Budapest is a revered city blessed with myriads of attractions, fantastic landmarks, cultural venues, and old-world architecture. But few people realize that amidst the hustle and bustle of this metropolis there is an oasis of green nature where you can spend a relaxing day away from the tumult of the city. This retreat is Margaret Island (Margitsziget), a 225-acre long sediment bar that formed eons ago in the Danube River, right in the middle of Budapest.
How Did Margaret Island Get Its Name?
Back in the Middle Ages this island was known as the Island of the Rabits and was used as a hunting ground. In 1241, following the Mongol invasion, King Bela IV of Hungary and his wife, Maria Laskaris, founded a nunnery on the island and vowed to send their daughter Margit there if God will deliver Hungary from the Mongol invaders.
Béla won the war against the Mongols, so he entrusted his 3 year old daughter Margit to the Dominican nuns of Veszprém to raise her. Later on, she was sent to the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin founded by her parents on Rabbits Island.
Margit took her vows very seriously, living a simple life and even rejecting two marriage proposals. She died in 1270, one week before her 28th birthday, and was buried on the monastery grounds. Later on she was canonized. In the 14th century the island’s name was changed to Margit-Sziget (Margaret Island) after her.
Getting to Margaret Island
Margit-Sziget, as the Hungarians call it, is located in Budapest, under the bridge that bears the same name –Margaret Bridge– and can be reached either on foot or by public transportation. Tram lines 4 and 6 stop just off the bridge on the Buda side of Budapest, where you’ll find the island access. From here you’ll have to cross on foot the small bridge that connects Margit Hid with the island.
Cars are not allowed on the island, so you won’t be able to take a cab here. However, Bus 26 has direct access to the island and conveniently runs its entire length. The bus comes from Nyugati tér and runs every 10-15 minutes, depending on the time of the day.
Getting Around the Island
Margaret Island is ideal for walking, but if you can’t walk long distances you may get around by pedaling instead. In fact, renting a “Bringóhintó” (a four-person bike) is a very popular activity that you can enjoy with your friends or family when you are on the island.
Top Things to Do on Margaret Island
If you want to spend a day in nature while never leaving Budapest, you’ll find quite a few of entertaining things to do on Margaret Island. Once you make the short trek over Margaret Bridge you’ll find yourself in a totally different landscape. You’ll be surrounded by tall green trees, beautiful lawns and gardens where you take in a breath of fresh air.
Walk Around the Romantic Walkways
One of the most pleasant activities on Margaret Island is walking around without any specific purpose. The 2.5km long island and has endless walkways through lush meadows and colorful gardens. It’s so relaxing to wander around, or sit under a tree and take in the beauty that surrounds you! Or maybe bring a picnic and eat it on the grass.
If you feel quite energetic, you may put on your running shoes and run around the track that circles around the island’s outer edge. The track runs under the trees, so you won’t feel the heat of the sun if you run in the summer.
Watch the Musical Fountains
There are two musical fountains on the island, whose jets move to the rhythm of the music. They are very much like the one you see in front of the Bellagio Hotel, in Las Vegas.
The fountains put on a dramatic show a few times a day (at 10:30am, 5pm, 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm). If you come here in the evening, you’ll be able to also see colorful lights around the water jets. Sadly, we couldn’t stay till after dark, since we visited the island on our last day in Budapest.
Stop for a Bite at Stég Terasz
If you want to take a break from walking, you can stop at one of the restaurants or cafés to enjoy some food and refreshments. There are quite a few of them on Margaret Island but the one we really enjoyed was Stég Terasz.
Climb the Water Tower
Margaret Island in Budapest has a beautiful water tower that was built in 1911 in Art Nouveau Style. The tower still provides water for island’s restaurants and hotels.
Since 2012 when it opened for visitors, the Water Tower has been a venue for art and photography exhibitions. For a small fee, you can climb to its viewing platform at the top.
On a clear day you’ll get unbeatable views of the city from up here, stretching as far as the impressive Parliament Building.
Below the tower is the open-air theater of nearly 3000 seats. The theater is a top summer venue – not just for Budapest, but the whole country. From June to August, the theater is home to the Margaret Island Summer Festival. But in addition to that, it also hosts plays and other events when permanent theaters close in summer.
Tour the Ruins of the Dominican Convent
Not much is left today from the Dominical Monastery built by Bela IV, but even the little that is left is still worth a tour.
Within the ruins you’ll see a marble tomb surrounded by a wrought-iron framework which marks St. Margit’s original resting place. Her remains are no longer here however. In the 16th century, when the Turks invaded Hungary, the nuns of the Blessed Virgin Monastery fled to Bratislava taking Margaret’s bones with them. Over the centuries, the relics were moved several times and partly destroyed in the process. Some however have been preserved and are now kept today in Esztergom and Győr,
Despite it, Hungarians still cover her tomb with fresh flowers today. A short distance from the tomb there’s a brick shrine with votive candles where people come to pray to St. Margit.
Visit the Remaining Wall of the Franciscan Church
Margaret Island was once an important religious center. In addition to the Dominican Monastery built by Béla IV, you can also see some small remains of a once astounding Franciscan church and monastery. The church was constructed sometimes in the 13th century.
Although there is not much left of this monastery, the tower and the wall that still stand today are very photogenic. In 1867, Habsburg Archduke Joseph built a summer residence on the ruins of the church after inheriting the island.
Soak in the Palatinus Baths on Margaret Island in Budapest
A visit to the Palatinus open-air bath is the perfect thing to do on Margaret Island in summer. The bath has 11 pools, some of which are inside. The complex features pools with natural spring water from cold to cool and hot and are open year round.
This strand is particularly popular for visitors with small kids as the pools have several giant slides.
A Final Word
Margaret Island is very close to our apartment in Budapest, so we visited it a few times over the years. However, when I mention it to visitors I realize not many of them know about it, or are aware how many attractions it holds. That proves this island is truly one of the best kept secrets of Budapest, which is a pity, considering how peaceful and relaxing this place really is!
