The Római-part: the Danube beach promenade

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Rómaifürdő and the spring

   Start at the H5 stop named for the Roman bath that drew the legions here for the warm springs. Walk down to the water; the promenade begins where the road ends and the poplars take over. This is where Budapest comes to be beside the river rather than above it.

   01

   Rómaifürdő and the spring

   Start at the H5 stop named for the Roman bath that drew the legions here for the warm springs. Walk down to the water; the promenade begins where the road ends and the poplars take over. This is where Budapest comes to be beside the river rather than above it.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   The boathouses

   A run of timber rowing clubs and *csónakházak* (boathouses) line the bank, some a century old, sculls stacked under the eaves. On a Sunday the crews are out on the water early. Walk slowly past; the doors stand open and the river smell is the whole point.

   02

   The boathouses

   A run of timber rowing clubs and *csónakházak* (boathouses) line the bank, some a century old, sculls stacked under the eaves. On a Sunday the crews are out on the water early. Walk slowly past; the doors stand open and the river smell is the whole point.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   The poplar promenade

   The path runs flat and shaded under tall poplars for a kilometre or more, the Danube wide and brown on your left, allotment gardens behind. No monuments, no traffic, just the walking and the water. The stretch the locals mean when they say Római.

   03

   The poplar promenade

   The path runs flat and shaded under tall poplars for a kilometre or more, the Danube wide and brown on your left, allotment gardens behind. No monuments, no traffic, just the walking and the water. The stretch the locals mean when they say Római.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   The riverside cafés

   Halfway down, a loose string of *lángos* stands and terrace cafés faces the water — the deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese that is the river's proper Sunday food. Pick whichever has the crowd; sit facing the Danube. You'll know it by the smell before you see it.

   04

   The riverside cafés

   Halfway down, a loose string of *lángos* stands and terrace cafés faces the water — the deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese that is the river's proper Sunday food. Pick whichever has the crowd; sit facing the Danube. You'll know it by the smell before you see it.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   The Danube bank and the gravel shore

   In places the bank shelves down to a strip of gravel where people paddle and dogs swim — the 'beach' the promenade is named for, no sand required. The far bank is the flat green of Szentendre Island. Sit a while; this is the walk's slow heart.

   05

   The Danube bank and the gravel shore

   In places the bank shelves down to a strip of gravel where people paddle and dogs swim — the 'beach' the promenade is named for, no sand required. The far bank is the flat green of Szentendre Island. Sit a while; this is the walk's slow heart.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Towards Aquincum and the H5

   The promenade thins as it nears Óbuda. Cut inland to the Aquincum H5 stop for the train back — or carry straight on south into the Roman ruins if the afternoon's still long. Either way, look back up the poplar line before you leave it.

   06

   Towards Aquincum and the H5

   The promenade thins as it nears Óbuda. Cut inland to the Aquincum H5 stop for the train back — or carry straight on south into the Roman ruins if the afternoon's still long. Either way, look back up the poplar line before you leave it.

   ◉Street View