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Beautiful public gardens and playgrounds. The zoo. Lots of attractions and museums suitable for all ages. The suggestive thermal baths of which Budapest boasts the record for number.
And, again, a splendid walk through the historic center, or a boat ride… maybe in the evening, to appreciate the most suggestive side of the Capital.
If you are on vacation with your children, fun is guaranteed.
WHAT TO DO IN BUDAPEST WITH CHILDREN
A trip to Budapest with children can give satisfaction to adults and children. You can walk around admiring its majestic monuments, splendid architecture and its historic buildings. Or you can have beautiful experiences and attend unique and truly incredible shows. Here are some of the best experiences not to be missed if you are on vacation with the whole family.
01 – FUNICULAR AND CASTLE
One of the experiences that you absolutely must not miss is the ascent to the Buda hill aboard the ancient Castle Funicular. Officially inaugurated in March 1870, the Budapest Funicular is not just a means of city transport. Due to its characteristics and its historical-artistic value, in 1987 it was included by UNESCO in the world heritage of humanity. Today it can be considered in all respects as a true attraction of the Capital.
From the top of the hill you can admire the splendid medieval Castle, one of the most visited places in the city. Historical residence of the great Hungarian kings, it has been remodeled several times over the years, maintaining its charm intact. The Royal Palace, built in the 13th century, houses the Széchenyi Library, the Budapest History Museum, and the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria, or the Hungarian National Gallery.
02 – THE CASTLE LABYRINTH
Photo ©, Christo
In the heart of the fortress, the Castle Labyrinth (Budavári Labirintus) is an absolute must-see; it is a system of caves that winds up to 16 meters below the castle, for an extension of over a kilometer. Once used mainly for military reasons, as prisons, places of torture or hiding places, today these caves can be visited; they host exhibitions and displays, as well as wax statues of many famous Hungarian people. Surely appreciated by children (and adults!)
The structure is open every day from 09:30 to 19:30. From 20:30 to 08:00 in the morning it is possible to book the night visit, with entrance from the corner of Lovas utca and Palota út. The entrance ticket for adults costs 5000HUF (12.50€); students, pensioners and teachers pay 4500HUF, while children from 6 to 12 pay 1000HUF. A special FAMILY TICKET is also available, which costs 10000HUF (25€) and allows access to two adults and two children up to 12 years old.
03 – ADMIRE THE BRONZE STATUES
One of the characteristics of the Capital is the presence of numerous bronze statues scattered in every corner of the city. Trying to find them all could be a real… treasure hunt for the little ones!
Many statues are located along the banks of the Danube, on the Pest side. The Little Princess is sitting on the railing of the tram stop in Vigadó Square, right in front of the Castle. It is one of the most popular and has quickly become the true symbol of the city. Not far away, you can admire the Girl playing with the dog. The Shoes on the Danube, instead, were installed in 2005 as a memorial to the Holocaust. And, again, the Statue of Puskas, dedicated to the Hungarian football legend, the statue of the Boys of Pal Street, of Lieutenant Colombo, or of Bud Spencer. More info from this link.
04 – VISITING THE MUSEUMS
Photo ©, Sir Morosus
The museums have something for all ages. If you are on holiday in Budapest with children, there will be plenty of those more suitable for young visitors. Starting obviously with Madame Tussauds, the most famous wax museum in the world, which also has a location in the Hungarian capital. You will find numerous legends of cinema, sports, music. Tickets cost 8990ft for children from 4 to 15 years old, and 13990ft for adults. With the Family Ticket, 2 adults and 1 or 2 children enter. Online tickets available directly at this link.
The Natural History Museum, with its 11.5 million objects, is the largest museum in the country. For the little ones, don’t miss the area dedicated to dinosaurs and the entrance with the whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 09 to 17. The ticket costs 3000ft for adults and 1500 for concessions. Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children at the cost of 6000ft.
In front of Margaret Island is the wonderful CSOPA science center, a real must if you are on holiday in Budapest with children. This wonderful center was born as a point of reference for young visitors and offers over 250 interactive games and workshops. The Szamos Chocolate Museum is a must-see for those with a sweet tooth, both adults and children. Ikono is a museum of activities and experiences with several locations throughout Europe, and also present in Budapest.
05 – BUDAPEST WITH CHILDREN AT THE SPA
Budapest is considered the true spa capital of the world. In fact, 188 thermal springs flow from its foundations. For this reason, during a holiday in Budapest, you should not deprive yourself of the pleasure of spending some time (even a short one) in one of its wonderful spas.
