Last Updated on 5 July 2026 by ZoliBP

A Green Gem of Budapest

🤔 Why Visit Margaret Island?

It is a great place for a leisurely stroll or a picnic in fresh air after the buzz of the city. Highly recommended for families visiting Budapest with kids.

The island is easily accessible by public transport from any point in the city. If you get tired of walking take bus 26 that travels on the island and connects it with the city.

Top Attractions on Margaret Island Include

• Romantic walkways,
• Medieval monastery and other ruins,
• A small zoo,
• A beautiful rose garden
• Two music fountains,
• A historic water tower that hosts exhibits
• Swimming pools and a water park,
• Playgrounds,
• Open air theatre and cinema, and
• Some great clubs, pubs and places to eat.

📸 Photos Taken on Our Many Excursions on Margit Island

📆 Best Time To Visit Margitsziget

📍 Location, Getting There

By Car

Only one motor way runs across the island, but only taxis and buses 26 and 234 are allowed to drive in and across the island.

Cars are not allowed to be used on the island. You can leave your car in the spacious, guarded parking lot. Parking costs 525 HUF/1 hour both on weekdays and weekends, holidays.

By Boat

A scenic, though a bit slower way to get to the island is by a public boat service that runs between Tuesday to Sunday, between 12.00 – 20.00 at every 2 hours.

You can get on the boat at Vigadó tér/Dock 5 in the city centre in Pest, from there the journey will take cc. 25 minutes.

A day ticket costs 1 500 HUF and is valid for unlimited number of travels for 24 hours (no discounts are available).

It’s inexpensive compared to sightseeing cruises offered by private companies and you’ll see many of the landmarks lining the shores of the river (depending on where youget on the boat: the Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill and of course the bridges).

👉 See boat schedules at the BKK’s website.

📋 Brief History Of Margaret Island

The isle was probably inhabited during the Roman era since the river Danube was the boundary of the ancient Roman empire.

The Middle Ages

In the middle Ages it was called the Island of Rabbits (Nyulak szigete) because it functioned as a royal hunting reserve.

The Urak szigete (Island of Lords) name was also used.

In the 13th century King Béla IV. founded a nunnery on the island after the Mongol Invasion.

The king made a vow to sent her daughter, Princess Margaret to a Dominican nunnery if he could rebuild the country devastated by the Mongols.

The Mongols had to suddenly return to their homeland so King Béla had a chance to reorganize and rebuild the country. Faithful to his vow Béla sent the 11-year old Margaret to the convent.

Since then the island has bore her name.

See photos about the ruins of the Dominican convent below.

A marble plaque indicates Princess Margaret’s burial place at the ruins of the church’ nave.

17 – 18. Century – The Great Flood

József palatine (nádor in Hungarian) started a large landscaping project of the island at the beginning of the 19th century and most of the area was turned into an English-style park with many trees, bushes and flowers.

From 1870 the public could visited the park on the isle for a fee.

During the he Great Flood of 1838 the whole isle was under water (2.5 m deep).

The sludge left behind by the Danube had reached to 1.5 m height.

Until 1901, when the connecting walkway from Margaret Bridge had been built,  the island could have been approached only by boat or ship.

Richard Wagner had almost drowned during one of his visits when he fell into the river form his boat.

Part of the Margaret Bridge that now leads onto the island was constructed in 1901 while in the northern part Árpád Bridge was connected to the island only in 1950.

Margaret Island was declared a public park in 1908.

At that time hot springs were discovered in the area that facilitated many developments, like the Grand Hotel Margitsziget.

Today

The island became a popular health resort. The II. World War left its marks on the island too, some scars still can be seen on the tree trunks.

Today the romance of the island attracts many couples and it’s a popular place for weddings.

Attractions on Margaret Island

Start your walk at the southern part of the island at the Margaret Bridge end (this part is better accessible by public transport from the city centre than the northern part, see above).

Biking is also a great way to journey across the island

You can also rent bicycles, roller blades, electric cars and motors there (see map for location).

If you don’t mind a bit of foot work then take a walk along the well-tended walkways running across the island.

