Margitsziget Island Budapest fountain
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Underrated Margitsziget in Budapest is Full of Surprises

Are you Hungary for some surprises?

Athough the Park Inn by Radisson Budapest hotel property is located significantly north of central Budapest, I decided to walk because I read about the historic water tower on Margitsziget — which is known in English as Margaret Island — and its observation deck which is supposed to treat you to a view of Budapest.

Underrated Margitsziget in Budapest is Full of Surprises

Árpád Hid — hid is Hungarian for bridge — was only three subway stops from the hotel; so after I checked out, I walked south on Váci út towards the turn for the bridge…

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
Árpád Hid, looking westbound towards the hills on the Buda side of the Danube River. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

…but not without taking a detour to see what the Danube River looks like north of central Budapest.

Budapest Hungary
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

750 Hungarian Forint — or approximately $3.10 — will get you on this public transit watercraft down the Danube River from about a 15-minute walk from the Park Inn by Radisson Budapest hotel property.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
Another view of the Danube River looking west to the hills on the Buda side north of the center of Budapest. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

The north entrance to the island is located in the middle of Árpád Hid. I saw the water tower while I was on the eastern half of the bridge.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

A view of the east branch of the Danube River on a gray morning, with the Grand Hotel Margitsziget in the foreground on the right side and the top of the water tower behind it.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
The Grand Hotel Margitsziget is in the foreground; while the water tower peeks from the background as viewed from Árpád Hid. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

I walked down the steps and through a tunnel with stairs before I found myself seeing everyday life in Budapest: mothers with their kids in a small playground; a man exercising near the river by the bridge; joggers puffing their way down a rubberized pale red path; and people passed by in four-person cycle cars or small electric cars which — in addition to bicycles — can be rented for use within the limits of the island. Trees were everywhere; and I enjoy trees. Although there were some dark clouds which were threatening rain, the weather was absolutely perfect for a good long walk.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
The view of Árpád Hid from Margitsziget. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

All I decided to do was visit the water tower to see a view of Budapest; but the water tower was inexplicably closed when I arrived. I was not disappointed, though.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
The only view I could get of the historic water tower on Margitsziget, which was closed when I arrived. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Unless you do your research — or read this article — there are many unexpected surprises which await you on this island. One obvious yet wonderful thing to do is to simply sit on a bench underneath a chestnut tree and watch the people go by, which I did on the east side of the island. The Grand Hotel looks like a beautiful hotel property which I had not known about until I passed by it.

The Thermal Hotel Margitsziget hotel has thermal spa and offers various medical services. It did not interest me. I strolled onwards south.

Zenélő kút is a small pavilion originally used for open-air concerts; but nothing was going on there when I passed by it.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
A placard in Hungarian pertaining to the ruins of the Medievel Dominican Nunnery and Royal Mansion on Margitsziget. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Eventually I approached the ruins of the Medievel Dominican Nunnery and Royal Mansion on Margaret Island. Quite frankly, if you have been to places such as Malta, Romania, Greece, and Italy like I have, you have probably seen more than your fair share of ruins; but this was a pleasant surprise just the same.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
A section of the ruins of the Medievel Dominican Nunnery and Royal Mansion on Margitsziget. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Do you like flowers? A rose garden awaits you with plenty of places to sit and appreciate all of the flowers. I am not sure what a stork was doing there — at least, I think it was a stork — but it was funny watching it was pulling up flowers just as workers were planting them.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

This bird is “storking” the flower bed which lines a path, looking to select a flower to pull.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Note that some of the flowers on the right are missing. Could this bird be the culprit committing fowl play?

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
The stork was pulling out flowers just as workers were planting them on Margitsziget. Who will win this battle? Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

A fish pond is part of a quaint little Japanese garden.

This bench looks like it is on its — er — last legs. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
This bench looks like it is on its — er — last legs. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

There is a petting zoo for children — and this zoo also has furry chickens known as Asian Silkies running around; as well as owls and birds of prey who were caged in a type of netting. Note that your olfactory senses will be assaulted.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
The foliage on Margitsziget is beginning to indicate that fall is indeed here. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

The fall colors were already starting on some of the foliage on the island. With the weather I experienced on my walk, it was difficult to believe that it was October.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
A couple walks south on one of several paths on Margitsziget. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

I suddenly hear classical music as I am walking. Is there a live concert nearby? Nope — there is a fountain which “dances” to the music being played.

Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
A fountain “dances” to classical music. Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

I also passed an open-air theatre at which up to 3,500 people can be a part of the audience — but nothing was going on at the time when I passed it. There are also several clubs and restaurants on the island…

…and when I reached the south end of the island, I was on Margit Hid. Although I walked, both bridges have public transportation available to you for fewer than a couple of dollars per ride.

Final Boarding Call

I would highly recommend a leisurely stroll on Margitsziget in the middle of the Danube River, where the original purpose was for me to visit the observation deck of the water tower — but I sure got a whole lot more out of it.

You would never believe you were in a city while on this island…

No admission fee is charged to enter the island of Margitsziget, which is never closed to the public.

All photographs ©2014 by Brian Cohen.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!