The capital of Hungary is perfect for a fun and exciting holiday with children. There are many places for young travelers and their parents where you can have fun and informative time. The city is famous for its palace ensembles, museum complexes, thermal springs, nature reserves and parks.
Various entertainments in Budapest for children provide an opportunity to simultaneously immerse in the rich history of the European state, enjoy the picturesque landscapes and get acquainted with the cultural values of the Hungarian people. The city has many interesting architectural monuments and sculptural compositions that will make an indelible impression on tourists of all ages.
You will enjoy a sightseeing walk through picturesque areas, visiting parks and cultural institutions. It will be interesting for children not only to see the sights, but also to frolic in the water park, explore the unique artifacts of museums, visit the zoo and other interesting places.
Tropicarium
It invites its young and adult visitors to get acquainted with representatives of exotic flora and fauna. The territory of a large-scale complex with an area of 3,000 sq. m2 divided into two parts. In one of them, the natural habitat of animals in the wild tropical nature has been recreated, and in the other zone there are aquariums with numerous marine and ocean animals.
The Tropicarium consists of eight rooms, each of which arouses genuine curiosity. Various birds and parrots freely fly over the heads of people. Alligators from the Mississippi Delta rest on the banks of the pools. Monkeys deftly jump on vines. Giant cockroaches, iguanas, beetles, spiders, turtles, centipedes, snakes and other reptiles live among the riot of green plants and rocks.
The most interesting part of the exhibition are the aquariums showing the mesmerizing beauty of the colorful coral reef. Visitors will have the opportunity to take a walk through a glass tunnel laid in a huge reservoir. A tiger, sand and brown shark can be seen directly overhead.
The tunnel creates the illusion of a direct presence on the seabed, which makes children indescribable delight from what they see. Flocks of fish, moray eels, shrimps, clams, rays and piranhas swim in aquariums. Show programs are regularly held here: feeding dangerous marine predators.
Wildlife Park Budakeshi
Deservedly called the green gate of the capital of Hungary. This is an impressive forest area (350 hectares), where various wild and domestic animals live in spacious open-air cages. Walking paths are laid among tall, spreading deciduous trees.
Young visitors will meet bears, raccoons, wolves, wild boars, roe deer, buffalo, deer, bison and many other animals. Some animals and birds are allowed to be fed directly from the hands. To do this, there are signs on the enclosures indicating where the special food is sold.
On the territory of the forest land, there are places for a pleasant family pastime. These are picnic lawns, gazebos with benches and tables. Here it is recommended to combine animal observation with active recreation in the bosom of nature. The zoo has playgrounds with swings, inflatable trampolines, sandpits and slides.
For the brave and dexterous visitors of Budakeshi, there is a rope park. A variety of obstacle courses are designed for children of all ages. Experienced instructors will teach you how to use straps and sliders correctly. The trails are organized at various heights and include bridges, climbing nets and slide slides.
Millenarish Park
It is located in the center of the Hungarian capital and is located on the territory of a former plant for the production of electrical goods. All this is a refined oasis where you can enjoy the fresh air, sit on benches and have fun.
There are artificial lakes, ponds, playgrounds, an amphitheater and exhibition pavilions. Well-groomed green lawns and flower beds are laid out everywhere, benches surrounded by trees with dense crowns are installed. There are numerous merry-go-rounds, slides, sandboxes, playgrounds for children. Parents are happy to bring their little ones here, so that they have enough fun playing with their peers.
Vacationers should visit the Palace of Wonders, where interesting scientific experiments and laws of physics are demonstrated in an entertaining and interactive form. In the pavilions of Millenaris Park, master classes on the creation of any crafts, museum exhibitions and various exciting events are regularly organized. Open-air theater performances and music festivals are held.
Zoo
A must-see item on the entertainment program should be a visit to the Budapest Zoo. One of the oldest menageries in Europe, it is famous for its numerous inhabitants, representing different continents and climatic zones.
Predators and herbivores, reptiles and amphibians, birds and insects - ideal natural habitat conditions have been created for all these exotic animals. Animals feel like masters of the territory, which consists of forest, savannah, desert, rocks and water bodies.
Among the inhabitants of the zoo, you can see tigers, lions, giraffes, hippos, camels, monkeys, rhinos and many other animals. Aquamir is represented by creatures such as penguins, seals, sea lions and polar bears. One of the pavilions is dedicated to the tropics of South America with its snakes, iguanas, sloths and tapirs. Tourists will find themselves in a real rainforest.
