Hungary may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of dramatic natural landscapes, but it holds some of Central Europe's most ecologically significant habitats. With 10 national parks, over 30 landscape protection areas, and hundreds of smaller nature reserves, nearly 10% of the country's territory is under some form of environmental protection.
This guide covers the green spaces we consider most worth visiting, whether you are looking for a weekend hike, a birdwatching trip, or simply a peaceful park to enjoy in Budapest. We also look at the conservation challenges Hungary faces and how residents and visitors can contribute to protecting these spaces.
Hortobagy National Park
Hortobagy is Hungary's most iconic natural area and was the first national park in the country, established in 1973. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, it protects the largest contiguous natural grassland in Europe, known as the Puszta.
The park covers approximately 82,000 hectares of alkaline grassland, marshes, and fishponds. It is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in Europe, with over 340 species recorded. Autumn migration brings tens of thousands of common cranes that use the fishponds as resting and feeding areas, creating one of the continent's most remarkable wildlife spectacles.
What makes Hortobagy significant from a sustainability perspective is its role as a working landscape. Traditional pastoral farming practices, including the grazing of grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, and Racka sheep (all heritage Hungarian breeds), are not just maintained for tourism but serve as active conservation tools. The grazing keeps the grassland in its natural state, preventing shrub encroachment that would destroy the habitat.
Visiting Hortobagy
- Getting there: About 2.5 hours by car or 3 hours by train from Budapest (via Debrecen)
- Best time: April-May for spring flowers and nesting birds; October for crane migration
- Key activities: Guided birdwatching tours, traditional farm visits, cycling on flat terrain
- Eco note: The park operates a visitor center with information on conservation programs and volunteer opportunities
Lake Balaton and the Balaton Uplands
Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, is surrounded by protected areas that combine recreational opportunities with genuine ecological value. The Balaton Uplands National Park protects volcanic hills, thermal springs, and unique plant communities on the lake's northern shore.
The area around Badacsony and Tapolca is particularly notable for its geological heritage. Basalt organ pipes formed by ancient volcanic activity create unique microclimates that support rare plant species found nowhere else in Hungary. The Tapolca Cave Lake, an underground thermal lake beneath the town, is another natural wonder worth visiting.
For eco-conscious visitors, the area around Balaton offers excellent cycling infrastructure. The EuroVelo 14 route circles the entire lake (approximately 200 km), and local bike rental services are widely available in lakeside towns. Combining cycling with visits to organic wineries and local farms makes for an exceptionally low-carbon holiday.
Budapest's Urban Green Spaces
You do not have to leave Budapest to connect with nature. The city maintains several significant green spaces that serve both recreational and ecological functions.
Margaret Island (Margit-Sziget)
Margaret Island is a 2.5 km long island in the Danube between Buda and Pest, largely closed to private vehicles. Its 96 hectares include a rose garden, Japanese garden, running track, and ancient ruins, all within a mature tree canopy that provides habitat for over 40 bird species.
The island is a model for urban green space management. It serves as a heat island buffer for the surrounding city, reduces air pollution levels in the immediate area, and provides accessible nature for residents who may not have the time or means to travel to the countryside. The prohibition of most motor traffic makes it one of the quietest and cleanest-air zones in central Budapest.
Buda Hills (Budai-Hegyseg)
The Buda Hills on the western side of the city offer forest hiking accessible by public transport. The Janos-hegy (527m) is the highest point in Budapest and can be reached by a combination of tram, cogwheel railway, and the Erzsebet Lookout chairlift. The surrounding forests are a mix of oak and beech, providing habitat for deer, foxes, and various woodpecker species.
The Mecsek Mountains
Located near the southern city of Pecs, the Mecsek Mountains offer one of Hungary's most diverse forest ecosystems. The Mediterranean microclimate supports species that are unusual for this latitude, including sub-Mediterranean orchids and thermophilous oak forests. The area around Obanya in Baranya county is particularly scenic, with dense beech forests and clear streams.
For hikers, the Mecsek offers well-marked trails of varying difficulty, from gentle walks to full-day routes. The national blue trail (Orszagos Kektora) passes through the range, making it accessible to long-distance hikers crossing Hungary on foot.
Conservation Challenges and How You Can Help
Despite the extensive protected area network, Hungary faces several environmental challenges that affect its natural spaces:
- Water management: The Danube and Tisza river systems require careful management to prevent both flooding and drought, issues that climate change is intensifying
- Habitat fragmentation: New infrastructure projects can isolate animal populations, reducing genetic diversity
- Invasive species: Non-native plants like Japanese knotweed and ailanthus threaten native ecosystems, particularly along riverbanks
- Light pollution: Hungary has some of Europe's last truly dark sky areas, but urban sprawl threatens them
Visitors can contribute to conservation by following leave-no-trace principles, supporting park visitor centers (entrance fees fund conservation), and reporting wildlife sightings to organizations like MME/BirdLife Hungary. Even simple actions like staying on marked trails and not disturbing nesting birds make a measurable difference.
Last updated: February 2026