Some inner-city roads might be temporarily closed, several squares are under construction, trams can be out of service for a while, but these inconveniences all attest to the fact that Budapest is undergoing a rocketing era of refurbishment. From a historic marketplace to a revamped running track to Buda’s rebuilt hilltop oasis, eight new city refurbishments from this year are pleasing eyes and souls.
1/8
Klauzál Square Market Hall
After a recent restoration, the historic covered market hall on Budapest’s Klauzál Square shines with its old glory again, boasting bright and sun-flooded spaces where a growing number of booths provide fresh fruit and vegetables, appetizing dairy and meat products, an assortment of baked goods, and even lángos fried-dough specialties on the gallery level. An additional bonus of the place is that the supermarket under the arcades is open for business from Monday through Sunday.
2/8
Lánchíd Street
Starting at Clark Ádám Square at the Buda side of the iconic Chain Bridge, running towards Gellért Hill, this charming lane was neglected for a long time, until a recent renovation turned this panoramic promenade into a pleasant little quarter perfect for weekend strolls. With little shops like the deluxe Zhao Zhou tea store, eateries such as Marvelosa, a lovely park, the Semmelweis Museum of the History of Medicine, and the magnificent Várkert Bazaar, Lánchíd Street is now a welcoming promenade.
3/8
Margaret Island running track
Get a rush of energy from the moving sight of the Danube at sunset (or sunrise!), and then the Buda Hills towards the end of a run. The renewed running track on Margaret Island offers a chance to stay fit in one of Budapest’s most pleasant spots, and the running lane is now equipped with a rubberized, joint-friendly surface that compiles with international regulations – just dust off your running gear, pocket your public-transport pass, hop on tram 4 or 6, hop off at Margaret Island, warm-up, and head out for a jog.
4/8
Normafa
After a recent renovation, Budapest’s most cherished day-trip destination now welcomes everyone to escape the hustle and bustle. The main walking path of Normafa that leads to János Hill is freshly paved, and the trails are marked with easy-to-read maps, while new benches and trash cans make the surrounding area cleaner and more comfortable. The spacious playground is upgraded with fun equipment, natural colors, and lot of wood surfaces – and this natural escape will be further developed in upcoming years.
5/8
Nyugati Square
The renewed Nyugati Square, in front of its namesake Nyugati Railway Station, now boasts a cleaner and sleeker layout with plenty of seating, which may inspire passersby to hang out in this previously neglected city-center spot during warmer months. Sophisticated limestone and granite pavings characterize the fresh look of this inner-city hangout, while some of the old furnishings, like the rotating clock and the fountain, are back, in better shape making this a welcoming, spacious, and elegant urban plaza.
6/8
Óbuda skate park
Both experts and sportsmen were involved in the creation of Óbuda’s new skate park near Szentlélek Square, which serves as an ideal spot for amateurs and pros alike. Since the opening of the thrasher playground, this fresh gathering space continually becomes more and more popular, and skaters are happy to have a place where they can practice in peace. The skate park has rails, launches, kickers, and many other ramps and obstacles, and best of all, the entrance is free.
7/8
Sirály Promenade
Twitters and laughter of a cheerful crowd fill the space of Sirály Promenade near MOM Park during the summer months, after this public Buda hangout came alive with a thorough renovation. On warm summer evenings, acoustic concerts and outdoor cinema screenings are held here amid colorful chairs and a play mat for kids, adding to the appeal of the promenade for families during the daytime and evening. Anyone planning to go to MOM Park for a movie or some shopping should certainly take a stroll here.
8/8
Szervita Square
A stone’s throw away from bustling Deák Square in downtown Budapest, Szervita Square now shines with its old glory, after the formerly neglected parking lot was turned into a pleasant miniature parkland amid astonishing Art Nouveau scenes, where the ten-meter-tall limestone Immaculata Column – also known as the Mária Column – has been the focal point of the plaza since 1942. As renovation projects all over downtown are being completed, the heart of Budapest is slowly becoming fully transformed.
