Budapest's Margaret Island

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

Margaret Island, formerly known as the “island of rabbits” due to the fact that it used to be a hunting reserve for aristocrats, is situated in the middle of the River Danube , which separates Buda from Pest. It is 2 km long and its current name goes back to Princess Margaret who lived on the island in the 13^th century. During the Ottoman wars, the monks and nuns fled and their homes were destroyed but ruins of the convent and chapel can still be seen on the upper part of the island.

In the year 1908, this enormous green space finally opened to the public and nowadays it is a large park in which all kinds of activities and events are held. As soon as you enter the island via Margaret Bridge you will find a large musical fountain and just a few meters away, the Centenary Monument, erected in 1973 to commemorate the centenary of the union of Buda, Pest and Obuda, leading to the existence of the city of Budapest. Strolling through the vast park on the island you will find a small zoo and a Japanese garden in the northern part, with its rock formations, cascades and plants. In the very center of the island, the rose garden, one of the most beautiful in Budapest, is located. Next to the garden is the Water Tower, 57 meters tall, which used to supply the hotel with water. It is currently aUNESCO protected monument. Located in the vicinity of the rose garden are the Palace Baths, which are not a traditional Hungarian-style spa (although they do have hot springs), but a water park with slides, pools of different sizes, wave pools, etc. A must-visit if you are traveling with kids, they’ll love it!

On the island, the driving of private vehicles is prohibited; only the public bus, the vehicles from one of the two hotels on the island and the tourist train circulate. For a reasonable price you can hire bicycles to explore the location; you can also hire pedal cars with room for up to four people. Another way to visit the island is a horse carriage tour.

Throughout the island there are several cafés, terraces and snack bars where you can have a drink, an ice-cream, and eat a hot dog or a hamburger. You will also find casinos, sports centers, pubs and nightclubs… An ideal mixture of entertainment and nature in plentiful portions.

 

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has a hotel in Budapest: the 5-star IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Budapest. It hasa spectacular location, surrounded by important buildings, embassies and shopping areas. It was built in 2011and its rooms offer perfect luxury.”