First you’ll see the Centenary Monument (by István Kiss) made for the 100 anniversary of merging Buda and Pest in 1873.

🎶 Music Fountain

A Quick Backstory

The fountain has been a beloved city landmark since it first opened back in 1962. In the early days, the water shows were actually accompanied by a live orchestra!

After a massive, top-to-bottom modernization, it transformed into the high-tech visual marvel you see today, boasting 154 individually controlled nozzles perfectly choreographed to an eclectic mix of music.

When to Go & What to Expect

• ✅ The Season: The fountain runs daily from May 1st through October 31st. After that, it gets drained and shut down for a well-deserved winter hibernation.
• ✅ Daytime Vibe: It’s the ultimate spot to take a break from sightseeing. Grab an ice cream or a cold drink, claim a nearby bench, and watch the water dance.
• ✅ The Evening Magic (Our Top Pick!): If you can, head there after sunset. The fountain transforms as hundreds of colorful lights illuminate the water tracks. Even cooler, the city projects short films and laser animations directly onto the massive water curtain—including special visual tributes to famous Hungarians and a gorgeous sequence showing Budapest through dance steps.

Complete Playlist and Schedule in the 2026 Season

Children Music at 11.00 and 16.00

• Kati Wolf: Vuk’s Song (The Song of Vuk)
• Judit Halász: A cinege cipellője (The Tomtit’s Shoes)
• 100 Folk Celsius: Miki manó (Mickey the Elf)
• Frozen: Let It Go
• Zsuzsa Koncz: Micimackó (Winnie the Pooh)
• Napoleon Boulevard: Legyetek jók, ha tudtok (Be Good if You Can)
• Fanni Faluvégi: Moana – How Far I’ll Go (Hungarian version)
• Shakira: Zootopia – Try Everything

At 12.00

• Bizet: Carmen – Habanera
• Brahms: Hungarian Dances – No. 1
• Liszt: Liebestraum (Love Dream)
• Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)

13.00

• Avicii: Addicted To You
• Coldplay: Paradise
• Ed Sheeran: Shape Of You
• Justin Timberlake: Can’t Stop The Feeling

14.00

• Vivaldi: The Four Seasons – Spring
• Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)
• Johann Strauss I: Radetzky March
• Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Waltz

15.00

• Calvin Harris – Sam Smith: Promises
• Guns N’ Roses: Sweet Child O’ Mine
• Herman’s Hermits: No Milk Today
• Michael Bublé: Feeling Good

17.00

• Steppenwolf: Born to be Wild
• Paddy and the Rats: Pilgrim on the Road
• George Ezra: Budapest
• Andrea Bocelli: Time To Say Goodbye

18:00 – Songs About Budapest

• Budapest Bár: Nékem csak Budapest kell (I Only Need Budapest)
• Animal Cannibals: Budapest nyáron sokkal szabadabb (Budapest is Much Freer in the Summer)
• Wellhello: Rakpart (Embankment)
• Juli Fábián: Like a Child
• George Ezra: Budapest

19:00

• Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Waltz
• Brahms: Hungarian Dances – No. 1
• Coldplay: Paradise
• Avicii: Addicted To You
• Michael Bublé: Feeling Good
• Johann Strauss I: Radetzky March
• Bizet: Carmen – Habanera
• Justin Timberlake: Can’t Stop The Feeling
• Ed Sheeran: Shape Of You

20:00

• Guns N’ Roses: Sweet Child O’ Mine
• Paddy and the Rats: Pilgrim on the Road
• Johann Strauss I: Radetzky March
• Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Waltz
• George Ezra: Budapest
• Herman’s Hermits: No Milk Today
• Liszt: Liebestraum (Love Dream)
• Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)

21:00

• Avicii: Addicted To You
• Calvin Harris – Sam Smith: Promises
• Bizet: Carmen – Habanera
• Guns N’ Roses: Sweet Child O’ Mine
• Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)
• Johann Strauss I: Radetzky March
• Steppenwolf: Born to be Wild
• Projector Screening I. – Famous Hungarians
• Justin Timberlake: Can’t Stop The Feeling
• Ed Sheeran: Shape Of You
• Coldplay: Paradise
• Brahms: Hungarian Dances – No. 1
• Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube Waltz
• Andrea Bocelli: Time To Say Goodbye
• Liszt: Liebestraum (Love Dream)
• Projector Screening II. – Budapest in Dance Steps

🏃‍♀️ Sport Activities – Running, Swimming, Biking

Next to the Palatinus is a tennis centre with several courts.

