Lake Naplás Budapest
Urban waterworld
Iulia from Budapest
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.
Budapest Spotter Iulia
About this spot
Naplás út
HUF
free
Our Budapest City Guide
Find your way with 177 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Budapest
Eiffel Bazár
Treasures of the Past
Visit Eiffel Bazar if you’re hunting for a quirky souvenir or simply love rummaging through history. And don't forget to check the box of old cinema posters!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Blue Bird Roastery
One hundred years of coffee
"Blue Bird Roastery" in Budapest always puts me in a good mood with its in-house roasted coffee and the natural & art-related decoration...
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Plante
Plants for dummies and experts
"Plante" in Budapest sells plants and related equipment and offers advice in a helpful, non-patronising way. Everything I got here is still alive!
by
Iulia
Notaros
Jókai Garden
Urban natural reserve
Jókai Garden in Budapest may be small, but it belongs to the Duna-Ipoly National Park.
by
Iulia
Notaros
Mechwart Liget
The luxury park
"Mechwart Liget" in Budapest (Buda side) looks like the garden of a royal palace. I like it's free training area & It remind of me the big parks in Spain.
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Cirkó Gejzír Movie Theater
Arthouse cinema gem
"Cirkó Gejzír Movie Theater" in Budapest & its associated distribution network, Cirkó Film help the city's film lovers gain access to lesser-known gems...
by
Iulia
Notaros
LoveBug Vintage
Your teenage bedroom is back!
"LoveBug Vintage" in Budapest isn't just any vintage shop. The owner& founder, Violetta, is a former fashion journalist, so she knows what she's doing...
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Pizza at the Railway Station
An obligatory stop
The Pizza at Budapest's Keleti Pályaudva Railway Station, next to platform nine,, is not the very best, but I always grab a filling slice when I'm around.
by
Zoltán
Fejes
Bem Mozi
The repertory cinema
"Bem Mozi" is a 111-year-old cinema in Budapest. It's a no-multi repertory cinema w/ a single screen. I also like its bar where it's possible to socialize.
by
Claudia
Leporatti
Dracula statue
Hidden place
The "Dracula statue" in a less-frequented part of Vajdahunyad Castle is of Hungarian actor Béla Lugosi, the first ever Dracula. It used to be a mystery...
by
Zoltán
Fejes
Heading to Budapest?
177 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
✓ 177 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:
