The barbecue season is here! 5 special barbecue places around Budapest

Just a stone’s throw from Vác, you can find an exciting, child-friendly nature programme, where you can even sacrifice on the altar of gastronomy – the Gyada Nature Trail. Guided by our little host DAni HanGYA, we will not only get a glimpse into the mysteries of wildlife, but also a special barbecue experience. The hike from the Katalinpuszta Hiking Centre is a pleasant and entertaining programme in nature, with exciting stops: a swamp walk on wooden piles, a huge suspension bridge and lots of hills and other climbs, with a barbecue at the end. If you don’t want to carry your barbecue gear, don’t hesitate to take the asphalt road that runs alongside the trail, which you can also use to drive to the end of the hike and enjoy a barbecue with a beautiful view.

There are some places where we are not afraid of bears, but rather happy to see them, such as the renewed Bear Playground in Pilis Park Forest in 2019. The playground, inspired by the emblematic teddy bear sculpture, is complete with a climbing frame, slide and seesaw, reminiscent of bears and other animals. But it offers much more than that: for the convenience of families, the site’s owners have created fire pits, allowing them to spend as much time as possible there – with a fabulous cooking in a cauldron. In addition, the established connection points make it easy to connect to the trails for those who want to continue their journey.

The Hundred Acre Wood atmosphere continues: if you have already explored the barbecue options around Budapest, here is a slightly more remote one, the Arboretum of Pákozd, between the Velencei Mountains and the northern shores of Lake Velencei. Here, thanks to the wide range of services, you can even barbecue as part of a larger event: the 150-seat fire pit can also accommodate corporate and large family events. You don’t even need to bother with firewood, as the price of admission includes the use of the site and the basic necessities. The combination of an arboretum and a wildlife park can offer an exciting adventure for all ages: the park’s adventure playground and forest school offer fascinating opportunities to learn about the secrets of the forest, while also observing symbiotic emus, deer and mouflon. Wander the trails or admire the view from the 15-metre-high lookout tower! It is also worth adding experiences to the barbecue.

The Róka Hill Quarry on Csillaghegy was once famous as the largest limestone quarry in the capital. Known as the Grand Canyon of Budapest, the multi-storey quarry and its surroundings are bustling at weekends, with rock climbers and barbecuers alike. The protected status of the area preserves important environmental values, yet offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy the closeness of nature. Whether it is a barbecue or an active holiday, the rugged panorama is a magical sight, making the Róka Hill Quarry a popular location for wedding photography and filming. The campfire site is easy to spot: just look for the yellowish-coloured space in front of the rocks.