10 Most Beautiful Gardens in Budapest

Photo by Carlita Benazito on Unsplash

10 Most Beautiful Gardens in Budapest

The Hungarian capital, Budapest, is filled with natural treasures from beautiful Gardens, and stunning Arboretums making it one of the most wonderful cities in the world. The gardens are breathtaking especially during mid- or late spring.

Locals and tourists enjoy the fresh air and the green surroundings while enjoying some refreshments. The relaxing greenery provides the best spots for reading far away from the busy and noisy city. Strawberry Garden, Barabás Villa Gardens and the Károlyi Garden are one of the famous gardens in Budapest.

Budapest is filled with stunning hills and the views can be enjoyed from various points of Budapest like parks, gardens and other green places. The most famous ones located within city limits are Gellért Hill, Castle Hill, Rózsadomb, Sváb Hill, János Hill, Széchenyi Hill and Eagle Hill. Here are the top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens in Budapest.

1.károlyi Garden (Károlyi Kert )

Károlyi-palota és Károlyi-kert, photo by Varius. Wikimedia commons

The Karolyi Garden is one of the famous gardens in Budapest. It is the oldest park with trees planted at the beginning of the 19th century. The park has playgrounds where children can play and beautiful lawns where people can rest.  

The garden is located behind the Classicist Károlyi Palace between Henszlmann Imre Street and Magyar Street. It is the best place for parents to let their kids enjoy nature away from the busy city. The park is mostly known for its beautiful plants and rare flowers such as honey locusts, Caucasian wingnuts, silver poplars, and horse chestnuts.

2. Garden of Philosophy on the side of Gellért hill Budapest

A Gellért Hill garden is the most suitable place to take short walks and enjoy the view of the Danube and the city.  Just beside the hill lies the sculpture composition called Garden of Philosophy, which opened in 2001 and was restored after damage in 2006 – 2010.

The garden is a small area with sculptural groups that represent the image of Prince Buda and Princess pest. It was created by Nandor Wagner, a sculptor of Hungarian origin living in Japan. The statues of Gandhi, Bodhidharma and Saint Francis are also nearby while the other side of the hill has the Statue of Liberty on its top.

Read more about 30 Attractions in Budapest, Hungary here.

3.Városliget (City Park)

Budapest, Városliget, photo by Civertan. Wikimedia commons

Városliget is the largest park in Budapest with 100 hectare located behind Heroes’ Square in district XIV. The garden is open to the public and is filled with opportunities for leisure and cultural activities for both adults and kids.

It has so much to offer such as the relaxing facilities, the House of Music, Ethnography museum, Széchenyi thermal baths and Vajdahunyad Castle making it one of the greatest attractions in Budapest.

The Vajdahunyad Castle houses the Hungarian Agricultural Museum and is one of Budapest’s tourist attractions. The public enjoys activities such as strolling, jogging or biking especially during the summertime. The park is free and requires no entry fee.

4.Füvészkert (Botanical Garden)

Füvészkert budapest , photo by EtelkaCsilla. Wikimedia commons

Füvészkert is the oldest botanical garden in Hungary with more than 7000 plant species in the 3.5-hectare piece of land. It is also known as the Botanical Garden of ELTE as the property belongs to ELTE University.

The park is open to anyone who purchases a ticket. Visitors can explore the garden and enjoy the tranquillity it has to offer. Unfortunately, there is no place for refreshments or snacks within the garden but it is usually crowded.

5. Margaret Island, Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden in Budapest, photo by Abdeaitali. Wikimedia commons

The Japanese Garden on Margaret Island was first founded in the 70s inspired by Japanese culture. The garden is innovative and unique with classic and Japanese-inspired red and black benches around the park.

The garden is beloved by many and is perfect for relaxing and strolling. The garden is also famous for the wooden bridge where the Mermaid of Budapest or the Sitting Girl statue made by Imre Csikász (1954) can be found.

Read more about 10 Interesting Places to Visit at Margaret Island, Budapest.

6. Népliget

The Nepliget garden occupies an area of 112 hectares/300 acres in the southeast part of Budapest near the Nepliget bus station. It is the perfect spot to relax and take in a breath of fresh air and it is next to attractions like the national and international coach station.

The park is a bit small and not as popular, but it’s still beautiful with a Planetarium and laser shows which are a source of entertainment. The park is also suitable for runners due to the long paved tracks fitted in the park.

7. Orczy Garden

The garden has a small playground, a stream and a kalandpark, Adventure Park, conducive for kids. The garden is filled with activities such as climbing, jogging, biking, zip lining and strolling. The garden can be accessed using the M3 (blue) metro line, Klinikák or Nagyvárad tér station.

The Natural History Museum is just close by and can be toured after a relaxing time in the garden. The garden has lots of canopies, oaks, horse chestnuts, and ash that provide shade in the garden. The memorial of the Hungarian soldiers who died in the two world wars can be seen behind the small lake.

8.Vérmező (Blood Field)

Vérmező park, photo by Antissimo. Wikimedia commons

This beautiful garden is located near Buda castle in Buda close to Városmajor and Tabán parks.  The Vérmező and Városmajor were at one point a huge park but due to the construction of buildings and roads, they were divided.

The park was an important military defence and training area and was used by the Germans during WW ll. It got its name after Jacobin leaders were executed in 1795 they include Ignác Martinovits, Jakab Sirgay, József Hajnóczy, Ferenc Szentmarjay, János Lackovits, Pál Őz, and Sándor Szolártsik.

The park hence got its name that translates to the bloody field from all the executions and beheadings that took place at the park. Despite its name the park is perfect for a walk, sunbath, reading and playing in the playground for kids. The best and most suitable time to visit the park is during the spring or autumn.

9. Epreskert (Strawberry Garden)

Epreskert, Budapest, photo by Oguszt. Wikimedia commons

The name Epreskert translates to Mulberry Garden or strawberry Garden. It is located on Andrássy Avenue, not far from Heroes’ Square, which was originally a municipal mulberry field and the city later donated pieces of the land to artists who had done municipal work.

The garden is part of the University of Fine Arts (MKE) and is the perfect spot to visit for sculpture lovers. The first renovations here were done by Alajos Stób around the 1880s. The first sculptor to move in was Adolf Huzsár, who established his studio outside the garden.

The art industry in Budapest since then has changed and by the early 1900s, it had grown and developed greatly. Epreskert’s Belle Époque charm has been well preserved by the University of Fine Arts which is still seen today.

 Read more about 30 amazing things to do in Budapest.

10 Barabás Villa Gardens

The Barabas Villa is a three-story villa and is accompanied by gardens that are quite stunning. The gardens are hidden by the villa’s structure that comes into view first from the street.

The gardens are perfect for social events such as weddings, conferences or parties.  It is also conducive for reading and enjoying the green space the garden provides. The garden is open for visitors daily between 9 AM and 6 AM.

Budapest is a major attraction during all seasons to tourists and visitors across the world and the gardens are just a piece of what the city has to offer.

The gardens such as the Buda hills gardens are suitable for winter activities such as sleighing and skiing. Locals also get to enjoy these gardens all through and they always come back.

Here are some options for day trips.