Budapest is not only a city of monuments, but also of nature and a very uncharacteristically hilly landscape for Hungary. Among the most beautiful sightseeing spots are the Buda Hills and especially the János-Hegy area with its many hiking trails, viewpoints, lookout towers and an unconventional excursion railway that is practically run entirely by children.

Hiking in dense forests

Around János-hegy Hill are dense deciduous forests interwoven with a network of marked hiking trails, where you can easily spend a whole day. If you're heading to Budapest for more than just a weekend and the weather is nice, make sure you head to János-hegy.

János-hegy tourist map

By cable car to the tower

One of the most popular destinations in János-hegy is Elizabeth's lookout tower - Erzsébet-kilátó. Built in 1911 and named after the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the historic tower offers views of both the distant centre of Budapest and the surrounding hills. Entrance to the tower is free.

If you don't feel like walking to the 528-metre-high summit, use the old chairlift (Zugligeti Libegő) that runs from the residential area below the hill. A one-way ticket is available at 1 200 huf, and a return ticket at 1 600 huf. The cable car operates daily from 10:00 am, and the end of operating hours vary by season, see details on the official website. Bus number 291 runs to the cable car from Nyugati station.

Unique children's railway

A unique narrow-gauge children's railway winds like a snake around the entire foot of János-hega, operated exclusively by children aged 10-14, except of course for the locomotive and safety equipment, which must be operated by an adult.

The train runs along an 11 km route through the beautiful countryside of the Buda Hills. You can ride it every day throughout the year from 9:00 to 16:00 except Mondays, when the train does not run.

A one-way ticket costs just 1 000 huf, if you want to get off and continue on the next journey, you pay 1 800 huf. Children ride for half price.