One of the best options to visit Budapest top attractions in short time is using Hop On Hop Off buses. Get your Hop on Hop off bus ticket here for a 10% discount.
There is a huge running track, small zoo, multiple small parks, musical fountain and cafés.
It is a recommended outdoor activity in Budapest for families to explore the Margaret island (6 KM)
If you are not in the mood to walk, there is a bicycle renting option available as well.
The recommended time to explore Margaret island is during the daytime, either you visit in winters or summers.
However, if you plan to see the dancing fountain, it is only possible after sunset during summers (after 8 30pm in Budapest)
Margaret island is free to enter, however, the water park, cycling and some activities are paid.
Exploring the pest side of the Danube river with tram 2
If you are not in the mood to walk, but still want to have a quick outdoor activity in Budapest.
Tram 2 is your best friend,as it goes along the Danube river and passes through key monuments along.
One of the top outdoor activity in Budapest is to explore Budapest by tram 2.
Either you are at Boráros tér (Petofi Bridge)or Jászai Mari tér (closer to Margaret Island), tram 2 track between these two stops is a beauty.
Starting from Petofi Bridge, you will find Balna(pest), Liberty Bridge, Gellert Hill(Buda), Erzsebet Bridge, Castle Garden Bazar(Buda), Buda Castle (Buda),Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest(Pest),Fisherman’s Bastion (Buda) and Budapest Parliament.
Either you are traveling in summers or winters, with children or alone, tram 2 is the quickest way to get an overview of the monuments along the Danube river.
Don’t forget to validate the ticket before riding tram 2.
Walk around the Jewish district
Walking around the Jewish quarter Budapest is a must outdoor activity in Budapest.
The walk in Jewish district is good all around the year.
Synagogues, pubs,cafés,ruin bars, restaurants and cultural heritage of Budapest, can be explored in the Jewish district.
In fact, it’s a party heaven for couples and teenagers, as the streets of Jewish district are not sleeping during the night.
One of the top attractions in Budapest is the Great Synagogue. If you plan to visit, make sure to book your Great Synagogue ticket in advance to avoid long queues.
Dob Utca, Dohany Utca, Wesselenyi Utca and Kiraly utca.
One of the best outdoor activities in Budapest at night is to explore the Jewish district where teens and group of youngsters are seen all round the night.
Spending time at city park
City park is a huge park on the other side of Budapest which has numerous attractions which are great for outdoor activities.
It can take more than 4 hours of consecutive walking to explore the park alone.
One side of the city Park Budapest has a whole running track with multiple playing fields for football, basketball, table tennis, and volley ball.
Inside the city park, you will also find a huge area called jatszoter, playground Budapest, which is a playing area for kids from age 2 to 12.
The other end of the city park closer to Budapest zoo also has children playground, and table tennis tables.
There is a lake as well, a must-do outdoor activity for couples is walking along the track.
Exploring the Heroes square
No matter which season do you visit Budapest, your trip is incomplete without visiting Heroes Square Budapest.
You can easily spend around an hour taking pictures and exploring the statutes of Hungarian Heroes.
Heroes square gives a pleasant outdoor experience to the visitors.
During the Summer seasons and national holidays in Budapest, there is always some event at Heroes square with a number of outdoor activities.
Boating in City park lake behind Heroes square Budapest
During summer, the area behind Heroes square is turned into a lake.
This lake is different from the one which exists on the zoo side of the park.
One of the fun things to do in Budapest Hungary is boating at the city park lake
There are lot of people waiting in queue to do boating.
After covid control in Budapest, Euro cup fan zone was established at the very place,which attracted lot of people.
You can easily expect 1 to 1.5 hours in performing this outdoor activity.i.e. boating behind Heroes square of Budapest.
You can rent the boat by paying optimum prices, which range from 1600 HUF to 6000 HUF.
Skating at City Park Ice Rink, Budapest
In winter, around December, the lake behind Heroes square is converted into an ice rink.
Skating in the ice rink is a magical experience for kids, families and couples.
The city park ice rink is quite huge.
One of a must do outdoor activity at night in Budapest is to skate at the City Park ice rink.
If you are in Budapest during December or January, Skating is a must-try with the castle on the background.
The prices on weekend are higher than the weekdays.
You might feel disappointed if you are a professional skater as you can’t go fast as there are lot of amateur skaters filling up the space.
Entry fees are 2000 HUF while the skating shoes are available for 2000 HUF per person.
Walking along Andrassy Avenue Budapest
Andrassy Avenue Budapest is one of the oldest, historical and famous avenue of Budapest.
It starts from Heroes square and ends at Budapest city center stop Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út.
If you are staying for more than 4 days, Andrassy Ut walk is a must outdoor activity in Budapest.
You can even plan in such a way that you walk in one direction and tak Metro M1 in the opposite direction, as it’s going along the route of yellow metro M1.
In December, just before Christmas, all the Andrassy Utca is lit with lights and truly depicts the colors of Christmas.
If you are visiting Andrassy Utca in August, September or October, there is a chance you might find festivals organized with food trucks and wine carts.
Relaxing along the Danube bank
The Danube bank between Margaret island and Liberty bridge of Budapest has numerous places to sit and relax on stairs.
Whether you visit in summers or winters, it’s a great outdoor activity in Budapest for couples to sit on the stairs next to the Danube.
Spot#1 to relax on Danube in Budapest
One of the famous spots to sit on stairs with a spectacular view of the parliament is closer to Bathyany Ter (M2 stop) on Pest side.
During the summers, the best time is to visit is around 8 30 to 11 30.
If you are coming with kids, instead of sitting on the stairs, you can sit on the benches, one step above the road.
