Skateboarders can finally come out from the small and dark places where winter pushed them back, and they can start to use everything again, which was not designed for skating at all. This is exactly the beauty of this sport: you have to find the opportunities and grab them. We collected a few ideal places for skateboarders, but the list is far from complete. If you have any other ideas, feel free to share them with us.
1/11
Erzsébet Square’s (Erzsi) 'skate park'
Erzsébet Square has become a main meeting point for Budapesters in recent years. Students come here to hang out instead of going to school, the couples, the dog walkers, the chill lovers and of course the skaters are here as well, whose free performance can be quite amusing while you're lying and drinking some cheap rosé with your friends.
The local government built a skate park in 2010, but the politicians didn't want to please the skaters; the intention was like 'destroy that one, not the infrastructure'. It doesn't matter, we like it since we can practice our tricks. Many skaters roast the elements' size and shape, but as we know: nothing is perfect.
2/11
Kosztolányi Dezső Square's curb
The Buda side is not as rich in ruin pubs and fun places as the Pest side, but when it comes to skateboarding locations the competition can be really tight. The curb on Kosztolányi Dezső Square is a good example; it is mostly for the beginners, because you have plenty of room to ride and its height is under your knee, so that's why it isn't a challenge for the pros. The skaters' presence is quite obvious: the curbs are worn and black as a chimney from the intensive practices.
3/11
Pool at Sashalom
The 16th district's local government built a skate pool with some financial help from the European Union. Despite it is light years away from the downtown, this is a very popular place, because if you use your imagination Sashalom feels like as an outskirt of a city in California without the palm trees and the girls in bikini. There's no entry fee to use the park, and you can practice your moves quite well here. If you're up for the journey, the park can be accessed with every suburban railway from Örs Vezér Square, and from Sashalom station it is only a few minutes of rolling. The exact address is 1163 Budapest, Sashalmi Walk 60.
4/11
Heroes' Square
One of the most beautiful alternative skate parks in town has been an iconic place since skateboarding became popular in Hungary. This place is the source of many (luckily only verbal) issues with the authorities who are defending the monument and labeling the skaters as hooligans at the same time.
It doesn't really bother the skaters; many of them come here, because it is a perfect place to learn the fundamentals about the ground tricks and you can try a few advanced moves as well. Life was never easy for the slowly progressing subcultures: don't be surprised if 10 minute of skating will be rewarded with an hour long chase in the City Park.
5/11
Városliget
In City Park an unused football pitch was transformed into a Skateboard Playground in 2010, but in the beginning the skaters had many problems with it. According to their opinion the elements of the playground were not well-suited for skating, because the designers and the builders had nothing to do with rolling on the board, or jumping with it. Still many people come here, and skaters are happy to have another outdoor spot. The only issue here is with the bmxers, because they are banned from this place. At the same time these two groups are like cats and dogs to each other, so their ongoing battle will probably last forever.
6/11
Around MOM Park
In this case the forbidden fruit is not just the most tempting, but the sweetest one of all. Only a few have the chance to taste it though. You will find everything you need for beginner or advanced tricks, but even real professionals could look for challenges in the park behind MOM Park. There are stairs in different size, curbs from 10 to 50 centimeters made of marble, perfect asphalt and a fountain which is begging to the skaters to climb on it. Unfortunately the place comes with the security guards whose job is to strongly ask skaters to leave. If you're really into the thing, you should take this risk, because the park is really good. Just one advice: you should plan your tricks before you go there, because maybe you won't have enough time to finish them.
7/11
Fővám Square
Opposite to Corvinus University at the Liberty Bridge's end at Pest the curbs of Fővám Square are attracting skaters stronger, than a magnet would attract iron pieces. There are plenty of space here with the before mentioned curbs, but the pavement is a bit shaky. The guys whose job is to protect the environment could cause problems here, just like the bunch of tourists coming from Váci Street. It's almost impossible to avoid some brawl with them. Next to the playground there is even a semicircular curb and Március 15. Square nearby offers many options as well.
8/11
Egyetem tér
Certain parts of the brand new pedestrian area in Budapest are just perfect for skaters. The asphalt is smooth, the environment is inspiring, while you can do cool tricks (like sliding, manual or ollie) on the random elements.
The law students don't mind the noise, but you should keep an eye on the bus traffic and the important guys in their suits.
9/11
Stairs near Puskás Ferenc Stadium
This area was renovated not long ago, and it could attract advanced skaters, who are interested in stairs. They will find at Stadionok five or six steps in a row, they follow each other with optimal distance. There are no scratches or holes on the pavement's surface, you even have enough space to land on the ground, but it can be crowded during rush hours and there's a good chance you'll bump into security guards.
11/11
Curbs near Hungarian Academy of Sciences
The lower embankment and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences are connected with two beautiful stone stairs, and the curbs on their sides are welcoming skaters for a slide. The guards are not very strict here, but the tram stop and the pedestrians could cause some problems. Keep an eye on your landing, because if the skateboard rolls to the main road, it will definitely break, but it could cause a serious accident as well.
