Budapest is every runner’s traveling destination all thanks to its impressive sceneries. These include modern and ancient architectural buildings, stunning green spaces, ornate bridges, and colorful trails in mixed hilly and flat terrains.
The topography of the city differs. Buda, the western part of Budapest, is hilly compared to that of Pest which is flat and larger. This contributes to mixed scenic landscapes and plenty of trails and routes you can run in.
Below are some of the amazing places to run in Budapest:
Margaret Island
Margaret Island is one of Budapest’s splendid green spaces with intriguing sceneries all around. The island is home to ancient ruins, parks, waterfront promenades, and a swimming pool. It has a running track and paths that allow runners to enjoy great views of places such as the Musical Fountain.
The Island has a flat, rubber running track that spans 5k long. The track is well shaded with trees and also offers amazing sceneries over River Danube.
You can access the Island through Margaret Bridge in the south or from the north, Arpad Bridge. However, Margaret Bridge is easily runnable on foot and has more ornate views.
Bikás Park
Bikás Park is a modernized and peaceful park located in District XI, Budapest. The park has features such as a pond, statue of a bull, playground, a curvy jogging course which is also dog-friendly, equipment for outdoor activities as well as a sports court for baseball and table tennis. All these have paths that you run in as you enjoy the park’s stunning green vegetation.
The park is now facilitated by M4 Metro which has a modernized metro station, making it easy for you to get to this wonderful place.
Kopaszi Dam
The scenic recreational park is located on the southern side of Buda. It offers amazing views on both sides of the dam. The park is not only ideal for nature runs but also a great spot for picnics.
There’s also a running track that is 2k long and easily runnable by people from all fitness levels. You also can extend the track to pedestrian paths if you want a longer run.
Buda Hills- Nomafa
Located in Buda Hills, Nomafa is an amazing place to run in for nature lovers. The area has colorful trails that offer panoramic views of the city.
Nomafa has both hilly and flat terrains, so you can choose which course works best for you. The area is filled with clean air and a serene environment, perfect if you want to escape the bustling city.
Some of the routes you can in Nomafa include the Janos Hills route. It starts from Nomafa to Elizabeth Lookout Tower. You can run back the route to make a 5k run.
Gellert Hill
If you love hilly runs, then this route is perfect for you. It has several routes that you can run in that enable you to explore the city from different perspectives. Some of the amazing features you’ll come across include a historic cave, fort, liberty statue, a rock chapel among others.
You can start at Gellert Thermal Baths, and climb up Gellert Hill. From there you connect to a route that takes you around the Buda Castle for more scenic views. Or run down on the other slope of Gellert Hill to Tabán, an area famous for its ancient baths and intriguing baroque buildings.
Budapest City Park
Also known as Varosliget, this park is popular among many runners and is usually crowded. This is perhaps due to its strategic location; located in the heart of Budapest as well as its proximity to Heroes Square.
The lush park is home to gardens, ancient baths, a castle, impressive statues, and even a lake. The park has several paths you can run in. The common route is a loop run around the park.
Rákóczi Garden
The Rákóczi Garden was recently renewed creating an ideal place for picnics and runners. The park has a table tennis area, a playground, sports courts for basketball and football, an outdoor fitness space, and a running track. It even has a cooking area!
If you’d want to extend the running track for a longer run, you can extend the route from Rákóczi park to Akácfa utcai kiserdő, another epic park in Budapest.
Semsey Park, Budapest
Semsey Aladár Park is an amazing spot for short-distance runs and sprints. The park is presentable and tranquil, most of it being green spaces with few buildings on it. It also has a 343m running track that circuits the park.
Orczy Garden
Orczy Garden Park is one of the largest parks in Budapest that also offers a spectacular place for running outdoor workout activities, playgrounds, and picnics. The park also has a race track that spans 800m long which is shaded by trees. Runners even get to enjoy amazing water views of the lake as they run along the track.
Városmajor
The recently renovated green space is now a haven place for running enthusiasts. Located in District XII, Városmajor offers a serene, peaceful, and less crowded place environment for running.
Some of the features the park comprises include a rubber running track that spans 585 meters, cog-wheeled railways, and a theatre. You’ll get scenic views across the city for a wonderful experience.
