Spend the Day on Margaret Island

You can ride a bike, a bringo or a pony, play in various playgrounds, have a family picnic on Margaret Island… and splash in the largest pool of Budapest!

Margaret Island, the largest island of the Danube river, is an exciting place for children. Kings and queens used to hunt rabbits on this green island, which was named after Princess Margaret, the daughter of King Bela. If you enter by car at the north end of Margaret Island (Árpád Bridge), you will park in the large parking lot on the Island (pay-parking) and then you are free to discover the huge park.

How to get there
Margaret Island [printable map] can be reached by trams 4 & 6, which stop on the Margaret Bridge, by bus 26 which runs from Nyugati train station across the island, and by car only from the Árpád Bridge.

Bringóhintó (pedal carriage) - you can rent a bringó at the Bringóvár (pedal-carriage castle) for an hourly rate in different sizes - some will fit your entire family. Bringóvár rents out adult’s and children’s bringós, bikes and skates from 8 am till dark. Bringó is a funny sort of bike-car / pedal car / pedal carriage. It is a nice opportunity to explore the island with these family vehicles that can be rented and returned at both ends of the island. Tip: use a bringó to tour around the entire island. Bringóvár website: www.bringohinto.hu

Petting Zoo - Berci the Welsh pony will patiently let every child to ride him. The small Zoo - or “Vadaskert” as it is called - has a large collection of birds, deer and a few ponies to ride. The Petting Zoo is open daily 10am to 5pm between April 15 and October 23, but animals can be viewed and petted from outside the fence when closed. The Zoo is on the Pest bank, just opposite the Palatinus Pool.

Rose Garden - a nice place to take a break and settle down on a bench, enjoy the sun or a good book, or have a family picnic. The Rose garden is located in the center of Margaret Island between the Palatinus Pool and the Petting Zoo.

Music Fountain and Music Well - it is worth stopping to “listen” to the Music Fountain close to the Margaret Bridge, or the Music Well in the Japanese Garden, at the other side close to the Árpád Bridge.

Palatinus Pool - If you are ready for some action on Margaret Island, don’t miss the largest summer pool of Budapest. There is a wave pool, a tunnel fountain and huge water slides! The Palatinus Pool in the middle of the Buda side of the island is the largest pool in Budapest and includes thermal baths, wave pools, a slide complex and children’s pools. It is a great pool for children of all ages, but tends to get crowded on hot summer days. Open daily 8am to 9pm between May 1 and August 31.

Alfréd Hajós Sports Center - on your left coming from Margaret Bridge. This swimming pool is mainly a sports pool with some free swimming hours and swimming lessons. The building has public toilets and a good pastry buffet in the foyer.

Running, Skating, Biking - Margaret Island is surrounded by a special 5 km long running - skating - biking track.

Playgrounds - there are 2 major playgrounds on the island. Just after the sports center on your left, coming from the Margaret Bridge, there is a nice, large playground with many different play corners according to age. Parents can get a snack (and toilet) in the Alfréd Hajós Swimming Pool next door. The other - smaller - playground for toddlers is mainly for toddlers and you will find it between Alfréd Hajós and Palatinus pools.

Look-out Tower - You can climb the beautiful water tower for a small fee. it offers great views (May till October).

Restaurants - For lunch, I recommend Holdudvar close to the Music Fountain for its space, some entertainment (table soccer and ping-pong) and a good ambiance. Evening include dance music. Open summer only. Close to the Árpád Bridge, the Thermal Hotel houses a spacious cafeteria (good for strollers). The terrace of the nearby Grand Hotel Margitsziget is also pleasant.

If you are looking for a drink or a simple snack, there are several stalls with small terraces in many parts of the island.

Margaret Island, bringóhintó, pony, playground, picnic, pool, biking, running, skating, playground, restaurants, Budapest

main source: Benjamin Guides - Budapest for Children