It will be interesting to see how sharks, monitor lizards and caimans are fed. Areas of Asia, Africa, Madagascar and Australia deserve attention. A small Hungarian village with pets has been recreated. Visitors to the zoo will remember such objects as a butterfly garden, a terrarium, a reptile house and a koala house.
Varoshliget Park
Deservedly belongs to one of the favorite vacation spots of both residents and guests of the glorious capital. The picturesque corner is located on the territory of the former hunting estate of the King of Hungary, Matthias I. At the end of the 18th century, the swampy lands were dried up and planted with rare exotic trees. Empress Maria Theresa commanded to dig canals and create artificial reservoirs.
Thus, the modern look of the Varoshliget park complex was formed. Today it is famous for its extensive collection of various woody plants, architectural monuments and an abundance of cultural and entertainment facilities.
A walk along winding paths and neat alleys will leave pleasant impressions. Well-groomed lawns, shady alleys, majestic lush trees, openwork bridges thrown across the reservoir - all this creates beautiful landscapes that allow you to take wonderful photos. In the park, tourists will find sculptures and fountains, a circus and attractions, a transport museum and art gallery, quiet picnic areas and restaurants.
The undoubted decoration of Varoshliget is the Vaidahunyad castle, which rises above the water surface of the lake. The palace strikes with a combination of different architectural styles. It will be interesting to see the famous Szechenyi baths. The grandiose bath complex resembles a royal palace with thermal wellness springs flowing into the pools.
Fisherman's Bastion
It is one of the main and recognizable tourist attractions in Hungary.The architectural masterpiece is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It occupies the top of the Buda Hill. The snow-white structure consists of seven hipped-roof towers connected by an extended arcade gallery, staircases and balustrades.
The magnificent openwork bastion, erected from amazingly white stone at the beginning of the 20th century, is dedicated to the memory of the fishermen's guild. The construction was timed to coincide with the 1000th anniversary of the acquisition of their homeland by the Hungarian people. Children will be interested to learn about the history of this grandiose building and the Hungarian state. To do this, you can visit the chapel of St. Michael, within the walls of which a 3D film is shown.
The Fisherman's Bastion has never played the role of a defensive structure. In its place was a trading square where fishermen traded their catch. Young and adult tourists tend to climb the observation decks of the bastion, from where a panoramic view of the Danube River, bridges and the Pest region with architectural sights opens up.
Walking along the walls of the building gives the impression of being in the Medieval era. The stately towers, cozy terraces, chiseled columns and arched arcades will please every visitor.
Fountain of Margaret Island
Margaret Island is a small piece of land in the middle of the Danube, connected to the city by two bridges. Connoisseurs of walking in a landscaped park with picturesque alleys, neat paths and an abundance of greenery flock here. One of the island's notable adornments is the dancing and singing fountain, surrounded by flower beds and benches for relaxation.
The pool area is 1000 m2 with a diameter of 36 meters. To the accompaniment of well-known musical compositions, numerous jets of water rise up into the sky. They move smoothly and bend rhythmically, thereby creating a dance effect. Children's tunes and songs are played at 11:00 and 16:00. With the onset of dusk, colorful illumination turns on. Multi-colored LED lights provide a mesmerizing light show in front of the audience.
Miniature Museum of Miniatures
Amusing exhibits offer you to feel like a giant. This is a real house of miracles, which guarantees a lot of positive emotions for adults and children. In the halls of the entertainment institution, architectural sights, iconic places, natural landscapes and quarters of the settlements of Hungary are authentically reproduced on a scale of 1: 100.
On three hundred square meters there are about 600 models of buildings and structures, 5,000 figures of people, 100 trains and 1,000 cars. Here you can consider for a long time the curious details of episodes from the life of miniature men. They wait for transport, push the trolleybus, buy goods at the market, hold rallies in the square, relax in the park, build houses, repair roads.
Of particular interest is the huge number of interactive interactions with the miniature world. Each block has a control panel with buttons. They are responsible for the movement of trains, trams, buses, airplanes and cars. When buttons of a certain color are pressed, street lighting and illumination on architectural monuments are turned on, a cable car is launched, bells ringing of churches are heard, fountains and other objects of mini-cities begin to work.
Aquaworld water park
This is one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe, guaranteeing its visitors of all ages a charge of positive emotions. The water entertainment complex welcomes guests all year round. He is pleased to offer connoisseurs of active recreation an abundance of all kinds of attractions for every taste. The water park is distinguished by its original architecture.
The seven-story building is crowned with a majestic glass dome. Panoramic windows allow the sun's rays to illuminate the entire interior of the complex. The centerpiece of the water park is a replica of a Hindu temple with towers, walkways and suspended wooden bridges. Around the building are swimming pools, whirlpools, numerous slides, diving rides, hydromassage fountains and a jacuzzi.
