Starting 15 March, a key stretch of the lower embankment in downtown Pest goes car-free, giving you space to move, relax, and soak in the city – without the traffic. Now in its fifth year, this riverside escape is open on weekends (and every day during summer break), making room for yoga sessions, exhibitions, concerts, and grill parties. So grab your friends, take a stroll between Margaret Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, and just enjoy the vibes.

If you love pop-up events and scenic strolls, a visit to Pest's lower embankment at the weekend should go on your Budapest to-do list. 

From 15 March to 26 October, you can bask in the sunshine and enjoy stunning views (the Parliament on one side and the Buda Castle on the other) without traffic on a key section of the Jane Haining rakpart, between Margaret Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge.

The car-free zone is expanding to weekdays during the summer (starting 21 June), so if you're visiting Budapest, this is your chance to experience the embankment in full swing. With no cars in sight, the space opens up for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, scooter riders, yogis, grill masters, board game enthusiasts, sunset watchers, and runners.

This tradition began in 2020, turning the lower Pest embankment into one of Budapest’s most beloved spots – essentially, the city’s open-air living room. But 2025 is a milestone year for another reason too: it’s the last chance to enjoy the embankment in its current form. As part of the Revitalizing Embankment 2030 project, renovations on the viaduct next to Jane Haining Embankment and several riverfront sections will begin in 2025 and 2026.

Important dates:

  • Opening day: 15 March
  • Summer opening (with the embankment going car-free every day): from 21 June until mid-August
  • Bonus days: for European Mobility Week, the embankment will also be open from 15-22 September
  • Last day: 26 October

Keep an eye on the events here.

Source: enbudapestem.hu

(Cover photo: Budapest Városháza - Facebook)

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