Margharet Island - Margit-Sziget, Budapest

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Margaret Island with its large park is a popular spot to relax, especially during summertime. The island on the danube has a couple of sport facilities on it, some of it (like the swimming bath), can also be used by the public. Restaurants, cafés and bars will supply you with the necessary refreshments. Attractions on the island includes two church ruins and a pavillon which serves as a large music box (see separate tips for them). On a nice day, have a walk on the island, enjoy the view onto both banks of the Danube and if you have some time, relax a little in the park.

Margit Sziget is an island of park land in the middle of the Danube. It can be reached by the number 4 and 6 tramlines or you can walk there from Svent Istvan Krt (which separates districts 5 and 13) then going across Margit Hid (bridge). You can get down to the island from the middle of the bridge.

It is a great place to come and relax, walk dogs or have a picnic and get away from down town Budapest even if it is down town itself! The air is cleaner and there are thousands of shades of green among the pretty flowers.

You can also go to eat and drink at the tower restaurant area or one of the other bars dotted around. If you come in summer and it is hot, follow the lead of the locals and take a dip in the water park swimming pools also located here (Budapest's version of a beach). Or if you don't fancy paying for soaking up the sun by the water go down to the rivers edge and sit beside the Danube (although it is rather polluted).

You can also go running here on specially laid down tracks.

As you walk down to the park you will hear music playing and see a large fountain dancing to the almost 'fairground' music.

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Margaret Island (Margit-sziget in Hungarian) is an island in the middle of Danube , covered with trees.

While cars are not allowed to enter the park , a lot of people enjoy this place to run , or have a small rest.

The island is located a little bit north from the center , in the area of district 13 , between Margaret bridge to Arpad bridge.

You will also find here a nice water tower , a japanease garden , ruins of old monasteries.

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The japanese people surely have a very big talent in constructing gardens. Copying their style is surely not a crime. Budapest did this, even though this one is quite little so cannot compete with the famous ones in the Land of the Rising sun. You find it in the Northernmost part of the Margareth Island, quite close to the Árpád bridge. It`s a complex of little lakes, cute sculptures in the middle of the lakes, interesting trees and a cascade,
You also see the house of the fountains near the garden wich is a reconstruction of a previously destroyed similar monument.

According to my research Margaret Island (named after Princess Margit, daughter or King Bela Iv) was a religious contemplation retreat starting in the 11th century. The island is located in the middle of the Danube and is considered Budapest's most beautiful park. There are ruins of monastic churches and a convent which was home to Pricess Margit, King Bela IV's daughter.

A few places of interest when exploring Margaret Island

Palatinus Strand
Hajos Olympic Pool Complex
14th Century Franciscan Church
Water Tower of St. Michael's Church
13th Century Dominican Church and Convent
Artists' Avenue
Grand Hotel Margitsziget
St. Micheal's Church
Thermal Hotel Margitszet

There is quite a bit to see while taking your stroll on this beautiful island.

I didn't have time to pay a visit to Margaret Island, but hopefully next time. The pic you see here is from the top of Fishermans Bastion.

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Originally a religious center, Margaret's Island is now a huge recreation are near the center of the city. A wonderful rubberized jogging path surrounds the island and the interior hosts open fields, trails, a rose garden, petting zoo, swimming pools, thermal baths, a tennis club, and two fancy hotels. From a historic perspective, the key attraction on the island is the ruins of Margaret's Dominican nunnery and chapel, founded in the 1200s. Margaret, the namesake of the island, was King Bela IV's daughter and lived here as a child. She was forced into religion to fulfill a vow her father had made if he succeeded in victory over the invading Mongols, and she lies buried in the chapel ruins. Though she died in 1271 AD at the age of 29, she was not canonized as a saint until 1789, 500 years later and much after any proof of miracles was long gone.

There is also a semi-historic water tower form 1911.

The island is 2.5 km long and about .5 km at its widest point. Visitors can reach the island via Margaret Bridge to the south or Arpad Bridge to the north.

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This is a small island in the middle of the Danube , I went there to see what is about!
well, it's a park to relax far away from the city. Inside there are some water fountains, trees and green spaces where people are laying and relaxing, others are runing .. you can also have a good view of Budapest with the parliament building, Buda castel and some bridges.

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Margaret Island is a really beautiful island between the banks of Buda and Pest. Recognising its potential as a parkland the council cemented up the banks of the island and proceeded to turn it into a public park. Some of the features include a large dancing fountain, plenty of food and drink stalls, an outdoor water park and a really nice Japanese garden. Its a really nice place to spend just an hour or an entire day to get away from the bustle of the city.

I went as dusk was falling.

No cars are allowed here, only cycles and buses.

It radiates peace and quiet.

It is very green and easy to get to by foot.

I thought maybe this would be a boring place but after runnig around seeing the more famous sights, it was extremely soothing to spend an hour walking around here.

It is so much better than any guide book may suggest

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It’s a small island in the middle of Danube, where Princess Margaret passed her life.
It’s a green area which offers the opportunity for walks, especially during hot days.
Most people use bicycle or small electronic cars. I drove one of these cars and it was an unforgettable experience.
In the island there is the Olympic pool, a music fountain, also the monument of centenary and ruins of a temple