Greater Budapest for Families - 5 days

In the town of Gödöllő, a few streets away from the apartment blocks, Hungary's largest Baroque palace awaits with halls to be discovered. The masterpiece, built in the 18th century, welcomes you with permanent exhibitions spanning several centuries of history. Follow in the footsteps of the Sissi cult and find out how the legendary Queen Elisabeth spent her time here. Take a peek behind the scenes at the unique Baroque theatre, then head underground to see the Horthy bunker. In the latter, in addition to authentic furniture from the WWII era, you can watch old news broadcasts and listen to Katalin Karády's best-known songs. Children will surely be enchanted by the historical diversity that they encounter inside the walls of the palace, but don’t miss the magnificent park either, as it’s well worth a hearty stroll.

Next day, cross the Danube and don't stop until you get to Székesfehérvár. Nostalgia will no doubt captivate you at the exhibition of the Hetedhét Toy Museum in the Heimer House, with objects dating back several decades. The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to tell children about your own childhood, but also to take a look at the Moskovszky collection. You might even come across some toy tableware made from stag-beetle antlers. You can also admire the drawings and famous fairy-tale illustrations of graphic artist László Réber on display. 

On the third day of your tour, we invite you to the adventurous events and activities on offer in Ráckeve and Szigethalom, near Budapest. We hope you are well rested, since you have a really eventful day ahead! After breakfast, your first stop should be Szigethalom, for a glimpse into the daily lives of Hungarians of 1,000 years ago. In Emese Park, in the area of the former barracks, the organisers and operators of the park have created a settlement from the time of Saint Stephen. Of course, the houses wouldn’t be all that interesting if they were empty, so Emese Park’s team don authentic clothes from the period every day to bring history to life. You can get acquainted with Hungarian handicraft traditions and tasks relating to animal husbandry and plant production, but the men of the museum village will also show you how armed combat was practised. You can also go horseback riding and even try archery. Once you’ve seen everything, head to Ráckeve. Take a look at the landscape from the town hall tower, the Fire Tower Lookout. In clear weather, you can spot the hills of Buda from the 40-metre tower, but the eagle-eyed can even see all the way to the Velence hills. Hungary’s only Gothic, Serbian Orthodox church stands in Ráckeve – visit this stone-walled building between the houses as the next stop on your journey.

After a stretch and a hearty breakfast, it’s time to set off for the fourth day of your tour. If we say Pákozd, what comes to mind? In fact, this was the site of the first battle in the 1848-49 War of Independence, where the Hungarians successfully stopped the enemy. The Military Memorial Park was established in 2010 to commemorate the event, with the aim of presenting decades of military history. On the 1.6-hectare area, you can peek into WWI officers’ barracks, hide in WWII trenches, and find yourself facing a real T-55 tank at the 1956 memorial point. The Don Bend Memorial Chapel, 500 metres from the park, is also a part of the exhibition not to be missed. If you’d like a drink or to sip a cup of coffee, get refreshments at the cafe and its terrace.

There is nothing better than greeting the sun with a walk among sky-high trees. If you agree, start the last day of your tour at the Alcsút Arboretum, located 40 km from the capital, between Tata and Székesfehérvár. The palace of Archduke József used to stand in the area, but only the facade and the castle chapel remain intact. Not to worry though: the wonderful English park is still beautiful. The 40-hectare area is home to plant rarities such as Japanese acacia, swamp cypress or 170-year-old Lebanese cedar. The arboretum also organises various events and activities each season. In the spring, admire the gigantic snowdrop fields, while the firefly dance dazzles visitors on midsummer night in June. If you are exploring the park, hop on the Vál Valley narrow-gauge railway, which takes you to Felcsút in 35 minutes.