Aug 28, 2025

Lake Naplás Budapest

Urban waterworld

"Artificial "Lake Naplás" in Budapest is an unexpected delight where few downtowners or tourists ever venture. It's perfect for interesting nature treks..."

Lake Naplás is an unexpected delight in a place few downtowners or tourists ever venture. The easiest way to reach it by public transportation is taking regional train S80 from Keleti station, and then walking straight along Naplás avenue. Alternatively, you can also walk from the opposite direction, the Cinkota HÉV (suburban railway) station, along the Szilas stream. The lake itself is artificial, set up as a reservoir on the Szilas stream in the 1970s. Before the damming, it had been a marshland, and many of its species have thrived in the newly formed lake. As such, it is one of Budapest’s most ecologically diverse areas and a perfect destination for interesting but not very arduous nature treks.

The lake’s most popular inhabitant is the European pond turtle, Hungary’s only endemic turtle species. Fishing is allowed with a permit, but both swimming and skating, in winter, are forbidden due to the lake’s protected status. For those on the lookout for fluffier wildlife, the lush vegetation of the lakeshore provides the opportunity to spot owls, dormice or deer in the warmer months.

Close by the lake you can also visit the Naplás lookout tower, which offers a bird’s eye perspective of the neighbouring Cinkota, Mátyásföld and Rákosliget areas, and, in an exciting twist for plane spotters, also lies under the takeoff path of Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Naplás út

HUF

free

find your way in Budapest, download our app.

Find your way with 173 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Budapest guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest

Alföldi Cipő

Hungarian leather shoes & slippers

"Alföldi Cipő" and their outlet in Budapest do not follow the same big-name trends to be found in regular shoe fashion. They've stuck to quality...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zoltán

Fejes

Sep 6, 2025

Ukrán Udvar

Delights from babusya's courtyard

"Ukrán Udvar" in Budapest means 'Ukrainian courtyard' -- come eat some borsch and dumplings with sour cream exactly like at your grandmother's...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Iulia

Notaros

Sep 6, 2025

Kék áfonya

Local fruits & artisan delicacies

Tiny greengrocer packed with fresh local fruits and vegetables and artisan delicacies customers swear by. Try here the best walnut-lingonberry bread around!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Sep 5, 2025

Ligeti Bolt

In the name of sustainability

Ligeti Bolt, a zero-waste pioneer in Budapest, offers grains, snacks, and more for refill. Shop eco-friendly, bring your jars, and embrace a conscious lifestyle!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Sep 5, 2025

Wekerle Estate

A fall fairy in the city

"Wekerle Estate" in Budapest is like a village within the city - inspired my medieval & rural buildings, it has created a beautiful sense of local spirit.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Claudia

Leporatti

Aug 30, 2025

Massolit Books & Café

Every reader's dream

"Massolit Books & Café" is a coffee shop in an English bookstore. I wrote my 1st novel here, several short stories... I'd miss it the most were I to leave.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Claudia

Leporatti

Aug 26, 2025

Szabad Bisztró

Vegan dishes and local drinks

Szabad Bisztró in Budapest has delicious vegan dishes and local drinks, but it's also associated with local initiatives, as with the terrace out front!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

Könyv Szekér

Bookstores on wheels

The concept of Könyv Szekér in Budapest is to save books from being thrown out or destroyed — they are little mobile bookstores on old-school carriages!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

Auróra

Home for the most diverse

Auróra in Budapest is a place to create, attend workshops, concerts, parties, rituals... It's a big survivor in the district and it keeps fighting!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

A Hunyadi

My go-to outdoor market

Hunyadi Square Pavilons & market host a whole variety of local producers selling their goods on outdoors Saturdays! Grab a bag of fresh veggies!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

Szia+

Special souvenirs and gifts of all kinds

If you need something funny/unique or personal for an affordable price in Budapest, Szia+ is hands-down the place to go!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

Szabó Ervin Library

Castle in the center to read

Szabó Ervin Library in Budapest has been my shelter many a time. The 100-year-old chairs & sofas create a unique atmosphere for studying or relaxing...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Eszter

Baracskai

Aug 25, 2025

Heading to Budapest?

173 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Budapest?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

173 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Budapest

Our team loves Budapest

Get to know our other Spotters from Budapest

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
32
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters