PHOTOS: One of Budapest’s most romantic promenades “reopened” in Buda Castle
One of Budapest’s most romantic promenades, walkways “reopened” for visitors thanks to the start of Japanese cherry blossom. The panoramic promenade is in the Western part of the scenic Buda Castle, where you can spend hours with your loved one(s) close to historic buildings and walls that saw multiple hundreds of years.
One of Budapest’s most romantic promenades
The Buda Castle’s scenic Tóth Árpád Promenade turned pink thanks to the Japanese cherry blossom that started even in Budapest. The delay was caused by the early April freezes following the arrival of an Arctic air mass in the Carpathian Basin. However, the late winter is over, and a mild spring is finally here with flowers, birds, and more green with blossoming Japanese cherry.
In the Tóth Árpád Promenade, there are 60 Prunus subgenus Cerasus trees, commonly referred to as Japanese cherries. The first flowers appeared on the trees on 8 April, but this weekend saw the promenade turn pink. Consequently, the walkway is now one of the most Instagrammable places in the Hungarian capital and a famous place to take your loved ones or go for a date.
The blossom peak is expected in mid-April, but much depends on the weather. Experienced walkers state that people should visit the place early morning, since there are fewer visitors and you can enjoy the cherry blossom undisturbed.
The promenade’s history
In the Middle Ages, there was a narrow alley serving military purposes in that place. Decades after the Christian retake of the castle, in 1720, a double line of trees was planted there, the first of its kind in Budapest. On the 250th anniversary of the Christian reconquest of Buda, in 1934-36, it was transformed into a promenade. After the devastating Soviet siege of the castle during WWII, it was renewed and received its current shape in 1966-70. In 2006 and 2009, all trees of the outer line were replaced with Japanese cherry, a new spring Budapest tourist hotspot.
Cherry blossom in Budapest
Would you like to enjoy cherry blossom in other Budapest places? Here are three more recommendations:
- The ELTE Botanical Gardens is close to the University of Public Service (NKE) in the 8th district, where you can also lay a picnic blanket beneath the trees;
- Budai Arborétum near the Móricz Zsigmond körtér public transport hub;
- Budapest’s first Japanese Garden in Zugló, the capital’s 14th district.
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