Swimming in the pool with grandiose waves is a real delight. Kids play with pleasure in the "paddling pool". Whirlpools, high-speed spiral descents, intricate waterways and centrifuge slides await those looking for their adrenaline rush. Lovers of calm swimming can go to the pool with 170-220 cm deep lanes.
Vacationers will love the cooling shower gates. Artificial rocks and an abundance of green spaces create the illusion of being in the bosom of pristine nature. On the territory of the water park there are sun loungers, sleeping places for babies, changing rooms and toilets.
Toy railway
Among the entertainment, it is worth highlighting the world's longest narrow-gauge children's railway. The length of its tracks is 11.7 kilometers, which is noted in the Guinness Book of Records. The route runs along the picturesque Buda Hill through woodlands. The trip includes crossing a bridge and a tunnel past ancient towers, the ruins of a medieval monastery and other interesting places.
A locomotive with passenger cars makes stops at nine stations located at a distance of 1-1.5 km from each other. The trip takes about 40 minutes, one way. The train is moving at a speed of 20 km / h. Most of the employees of the children's railway are schoolchildren 10-17 years old. In their free time, they master the railway profession. Young workers sell and check tickets, meet and see off trains, prepare trains for departure, and keep order.
Marzipan Museum in Szentendre
In the cozy town of Szentendre, 20 kilometers from Budapest, the marzipan museum is always popular. The exposition is a collection of works of confectionery art. Glass showcases in small rooms are filled with all kinds of objects made of marzipan mass. Any composition created by a skilled pastry chef impresses with small, carefully worked out details.
In the museum you can see sculptures of famous characters, figurines, models of architectural monuments, portraits of Hungarian kings and national heroes, a map of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Cinderella's carriage and many other exhibits. Figures of fairy-tale characters, whole scenes from popular literary works are sculpted here from marzipan.
One of the masterpieces of confectionery is a sweet replica of the Hungarian Parliament building. The model surprises with the precise detailing of all the architectural elements on the facade of the famous landmark. Marzipan figures of Mickey Mouse, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana greet the guests.
A set of furniture covered with lace napkins amazes with its skillful and delicate work. One of the showcases displays Russian painted nesting dolls and a balalaika. Curious tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with the process of making marzipans, which will later become exhibits of the museum.
Funicular Sciclo
A trip on the Schiklo funicular adds a wonderful variety to the rest program in Budapest. It is the oldest operating mode of transport in the Hungarian capital. The funicular began its work in 1870. Today, it serves as an attraction for tourists who wish to climb the Buda Hill along the historic railroad and feel the spirit of antiquity.
The funicular's rolling stock consists of three wooden trailers moving along a steep slope using an electric mechanism. The cars leave every 10 minutes. The difference in height is about 50 meters. Two trains run at the same time: one up, the other down. Parents can intrigue their children with the story that two cable car trains are named Gellert and Margit.
One is named after the revered saint, the other is named after the daughter of the Hungarian king. A fairly short journey (only 2 minutes) allows passengers to enjoy panoramic views of the city. From the windows of the first and last carriage, the Danube River, the Szechenyi chain bridge, the parliament building and a magnificent architectural ensemble will appear in all its glory.
Buda fortress
Located on a high hill in the historic district of Buda and surrounded by a medieval wall. Behind it is a vast territory with a classic architectural ensemble. It is recommended to go here for a walk with children who will be interested in seeing the majestic buildings and structures, sculptural compositions and fountains.
The crown jewel of the fortress is the Royal Palace. Despite numerous destruction and subsequent reconstruction, it remains today the embodiment of the rich history of the Hungarian state. The splendor of the facade decoration amazes with its delicate skillful work of architects. Slender columns, carved decorations and a tower with a green dome attract attention.
The luxurious halls of the palace house an art gallery, a collection of valuable artifacts and a library. It is worth going to the marble gate with a wrought iron lattice and intricate bas-reliefs. On the territory of the fortress there is the Gothic Church of St. Matthias. It is crowned with an 80-meter bell tower, richly decorated with carved openwork details. The multi-colored tiled roof gives the temple a solemn look.
Földalatti Museum
Dedicated to the history of construction and operation of the city's underground railway. Interesting exhibits are displayed in the hall of the old station of the first line of the Budapest Metro, Földalatti. Even the original decoration of the walls and vaults has been preserved here. The collection includes miniature models of locomotives and railway equipment, photographs, diagrams, maps, and original documentation.