The largest sport facility of the island is the Athletic Centre with a football field.

They also look after the more than 5 km long running track (coated with soft rubber to dampen vibration to the knee) around the island.

Segway Tours

Guided tours are offered by several agencies.

In the northern corner (beyond Árpád Bridge) of the island there used to be a clay-pigeon shooting field.

🏊‍♀️ Palatinus Water Park – Pools, Giant Slides, Great Fun in Summer

Opening hours: 09.00-19.00 every day from 03. June till end of August 2017.
Tickets: cc. 2 100 – 3 800 HUF (different prices on weekdays and weekends)

There are family tickets for 5 200 – 8 100 (depending on the number of children and weekday or weekend)

See up-to-date prices on the official website.

On a hot summer day have a dip in the outdoor pools of Palatinus Beach.

It has three types of pools: a swimming pool, a beach pool and a fancy pool with neck shower, effervescence generator and whirling corridor.

There are several pools for children of all ages: shallow for toddlers and slightly deeper for older kids.

The two sides of the pool area are lined with fast food buffets, and ice cream sellers.

Prices are not too moderate: try the locals’ favourite,  lángos – yeast-based dough deep fried in oil then topped with sour cream and cheese or with just salt and garlic. The sour cream+cheese combo is around 600 – 800 HUF.

Opposite the bath you’ll find the island’s beautiful rose garden.

More Photos Taken on Palatinus

👉 See more Outdoor Pools/Beaches in Budapest.

Playgrounds

The island has several cool playgrounds.

The best-known, most popular one is near the Margaret Bridge end of the island, almost opposite the music fountain.

The slightly hilly ground is packed with a wide range of swings, slides, climbing frames and other activity toys with which children of all ages – from toddlers to 10-12 year old teens – can play.

There’s a well if you get thirsty (no toilet though right on the playground but there’s one at a short walk toward the island).

The Kő büfé selling, hot dog, grilled sandwiches, pretzels, other snacks, and drinks is right next to the playground but the stall and the tables are facing away so won’t tempt you and your kids with its “unhealthy” offer.

The small playground is tucked away further in the isle so it gets found less frequently so there’s no hassle and queuing for the slide, swing or other activity. It is most ideal for toddlers.

Eco-Playground – For Kids Between Ages 5 -12

This play area that was designed and constructed with  an ecological approach in 2011 is close to the Árpád Bridge, right next to the parking lot.

The unusual and interesting toys here will improve the sense of balance and coordination skills of kids.

Lots of informational boards on various environmental topics too if your young ones had enough jumping, climbing, balancing activity.

⛪ Medieval Ruins on Margaret Island

If you come form the southern end of the island the first ruins you’ll encounter are the ruins of the Franciscan Priory.

They built their convent in the middle of the island towards the end of the 13th century. The buildings were destroyed during the Ottoman rule in the 16th century.

The knights of St. John had also had a centre here.

Dominican Convent

The remains of the Dominican convent from the 13th-16th century are the most notable ruins. King Bela IV founded the convent after the Mongol invasion (1241-42). He vowed that if  his country survived the Asian peril then – if God gives him another daughter (after loosing two in the war) – he would assign her to the service of God.

Margit, his daughter was born in January 1242 and was raised by the Dominican nuns as of the age of 11. The convent had evolved into a real powerhouse with vast estates in the area and was accountable only to the Pope.

Hungary’s most prestigious noble families sent their daughters to the convent that had functioned as an elite boarding school for girls.

The nuns left the island in 1540 during the Turkish invasion.

To the north of the ruins you’ll see the medieval Premonstratensian chapel of St Michael .

The oldest bell of Hungary hangs in its tower.

