Five secret attractions in Budapest worth visiting

Of course, these places aren’t secret, but not everybody knows about them. This means that they are not crowded, so you and your family can walk in peace without being bothered by crowds of people. If you like visiting such attractions, but don’t want to go far from the center of Budapest, then you should read this article about these five secret attractions in Budapest worth visiting.

1. Philosopher’s Garden

Philosopher’s GardenThe first on our list is the Philosopher’s Garden. This attraction is closer than you think; it is located on the other, not too-visited side of the Gellért Hill. The approach is easier than it sounds like, you just need to go to Pest bridgehead of the Elisabeth Bridge, where you can find a bus stop (8,112) and go one station with it to Sánc Street. From here you need to walk a little on the street with the same name as the bus stop and the Philosopher’s Garden is immediately on the left side. The little green place got its name from the statue group, which image the world’s most famous philosophers in one circle. Visitor could meet with the statue of Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed, and Gandhi too. Besides this we can’t forget the fantastic panorama which shows the whole capital.

2. Normafa

The second is the Normafa, which is a huge and beautiful place on the Buda side. The approach is not complicated neither, you just need to go with the bus 21 or 21A from Széll Kálmán Square, exactly from Várfok Street. Be careful, the 21’s bus final station is not the destination that you are looking for, check the station list. From the Normafa station it is just half minute and you suddenly see the panorama of the capital from Buda perspective. There is everything here: buffet, strudel, kindergarten, nature and peace.

Do not forget to read our article about the top five attractions in Budapest.

3. Feneketlen tó

The third on the list is the Feneketlen Lake. This artificial lake located a little bit out of the center, but it is still easy to get here, because it is just five minute walk or one stop with tram 61 from Móricz Zsigmond Square. You can walk around the little lake, lie down on the grass, there are duck food machines and the most important: green is around you. Moreover there is a great restaurant near to the Feneketlen Lake, the Hemingway Restaurant. Besides this there is a fantastic kindergarten next to Feneketlen Lake.

4. János Hill Lookout Tower

 János Hill Lookout TowerThe fourth is the János Hill Viewpoint. We firstly recommend this place for those who like hiking. The easiest way to reach the János Hill Viewpoint is from Normafa by foot with the help of hiking signs; you can read about these more on the external tables. If you reach the little bit sweaty but beautiful trip’s destination, you just need to climb stairs to see the breathtaking view. You can see everything from this place! Of course there is a buffet here too, so you can have a little rest and a drink after the “mountaineering”. The most special and easiest runoff from the hill is with the Libegő (Chairlift). Underway the whole city unfold in front of you.

5. Szent Istvan Park

Our fifth and last hidden attraction in Budapest what you need to talk about is the Szent István Park. This hidden place is perfect especially for families. The Park has two parts: a smaller with kindergarten and a bigger one, which is a beautiful garden with fountains and amazing flowers. The approach of this place is not complicated, you just need to go to Jászai Mari Square and it is just five minute walk on the street next to McDonald’s, the Pozsonyi Street, at the end of the walk you straightly run into the Szent István Park. Next to the Park there is a lovely restaurant, the Duna Park, here you can have an ice cream, a coffee or anything what you want. Otherwise the whole area is family friend and safe. There are lots of restaurants, pastry shops, café shop and lovely little shops in the district. Advantage for dog keepers; next to the Park there is a safely fenced and well equipped dog running too.

We hope, you like our list presenting five hidden attractions in  Budapest. This is a little bit different, a little bit more peaceful, than the crowd center city, but it could be an unforgettable experience for those, who visit one of the places.

Night in the Amusement Park

We recently got the sad news that the famous Amusement Park in Budapest will close. The park has been open since 1950, but now the area will turn into a part of the Budapest Zoo. But, before it park wants to go down with a bang, so in all of September we can enjoy a “night in the amusement park.”

Vidam ParkWhen the Sun goes down, the city lights are turned on and that is when life starts in the City Park. That is why you can visit the amusement park in all of September from 8 PM until 1.30 AM.

The Night Amusement Park’s ticket prices are a little bit more favorable than during daytime. Those, who buy their ticket after 8 PM have to pay only 3300 Forint instead of the original 5000 Forint, and they can enjoy the flickering lights and popular toys. Moreover you can buy the night tickets earlier than 8 PM, so you don’t have to spend neither a second from your precious night time at the Amusement Park in the line.

If you spend some days in the Hungarian capital, Budapest in September 2013, you definitely should visit the Amusement Park until you can and make this visit more special with the night’s atmosphere and lights. Don’t miss this adventure! Have fun!

Wine festival opening today

From today (Wednesday) until Sunday the International Wine Festival of 2013 will be arranged in Budapest. Following the tradition from 2012 the first day is grey with rain in the air, but that should not keep anyone from visiting this interesting festival.

In 2013 the subject of the festival is Women and Portugal. In general the topic does not really influence the festival to much, except from the fact that there will be a corner or an area inside the festival area where you can get to taste quite a lot of wine from Portugal, so that can be interesting.

Some practical information about the festival

wine festivalThe entrance fee to the festival is about 2700 HUF. You will then get a wine glass which you can use inside the festival area. If you plan on visiting the area for more than one day you can of course buy a festival pass valid for the entire festival period.

At the festival you can taste thousands of different sorts of wine and this is a great place if you want to get a basic introduction to Hungarian wines, and inside the area you can of course taste some of the best kinds of Hungarian wines as well.

As always the festival is arranged in the Castle area, in front of the Castle, behind the Castle and in the backyard of the Castle.

Enjoy!

You can read a report from the Wine festival in 2012 in the Budapest blog if you wonder what the festival is like.