Budapest Local City Tips And Events

Running in Budapest is very popular, the city is great for finding a nice route in a green area like the City Park, around thermal baths or in Margaret Island. In this article I give you my best local tips for the best centrally located running spots, and recommend ideas for the best 2024 Budapest running events. Let’s start with best places to run in the city! And then we tell you when the best running races and marathons in Budapest.

Best Budapest running routes

Margaret Island: Run in the Central Park of Budapest

Margaret Island is by far the most popular place to run in Budapest. It has a rubberized running track, 5.5 kilometers, all around the island. It’s best to enter from Margaret Bridge in the south, as Árpád Bridge is a little less easily navigable on foot and has less of the turn of century splendor.

On the island, you can run next to thermal baths and a small but loveable zoo, right by the river in a breathtaking green area the whole time!

City Park: Centrally located favorite

A large number of people swear by the City Park (known to locals as the Liget), maybe because it’s easier to reach from parts of the 6th and 7th districts. It’s one of the oldest urban public parks of Europe, with routs well-lit throughout the night also. I think this is the coolest spot for running in Budapest on the Pest side!

Gellért Hill and Buda hills

Start at Gellért, one of the best thermal baths in Budapest and run up Gellért hill – you can also go down on the other side and land in the Tabán or go on all the way to the Castle. You’re close to the river all the way, and can get beautiful views of the city (especially the Pest side).

At the foot of the Buda hills, you can also try Városmajor (the big park behind Széll Kálmán tér), or you can take the cogwheel railway from the park to go further up. If you don’t mind a little more of a commute, you can take the bus to Normafa and run in the favorite picnic spot of the city – or the woods around it.

More parks further out: Orczy Park, Bikás Park, Kopaszi gát + Rákóczi Bridge

A few ideas to check out if you’re looking for something outside the city center. Running in Budapest for locals means not just the centrally located ones, but also recently renovated Orczy Park in the outer 8th district, Bikás Park in Buda on the M4 subway line, and Kopaszi gát (maybe combined with Rákóczi Bridge!) in the south of Buda, on a beautiful Danube peninsula.

Races and Marathons

Telekom Vivicitta Budapest Spring Half Marathon 2024: April 20-21st 

It is part of a 2-day event. On Sunday runners can choose between a half marathon (21km), a Vivicitta (10km), or Midicitta (7km) while on Saturday the focus is on shorter distances for beginners. With distances ranging from 750m to 21km.

Budapest Half Marathon 2024: September 8th!

The 39th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon takes place on September 8th in 2024, but you might want to start training right now :D The route starts and ends in the City Park, and passes through most of the most beautiful sights such as  Andrássy Avenue, the Opera House, the Chain Bridge or the Parliament.

It has a long history dating back to 1984, and had many cool sponsors before Wizz Air such as Nike. Relay by groups of 2 or 3 is an option, and you can compete in a wheelchair if you love with a disability!

Credit: Facebook 35th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon

SPAR Budapest Marathon 2024: October 12-13th

On Sunday the focus is on the marathon, however, what about running a 30 km or a marathon in a team of 2 or 4. Taking part on this event, you will be able to go sightseeing around the city in a complete different way. Run through the heart of Budapest, cross bridges, and pass the most well-known aattractions of the city.

On Saturday the focus is on a 10 km run and shorter distances for those beginning in this sport; from 400 metres to 42 km everyone in the family can join, enjoy and accept the challenge.

Generali Night Run 2024: August 31st

One of the coolest Budapest running events in 2024. Distances offered include 6, 9 or 21,1 km, relay is possible in the half marathon. This year the run will cross the Chain Bridge again, right after the lap in the Buda Castle District.

The Color Run: Happiest 5K on the Planet

As their motto says, it’s not a competition, it’s a special running festival. Follow them on Facebook for their upcoming events (The Color Run Magyarország). Wordwide over 7 million people take part each year. At their events, most participants run 5k for the first time in their lives, without any stress of a time constraint.

The organizers say this the world’s largest running festival today, and Hungary has held events since 2013. At the events, you get colored from head to toe, and costumed are rewarded with entry medals. Concerts and other programs make running part of a whole day fun experience.

Credit: Facebook @thecolorrunmagyarorszag

Hostel TIP: Maverick City Lodge is a great choice if you want to be close to all the Budapest running events. Maverick Hostel and Maverick Student Lodge are also very central, and full of cool travelers just like you. Our staff is always happy to help you with local tips on running and beyond, off the beaten track or at the favorite running spots around town!