{"id":5622,"date":"2015-11-17T08:51:42","date_gmt":"2015-11-17T08:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rearviewmirror.ruqa4eh2-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=5622"},"modified":"2019-03-14T11:21:05","modified_gmt":"2019-03-14T03:21:05","slug":"margaret-island-budapest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/margaret-island-budapest\/","title":{"rendered":"Margaret Island: Budapest\u2019s City Retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n Stepping off Margaret Bridge, away from traffic and beaten up yellow trams, you approach the serenity of Margaret Island (Magritsziget<\/em>).<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I knew the island as a runners’ paradise with its well trodden running track which circles the island. What I didn\u2019t know is that Margaret Island is huge. There’s more to it than green fields and soaring trees.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n There are medieval ruins, an open air theatre, sports facilities, a beach, swimming pools, hot springs, a Japanese garden, musical fountain, and apparently a number of popular nightclubs. I had no idea.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n On a weekday morning there\u2019ll most likely only be you and a few dog walkers. It\u2019s easy to find solitude and quiet, something that\u2019s missing across the Danube in Pest.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n In November, the colourful autumn leaves are piling up. In a few more weeks the trees will be completely bare, ready for Budapest’s cold winter.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Walking through the centre of the island, you\u2019ll cross our medieval past in the ruins of a Franciscan priory and Dominican nunnery. You’re free to walk amongst the ruins where Princess Margaret is buried, the islands namesake and daughter of 13th century King Bela IV.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Below the early 20th century water tower is an open air theatre and occasional cinema. There’s not much going on in the off-season but it’s popular with locals on summer weekends.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like much of Budapest, hot springs run under the island. You can take advantage of the thermal water with a stay at one of the island\u2019s spa hotels. One is a turn of the century spa built for the aristocracy, the other built during the communist era. One guess which spa this photo belongs to.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Under the Japanese maple trees, is a koi filled pond and Japanese style garden. It\u2019s one of the more popular spots on Margaret Island. You can watch squirrels climbing trees and the koi swimming with a family of friendly turtles.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s an unexpected end to a walk which takes in the length of the island and finishes at Arpad Bridge.<\/p>\n A visit to Margaret Island is one of my favourite free things to do in Budapest<\/a>. To find out more, read my detailed city guide<\/a>, painstakingly researched when I was living in Budapest. If you’re planning a short trip or longer stay, find out where to stay in Budapest<\/a> and the best neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\nPin this Post to Your Favourite Travel Board<\/h3>\n