What are the best outdoor activities in Budapest?

Hike in the Buda Hills

The Buda Hills are one of the greatest added value to the beauty of the city. From mainstream Normafa to the breathtaking – but challenging – Devil’s Peak (Ördögorom), there are plenty of options for all levels of endurance, with signals along all the way, to help your orientation.

 

Buda Hills Normafa
Normafa in the Buda Hills. Photo: catchbudapest.com

Discover Margaret Island

For sports lovers, Margaret Island is a must: a 5.3 km running track is combined with an Olympic pool, tennis fields, and a full athletic center. Under Margaret bridge you can use the free functional training equipment, to exercise with an unparalleled view, and often with friendly company, as this is a much-liked spot for locals and expats.

 

Margaret Island Budapest
Margaret Island. Photo: thecrowdedplanet.com

Explore the Római part by bike

Going north from Margaret Island, the Római part is a rather quiet, and calming part of the river bank. Stop at one of the stalls to taste fried hake fish (hekk), or get a fresh beer before continuing to explore the area when the Ancient Romans had their settlement, Aquincum.

 

Fellini open air bar Budapest
Fellini open-air bar at the bank of the Danube. Photo: budapestflow.com

Explore Budapest’s underground cave labyrinth

Budapest deserves to be explored from the inside out. There is an impressive natural network of caves underneath the Hungarian capital, and most amazingly, part of it can be explored! Try the trails of Pálvölgyi (Paul Valley), or Szemlőhegyi (Szemlo Hill) Caves to be a real Budapest connoisseur.

 

Palvolgyi barlang
Hungarian pálinka. Photo: kiszo.net