The opening of Budapest to the rest of Europe is a fact, a reality. This has brought plurality to the city, where different cultures, ideas and lifestyles intersect and intermingle, creating a truly cosmopolitan city.

Within this lifestyle, concern for the environment has ceased to be a fad or a passing fad and has become a reality. From ecological products to healthy habits that have no impact on nature.

One of the consequences has been the adaptation to this new reality, which creates new needs; bicycle lanes and footpaths for runners. And we are going to talk about the latter.

If you are one of those who don’t even park your hobby on holidays, you are one of us. Here we bring you the best places where you can start, or finish, your day in Budapest. But you can also combine your running route with sightseeing and discover the city from a new point of view.

Parks and places to run in the city centre of Budapest

Margaret Island

We begin our tour on the fantastic Margaret Island, in the middle of the Danube, separating Buda and Pest. A real treasure in the middle of the city, a green and quiet corner that holds special sensations and places for all those, locals or not, who are looking for a different visit in Budapest.

The track is flat and about five kilometres long. During your walk through the trees you won’t believe that you are only a few minutes’ walk away from such busy places as the Parliament, the second largest in the world.

This is a great option for those who want to disconnect for a while, enjoy nature and indulge their passion for a few minutes.

Danube

While we’re on the Danube, what does the river have to offer runners? A lot. Running along its banks, no matter which side, is an original and fun way of sightseeing the city.

One of the many points where you can start, and here you can design your own route, is the Freedom Bridge, originally called Szabadság híd, all the way to the Margaret Bridge. You can even start here and then add the Margaret Island route to it – not a bad idea, right?

Another possible route is to start on the opposite side, at the Rákóczi Bridge, and finish at the same point, Margaret Island.

City Park

It’s time for a change of scenery, we go to the northern part of the city, but without leaving the centre of Budapest. The City Park, one of the lungs of Budapest, awaits us there.

It has a route prepared for runners of about four kilometres, although you can change the route and choose other paths. On your run you will pass some of the most beautiful places in Budapest, such as the Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the most beautiful thermal baths in Budapest or the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, inside the Vajdahunyad Castle.

In addition to all the greenery, monuments and botanical gardens, don’t forget to cross the bridge over the lake in the City Park to reach Heroes’ Square, home to two of the city’s best museums; the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts. Heroes’ Square also marks the beginning, or end, of Budapest’s most famous avenue; Andrássy úton.

Gellért Hill and Buda Hills

Are you ready for the real challenge of Budapest? Let’s climb the most famous hills in the whole city; Gellért Hill and Buda Hills.

Let’s start with the one closest to the city centre; Gellért Hill. This famous hill, home to the beautiful Gellért spa, is a great place to test your calf muscles. Take a hike to the top or, if you’re not up to it, head to the quieter, flatter Tabán neighbourhood.

The second option, a little further afield, but well worth it, is Buda Hills. As with Gellért Hill, you have different route options, depending on how much you want to work up a sweat and test yourself.

And if you’re willing to go all the way to the Buda Hills, how about a little further afield in search of new places? We continue to discover the more unknown and charming Budapest.

Parks and places to run further out Budapest city centre

Normafa park

We start with a real paradise where the excuse will be to do a running route, but that will only be the reason to go, you will stay all day because of the beauty of the place.

West of Budapest, in Svábhegy, this is a perfect park to take a gentle route and enjoy a quiet picnic surrounded by natural beauty. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover its forest.

Orczy Park 

This park bears a similarity to Margaret Island; its beauty is close to the city. Although it may seem many kilometres away from the centre of Budapest, it is actually only a 15-minute metro ride from the Central Market stop. Just as you hear it.

Nature, beauty, and gentle, easy walking routes. Another fantastic spot to enjoy a picnic day.

Kopaszi gát

We have left one of the most special places on our list for last. It is a small peninsula in the Danube.

It was built to protect the industrial area from the rising water. With the gradual disappearance of the industrial zone, another use was sought for the place and it has been transformed into a pleasant corner in the south of Budapest for strolling, jogging and enjoying its terraces and great atmosphere.