Budapest with kids

Day 1: Along the Danube to Castle Hill

• 4Sights
• 3Kid stops
• about 3.5 kmDistance
• 2 hoursWith play time

This walk is about 3.5 km and links four of Budapest's best-known sights: the Parliament, the Chain Bridge lions, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Three playgrounds break it up. It starts at the playground in the Olympic Park on the Pest riverside, a few minutes north of Parliament. Liberty Square has a second playground next to an interactive fountain, and on Castle Hill the Mátyás király playground is tucked among trees beside the church and the Bastion.

The first half is flat, with open space to run about in front of Parliament. Then you cross the Chain Bridge and climb Castle Hill, where there are stairs and cobbles, so with small children or a buggy the funicular is worth considering. The walk ends at the Bastion, with the view over the Danube.

1. Olympic Park playground Playground

   A playground for ages 0–12 with a soft rubber surface, partly shaded, in the Olympic Park on the riverside.

   On the map

2. 

   Hungarian Parliament Building

   The central dome seen from Kossuth Square.

   Photo: Kilyann Le Hen · CC BY 4.0

3. Playground and fountain in Liberty Square Playground

   A playground with a sandpit, a playhouse and a climbing frame, next to a fountain whose water jets children run through.

   On the map

4. 

   Chain Bridge lions (Pest side)

   One of the stone lions at the bridgehead.

   Photo: Wilfredor · CC0

5. 

   Matthias Church

   The colourful Zsolnay-tiled roof.

   Photo: Thaler Tamas · CC BY-SA 4.0

6. Mátyás király playground Playground

   A castle-themed playground with swings, slides, climbing frames and a shaded sandpit, among trees beside Matthias Church.

   On the map

7. 

   Fisherman's Bastion

   The white lookout towers and terraces above the Danube.

   Photo: Brian Adamson · CC BY 2.0

Tips for parents

• The Olympic Park playground has a soft rubber surface and step-free access, and the square in front of Parliament is wide and open for running about. Public toilets are mapped between the two, and there are none at the Mátyás király playground, so stop here first.
• In Liberty Square the playground and the fountain are side by side. The fountain's water jets are triggered by motion sensors and children love running through them in warm weather, so pack a towel and dry clothes.
• The Mátyás király playground has shade from trees and a canopy over the sandpit, and a drinking fountain, but no toilets. The castle-style wall at its edge is low, so keep an eye on climbers.
• From the Chain Bridge the way up Castle Hill is steep, with stairs. The funicular at the Buda end of the bridge takes buggies, and at the top the streets are cobbled.

Public toilets

• About 120 m from Hungarian Parliament Building · On the map
• About 190 m from Hungarian Parliament Building · On the map
• About 170 m from Mátyás király playground · On the map
• About 180 m from Fisherman's Bastion · On the map

Day 2: City Park

• 4Sights
• 2Kid stops
• about 3 kmDistance
• 2 hoursWith play time

This walk stays in City Park (Városliget) and is flat all the way, about 3 km. It starts at Heroes' Square and the Millennium Monument, passes the Zoo's 1912 main gate with its stone elephants and the yellow domes of the Széchenyi Bath, and crosses to Vajdahunyad Castle by the lake, a boating lake in summer and an ice rink in winter. The Zoo and the bath both need tickets, so save them for another half day if you want to go in.

The second half belongs to the children. At the Children's Traffic Park (KRESZ-park), small cyclists ride mini roads with real signs and crossings. The walk ends at the Léghajó (Balloon) playground, with a three-level climbing tower inspired by Szinyei Merse Pál's painting The Balloon, about fifty play elements and trampolines set into the ground, so nobody has to be dragged away to the next sight.

1. 

   Heroes' Square, Millennium Monument

   The Millennium Monument column.

   Photo: Godot13 · Attribution

2. Budapest Zoo main gate

   The Zoo's 1912 Art Nouveau main gate, guarded by stone elephants.

   On the map

3. 

   Széchenyi Thermal Bath

   The yellow baroque spa building in City Park.

   Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0

4. Vajdahunyad Castle

   A fairy-tale castle by the City Park lake, first built for the 1896 millennium celebrations.

   On the map

5. Children's Traffic Park (KRESZ-park) Playground

   Mini roads with traffic signs and crossings where children aged 1–12 learn to ride by the rules.

   On the map

6. Léghajó (Balloon) playground Playground

   A huge playground around a three-level climbing tower shaped like a hot-air balloon, with slides and ground-level trampolines.

   On the map

Tips for parents

• The Léghajó playground has an accessible toilet and a baby-changing table. In summer a stream bed and misting sprays are added, so bring dry clothes.
• Bring a balance bike or scooter for the KRESZ-park: its mini roads, signs and crossings are made for children learning the rules of the road, and entry is free.
• Unlike Castle Hill, City Park is flat from end to end, which makes this the easier day for small legs. Heroes' Square is wide and open, good for a run-around before you start.

Public toilets

No public toilets are mapped close to this walk.