Did you know Budapest has it's own island?

If you are looking for the perfect picnic spot in the summer, a great running trail or just a little break in the nature, we know just the right place.

Margaret Island, or Margitsziget, is a huge recreational area with almost no buildings. You can find it between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. It lays in the middle of the Danube between Buda and Pest.

Besides walking on the beautiful promenades, just enjoying the parks or visiting the Japanese Garden, there are many more fun things to do on the island:

1. The Musical Fountain: It's Hungary's largest musical fountain and you can see it from the beginning of May til the end of October. It shoots water up to 25 m in the air and is illuminated by 277 colored lights.

2. Game reserve: You can visit a miniature game reserve which accommodates deer, rabbits, water birds, owls and other birds. They also offer pony rides, when the weather is good.

3. Rent pedal-cars, scooter, bikes or boats: If you want to explore the island on a fun vehicle together with your friends or family, you have many great options. You can find the rentals close to the Margaret Bridge.

4. Open-air theatre performance: Starting in mid-June you can experience the island in a very special way. There a many cultural events like concerts, bellet performances, symphony as well as folklore shows.

5. Palatinus bathing complex: The famous complex is nearly a century old and offers not only swimming pools and water slides but also medicinal pools which are constructed above the thermal springs on the island.

To tell you a little bit more about the history of Margaret island:

The island is actually a spot of great historical and cultural importance. The island is 2800 m long and 500 m wide. For a while it's shape was always changing because it comprised many smaller islets. These were formed of the material which was deposited by the river. Ultimately, the three parts (Middle Island, Bath Island and Painter Island) merged into the island, that you can visit today.

Over the years the island had many different names like Blessed Lady Island, Isle of Rabbits, Maiden Island, Isle of Buda and Palatinus Island.

Currently Margaret Island is named after princess Margaret, the daughter of King Béla IV, who ruled in the 13th century.

Only few cars are allowed on the island, but you can easily reach it with the trams 4 and 6 or Bus 26.

Website: http://margaretislandbudapest.com