The bell was cast in the 15th century and it was found under the roots of a tree torn by a storm a few decades ago.

Around the chapel runs the Promenade of Hungarian Artists (Művészsétány) with busts of the country’s prominent poets, writers and other artists.

The tranquil surroundings with groves, stately trees, flowers is ideal for leisurely walks.

János Arany (1817-1882), the great Hungarian poet wrote his most beautiful poems under the mighty trees of Margaret Island.

More Photos About the Dominican Convent

Water Tower – Exhibitions, Beautiful Panorama

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 12.00 – 20.00
• Saturday – Sunday: 10.00 – 20.00

In the middle of the island stands its tallest building, an octagonal Water Tower (Víztorony), built in 1911.

The 57 m high, protected industrial monument has been nicely renovated and it houses exhibitions and events on the two levels of the tower.

It’s one of the venues for the performances of the Summer Festival.

The tower also offers a fine round panorama of the city and the Buda Hills from the cupola on top.

Admission to the Tower

• Full price (18 yrs and older): 500 HUF
• Ages 6 – 18: 300 HUF
• Free for kids under 6 and for Budapest Card holders!

🎭 Open-Air Theatre – Budapest Summer Festival

Venue for the Summer Festival in June, July, August each year)

On summer you can enjoy opera, ballet, musical performances as well as light music concerts in the Open-air Theatre.

👉 Find out more about the Budapest the Summer Festival.

See also the offical website of the event for up to date programs.

🎼 The Bodor Music Fountain

In the northern corner of Margaret Island, near the Japanese garden stands a water-powered musical fountain (Bodor kút). A Transylvanian handyman, Péter Bodor, crafted the original fountain in the 1820 for the people of Marosvásárhely.

This copy on the island was made in 1936. The Neptun Statue perched on its top does a full circle in 24 hour and displays the exact time. Every hour you can listen to different Medieval-inspired Hungarian melodies.

From spring till end of autumn you can sip drinking water from the three small fountains created on the ground floor.

🐓 Mini Zoo/Game Reserve (Vadaspark)

📍 Location:

The mini zoo is located on the Danube bank facing the Pest side of the city, it sits roughly halfway between the Margaret and Árpád bridges, covering an area of about 5 200 square meters.

Opening Hours:

• Usually 15th Apr – 23rd Oct: 10.00 – 18.00 every day

Entry: FREE

Children can go on pony riding. A round costs 500 HUF. You can buy tickets at the buffet in the park. There’s a buffet selling snacks, sweets and drinks.

Rare Plants

The island gives home to several hundred tree species, bushes, colourful flowers. The Dominican convent had already a garden in the 13th century for growing herbs.

Real landscaping of the island started in the beginning of the 19th century. An English-style park was developed. The planes are at least 150 years old and were planted at that time.

Since then they have witnessed many great moments of Margaret Island. Colourful flowers delight the eye all over the island. On of the most interesting plants of the island is the White cypress. Some fern pines stand near the medieval chapel ruins.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is the most imposing spot located right in the middle of the island. The garden was created in 1927 with all types of roses then known having been planted on a 15 000 sqm area.

It’s a wonderful, romantic place for a leisurely walk.

🌳 The Japanese Garden

A small Japanese Garden adores the northern peak of Margaret Island with dwarf trees, water lilies, ducks, an artificial waterfall and a rock garden.

Paths wind through the area lined with centuires-old trees and evergreens.

Nagyrét (“Big Meadow”)

The Nagyrét is a vast, landscaped green meadow at the northern tip of the isle, closer to the Árpád Bridge end. t’s inviting for picnics, playing badminton, reading a book or having a little nap.

Accommodations Directly on Margaret Island

On Margaret Island, you will find two large wellness hotels in the northern part of the island and one budget hostel in the southern corner.

The two premium hotels (Thermal and Grand) are interconnected by a heated underground tunnel, allowing guests from both properties to use the famous thermal spa facilities

They utilize the three natural thermal springs discovered on the island at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.

Ensana Thermal Margaret Island – One of Europe’s Top Spa Hotels

The 4-star superior wellness hotel boasts modern design with a massive private spa and wellness center supplied by natural thermal springs from the island.

