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Margit sziget — Island fountain in daylight, ringed by trees and visitorsPhoto: Christo · CC0 · edited
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Margit sziget

Parks ·Budapest
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#1Parks in Hungary#1Parks in BudapestTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Margit sziget (Margaret Island) is a 2.5 km park island in the Danube, between the Buda and Pest halves of central Budapest, with medieval ruins.

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Margit sziget — Margaret Island's illuminated musical fountain at night Christo · CC0 · edited
Margit sziget — Margaret Island's illuminated musical fountain at nightMargit sziget — Snow-covered willow and evergreens in the island parkMargit sziget — Bare winter tree beside a snow-covered pondMargit sziget — Large Lego lion sculpture displayed in the parkMargit sziget — Lego lion sculpture with exhibit panels in the parkMargit sziget — Ambrus Zoltán bust standing among island park greeneryMargit sziget — Holdudvar building and lawn beneath mature trees

Why go

  • The Palatinus bath on the west shore, the largest open-air swimming complex in Budapest, with a thermal pool, a wave pool and water slides.
  • The 5.35 km rubber-coated running track, popular with locals and tourists.
  • The Japanese Garden, from 1936, lies shortly before the Árpád bridge, with a mildly thermal fish pond.

Entrances

  • Margit híd (Margaret Bridge)The bridge from the south. Visitors reach the island on foot, by tram over the bridge, or by bicycle.South end of the island On the map
  • Árpád hídThe bridge from the north. The northern tip of the island was extended when it was built. The Grand Hotel stands in the north of the island.North end of the island On the map

Don't miss

  • Water towerAn octagonal Art Nouveau tower, 57 metres high, now used as a lookout. It is protected as world cultural heritage.West side of the island1911 On the map
  • Restored convent ruinsThe ruins of the convent where Saint Margaret lived.North of the rose garden13th century On the map
  • Central rose gardenOver 2,500 rose varieties grow in this garden.North of the 13th-century monastery remains on the east side On the map
  • St. Michael's chapelPart of a 12th-century Premonstratensian monastery, rebuilt in Romanesque style in 1931 and still used for services. The chapel holds probably the oldest church bell in the country.Near the convent ruins12th century On the map
  • Centennial MemorialA monument by István Kiss marking the 1973 centenary of the 1873 union of Buda, Pest and Óbuda.In the south of the island1973 On the map

What's in season

  • Jun – AugThe Music Fountain hosts music and light shows in summer.
  • May – JunNightingales sing on the island in late spring and early summer.

What you see

  • From the water tower on the west side, a 57-metre lookout.
  • Besides two hotels, a bath, sports sites, an open-air stage and the water tower, no buildings stand on the island.
  • Most of the island is covered by landscaped parks.

With kids

  • A tiny zoo with exotic waterfowl and other animals stands on the island.
  • Statue walks, ponds and a fountain run through the park.
  • Hedgehogs, active mostly at dusk, and squirrels are the island's best-known mammals.
  • A waterfall built from artificially placed rocks.

Facilities

  • Car park Car park at the northern end, for hotel guests only.
  • Sports pool The Alfréd Hajós sports pool hosted European long-course swimming championships in 1958, 2006 and 2010.
  • Open-air concerts The Music Well, a small pavilion built for open-air concerts.

Photo spots

  • Water towerStand on the west side and frame the tower against the sky.West side of the island On the map
  • Centennial MemorialStand in front of the monument so it fills the frame.South of the island On the map
  • Central rose gardenStand in the rose garden and look south toward the monastery ruins.North of the monastery ruins On the map
  • St. Michael's chapelStand near the chapel and frame its Romanesque-style walls.Near the convent ruins On the map
  • Restored convent ruinsStand north of the rose garden and put the ruins in the foreground.North of the rose garden On the map

Shorts

History

Earlier the island was called Insula leporum, the Island of Rabbits, or Nyulak szigete in Hungarian. After a victory over the Tatars, Béla promised her to a convent, and she lived in a Dominican convent here. Nunneries, churches and cloisters dominated the island until the Ottoman wars. The monks and nuns fled, and the buildings were destroyed. Medieval ruins still recall its past as a religious centre. Palatines then laid the island out as a garden and spa resort. Three separate islets were joined later, to regulate the flow of the Danube, and most of the island is landscape park today.

  1. 1790The palatine Sándor Lipót received the island in a land exchange and had it laid out as a garden.
  2. 1814The leaders of the alliance against Napoleon met here.
  3. 19th centuryExcavations found a royal grave with a precious crown here.
  4. 1867Mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy's artesian well struck 43-degree medicinal water nearly 1,200 m down.
  5. 1873A spa, two restaurants, villas and the Grand Hotel were completed. Miklós Ybl designed the hotel.
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  1. World War IIDuring the siege of Budapest the island was the site of fierce combat.

Accessibility

  • Taxis and buses Taxis and one bus line may enter the island.
  • Rickshaw-like bringóhintó Rickshaw-like bringóhintó also carry visitors around the island.
  • Private cars Private cars are banned on the island.

Sources: Margaret Island - Wikipedia · Margit-sziget - Wikipedia · Margareteninsel (Budapest) - Wikipedia · Margit-sziget - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Budapest

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Is Margit sziget (Margaret Island) free to enter?

Entry to the island is free. The city charged for entry until 1945.

How do I get to Margit sziget (Margaret Island) in Budapest?

Walk, cycle or take the tram over the Margit híd (Margaret Bridge) from the south. Taxis and one bus line may also enter the island.

Where is Margit sziget (Margaret Island) in Budapest?

It is an island in the Danube in north-central Budapest, between the Buda and Pest halves of the city.

How big is Margit sziget (Margaret Island)?

It is about 2.5 km long and covers 96.5 hectares. The angolkert garden holds about 8,500 trees.

Can you drive to Margit sziget (Margaret Island)?

No. Private cars are banned on the island. Visitors can get around by taxi, bus or rickshaw-like bringóhintó.

Is Margit sziget (Margaret Island) good for children?

The island has a tiny zoo with exotic waterfowl and other animals. Statue walks, ponds and a fountain run through the park.

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