The arrival of autumn means that nature will soon put on a magnificent show – during the upcoming weeks, green leaves will turn yellow, orange, and brown before dropping to the ground for a grand finale. Fortunately, here in Budapest there are several open spaces full of trees where we can easily take a fun fall day trip to surround ourselves with these glorious colors while enjoying a quick break from the urban bustle. From the peaks of the Buda Hills to a massive marshland in outer Pest, we present five forested expanses ideal for observing nature’s autumnal spectacular.

Normafa and János Hill

Far above the city, Budapest’s sprawling Normafa parkland covers a long summit featuring numerous attractions for fresh-air fans, including a playground, cookout pits, and a rubberized running path. Forests surround the panoramic open space of Anna Meadow here, and active excursioners can hike along an almost-flat woodlands trail from Normafa to the peak of János Hill to admire the fall foliage – here the Elizabeth Lookout Tower welcomes visitors to the top to see patches of autumn colors all over the city, while the Zugliget Chairlift provides a lovely way to get back down into civilization.

For more information and directions to get there, check out this article.

Ördög-orom Nature Reserve

Located atop a rocky ridge of southwest Buda’s District XII, this haven for woodland flora and fauna can be conveniently reached with a single bus ride from downtown Ferenciek Square, but the untamed atmosphere here feels a world apart from the city center. Dense forest greets visitors right at the entrance to this designated nature reserve, where a recently established educational path takes hikers through steep groves while passing impressive views over nearby neighborhoods. A picnic area with a bonfire pit provides the opportunity to gather with a few friends here for an autumn barbecue party.

For more information and directions to get there, check out this article.

Merzse Marshland

In the hinterlands of Pest not far from the Budapest Airport, a huge expanse of forested flatland surrounds an expansive marsh, providing an ideal habitat for myriad bird species in addition to deer, foxes, rabbits, and many other cute critters. Unfortunately, during summertime this area is also a fine home for mosquitoes and ticks, so autumn’s reduced pest population makes this time of year excellent for discovering this wild terrain. A tall lookout tower offers sweeping views over the marshland and the belt of colorful trees that envelops it, while a pleasant picnic table awaits as well.

For more information and directions to get there, check out this article.

Hárs Hill

Rising from the Buda skyline just north of János Hill, this forested mini-mountain is traversed by the historic Children’s Railway, which can make an excursion here more of a pleasure trip than a strenuous trek… although hikers can certainly begin a journey to the top from the very bottom, as well; none of the slopes here are particularly steep. An educational path and numerous trails lead to two different lookout towers that both offer wide-ranging vistas over the city, along with lots of benches and picnic tables for taking a break to enjoy the diverse palette of colors applied to surrounding trees.

For more information and directions to get there, check out this article.

Ferenc Hill

Tucked above the villas of Buda’s prestigious Rózsadomb neighborhood, this protected pocket of parkland is mostly utilized by dog-walking locals and schoolchildren taking a shortcut home – but it is a great destination for anyone seeking a quick escape from the city center to admire autumn colors amid thick woods. Although this is the smallest site on this list, Ferenc Hill is home to a diverse assortment of wildlife, several trails leading to a central meadow that features a fun playground, and picnic facilities welcoming visitors to hang out for an afternoon surrounded by variegated fall foliage.

For more information and directions to get there, check out this article.