Városliget is an oasis of tranquility, affording both locals and travelers the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside this beautiful park, which is over 300 acres, one finds magnificent baroque-styled buildings, museums, playgrounds, the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and so much more.
Visiting Városliget (City Park)
I had the opportunity to visit this park as part of my Rick Steves’ Best of Prague and Budapest tour, and what I saw and experienced was a pleasant surprise. In my mind, when I heard “city park”, I envisioned trees, flowers, and benches. I did not expect to see artfully built museums, a castle and gatehouse, a Romanesque-style chapel, and interesting sculptures all nestled among towering trees and beautiful flowers. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Városliget is also home to the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens and, during the winter, an ice skating rink.
I highly recommend that travelers visit Városliget, whether it is to explore the historic sites or just enjoy a picnic lunch in this idyllic park. Located on the Pest side of the city, right next to Heroes’ Square, this park can be easily reached via public transportation. Metro Line 1 has a station inside Városliget, and there are several bus stops in and around the park. If you get hungry during your visit, Városliget has several eateries and a beer garden!
To plan your visit, this site contains a map of Városliget and a calendar of events.
Travel Tip
For those interested in music, the House of Music is located inside Városliget. This museum houses exhibits and a library and hosts concerts throughout the year. While I did not visit the House of Music during my trip, two of my tourmates did and both really enjoyed the experience.
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