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
Sport Bisztró
Fitness for the stomach
"Sport Bisztró" in Budapest is a pleasantly familiar, well-oiled haunt that sticks to the proverb 'healthy mind in a healthy body!' Great sports bar, too.
by
Iulia
Notaros
Nos a Hely
The tiny treasure trove is back
"Nos a Hely" is a pop-up vintage shop in Hungary - they have a carefully curated selection of vintage porcelain and other local items. Great for gifts!
by
Iulia
Notaros
Pogány-torony
Forgotten oddity
"Pogány-torony", or Pagan Tower, in Budapest, is one of the city's strangest buildings, with a Gothic folk-tale-meets-Tolkien charm...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Szeráj Turkish Restaurant
Fast food veterans
"Szeráj Turkish Restaurant" in Budapest, but that's not all! This place is the great leveler: here you can meet anyone, from hungry students to TV stars...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Kéhli Restaurant
A taste of history
"Kéhli" Restaurant in Budapest not only has excellent food and gypsy bands -- the best thing about it is that you get a taste of life in the golden age...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Japánkert in Zugló
Hidden zen oasis
The Japanese garden hidden in a leafy corner of Zugló. It was created in 1928 by Márton Varga and followed Japanese principles as much as possible...
by
Iulia
Notaros
Petruska Étkezde
Comfort food in Budapest
This is a family-owned business, where the food tastes homemade. Every meal you choose feels like your family cooked it with so much love.
by
Betti
Galos
Muzikum Klub - Bisztró
Great bites and beats
Muzikum Bisztró, near the National Museum, serves a great 2-3 course lunch menu affordably.
by
Betti
Galos
Rengeteg RomKafé
Slow-cooked hot chocolate
Rengeteg is a cozy dreamworld with very old, strange furniture, tons of teddy bears, and calm French music in the background — be warned it may take a while!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Flippermúzeum
Flashing flippers from every era
Flippermúzeum in Budapest is a pinball museum, but museum might be the wrong word here - you can play with every exhibit, and it's fun for everyone!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Kieselbach Galéria
Collection of Legends
Kieselback Gallery showcases Hungary’s greatest art, from classics to modern works. Free entry, quiet rooms, and nearby cafés make a very special place.
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Dürer Kert
A cult place at a fresh location
Dürer Kert in Budapest has a colorful part in the city's underground history and its recent move hasn't changed this. Enjoy live music or cooking outside!
by
Eszter
Baracskai
Heading to Budapest?
177 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 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:
