Gödöllő Palace and Hatvan Palace
Located 30 kilometers from Budapest, the Gödöllő Grassalkovich Palace is a family-friendly destination where visitors can stroll through the park and explore the palace's interior decorations, including a very rare European Baroque theater. This Baroque-style palace was a coronation gift from the Kingdom of Hungary to the Austrian Emperor, Hungarian King, and Bohemian King Franz Joseph I and his wife Empress Elisabeth (also known as Sisi). It became Empress Elisabeth's favorite Hungarian residence. You can reach the palace from Budapest by suburban train or vintage steam train. The vintage steam train takes passengers to the Gödöllő Royal Train Station, where the royal couple often waited for trains. At the city museum, you can enjoy interactive historical city exhibits or visit works by the Gödöllő Artists' Colony, one of the most important local art movements. Nearby Hatvan, another site of a Grassalkovich Palace, currently houses a hunting museum offering various interactive activities. In the recreational area, visitors can hunt from elevated platforms simulating a forest environment, and there are nearby wildlife and petting zoos. The Hatvany Lajos Museum, located opposite the palace, is not only a center for Hungarian avant-garde artists but also features a microbrewery.
Etyek
Etyek is located 28 kilometers from the capital and can be reached by suburban bus. Since the mid-1860s, this area has gradually become the vineyard of Budapest. It is now a popular destination for wine and food enthusiasts. Whenever you visit, you are sure to find an open winery on Etyek's Gastro-walkway. Winemakers warmly welcome visitors, offering wine tastings, and you can also visit cheese workshops, ham workshops, and even handmade chocolate workshops to taste the craftsmanship.
Korda Film Studio
Step into the Korda Film Studio located in the suburbs, where many American blockbusters have been filmed. This place has served as the filming location for movies like 'The Martian' starring Matt Damon, as well as other famous films and TV series. At the visitor exhibition center, you can get a glimpse into every detail of movie production, strolling through virtual scenes of New York streets and Renaissance cities. If you want to experience the charm of the movie world more deeply, you can participate in various interactive activities.
Martonvásár
Visitors to Martonvásár, located south of Etyek, can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of British life. Here, you will find the Tudor-style Brunswick Castle and an authentic English garden. The museum here commemorates the castle's frequent visitor, the famous musician Beethoven.
Ráckeve
In Ráckeve, visitors can not only enjoy the charming natural scenery but also experience the tranquil life of the small town. The local residents are hospitable, and the town's cultural heritage is uniquely attractive. The only Gothic Orthodox church in Hungary, part of the city's Serbian heritage, is located here. One of the special museums in the area is the water mill operating on the Danube River, which has been restored. Visitors can grind flour themselves and purchase locally made flour. Every Wednesday and Saturday, a water market is held along the banks of the Danube, where you can taste local delicacies and explore natural lagoons and uninhabited islands by boat on the 'Little Danube.' The final stop can be the local Aqualand Thermal Bath, which features a four-lane swimming pool and offers natural thermal water at 38 degrees Celsius.
Hungaroring Circuit, Hungary F1 Track
The Hungary F1 track is located in Mogyoród, north of Budapest. Here, you can fully experience the thrill of speed. Enjoy the fun of professional racing simulators, or hit the track to test drive cars or motorcycles. Starting from March each year, the outdoor go-kart track opens to motorcycle enthusiasts, allowing them to showcase their skills and take on the challenge of speed and passion.
Aquarena
If you visit Mogyoród in the summer, don't forget to experience the joy of water play at Aquarena, the largest water park in Hungary.
