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ITINERARY (1/2 Day)
City Park Városliget
Játszótér Playground
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
Vajdahnyad Castle
nugget’s Advice
Prepare in advance
Avoid the queue and buy tickets in advance. Some companies selling tickets also offer a hotel pick-up service.
Good to know
The bath is big and beautiful, but since there are thermal pools, kids under 2 are only allowed to swim in one pool. Bringing food with you is both allowed and recommended.
Recommended day/time
Go early in the morning and during weekdays to avoid a lot of people.
Recommended time of the year
While the bath is used year-round, its hot thermal water might be more enjoyable in the cooler seasons.
Save Money
The Budapest Card offers a discount (20% off).
About This Day
Looking for unique things to do in Budapest with kids? How about a day trip to City Park Városliget and Szechenyi Baths? Experiencing its famous thermal baths is the highlight of any trip to Budapest, and yes, it can be done with kids in tow. With toddlers splashing away in their own pool, a parent can take time to appreciate beautiful architecture and the sensual pleasure of the warm mineral water. Once dry, the kids can visit the park, castle and one of the best playgrounds in Budapest. This is the perfect day for a family vacation to Budapest.
City Park Városliget
Vajdahunyad vár, Budapest
FREE
City Park Városliget is a 302-acre (122-hectare) public park in the middle of Budapest. It comprises a number of top attractions for families, including the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the Budapest Zoo and the beautiful Vajdahnyad Castle. There is also an artificial lake where families can rent boats (although a single parent traveling alone may well balk at doing so). It is a beautiful park with mature-growth trees and plenty of shade. Children are bound to gravitate toward the lake at some point, which has loud and greedy ducks. But first, they will be captivated by the playgrounds.
DIRECTIONS Take the underground M1 (yellow line) and get out at Széchenyi fürdő. You will arrive directly at the park.
Játszótér Playground
Vázsonyi Vilmos sétány, Budapest
FREE
This playground has two separate areas: one for toddlers and one for small and bigger children. There are slides, climbers, swing sets and a climbing structure. The trees offer a nice shade, but next to the playgrounds are also a couple of bars and shops where you can eat, drink or buy an ice cream. Public toilets are there, too.
DIRECTIONS From Széchenyi fürdő underground station, walk away from the Széchenyi bath building. The playground will be on your right.
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
9-11 Állatkerti körút, Budapest
$$$
Budapest has many hot mineral baths, but this is one of the largest in Europe. It is really beautiful and a lot of fun. Our family had so much fun we spent almost 5 hours inside the bath. During summer the water might reach 34° C (93° F), so possibly the best time to enjoy the baths might be when the weather is cool or even cold. Inside the bath, you can buy drinks, ice cream, some snacks and grilled sausages. There are not a lot of tables available, so making the best of eating in your chair is recommended. My kids enjoyed the grilled sausages and potatoes, but if you don’t eat meat you should bring your own food (no veggie options inside). Prices are also a bit high by Hungarian standards.
DIRECTIONS From the playground walk back to the Széchenyi fürdő underground station. You can’t miss the Szechenyi building.
TIP Thermal water is not recommended for children under 2; however, this bath offers a swimming pool for toddlers. You can rent towels. While there are free lockers inside the main building, if you want to use the outside lockers you will have to pay at the entrance.
Vajdahnyad Castle
Vajdahunyad vár, Budapest
$$$
Vajdahnyad Castle is a beautiful building that includes a church and the Museum and Library of Hungarian Agriculture. Normally you can access to the tower and enjoy the great views from above. Unfortunately that day it was closed but if you are interested you can check out the webpage for more information about opening hours and price. The castle frequently has special exhibits, activities and events. For example, that day there was an exposition about games. Kids could try out board games, draw and do some handicrafts. There was also a “Middle Ages” Festival taking place and we had fun watching the different shows, musicians and sellers.
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