It offers indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and a fitness room.

Platánus Restaurant offers Hungarian and international cuisine. It has a nice garden terrace.

Other facilities for eating and drinking:

• Boróka Lobby Bar,
• Neptun Pool Bar,
• Kamilla Coffee Shop

Ensana Grand Margaret Island – 4-Star Superior Historic Hotel

You’ll experience turn-of the century atmosphere on the serene and picturesque Margaret Island.

It is connected to the neighboring Thermal Margaret Island hotel by a heated underground corridor.

The hotel’s Széchenyi restaurant has a garden terrace leading out to the park. You can taste Hungarian and international dishes and there are meals for people on diet.

Other facilities for eating and drinking:

• Grill Terrace,
• Gösser Brasserie,
• Begonia Café
• Victoria Drink Bar

👉 See more Spa & Wellness Hotels in Budapest or browse a selection of other 4 star Hotels in Budapest!

Island Hostel

Location: on the southern part of the island on the Danube bank overlooking Pest

It is a good value hostel in beautiful location close to Hajós Alfréd Swimming Pool, the Palatinus Beach, and the river bank.

The hostel has a sport bar with large screens to watch sport programs, draft beer, pizza, pancakes.

There is

• free coffee and tea all day,
• free WiFi,
• hot shower,
• a good kitchen with modern appliances,
• lockers in the rooms.

🍴 Eating Out on Margitsziget

There a couple of food and snack vendors along the walkways offering grilled sausages, hot dog, cooked corn, ice cream and drinks.

The few restaurants offer food of varying quality

Try the restaurant in Holdudvar (see below) or the Szigetklub Terasz Beer Garden.

You can enjoy your meal and drinks on a nice terrace in both places.

Margit Terasz – Mid-Range Place, Pleasant Green Oasis

Margit Terasz is a quite nice garden restaurant located right next to the Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre, nestled under shady trees.

✅ The Good:

Visitors love the peaceful, green surroundings and great atmosphere.

• The food is fresh,
• Cocktails are popular, and
• Service is often surprisingly fast.

❌ The Bad:

The staff can get overwhelmed and slow when it is busy, especially on theatre nights. Some find the prices high for what you get.

Hippie Island

Location: southern end of the island, near the Musical Fountain

Open: every day: 12.00 – 24.00

A new restaurant and pub that opened in June 2017.

• Delicious cocktails,
• healthy smoothies,
• lemonades and
• other drinks.

Simple, tasty meal. Spacious terrace with view of the Danube.

Stég Pub

Location: southern end of the island, near the Musical Fountain (next to Hippie Island)

Open: every day: 12.00 – 24.00

Stég Pub offers all sorts of drinks, including craft beers as well as local dishes.

🍹 Bars, Clubs on Margitsziget

Holdudvar Restaurant, Bar & Gallery – CLOSED

Open: 12.00 – 24.00 in summer

Housed in a more than 150 year old Casino building designed by the famous architect Miklós Ybl,

Holdudvar offers versatile entertainment:

• great music,
• tasty food,
• art exhibits.

It also has an open-air cinema (in case of rain the screenings are held in the ballroom) and a design club.

Art exhibitions showcasing the works of young painters, video and movie makers can be seen from mid-April till September.

The restaurant offers Hungarian as well as international classics at reasonable prices.

Zippp Club – Temporarily Closed

Location: (at the Athletics Centre, Southern end of the island, tram 4. 6 Margitsziget lejáró stop)

Open: Wednesday – Saturday: 20.00- 05.00

Zippp is a fairly new open-air beach bar with funky parties during summer with live DJ performances on 4 days of the week, from Wednesday to Saturday.

Two dance floors, three bars, cheap drinks, varied music from local underground bands, to electronic, hip hop, d’n’b, and many international performers – a perfect riverside venue to chill out on a summer night.

According to news, a huge complex will open here under the Zippp Margitsziget name including 3 previously independently operating venues:

• the Zippp Beach a place for beach volley and other summer sports,
• Zippp Terrace and
• the Zippp Club.