Guest blog post: Budapest Zoo and the Botanical Garden
by Ady Dima
The article was originally published here
About the author:
FreeFall (Ady Dima) caught the travel bug from his wife and they travel in Europe together. They fell in love with Budapest during their honeymoon and are always looking for excuses to go back.
Located very close to Heroes Square, Budapest Zoo & Botanic Garden is one of the most interesting and relaxing places to enjoy a day out in Budapest (Central Hungary).
The Garden is open daily, from 9 a.m. The cashier closes at 4:30 pm during the weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends (but you've got another hour to walk in the Zoo before they literally show you out).
About the Zoo and Botanical Garden
It can be a bit tricky to buy the tickets as the cashier on duty often does not speak English. Along with the tickets you also get a brochure with a map of the immense zoo. This is exactly what you need to plan your day!
Tip: the self catering restaurant inside the Zoo is open only until noon so if you want to eat real food you need to get there in time. Otherwise you are left with bagels, ice-cream and some vending machines. Water and soda can be bought from vending machines all day long.
Try arriving at the Zoo early because it can take an entire day to see most of the Zoo. Don't enjoy the restaurant too much if you want to watch all the animals!
At any given time there are baby animals within the Zoo and if you love those cuddly creatures you'll be fascinated! You might have the chance of seeing a lion cub being fed. And you'll be amazed to see the baby monkeys on their moms' backs as they pass right by you in the special viewing room (they are allowed to walk freely among tourists but the tourists are not allowed to touch them).
To better plan your day, mark on the map the animals you really want to see and then plan a route. It will most likely take you around the entire Zoo and you'll also see the plans and trees along the way.
Tip: Download the map from the Zoo's website before you head to the Zoo. You can even plan your route so that you'll be more efficient once you get there.
Must see:
* Japanese Garden
* The pond where you can buy treats for the duck, swans, etc
* The Elephant House (stunning architecture)
* The Great Rock (climb to the top, the views are amazing!)
* The Butterflies (absolutely great way to see the beautiful butterflies fly near you)
Photography and filming are permitted unless you plan to use the material commercially (in other words: if it's for your own blog or photo collection, no fees are charged).
Best time to visit
If you visit the Zoo during the weekend, be prepared for crowds and especially kids regardless if it's the high season or not (but of course, it does depend on the weather).
Tip: summers can be scorching hot in Budapest (30C and higher) so dress accordingly and drink a lot of water. Typically the peak travel season in Budapest is during July and August, but the good weather starts around mid-May and lasts until mid-September.
How to get to Budapest
The city is served by an international airport which provides good links with other European countries. It is usually cheaper to fly into London, Paris or Amsterdam and then catch a low cost flight to Budapest.
