Friday, September 29, 2017

Great Places to Run for Visitors in Budapest

Can I just tell you that runners in Budapest have some amazing choices for where to run?

Budapest actually used to be two cities (Buda and Pest) separated by the Danube. While visiting our Corvinus scholar, we stayed at the Marriott in the heart of the city on the Pest Side. The Buda Side was just a walk across a bridge away. Right outside our door we had access to some great places to run in Budapest.

The Danube and Bridges - on the very first day I knew I wanted to run along the Danube, so that's what we did. On our third day, after getting a lay of the land sightseeing and with our very own University local (youngestC), we laced up for an easy loop using the bridges. (Runfession: I love putting international miles on my Mizunos)

On the Pest Side of the Danube, the walkways are wide enough for runners and walkers to coexist. And there's plenty of room for all getting across both the Chain Bridge and the Elizabeth Bridge. The Buda side offered designated lanes for running/walking and biking. It was easy to see why that section was a favorite among runners.




Margaret Island - we took the Hop-On Hop-Off boat to explore the island and upon seeing the spongy running track, I declared that I would be back to run. The rainy weather during the week of our visit made it challenging, but we finally squeezed in a run on the morning of our departure. (Runfession: I'm glad I held firm in wearing shorts and a long sleeve (short sleeve here) because the sun popped out and it was a little toasty)

Because the island is about a mile plus from our hotel, we took the convenient yellow trolley to our starting point at Margaret Bridge. That way we could do our miles on the island and enjoy using the soft running path ---> which we learned is a 5K loop around the island. With its path and the views, the island is a perfect place for running.





Gellert Hill - if you wanted to do some hill running, this would be a great place on the Buda Side. We did not run, but we hiked it so I can show you why it would be a great place to run.

There is the option to run the steps or follow the smooth pathway (which I think will get you most of the way to the top). At the top you can take in the amazing views while running around the Citadella with the Liberty Lady statue standing tall above you. Overall the elevation gain is around 350 feet and estimated mileage starting from the entrance would probably be about 2 miles. Perfect for a hill workout. (Runfession: I prefer to hike hills than run them)





Fitness and Health Club by Marriott - when all else fails, go to the fitness center. Guests of the hotel can use the facility with amazing views of the Danube and Buda Castle, but so can locals.

When rainy weather drove our workout indoors, we were not disappointed. We used the state of the art treadmills (the kind with virtual courses) and weight training equipment, but the club also offers classes. The treadmills were so nice, I was inspired to run a full 5k through the valleys of...somewhere! (Runfession: I was kind of in a bad mood because of the rain, but this run definitely lifted my spirits!)



Running in Budapest, especially with youngestC, was amazing.


If I lived in Budapest, I would be one happy runner!

What city have you visited that is a runner's dream?
What are you runfessing this month?


I'm linking up with Lacey and Meranda and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0!
I’m linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions




16 comments:

  1. Wow, that track around the island sounds so cool! And the view from the hotel gym is lovely too! I've noticed many cities in Europe having running/cycling lanes on their paths. I'm sure it encourages more people to ride their bikes to get around and makes running more pleasant too.

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    1. I think so too! I would love to run on the spongy track all the time!

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  2. I cannot keep up with you and your travels! Budapest looks like an amazing city to visit and running it would be the icing on the cake!

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    1. Haha! A pitstop on our way back to Hong Kong - the youngest is doing a study abroad there for fall semester. I'm so glad she picked Budapest. Safe, historic, beautiful and very friendly city.

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  3. Those look like lovely places to run!

    A few years back I visited Prague -- not so runner friendly. I ran on a treadmill, and had trouble figuring out my pace (that darn kph thing!).

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    1. Ha! I know what you mean...deal with kph here in Hong Kong every day! Thank goodness for converter apps ;)

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  4. Those steps look like they would be a killer workout if one would run up them!

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    1. Yes! They were hard enough to walk up! I was a sweaty mess - I don't know how that guy in my pic felt being all bundled up.

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  5. Wow it looks beautiful. The stairs look like a good workout, too!

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    1. Definitely worth the work getting to the top!

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  6. You have had some great travel this year! Budapest is on my list for sure. Those steps look killer

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    1. I highly recommend going! It wasn't on my radar until the youngest went for her study abroad and we decided to visit her on our way back to Hong Kong. Such an interesting historical and beautiful city. We had a great time!

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  7. I'm coveting those steps! What a great workout. Looks like Budapest is a running gem! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  8. WoW!!! SO jealous of you! I'd be in runner's heaven with all of that scenery! And those steps!!! A fun place that I enjoyed running was downtown San Francisco....very hilly,but so neat with all the architecture, Chinatown, etc.

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  9. This is a city I would love to visit and explore through running!

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  10. Oh my goodness you have been on so many wonderful adventures. This looks like a beautiful city to run, which I runfess is my favorite way to tour new cities (as long as there are no hills).

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