Of particular interest to children are three passenger cars, which were manufactured and began to operate at the end of the 19th century. Visitors to the museum will be allowed to go inside the trains and feel the spirit of the past. There is a memorial plaque at the station with the date of the visit of the metro by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1896.
Skip-the-line: Szechenyi baths full day - 25 €
Hop-on hop-off bus - 27 €
Dinner cruise with live music - 46 €
Danube cruise with candlelight dinner - 70.65 €
Classical concerts in St. Stephen's Basilica - 32 €
Ferris wheel Budapest Eye
One of the exciting activities is riding the Budapest Eye Ferris wheel. The attraction is popular with tourists of all ages. It invites its visitors to admire the fascinating landscapes and sights of the capital from a bird's eye view. The height of the building is 65 meters.
The structure is equipped with 42 safe and well-ventilated cabins. Each of them can accommodate 8 people at a time. In one session, the wheel makes four smooth turns. A ten-minute journey will give you a lot of vivid impressions. The cabins are covered with durable panoramic glass, which allows you to take high-quality pictures of the city from different angles. In the evening, the wheel shines with all the colors of the rainbow.
Planetarium
For tourists vacationing with children, it would be a remiss not to visit the planetarium. This scientific institution invites you to go on a space journey through the vast and mysterious universe. The majestic dome of 1000 sq. meters, images of giant and small planets, stellar galaxies, meteorites, space stations, satellites and other celestial bodies are projected.
A visual demonstration is provided by a projector equipped with 50 visual 3D special effects. Thanks to modern technology, the impression is created that space objects are moving directly over the heads of the audience. The equipment of the planetarium makes it possible to take a walk in the solar system.
Here you will have a unique opportunity to see how the stars look at different times of the day. If you set a certain date, you can find out what shape the celestial bodies had in the past, and what appearance they will have in the future.
City of professions MiniPolisz
Provides a chance for young travelers to get to know different professions and become adults for a while. This is a full-fledged mini-town with hotels, shops, hospitals, a bank, a beauty salon and other establishments. A world opens up in front of children in which you can get useful information in a playful way and master various fields of activity.
The guys will try on the role of police officers, doctors, salesmen, builders, florists, mechanics, drivers, journalists and even show business stars. MiniPolisz is a huge playground with 20 play areas. Each of them is dedicated to a particular profession. The police station consists of a prison and an investigator's office.
In the beauty salon, children do their hair and make-up for their parents or casual visitors. The bank branch allows you to carry out financial transactions. In a pizzeria, a child will cook a pizza. At the post office, parcels are sorted and letters are delivered to addresses.
The fire station is engaged in the prevention and suppression of fires. In stores, you will have to lay out the goods on the shelves and work with the cash register. The complex has a cycling trail.
Bear Park "Medveotthon"
The one-of-a-kind Medveotthon park is located 25 kilometers from the city. The territory of 3.5 hectares was given into the possession of brown bears, for which the most natural natural habitat conditions have been created. Clubfoot can sleep and rest in artificial caves, swim and fish in lakes.
Each inhabitant of the reserve has its own story. Some animals were taken out of the zoo, others were confiscated when they tried to illegally send them across the border. Some individuals lived with humans as pets until they grew up and became dangerous.
Bears are friendly towards the constant flow of visitors. They are not afraid to approach people. You can feed the bears with carrots or honey. For this, tourists will be given a long wooden spoon.
Ethnographic Museum "Skansen"
Lovers of atmospheric and cozy places should visit the ethnographic open-air museum - "Skansen". A visit to it will be a great way to relax in the bosom of picturesque nature, gain new positive impressions and replenish the stock of knowledge. Adults and young travelers will get acquainted with the life of Hungarian peasants of the 18th-19th centuries. The Skansen Museum is located in the suburbs of the Hungarian capital.
On an area of 60 hectares, reconstructed village houses are collected, which are made in accordance with the traditional architectural style of the countryside. In total, there are about 250 buildings, including a school, a post office, a church, warehouses and stables. Each house has recreated ancient interiors that reflect the daily life of a villager from different eras.
Guests will see wooden tables with chairs and beds, wardrobes, pottery and various household appliances. Pets roam freely on Skansen. Goats, horses, cows graze on pastures. The working handicraft workshops are especially interesting.
In them, children will be shown how to make soap, bake bread, make dishes and make wine. A visit to a windmill and a water mill, as well as an area where tractors, mowers and other agricultural devices are displayed, will be a real pleasure for the boys.
Elizabeth Lookout Tower
On the top of Mount Janos, which is 528 meters high, an observation tower named after Queen Elizabeth of Bavaria was erected.At the end of the 19th century, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph several times climbed the majestic hill to enjoy the opening landscapes and panoramas of the city. Her visit to the mountain led to the idea of building an observation tower.
