Margaret Island
Margaret Island
4.5
About
Quiet walkways, flower gardens, romantic ruins and century-old trees make up this popular recreation spot located in the heart of Budapest.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Margaret Island
For Budapest, this island between the banks of the Danube represents a green oasis, especially during summer when its emerald spaces are much enjoyed by both locals and tourists. The gardens here are very picturesque; the flowers in full bloom give the landscape a variety of hues; the fountains add an air of freshness, making walks peaceful, joyful and romantic. A leisurely stroll will uncover a variety of sites, even the ruins of a medieval Franciscan church and convent are still visible.
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,108 within 3 miles
Attractions
682 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- Cat J AMelbourne, Australia365 contributionsAn Island OasisAn oasis in the city especially during the middle of a stifling summer. Sitting by the musical fountain just people watching and listening to the splash of the water was so relaxing. Lots of walking trails but also bus stops adjacent to the main road on the island, so we caught the bus back to the city which was cheap and fast. Grab some food before you go and have a picnic, although many food vendors are gathered close to the fountain, Treat yourself to an ice cream and relax!Written September 10, 2022
- Rio W7 contributionsGreat Place to Visit While in Budapest!Margaret Island was easily accessible by walking across the bridge, or buses were also available. It's free to enter and explore - we chose to rent city bikes, which were very cheap. The cafes were a reasonable price and very good quality. The fountain was impressive but we missed the shows, so I recommend aligning a visit with those! Definitely a great, non-rainy day activity.Traveled as a coupleWritten September 18, 2022
- GrecianChick50Wallasey, United Kingdom122 contributionsLovely green space on the Danube riverSpent a couple of hours here on our recent trip to Budapest. It's a tranquil, green space with lots of flora and fauna. Great for walking around and taking a picnic. We stopped at a cafe where there were plenty of tables and chairs to have a rest and have a drink/snack/ice cream. There are toilets dotted around but remember they are manned and charge 250 HUF which is easier to pay in cash as it's a tiny amount! The fountain is fabulous and has lots of seating in the shade which was very welcome as the weather was fabulous! Has historic interest with the story of Margaret and the ruins of the church and convent.Written June 12, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,367 reviews
Excellent
2,982
Very good
1,648
Average
526
Poor
150
Terrible
61
Micheala B
10 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A lovely break from the hustle and bustle of the city; easily accessible by tram from the city centre. You can either walk through the park or hire a cart to cycle round; either are a great option. Beautifully maintained with lots of flowers, there is also a monastery at the end of the walk which is lovely. We spent about 2-3 hours here and it costs nothing for entry. There are food carts dotted around if you want to eat something as well as toilets, but these are usually 250 HUF per visit. Would recommend
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD11,934 contributions
Nov 2022
Margaret Island is Budapest’s biggest green oasis – accessible by foot from the middle of the Margaret Bridge. The whole island is a huge park home to a Medieval Church ruin, a lovely Japanese garden, century-old towering trees and endless picnics. The centerpiece is a large fountain that lights up and “dances” to music every hour from spring to winter – the 9 pm show is enhanced with a multimedia screening that displays images of Hungary’s greats projected onto a water curtain. The Margaret Island park’s fountain actually plays a coordinated musical show every hour from 11 am, but the best time to visit is for the final, much longer show at 9 pm. You’ll be treated to a choreographed fountain, light, and music show set to popular songs from a variety of genres. It’s a great, free thing to do in Budapest at night (or, if you opt for the day show, to combine with a stroll around the park).
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Samantha D
Fife, UK243 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We took a boat tour to Margaret Island and were given an hour and a half to walk around. You could easily spend 3 hours walking around the island and there's lots to see and do. You can hire bikes, visit the mini zoo, see the music fountain (happens on the hour), visit the Japanese garden and go to the thermal bath. Lots of green space to relax and play.
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dan M
Frankfurt, Germany20 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Nice place to spend a relaxing afternoon. You can rent a little 4-person pedal car for 6800 HUF. It is a great way to explore the island and choose where to settle down. There are several small bars and cafes around the island, some ruins, running and biking lanes, and lots of space for kids to play whether in a park or a field.
It is a great respite from a day of touring with a photo-op in front of the Budapest sign!
It is a great respite from a day of touring with a photo-op in front of the Budapest sign!
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophia
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • Friends
We visited margaritas island with friends and thought to rent a bike around the island. We were 4 People and we were suggested a bike for four adults and two children and then a big blue bike. It was Quite difficult to pedal and we did not really enjoy as much the ride. Probably something wrong which required strong effort on our side to go around the island and return the bike . In case you opt for this sport activity we strongly recommend to avoid the blue bikes for six people - 4 adults and two children - to Make sure you enjoy your ride and have fun.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Allan George
Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Really beautiful island. You can rent a bike here from Bubi but be warned, the registration fee is only a euro but only the first half hour is free. After that you will be charged by the minute even if your bike is stationery. Still very reasonable but we didn't see that until we returned the bikes.
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roberts69
Northampton, UK17,856 contributions
Apr 2022
By the last day of 4 in Budapest we had been to all the main attractions and decided to take a walk over Margaret Bridge to explore the island in the Danube between Buda & Pest. The island gets its name from the daughter of King Bela IV, Margit, who was sent to the convent aged 9 in 1251 and spent the rest of her life on the island. As well as being a tranquil green oasis in Margaret Island has some interesting things to see... There is the UNESCO-protected Water Tower, a small Zoo, the Centenary Monument that commemorates the unification of Buda and Pest in 1873, a lovely Japanese Garden, the Bodor Well and a couple of Churches and the ruins of the convent where Margit spent her life. We entered the island at the Margaret Bridge and walked the full length exiting at the opposite end where we caught a Bolt Taxi back to Central Pest. You can rent bikes on the Island but we really enjoyed the relaxing walk, and it is all flat so not strenuous at all.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WorldTravellerSoon
Canada332 contributions
Oct 2022
Margaret Island is an island in the middle of the Danube River. It can be access at the middle of the Margaret Bridge. It is actually a huge garden with free entrance. There is a running / walking path along the river but not sure if it is around the whole island as we walk along just the path facing the Pest side.