Spot#2 to relax on Danube in Budapest
One of the spots for relaxing in Budapest is next to the Jewish shoes Budapest closer to parliament.
The area between the shoe monument and Chain bridge on the pest side has numerous places to sit, with benches at some places.
In the same area, there are no stairs as the height of the ledge from the water level is more than 15 feet or more.
You can have a great view of the Buda castle and Fisher bastion, while sitting at any spot between the mentioned area.
Spot#3 to relax on Danube in Budapest
The area between Liberty bridge(Green) and Erzsebet bridge (white) has numerous spots to sit on stairs and benches to watch the beauty on the pest side of Budapest.
The neighboring area of liberty bridge is an excellent spot to watch the monuments on pest side, which include Gellert hill, Gellert Baths,Gellert Hotel, Buda castle and fisherman Bastian.
If you are visiting the Central Market Hall, Budapest, you can definitely spare sometime to sit and have a view of Buda side.
Keep in mind that any area along the Danube is free to sit.
Only to board the huge cruise ships, you need to pay.
Hiking the Gellert hill,Citadella(Liberty Statue) in Budapest
Gellert hill is a historical monument on one of the hills of Buda.
It has been shown in numerous movies.
A must do outdoor activity in Budapest for athletes is to climb the Gellert hill.
Although many 60+ aged visitors have been seen hiking the track towards Budapest liberty Statue.
Although it is possible to visit Gellert hill by bus, which drops at the back side of the hill.
If you have the energy and stamina, hiking the Gellert hill is a good activity.
The hike starts right next to the end of Liberty Bridge (green bridge) and may take 20 to 25 mins.
There are multiple ways to reach the top. There are no entry fees to walk around Gellert hill and Citadella.
It can be quite exhausting to hike the Citadella, hence do take water with you.
Climbing the Buda Castle
You can reach Buda Castle with bus, however, Hiking the Buda castle is an exciting experience.
The base of hiking for Buda castle is Clark Adam square.
On the left side of the square you will see an inclined street that is the entry to the Buda castle.
There are stairs which keep on going upwards and turn into bigger steps.after 5 mins hike.
The overall hike with stairs to Buda Castle is challenging but its a must outdoor activity at night in Budapest to have a view of the beautiful Budapest City.
The Buda castle hike from the base to the top of the castle is 15-20 minutes.
Visiting the Szechenyi baths
There are many baths in Budapest which are great to visit during any time of the day.
However, if you are looking to visit baths with more open areas, then Szechenyi baths are the perfect fit.
These are located closer to Heroes Square.
You can travel from Budapest city center to Szechenyi baths by Metro M1.
You can easily spend 4 to 7 hours at the Szechenyi baths.
Relaxing at Garden of Philosophers, Budapest
If you want to explore a park which has history but not many visitors know.
You should visit the philosopher’s garden, which is located at the Buda side of Erzsebet bridge.
It is accessible by many buses from Astoria station.
However, if you are interested in walking from Budapest city center to Philosophers park, it is a 2.1 km walk from Deak Ferenc ter (30 mins walk).
Garden of Philosophers is a medium-sized park with some statues and a view of Budapest.
You can also visit it on your way back from Gellert Hill.
Some prominent statues are of Buddha, Jesus,Abraham and Gandhi.
Eating at Raday Utca Budapest
Raday Utca is the food street of Budapest.
It is one of the non-tourist outdoor location, where you can find a huge variety of food.
Especially if you visit Raday Utca during the lunchtime, you can find quite good food deals.
Raday utca is a pedestrian street with restaurants, cafés, bakeries, pubs and fast food shops.
It is accessible with 6-4 tram from Mester utca / Ferenc körút stop on one side.
While on the other side, you can reach stop Kalvin Ter with tram 47,48 and Metro M3.
From Kalvin ter, it’s a 2-min walk.
Overall, Raday utca is a great place to walk, and around 1 km in length (15 mins).
Breakfast,dinner,lunch, no matter what time you visit, you will find tasty food with good prices.
Public ferry ride on Danube
Taking a ferry in Budapest is an outdoor activity which cannot be skipped.
Although many people think that ferry rides in Budapest are quite expensive.
Many don’t know that during summer times, there is a public ferry which is costing a single Budapest transport ticket of 300/350 HUF.
However,on weekends the price is 500 HUF. You can easily have a great view of the Budapest monuments through the ferry.
Cycling with Mol Bubi
If you are not in the mood to walk or take public transport in Budapest.
You can cycle around Budapest by renting a bicycle in 2024.
Exploring Budapest with cycle is a fun activity that is good for couples and groups in Budapest.
Even without going to a bike rental shop, after covid, you can rent a bicycle through the MOL Bubi app.
The information about mol bubi can be downloaded from here.
Budapest summer festivals 2024
If you are visiting Budapest during summer, anywhere you visit, you will be overwhelmed with the amount of festivals in the city.
Almost every weekend, there are outdoor festivals in Budapest.
If you are looking to stay near Budapest parliament, do check Parlament Hotel availability which is walking distance from key attractions in Budapest.
The outdoor festivals can be located at Buda Castle, Varkert Bazar, Szent Istvan Square, vajdahunyad castle.
Some festivals have free entry, while at some, involving wine tasting will cost some entry fees.
Visiting the Budapest Zoo
Visiting Budapest zoo is the top outdoor activity for kids in Budapest in 2024.
Budapest zoo has a great variety of animals and a perfect outdoor activity for families with children.
Budapest zoo is easily assessable with Metro 1 as it is 10 mins walk from heroes square.
You can easily spend around 3 to 4 hours at the Budapest zoo.