The four-storey stone building has a round shape in plan. The diameter and height of each tier is halved in relation to the base of the tower. The height of the building is 23.5 meters. There is a marble bust of the Queen in the hall on the first floor.
The floor is covered with mosaics, the walls are decorated with art panels. A spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower. The observation deck offers a mesmerizing view of the entire city and its attractions. In clear sunny weather, visibility is up to 80 kilometers.
Széchenyi Bath
In the center of Varoshliget Park there is one of the largest thermal spa complexes in Europe - the Szechenyi Bath. It is a popular tourist destination where you can have a great time with your child, enjoy swimming in baths and hydromassage pools. A visit to the bath complex will give you a boost of vivacity and create an excellent mood.
The baths are a beautiful building with towers and pompous architectural elements. Behind the facade of the monumental building, built in the form of a closed gallery, hot medicinal springs rich in microelements are gushing. The premises contain Jacuzzi baths, saunas, solariums, steam rooms and numerous bathing bowls. The halls are decorated with massive columns, marble floors, vaulted ceilings. The walls are painted with colorful frescoes.
The courtyard features outdoor pools surrounded by sun loungers, Roman statues and fountains. The water temperature ranges from 28 to 40 degrees. It should be noted that the baths lack the entertainment inherent in water parks. But kids will love swimming in a pool with bubbling water, artificial whirlwinds and underwater currents.
Puppet show
It invites tourists with families to visit magnificent performances that will bring a lot of pleasant impressions. The old theater building, erected in 1877, is equipped with modern technology, allowing you to immerse yourself in a breathtaking spectacle. The main auditorium seats over 400 people. The repertoire includes performances based on famous world fairy tales.
Performances such as The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty are popular. Familiar plots will be understandable to viewers even without knowledge of the Hungarian language. Professional actors in life size puppets take part in the performance together with puppets controlled by puppeteers.
Everything interacts so harmoniously and musically with special effects that a magical atmosphere is created around it. Comfortable, comfortable multi-level armchairs allow children to carefully and enthusiastically observe various scenes during the entire performance.
Natural History Museum
It amazes with the scale of its exposition. Undoubtedly, children will be delighted with visiting this institution. Over a two-century history, the museum has collected more than 10 million unique items and artifacts that demonstrate the diversity of the country's landscapes, treasures of wildlife and its inhabitants.
The museum halls contain countless exhibits and materials from the fields of zoology, anthropology, mineralogy, botany, paleontology and geology. Adults and young guests alike will be curious to look at precious sparkling stones, various minerals and meteorite debris. Children will be interested in an extensive collection of plants, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, butterflies and animals.
You can also see the remains of the bones of cavemen and the mummy of 264 people, models of a mammoth and a woolly rhinoceros. Under the glass floor there is a magical underwater world - fish, coral reefs, crabs, mussels, sea urchins and stars.
Museum "Hospital in the Rock"
One of the most unusual medical museums in the world, the Hospital in the Rock, is located in the cave system under the Buda Fortress. This rather peculiar place will greatly expand the horizons of the child. Underground labyrinths with tunnels and cellars formed millions of years ago by thermal waters were equipped to organize a hospital.
It played an important strategic role as an emergency room during World War II. Also, the cave in parallel served as a bomb shelter in case of a nuclear conflict. In the underground premises of 2,000 m2, you can see hospital wards, operating rooms and dressing rooms. The wax figures of the military, doctors and nurses add a special atmosphere.
The sounds of sirens and echoes of the bombing, groans and heavy sighs of the wounded create a depressing atmosphere. All artifacts are displayed in their authentic interiors. Instruments, medical devices, communication devices, photographs, documents and civil defense equipment tell about the historical role of the military hospital.
Houdini House Museum
Budapest is home to the world famous magician Harry Houdini. In 2016, the world's first and only museum dedicated to the life and work of the greatest illusionist was opened. The exposition occupies three cozy rooms in one of the medieval ancient castles of the city. For adults and children, a visit to this magical place will be an unforgettable journey into the world of amazing illusions.
After purchasing an entrance ticket, tourists need to unravel the secret code that will open the way to amazing exhibits. Unique objects related to magic tricks are exhibited for public viewing. These are photographs and documents, old posters and posters, clothes and personal belongings of a magician, manuscripts and books. Of interest are the various original and recreated props that Houdini used for his performances.
The exhibits include a collection of handcuffs and straitjackets, chains and locks. Visitors will find a vat filled with water, as well as a replica of the China Torture Chamber. Every half hour, the museum hosts magic shows organized by novice magicians.
