People's Park, Budapest
People's Park in Budapest (Népliget) covers a vast area while simultaneously being the largest public park in Hungary’s capital. It is located a bit north of the city center. Peaceful cozy and lush, it will help you wind down from annoying urban fuss and city noise.
History of the park
The park was founded in 1973 to commemorate 100 years since the unification of Buda, Pest, and Obuda into one city called Budapest. In 1936 a racing circuit for Formula 1 was built on the park’s spot, the first lap took place this very year. In 1963 racing was held in Népliget once again and till 1972 up to 6 car runs were conducted here. After the park was built, the racing competitions had to be hosted at a different place.
A planetarium was built here in 1977 and opened on 20th August of that same year. New buildings such as sports centers and nightclubs started to appear here and there surrounded by greenery and small footpaths.
Park today
Currently, the park is considered to be a cozy nook, that very nice quiet spot where locals come to relax. It is, however, not a small place considering its area amounting to 110 hectares. You will find it convenient to do jogging or cycling here. The park boasts lots of space for picnics and casual strolls thanks to its large territory. It also includes:
- Planetarium. It mostly offers a visual show which serves educational and informative purposes. As of February 2018, the planetarium is closed for renovations and will remain this way allegedly till 2019.
- Sports facilities. These are school, sports complex of Semmelweis University and a tennis club.
- Nightclubs. There are only two of them – "Liget club" and "E-klub" which is the biggest one in Budapest.
- Strázsa Canine Center. It includes a school, a shelter, and a kennel. Numerous exhibitions take place here as well.
How to get
The park is located just a bit north-east of Ferencváros district between Könyves Kálmán krt Street and Üllői út Street. There are also Rákóczi Bridge, Ludwig Museum and the National Theater situated not far from this place. You can find Népliget bus stop near the park as well. People's Park is easily accessible; you can get here by taking:
- subway, blue line, get off on Népliget station;
- trams that follow routes 1, 17, 19, 41, 56, get off on Népliget M. stop;
- buses that follow routes 901, 914, 918, 950, same Népliget M. stop.