Sports and leisure activities Budapest

Budget & Tips

Budapest is a city of water! Swimming pools and thermal baths, or kayaking/stand-up paddling (SUP) on the Danube are all affordable in the city (as long as you go early in the morning or late at night for the baths, and avoid weekends, when tickets are more expensive). You'll get the most out of the baths in the Romái part area, which is also full of little huts selling fried fish on table corners. The Danube, again, is used by a variety of boats, with cruise boats offering tours at dusk or during the 2-3h day, but you'll get almost the same spectacle from the boats of the public transport company, the BKK, for 750 Ft.

What's very local

Canoe on the lake at Château Vajdahunyad in Bois-de-la-Ville, or skate in winter. Go jogging, play Frisbee or cycle on Marguerite Island.

Buda has a number of caves worth visiting: the Pálvölgyi cave, Szépvölgyi út 162, or the Szemlőhegyi cave, Pusztaszeri út 35. Open daily except Monday and Tuesday, respectively, from 10am to 4pm.

Your documents please

In principle, you will not be asked to do so, but for stand up paddle (SUP) or water activities, you must be able to swim.

To be booked

It's advisable to book your entry to the baths online to avoid queuing. For water sports, it's always advisable to book in advance.

Main events

Two famous marathons take place in Budapest: the official marathon and the half marathon.

Tourist traps

Choose wisely for your cruise on the Danube, they are all touristy if you go through an agency whose job it is. On the other hand, on board the boats of the Mahart Passnave and especially the boats of the BKK (public transport lines), you will undoubtedly meet a few more Hungarians!