OVERVIEW
When you approach the Secessionist gates of Budapest Zoo, it is immediately clear that this a little more than a mass-produced Western-style theme park. The white polar bears overlooking the entrance look like something out of a Philip Pullman novel, and is likely to excite kids ... Read review
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Advantages: Nice combination of big cats and Secessionist architecture Disadvantages: Little information about animals in languages other than Hungarian
...approach the Secessionist gates of Budapest Zoo, it is immediately clear that this a little more than a mass-produced Western-style theme park. The white polar bears overlooking the entrance look like something out of a Philip Pullman novel, and is likely to excite kids as much as architecture interested adults.
Unlike many other zoos, there were on my visit quite a lot of local visitors without children; young couples and groups of ... ...despite us visiting on a Sunday. It could be because it was in October so not at the height of the tourist season. Many people seemed to stroll around simply enjoying the park, which gave the place a lovely relaxed feel.
The park is large enough to warrant a whole day's visit as there is plenty to see. I was personally stuck in front of the prairie dogs alone for ages. However the park also houses the famous Szechenyi baths. If you ... more
OVERVIEW
When you approach the Secessionist gates of Budapest Zoo, it is immediately clear that this a little more than a mass-produced Western-style theme park. The white polar bears overlooking the entrance look like something out of a Philip Pullman novel, and is likely to excite kids as much as architecture interested adults.
Unlike many other zoos, there were on my visit quite a lot of local visitors without children; young couples and groups of friends in addition to the regular tourists. This was despite us visiting on a Sunday. It could be because it was in October so not at the height of the tourist season. Many people seemed to stroll around simply enjoying the park, which gave the place a lovely relaxed feel.
The park is large enough to warrant a whole day's visit as there is plenty to see. I was personally stuck in front of the prairie dogs alone for ages. However the park also houses the famous Szechenyi baths. If you start out early there is nothing keeping you from getting the most of both in one day.
BRIEF WALKTHROUGH
The Zoo is most easily seen by walking around the main path following its perimeter.
By starting out to the left, you first encounter the botanical garden encased in a glass building which might well date back to the Zoo's completion in 1911.
Unfortunately we had to give this a miss as we split the day between the Zoo and the baths which sit in the same park, but judging by what could be glimpsed from the adjacent café, it is well worth the extra 300 ft it costs to get in.
Next in line is the aquarium, which while not the most impressive of its kind, definitely seemed to appeal greatly to the children who were there at the same time as us.
Opposite these two buildings is the large main pond around which most of the other animal houses are situated. It houses exotic birds including flamingos. The guards seem to be very relaxed about people feeding the birds and indeed the animals in general, so many people were dishing out sunflower seeds and the like.
As you walk along, animal houses are dotted around, mainly arranged by continent. A highlight as mentioned above is the big cats area. The Zoo has tigers, lions, leopards and a very impressive and scary black panther. The glass enclosures of these animals allows you to experience them up close and personal.
Towards the end of the walk is the eastern inspired Secessionist elephant house, another survivor from the original opening. It almost seems absurd to house animals in a building so richly decorated. The warm tones and bright colours of the interior makes you feel as if you're walking in a children's book illustrated with live animals.
The last of the animal houses is home to the great apes including chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, which are all very fascinating.
Along the last short stretch back to the exit, busts of people central to the Zoo's creation line the path.
PROS / CONS
The main drawback is the lack of information about the animals in any language other than Hungarian. Either you bring a dictionary, or you're reduced to simply admiring the creatures rather than learning more about them.
On the pro side; the impressive and relatively happy-looking big cats and apes. Also the chance to cover land and marine creatures as well as flora in one big swoop.
Most of the enclosures are laid out with both an indoor and an outdoor section which is nice as you get to see the animals in different environments.
The architecture aspect both makes the Zoo more interesting to adults, and the carefully designed park is in itself a nice break from the inner city.
ACCESS
The Zoo is easily accessible from the Szechenyi metro station.
PRICES
At 1300 ft for an adult or 4100 ft for a family ticket, not bad.
The food inside the park is as common with any kind of tourist trap more expensive than elsewhere, so if you're on a tight budget, maybe best to bring a packed lunch.
Advantages: Well planned, spatious, beautiful arcitecture and vast range of animals. Disadvantages: No translation of information, construction work.
Easily accessible using metro line 1 (yellow) It is possible to get off at Hosok Tere, and enjoy a walk through the Városliget park, decorated by a number of impressive monuments and statues, which are definitely worth seeing. There is also a beautiful restaurant built on a heated pond to the left of the gates and surrounded by ducks. This was one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been to, and the food was delicious. On the right there ... ...skating, which is well worth a visit at night time when it is lit up. You can also get off the metro at the Széchenyi fürdő stop, and walk towards the gates of the zoo, decorated by two stone carvings of an elephant. The zoo is also located to the left of the circus building. The zoo is opened daily from 9am to 4pm in the winter, and later in the summer. The closing time seems to change slightly from month to month, and it would be worthwhile to ...
beemurray 01.02.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Budapest Zoo
Advantages: Clean, Cheap, Good visitor facilities, Good public transport Disadvantages: Guidebooks and information panels only available in Hungarian
Founded in 1866, Budapest zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is located outside of the city centre on the Pest side of the Danube, in the Városliget, one of the many parks in the city. This particular park starts just behind another of Budapest's great landmarks, Hosök Tere (Heroes Square - basically the Hungarian equivalent of Trafalgar Square), which can be easily accessed by the Metro on the yellow line at the stop of the same name. ... ...However, if you possess a Budapest Card (5900HUF for 3 days) then you can get into the zoo for free, which is excellent value when you consider that the card also gets you completely free access to all public transport in the city as well. In fact, a trip to the zoo on public transport from the city centre will virtually get you your money's worth in one go!
Budapest zoo is pretty substantial in size and bills itself as one of the premier zoos in ...
Collingwood21 10.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Budapest Zoo
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