Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is the green heart of Budapest. It lies in the middle of the Danube between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. Apart from a couple of hotels and sports facilities, there are no buildings on the island – it’s a huge recreational space with promenades and benches, cycle paths and a jogging track, great for a date or a picnic. Here is where you’ll find the Hajós Alfréd National Sports Pool, the popular Palatinus lido, a petting zoo, a musical fountain and a Japanese Garden. Few cars are allowed – the island is served by the No.26 bus from Nyugati station, and it has its own stop on the frequent 4/6 tram route, halfway along Margaret Bridge. All kinds of bikes, tandems and pedalos can be hired. Towards the north end of the island, in the shadow of the Water Tower, an open-air concert venue operates in summer for mainstream entertainment. Close by, the ruins of a medieval Dominican convent are historically linked to former resident Margaret, daughter of Béla IV, after whom the island is named.
