Budapest’s Aeropark, Central Europe’s leading aviation museum next to Ferenc Liszt International Airport (Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér), is gearing up for a buzzing 2026. Expect car and brand meetups, large-scale night events, family days, special vehicle showcases, professional gatherings, summer camps, and everything aviation. The park sits by BUD International Airport in the 1185 postal zone and rolls out public, three-hour airport tours across winter weekends to kick off the season.
Public Airport Tours Take Flight
The cornerstone of early 2026 is Aeropark’s Public 3-Hour Tour (Nyilvános 3 órás túra) — a three-hour airport visit in Budapest that goes behind the scenes at the country’s busiest hub. Sessions run on:
– January 3 (Saturday)
– January 24–25
– January 31–February 1
– February 7–8
– February 14–15
– February 21–22
These guided explorations dive into the operational heart of the airport, pairing runway-edge views and apron action with insights into aircraft handling, ground services, and the hidden choreography that keeps flights moving. It’s a rare chance to see the living infrastructure that aviation fans love, within a museum context that already houses classic airliners, cockpits, and ground vehicles.
What’s On at Aeropark
Aeropark promises a full calendar beyond tours. This year’s lineup brings:
– Automotive and brand fan meets set among aircraft, blending engineering cultures.
– Nighttime events that transform the museum’s silhouettes and spotlit fuselages into a festival backdrop.
– Family programs designed to inspire young aviators, from interactive displays to kid-friendly activities.
– Special vehicle demonstrations — think tugs, stair trucks, vintage ground support machines, and firefighting tech, with engines rumbling up close.
– Industry and professional events, ideal for students, crews, and aviation insiders to network and learn.
– Summer camps that take kids from cockpit instruments to ramp logistics in hands-on style.
Aeropark’s ethos is simple: put real aviation within arm’s reach, contextualize history with living practice, and make it fun.
Stay Close: Airport Hotels and Guesthouses
If you’re planning a tour weekend or a late flight, staying nearby is easy. Hotel Ferihegy sits right by Ferenc Liszt International Airport (Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér) — both terminals are just a five-minute drive. It’s a solid pick for early departures, late arrivals, rebooked passengers, families, business travelers, and airport staff. The hotel appears multiple times in local listings, a reflection of its straightforward, dependable value for transit stays.
For a quieter vibe, Irini Guesthouse (Irini Panzió) offers a three-star, 30-capacity, family-run property in a leafy suburban pocket of Budapest. It’s calm, away from city noise but still conveniently close to the center. The homely setup suits travelers who want an affordable base with a gentler pace.
Another option, Ráday Guesthouse (Ráday panzió) in the 18th district, caters to transiting guests, airport arrivals, and couples looking for a room even for a few hours. Air-conditioned, TV-equipped, en-suite, and warm in tone, it also offers breakfast and dinner on request. Flexibility is the selling point here — a practical bolt-hole for quick turnarounds.
Eat Local: From Comfort Classics to Slow Food
Around Pestszentlőrinc and Pestszentimre, the dining scene covers everything from hearty Hungarian to quick bites.
– Gombás Restaurant (Gombás Étterem) has been a neighborhood staple since 1990, with five rooms and a garden space flexible enough for intimate dinners for two or events up to 300 guests. It’s a go-to for family lunches, celebrations, and corporate gatherings.
– In Pestszentimre’s center, a family-style restaurant serves generous, flavorful plates, offers delivery, a garden, and parking. It’s the kind of local favorite powered by word of mouth and a busy community page.
– A long-running restaurant in the 18th district welcomes friendly get-togethers, business lunches, and family events, promising a refreshed interior and the greatest hits of Hungarian gastronomy. They accept Széchenyi Recreation Card (Szép Kártya), making it convenient for domestic travelers using the popular benefit card.
– LEROY, more than just a café or restaurant, brings high-standard, varied menus to the airport itself — a relief for exhausted travelers who want a proper meal before or after a flight.
– Maci Laci Fast Food (Maci Laci Gyorsétkezde) on Üllői Road (Üllői út) offers quick eats in the 18th district — a reliable pit stop for fast, filling fare.
– Daily lunch menus available locally can be eaten in or delivered, and venues in the area handle weddings and events, providing full-service planning and execution.
Tradition, Reworked
A standout theme across several kitchens is the “good kind” of countryside cooking — quality, freshness, and an inviting, homely atmosphere. Menus mix seasonal dishes with beloved, traditional small-inn classics for those craving real Sunday lunches and cozy family dinners. The backbone is simple recipes built on excellent ingredients, with kids’ menus to keep little diners happy.
At New Fairy Garden Restaurant, Nostalgia Café and Confectionery (Új Tündérkert Étterem, Nosztalgia Kávéház és Cukrászda) — Pestszentlőrinc’s pride — the kitchen stands firmly on Hungarian tradition while giving it a light, modern refresh, with occasional Mediterranean and Eastern touches. True to slow food, the team uses carefully selected ingredients and avoids thickeners, sauce powders, and semi-prepared shortcuts. The promise: the food may take a bit longer, but the flavor speaks for itself. Finish with classic tortes or distinctive, house-made pastries to round off the experience.
Plan Your Aeropark Day
With public tours dotted across January and February weekends and a year stretching ahead with meets, nights, camps, and showcases, Aeropark is a must for aviation lovers and families. Pair it with an airport-adjacent stay, book a table nearby, and make a day — or a weekend — of Budapest’s living gateway to the skies.