There are some cafes and restaurants. However some were not open early in the morning when we were there. There are some toilets (you have to pay) but they were all closed at that time. The best bat is go to one of those restaurant to eat and use their
There are some cafes and restaurants. However some were not open early in the morning when we were there. There are some toilets (you have to pay) but they were all closed at that time. The best bat is go to one of those restaurant to eat and use their
Written November 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jolly traveler
Singapore, Singapore646 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
One can spend a whole day on this island and find plenty to keep you occupied. There's the musical fountain at night, boat cruises, a mini zoo, bars and restaurants, beautiful parks and gardens, a jogging track, walk by the Danube, etc. Just cross the Margaret Bridge and you'll find yourself in another world 10 minutes from Budapest.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alessandra Funcia
Arisdorf, Switzerland297 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We went by bike with the kids. The island is very active. We saw people running, cycling, in rollerblades, walking, doing martial arts lessons, capoeira....
We visited the pools and the Japanese garden. Excellent place to enjoy and relax with the kids in a warm summer day!!
We visited the pools and the Japanese garden. Excellent place to enjoy and relax with the kids in a warm summer day!!
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lucyhelliker
Moreton-in-Marsh, UK184 contributions
Is there a tube station on Margaret Island?
dlhetherington
Stamford, UK21 contributions
Not on the island itself, but tram stops on Margaret’s bridge just a few hundred yards from the road to the island. There are various forms of transport once on the island itself though, that you can hire for a few pounds or euros.
אני רוצה לנוסע לבודפשט באמצע נובמבר
הייתי רוצה לדעת כדאי? ומה מזג אויר?
Gabi S
Eilat, Israel1,379 contributions
קודם כל בהחלט כדאי מאמצע נובמבר מתחילים שווקי חג המולד שזה מחזה מרהיב ששווה מאוד לראות. חוץ מזה שהעיר עצמה יפיפיה ומעניית. לגבי מזג האוויר שווה לבדוק הינו באוקטובר והיה ממש נעים והינו בדצמבר והיה קר אבל אם מתלבשים טוב אפשר להנות גם כשקר.
Михаил С
Tel Aviv District, Israel
сколько стоит путевка в санотории на 2 недели на острове маргит
EvgenyAndreev
Yekaterinburg, Russia485 contributions
Без билетов - в районе 90000 р.
Angela B
Bari, Italy73 contributions
Dove si trova a Buda o Pest?
cielit0lind0
Naples, FL22 contributions
Si trova a Buda, isola Margherita
debbiefirman
London, UK15 contributions
Do you need a towel for Margaret island thermal spa
Tracy P
Hong Kong, China683 contributions
Actually bring a medium size towel is good enough. I haven’t been there but passed by the thermal spa, look like a swimming pool. Remember to bring swimming suit too.
BrunaRosa2016
Genoa, Italy1,444 contributions
Durante il periodo invernale vale comunque la pena visitarla?
Sarò a Budapest a Gennaio e ho letto qualche recensione sul fatto di evitarla durante la stagione fredda!!. Grazie mille a chi mi consiglierà ✌️
_nunzia g.
Venafro, Italy44 contributions
Ciao, io sono stata sull'Isola Margherita a settembre. Faceva caldo ed è stato bellissimo visitarla. Non saprei dirti se vale la pena andarci d'inverno. Tieni presente che saresti immerso nella natura visto che è un parco. Con poche strutture ricettive. Buon viaggio
Hola Joselo.
Una pregunta. sabes si las pistas de atletismo de Isla margarita en Budapest son de acceso libre o se puede entrar pagando una pequeña cantidad?
Gracias
rafa
jose luis r
Foz, Spain138 contributions
Hola. La pista de atletismo del estadio que hay en la Isla Margarita no es de acceso libre, desconozco si cobran por entrar. Como alternativa, existe una pista de asfalto que rodea toda la isla marcada en rojo, paralela al paseo de peatones.
Margaret Island (Budapest) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret Island
- We recommend booking Margaret Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 19 Margaret Island tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Margaret Island:
- Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Day Cruise by Legenda City Cruises (From $14.85)
- Budapest Sightseeing 1 hour Danube River Cruise ticket (From $13.20)
- Budapest E-bike Tour (From $38.49)
- 4 hours PRIVATE Professional City Tour of Budapest (From $203.47)
- Private Budapest Bike Tour with Cafe Stop (From $93.49)
- Hotels near Margaret Island:
- (0.02 mi) Island Hostel Budapest
- (0.15 mi) Fortuna Boat Hotel
- (0.46 mi) Adina Apartment Hotel Budapest
- (0.75 mi) Parliament Penthouse Budapest B&B
- (0.95 mi) Mystery Hotel Budapest
- Restaurants near Margaret Island:
- (0.01 mi) Hippie Island
- (0.04 mi) Steg Pub
- (0.05 mi) Champs Sziget
- (0.20 mi) Vogue Boat Cafe & Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) Harmas Bufe
- Attractions near Margaret Island:
- (0.19 mi) Go Mobility
- (0.16 mi) Music Fountain
- (0.16 mi) Portum Lines
- (0.16 mi) Boat Party Budapest
- (0.36 mi) Mandala Day Spa