Károlyi Garden
Károlyi Garden
4.5
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The area
Neighborhood: Belváros-Lipótváros
How to get there
- Ferenciek tere • 4 min walk
- Astoria • 4 min walk
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3,684 within 3 miles
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936 within 6 miles
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4.5
3 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
2
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OZS_ATW
Budapest, Hungary3,728 contributions
Nov 2020
This is a very nice garden in the downtown of Budapest very close to Astoria and Kalvin Square. It reminds me of the many gardens in London.
It is very peaceful with nice historical building around it.
It is very peaceful with nice historical building around it.
Written November 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OZS_ATW
Budapest, Hungary3,728 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
This is one of my favorite gardens in downtown Budapest very close to Astoria and Kalvin Square. It is so peaceful and there is also a children playground.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7,254 contributions
Jan 2020
In the middle of downtown Budapest, only a short stroll away from Ferenciek square, or Kálvin square, is the Károlyi Garden. Both of them have a metro station, and one of them has several buses, while the other trams. The little park is located between the Magyar, Ferenczy, Henszlmann, and streets and the palace, and from every street is an entrance. Don’t try to get in through the Palace, since though there are gates, but they’re closed. At least when I visited the garden last time, I had to turn back and go around.
As the name indicates, the last owner before the government got it, was the Károlyi family. Before that, it went through several hands, and the owners built lots of elegant palaces, and beautifully manicured gardens that the new owner rebuilt, replaced, replanted, and decorated. During one of the earthworks, a cemetery dated back to the Árpád era was discovered. So when you walk in the garden, actually you’re saunter above a graveyard. Unfortunately, I have photos only for the winter garden, which is still a well kept nicely manicured park, but with the flowers much more appealing. I have to go back when everything is green and blooming, to show the real beauty of this place. Marta is a very keen gardener keeping this place in a spotless condition, but even she can't do wonders and turn a gloomy winter day into spring. Though there are other things that she can do, tell you stories about Karoly (Charles), the first bunny of the Károlyi garden. In 2009, someone left a little rabbit in the garden, probably an Easter bunny, who was abandoned by the young owner. The workers in the garden felt sorry for the little newcomer and kept it. Later even built a house for Károly next to the public toilets and one of the walls appropriately enough was a plank with the words "Gentlemen" on it. It was the home of the bunny, a Belgian giant for six years till Károly passed away. The regular visitors, especially the children, were devastated, so from a shelter soon a new bunny, Karcsi (Charlie) arrived, but to keep the memory of Károly forever, now on a little hill a bronze statue of the first rabbit welcomes the visitors. Karcsi, who’s nickname is Tappancs (paw), also grew big, and the visitors started to complain that the house is too small for this poor animal. The council finally had to act, and now Tappancs Karcsi has a palace, probably could have to envied by many homeless people. As to an official recognized tenant of the garden, the council also provides food for Karcsi. Because as I could see, the visitors are bringing him delicious snacks as well, Károly is on the best way to be a very fat bunny.
Of course, Tappancs Karcsi isn’t the only attraction of this place, but for the kids, probably the most important. The garden is a mixture of two styles, a geometrical English garden with a fountain and playgrounds around it, central flower beds, promenades, and statues. There is László Lajtha composer and ethnographer head sculpture on a high column, close to one of the Henszlmann street entrance. Also, there is a more prominent statue close to another gate with a composition that I do not find too lucky. At the top is a bronze bust of Daniel Irányi, with a young white marble female figure underneath it, apparently hanging on a scarf. Of course, on closer inspection, the girl is not suspended on the shroud, but it gave me that impression when I walked towards her and found it very strange.
To please the visitors they included a big chess table wit seats, and several benches in different parts of the garden to relax. Also, for your convenience, there is a public library in a glass cabinet. You choose something to read and put it back when you leave. It is free of charge and a self-service. There is another glass cabinet with “poket” books that you can buy for 1000.- HUF ( roughly AUD 5.-, or USD 3,22)
The Garden has a very stylish public toilette. To bring back the mood of old times, the facilities are in a “green tram.” This is how people of Budapest named these little buildings.
Last but not least, which I almost forgot, there is an old mulberry tree opposite the statue of Irányi. It isn’t too attractive anymore since a storm damaged it, but probably the only survivor of the former gardens.
If you need a peaceful island to have a rest and relax, to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city, go to Károlyi Garden.
As the name indicates, the last owner before the government got it, was the Károlyi family. Before that, it went through several hands, and the owners built lots of elegant palaces, and beautifully manicured gardens that the new owner rebuilt, replaced, replanted, and decorated. During one of the earthworks, a cemetery dated back to the Árpád era was discovered. So when you walk in the garden, actually you’re saunter above a graveyard. Unfortunately, I have photos only for the winter garden, which is still a well kept nicely manicured park, but with the flowers much more appealing. I have to go back when everything is green and blooming, to show the real beauty of this place. Marta is a very keen gardener keeping this place in a spotless condition, but even she can't do wonders and turn a gloomy winter day into spring. Though there are other things that she can do, tell you stories about Karoly (Charles), the first bunny of the Károlyi garden. In 2009, someone left a little rabbit in the garden, probably an Easter bunny, who was abandoned by the young owner. The workers in the garden felt sorry for the little newcomer and kept it. Later even built a house for Károly next to the public toilets and one of the walls appropriately enough was a plank with the words "Gentlemen" on it. It was the home of the bunny, a Belgian giant for six years till Károly passed away. The regular visitors, especially the children, were devastated, so from a shelter soon a new bunny, Karcsi (Charlie) arrived, but to keep the memory of Károly forever, now on a little hill a bronze statue of the first rabbit welcomes the visitors. Karcsi, who’s nickname is Tappancs (paw), also grew big, and the visitors started to complain that the house is too small for this poor animal. The council finally had to act, and now Tappancs Karcsi has a palace, probably could have to envied by many homeless people. As to an official recognized tenant of the garden, the council also provides food for Karcsi. Because as I could see, the visitors are bringing him delicious snacks as well, Károly is on the best way to be a very fat bunny.
Of course, Tappancs Karcsi isn’t the only attraction of this place, but for the kids, probably the most important. The garden is a mixture of two styles, a geometrical English garden with a fountain and playgrounds around it, central flower beds, promenades, and statues. There is László Lajtha composer and ethnographer head sculpture on a high column, close to one of the Henszlmann street entrance. Also, there is a more prominent statue close to another gate with a composition that I do not find too lucky. At the top is a bronze bust of Daniel Irányi, with a young white marble female figure underneath it, apparently hanging on a scarf. Of course, on closer inspection, the girl is not suspended on the shroud, but it gave me that impression when I walked towards her and found it very strange.
To please the visitors they included a big chess table wit seats, and several benches in different parts of the garden to relax. Also, for your convenience, there is a public library in a glass cabinet. You choose something to read and put it back when you leave. It is free of charge and a self-service. There is another glass cabinet with “poket” books that you can buy for 1000.- HUF ( roughly AUD 5.-, or USD 3,22)
The Garden has a very stylish public toilette. To bring back the mood of old times, the facilities are in a “green tram.” This is how people of Budapest named these little buildings.
Last but not least, which I almost forgot, there is an old mulberry tree opposite the statue of Irányi. It isn’t too attractive anymore since a storm damaged it, but probably the only survivor of the former gardens.
If you need a peaceful island to have a rest and relax, to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city, go to Károlyi Garden.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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