Top Outdoor Activities in Budapest

Kispesti Uszoda

This large and breezy outdoor sports complex caters for a variety of interests. It consists of three pools, as well as a very large garden area. Besides swimming and sunbathing, you can also have a sauna or play beach volleyball, tennis, ping pong etc. Swimming lessons for babies are also available. A definite added attraction for families is the mini-golf course, and once you're tired and hungry from all that activity, why not visit the small restaurant?

Hajos Alfred Sportuszoda

Located on the popular Margit island, this swimming pool complex offers everything from high diving to Olympic- size pools. On the way in, take a look at the many plaques on the wall: they list the names of Hungary's many aquatic champions. You may in fact see some future medalists while you're here: This is still a place where serious athletes come to train. A total of six pools (including three which are exclusively for learners, thus keeping the bigger pools less cluttered) makes this a very large sports complex.

Szemlo-hegyi Cave

Mineral rich thermal waters have been seeping and gushing throughout this cave for ages. The result is that the remaining mineral sediment has formed weird and wonderful shapes, as well as stalactites and stalagmites. It's quite beautiful, and the strange mineral formations could easily be from a sci-fi film. Over two kilometers of cave have been explored, but the mandatory guided tours cover only a small section. Tours start every hour. Cave lovers may want to walk the one km from Palvolgyi cave.

Budapest Puppet Theatre

Children and adults alike will enjoy the highly professional Budapest Puppet Theatre. The performers here are serious artists (puppeteers) and travel around the world performing and perfecting their art. Although the performances are only in Hungarian, the music, puppets and skill of the puppeteers make the show highly enjoyable for everyone. This place comes highly recommended.

Petnehazy Horse Riding Ranch

This large and spacious horse-riding centre offers instruction for adults and children. They have a nice building, perfect for parties and special events. They can also organise cart-rides and they have Goulash Parties every Thursday at 8p. They also have conference facilities. If you want to go riding while in Budapest, this is a good choice.

Gorzenal Skatepark

This place is a paradise for skateboarders and in-line skaters of all ages. Its main attraction is inexpensive skate rental and acres of asphalt and hilly concrete. Expect extreme skateboarding and mountain bike runs which are enough to send your vertebrae into a twist. There is also a trampoline to practice moves out before attempting them on wheels.

Flamenco Tennis

These courts are located in the delightful Feneketlen To park. There are nine outdoor dirt courts (which are covered in winter), as well as several indoor ones.

Fono Children's Programs

On Saturdays and Sundays, the music and cultural powerhouse Fono Budai Zenehaz hosts free children's activities of every stripe. Typical offerings include pavement-drawing competitions, music and dance workshops, clown performances, rag doll-making, children's concerts by the folk groups that perform at the Fono, storytelling, films, origami, games, and more. Snacks and refreshments provided. Also hosts summer camps in language learning, crafts, etc.

Budaörsi Tenisz Centrum

Located further away from the main city center in a developing area, the Budaörsi Tennis Center is one of the largest in the country. Coaching camps are conducted for adults and children in French, German, English and French so expats in Budapest can definitely profit from this. Six of the 16 red clay courts are sheltered during winter to ensure that the games go on. The center opens daily at 7am and is open until dark, so call for specific timings which may be seasonal.

Római Tenisz Akadémia

Situated in the pretty IVth District of Budapest city, the Római Tenisz Akadémia is famous locally and internationally as WTA championships like the $220,000 GDF Suez Grand Prix are held here annually. A number of seeded tennis professionals have practised and play tournaments on these clay courts. Tennis greats like Kalocsa Attila have coached aspiring Hungarian youth right here and transformed them into class players.