Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Budapestoffersahealthyrangeofactivitiesforkids,fromadventureandroller-skating
parks, to indoor play centres and state-of-the-art playgrounds. Moreover, the zoo - al-
ways a sure-fire hit with the little ones - is one of the most impressive anywhere in the
region. There's plenty by way of artistic entertainment, too, and the capital retains a
strongtraditionofchildren'stheatre-particularlypuppetry-anddance.Don'texpect
anything too high-tech, however, as a lack of cash dogs many of the facilities, but many
of the city's playgrounds have been refurbished in recent years, and plenty of places
have activities specifically for children, from the Palace of Arts, which has events most
weekends,totheMillenárisParkwithitsregularworkshops.Concessionsforunder-14s
are available at most attractions.
Budapest's public transport - under-6s travel free - will keep children happily entertained.
Trams
are an endless source of fun, the best ride being along the embankment in tram #2.
Across the water, the
Sikló
is a great experience, rising up above the rooftops from the
Lánchíd to the Royal Palace. A popular way for families to spend an afternoon in the Buda
Hills is to go on the “railway circuit”: the
Cogwheel Railway
, the
Children's Railway
and
the
chairlift
- but note that the chairlift can be unnerving for smaller children. From April to
October there's the added thrill of
boatrides
on the Danube - either short tours of the city up
to Margit-sziget and back, or further afield to Szentendre and on to Esztergom - though for
young children, boredom is less likely to kick in on the shorter rides. Throughout the sum-
mer there are lots of
craftactivities
and children's entertainment at the Open-Air Museum in
Szentendre, and a lot of the summer
festivals
also have craft stalls and activities for children,
such as the August 20 festivities around the Royal Palace.
PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND THE ZOO
Caves
Underground Buda is good fun for children as long as they aren't scared of the dark.
The caves under the Várhegy (see
The Hospital in the Rock
) offer some underground explor-
ation, while the
Pálvölgyi
and
Szemlőhegyi
Caves display dramatic geological formations.
Note the Pálvölgyi doesn't admit children under 5.
Challengeland (Kalandpálya)
XII, Konkoly Thege Miklós út 21
kalandpalya.com
;
map
.
Up in the Buda Hills and offering some of the city's best in outdoor fun, this is a real ad-
venture playground, where children over 100cm in height can go on ropewalks and swing
from tree to tree. The shade of the trees makes this a good place to take kids on hot days.
Safety is paramount with all children taught how to use harnesses. To get here, take the
Children's Railway to Csillebérc Station, or catch the #21 bus from Széll Kálmán tér. Entry
3200-3600Ft depending on the height of child - this is for a 3hr 30min session. It is also
worth renting gloves (200Ft).
April-mid Sept daily 10am-6pm; Nov-March Sat & Sun
10am-4pm, depending on weather.
