🏛️ What to see on Margaret island in Budapest: fountain, bath and ruins

Margaret Island lies right in the center of Budapest. A green park 2.5 km long stretches along the middle of the Danube, between Buda and Pest.

Access to the park area is free and open around the clock. You only pay at the Palatinus baths, where an adult day ticket starts at 3,800 Ft (as of 09/2026, Palatinus price list).

Below we have gathered what to see on the island, how it is laid out, why it bears the name Margit, and how to get there by tram or bus.

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Where Margaret Island is located

💡 In short:

Margaret Island is located on the Danube between Buda and Pest.
The park is open around the clock and free; the baths operate on tickets.
The fastest way to get there is by tram 4 or 6 to the stop on Margaret Bridge.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official baths website.

The island is held by two bridges. The southern one, Margaret Bridge (Margit híd), connects it to Buda and Pest. The northern one, Árpád Bridge (Árpád híd), leads to both sides of the city.

The island is 2.5 km long, about 500 m wide, with an area of 96.5 hectares (according to Wikipedia). Walking from one end to the other takes about 30 minutes. There used to be three small islands here, and they took their current shape after the Danube riverbed was regulated in the 19th century.

How the island is laid out and what is prohibited here

Traffic on the island is restricted. Buses, taxis, and cycle rickshaws are allowed. Private cars may only enter the guest parking area by the hotel; all other traffic is prohibited. So you can walk the paths without cars and excess noise.

The park is densely populated with animals. Squirrels, woodpeckers, and thrushes live here, and turtles and fish swim in a small lake. There are even more plants. The rose garden, the Japanese garden, and themed flower beds occupy a noticeable part of the island.

All the infrastructure for recreation is set up inside. There are running tracks, playgrounds, and sports fields. If you arrive before 11:00, the paths and lawns are almost empty.

The history of the name and the monastery ruins

Ruins of a stone monastery among greenery and a path

The island got its name from the daughter of Hungarian King Béla IV, Princess Margit. The reason was a vow. During the Mongol invasion of Batu Khan, the king promised to give his first child to the service of God if the country survived.

He kept his promise. Nine-year-old Margit was sent to a monastery on this island. She grew up and became famous for her beauty; the Czech king fell in love with her. He long sought her release, but the girl refused to leave the convent.

She lived only 28 years and was later canonized. The island was named in her honor. Ruins remain from the monastery: today you can see the foundation and remnants of the walls. This is the oldest structure on the island, and access to the ruins is free.

What to see: the fountain, the tower, and the gardens

Lawns and trees of the rose garden on Margit Island

The island's main show operates at the southern entrance. The musical fountain (Zenélő szökőkút) runs every couple of hours during the day and turns on its lights in the evening. The show is free and runs from May to October, in 2026 until October 31 (according to the city events calendar). The water is raised by 154 nozzles, and the central jet shoots 25 m into the air.

The second landmark, the water tower (Margitszigeti víztorony), is visible from any end of the park. At its foot there is a rock garden with alpine plants, and further north the rose garden begins.

The gardens are a story of their own. The Japanese garden with a pond and bridges looks like a small island within the island in summer. Nearby there is a summer theater: it hosts concerts and festivals, and you can check the season schedule in the city events calendar.

For water fun there is a children's paddling pool with slides. It suits families because the depth is shallow and lifeguards are on duty nearby.

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Palatinus and the thermal springs

Entrance to the Palatinus Baths on Margit Island

Three thermal springs rise on the island. Their water is mineral-rich and oxygenated, and it is used for restorative and therapeutic treatments (as of 09/2026, verified on the Palatinus baths website).

The island's largest pool is at the Palatinus Strand baths (as of 09/2026, Palatinus price list).

There are outdoor pools, saunas, massage, and a medical center. Tickets are sold for the day. An adult day ticket costs 6,000 Ft on weekdays and 6,500 Ft on weekends, and from September 14, 2026 it drops to 3,800 and 4,200 Ft (as of 09/2026, Palatinus price list). The Budapest Card is accepted for day tickets with a locker.

How to get to the island

Monastery ruins and an avenue in the park on Margit Island

You can get there from both sides of the city. Trams 4 and 6 stop right on Margaret Bridge; the stop is called Margitsziget. From there you walk down to the island in a couple of minutes.

Bus 26 runs across the entire island. It starts from Nyugati pályaudvar and stops at Palatinus and in the northern part of the park. This option is convenient if you are traveling with children or luggage.

Guest parking is available only at the hotel. If you are staying in the center, it is easier to walk to the island across the bridge. There is almost no accommodation on the island itself; it is a park zone, and hotels are in the city. You can compare options and check hotel prices in Budapest on Trip.com.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the island?

The park area of the island is free and open around the clock. You only pay at the Palatinus baths and at certain rental points.

How much time do you need on the island?

Two to three hours is enough for a walk along the main paths. If you go from the southern to the northern end, add another half hour: the island is 2.5 km long. With the baths, the fountain, and lunch, plan for half a day.

How do you get there by public transport?

Trams 4 and 6 stop on Margaret Bridge, right at the entrance to the island. Bus 26 runs across the entire island from Nyugati pályaudvar. Both routes are covered by the standard BKK ticket; you do not need to buy a separate one.

When is the best time to visit?

In the morning before 11:00 the paths and gardens are almost empty; that is the best slot for a walk. In the evening the musical fountain's lights are turned on. In July and August it is hot during the day, so bring water and stay in the shade.

Can you swim on the island?

Swimming in the Danube is not allowed; the current is strong and it is prohibited. For water there is the Palatinus baths with outdoor pools and thermal water. An adult day ticket starts at 3,800 Ft (as of 09/2026, official website).

In short: what is worth booking

Margaret Island suits a calm day in Budapest: park, sports, fountain, and baths in one place. Plan your visit in the morning, and come back in the evening for the fountain lights.

If you have one free day: the park plus Palatinus. If you are with children: the paddling pool and playgrounds. If you are into sports: the running tracks and the cycling route along the entire island.

For guided tours of Budapest, see GetYourGuide.

Margaret island in Budapest: what to see and how to get there by tram