But be careful: not all spas are suitable for children.
The Gellert Baths are also excellent for children. The view is also remarkable, with baroque decorations, mosaics and colored glass. The 8 pools can accommodate children. In the summer, the outdoor pool is open, with a temperature of 26 degrees and artificial waves that are fun for the whole family. Most of the spas are mixed and welcome both men and women every day. The spa is open every day from 09 to 19 (the sauna from 10 to 16). Children under 14 must have a medical prescription to use the thermal pool. Tickets online from this link.
The Palatinus Thermal Baths on Margaret Island, with its 11 pools, are more than just an alternative to the Gellert Baths.
06 – VARÓSLIGET: PARK, ZOO, CASTLE… AND MUCH MORE
Photo ©, VillageHero from Ulm
During your vacation you can’t miss a visit to one of the green parks in the city. Varósliget is a splendid park in the Pest area, as well as a famous meeting place in Budapest. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Heroes’ Square. With an extension of 120 hectares, it is considered one of the main places of leisure and relaxation in the capital. Inside it hosts numerous buildings, gardens, a lake and many attractions, including the Vajdahunyad Castle, an exact reproduction of the Hunedoara Castle in Transylvania.
Don’t miss a fantastic hot air balloon ride: you go up to about 150 meters high with a view of the entire city. The times are strictly related to the weather conditions, in fact in case of wind or rain the Hot Air Balloon is closed. The family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costs 20000ft (about €50).
Also in the park are the zoo and the Botanical Garden. This is the oldest zoo in Hungary, as well as one of the oldest in the world. It hosts 750 species of animals with 8,000 specimens and over 3,000 species of plants. The architectural style of the entire complex is also beautiful and unique. Open from 09:00 to 17:00 (closes at 17:30 on weekends). The ticket costs 5,500 ft for adults and 3,500 ft for children.
07 – TAKE A CRUISE
Admire the capital while being carried by the placid waters of the Danube. From the river, Budapest has an even more suggestive charm. Especially in the evening, when the city is all lit up.
There are numerous shipping companies that offer daily cruises on the river, often combined with drinks, lunch or dinner. From this link you can view all the best offers.
07 – ZOO CAFE IN BUDAPEST WITH CHILDREN
Opened on September 5, 2014, the Zoo Cafe has quickly gained a lot of appreciation, becoming a point of reference in its genre.
Here, everyone can admire the special and interesting animals next to a coffee, a cake, a sandwich or an ice cream. The little ones will have the opportunity to pet the animals and take a photo. Reservations are required at least 4 days in advance because the tables are always sold out.
09 – THE CHILDREN’S RAILWAY
Photo ©, NearEMPTiness
Did you know that in Budapest there is a railway operated by children aged 10 to 14? Well, in Budapest you can discover this unique railway, complete with locomotives, tracks, tickets, railway signals… The line extends between the Buda hills from Széchenyihegy to Hűvösvölgy, crossing the gear railway and serving Normafa and the highest point in Budapest: Jánoshegy. The journey from Széchenyihegy Station to Hűvösvölgy Station takes about 50 minutes.
Of course, children are employed under adult supervision. The service is operated by the local company MAV.
The Children’s Railway operates all year round with about 7 departures daily from the two terminals. A single ticket costs 1000ft for adults and 500ft for children aged 5 to 18. Two journeys (not return) cost 1800ft for adults and 900ft for children. The special Family ticket allows unlimited travel for 2 adults and up to 2 children for the whole day.
10 – BELVAROS, ERZSÉBET TÉR AND THE FERRIS WHEEL
Belvaros is a popular district in Pest that is home to important neoclassical buildings, boutiques and trendy shops. Here, you and your children can indulge in shopping, perhaps along the “fashion street”. There is no shortage of gastronomic options to suit all budgets. The 19th-century Café Gerbeaud, famous for its cakes, is renowned in the neighborhood.
The beautiful Elisabeth Square (Erzsébet Tér) is located in the neighborhood, with its park, fountain and beautiful Ferris Wheel, an unmissable stop on vacation in Budapest with children. The standard ticket for children aged 12 and over costs 4900ft. Reduced for children aged 2 to 11, 2900ft.
*All information is for indicative purposes only and should not be considered official. Appointments may be subject to change. We therefore invite you to consult the official website for all updates. All trademarks and names contained herein belong to their respective owners.