Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
6. Parks and Open Spaces
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 47 streets. Most of that long ago gave way to modern tower blocks but some elements remain. Fő tér (Main Square) is the centre of one such area. It has been renovated and is today a pedestrianised area which often at the weekends is the scene of various festivities and open-air activities, in any case it is suitable for strolling and relaxing. There are a number of small museums here, some or parts of which may be of interest to children. These are the Vasarely Museum, displaying paintings by this famous Hungarian-born “op” artist; a colourful folk art collection at no. 4 in the square; a small local history collection in the Zichy Mansion (entrance at no. 1), which has a display of barrel-making equipment; and the Imre Varga collection, displaying this contemporary sculptor’s metalwork (Laktanya u. off the northeast corner of the square). His metal statues of women with umbrellas on the street here can make for a good photo with children. (Fő tér can be quickly reached on the HÉV railway from Batthyány tér.) Óbuda Island [Óbudai-sziget] This is the big island on the Danube that stretches northwards from Árpád Bridge. The northern half is like a huge park with an area which is basically one big playground with several sections. Here you can find what are probably the biggest slides in Budapest, some straight, most curving, plus lots and lots of swings and climbing frames of all descriptions. Apart from these there are huge, open grassy spaces, but not much else. Because of this, and the distance, it may be an idea to take a picnic. The “day out” element and the fun is increased if you take a boat to the island. In the summer there is a ferry service which starts from Boráros tér at the Pest end of Petőfi Bridge, though it calls at several points on the way, e.g. Batthyány tér, Jászai Mari tér and Margaret Island. The boat stops on the island’s east side, not far from the playgrounds. Alternatively bus no. 142 goes to the island from Szentlélek tér, which is right next to Fő tér in Óbuda (see above). For the playgrounds, get off the bus by the car park at the first stop after the big iron bridge. Then cross the road and walk into the park.
