Budapest, Hungary, about 3 million people voted for using the bicycle everyday!
This great eastern town is tailor-made for cyclists, and most of its inhabitants run around the center on bicycles equipped with everything.
The Budapest feeling with this economic and healthy means of transport is something to think about: here was organized the largest critical mass in the world (almost 100,000 people participated in the then president of the country) and in 2013 it was decided to quit doing the critical mass simply because no one feel that need anymore.
Cycle tracks shared with traffic are virtually everywhere. The bike is simply regarded as a normal means of transport and not a fashion or fun, consequently on the road they enjoy the respect they deserve.
Given these considerations, Budapest is a city particularly suitable for cyclists. Many accommodations and hostels provide free bikes and in the center you can take advantage of a great bike sharing service.
An ideal itinerary to visit Budapest by bike runs from the center to the Òbuda Hills, just outside the city.
Start from the railway station of Keleti-Pàlyaudvar and take the cycle track of Ràckòczi Ut, a long straight road leading into the ancient Jewish quarter. Then you continue to pedal towards the Basilica of Santo Stefano following the figure of its impressive spiers that sway over the city.
The next neighborhoods are Belvaros and Josefvaros, then a few kilometers away you come to face the Danube. You cross the river on the Freedom Bridge and arrive at the foot of the Gellert Hill at the most famous spa in town.
Walk along the Danube, always on a cycle path, in the direction of the Castle and the Fishermen’s Bastion. After passing the Chain Bridge, you arrive at Margherita Island, the only river island in its urban area. It’s a real pearl of the city! A vast pedestrian and really quiet park.
Back on the cycle track, take a wide avenue in a slight climb leading to Varosmajor station. From here a shuttle-train, which is allowed to transport bicycles, moves us 5 km to the Hills of Òbuda.
Despite its proximity to the city, in these hills dominate silence and nature. A truly fabulous landscape that you can enjoy by bicycle in tranquility. If you wish, you can take advantage of the Gyermekvasút, the “Children’s Railway”, a tourist line with staff from 10 to 14 years old, excluding the driver.
You can take advantage of the train to rest your legs between one station and the other on the long path that runs through the hills.
When the ring is finished, it goes down to the city and returns to the starting point.