Budapest for The Family Explorers: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

A car-free island park with a playground, a Japanese garden and a small zoo of deer and birds; children can run without worry.

A family-friendly café with a menu that includes chicken paprikás and pasta for children, and booths where nobody minds noise.

One of Europe's oldest zoos, with Art Nouveau animal houses, a petting zoo and a playground; the elephants' house is a good first stop.

A grand old restaurant next to the zoo with a children's menu and palacsinta for dessert; book a table and ask for the garden.

The warm outdoor pools suit children, with the big swimming pool and the shallow ends; lockers and a family changing area are inside.

Street-food trucks in a courtyard, so children can pick burgers, langoş or chimney cake, and parents can sit down with a beer.

A 1870 funicular up to the castle terrace, the right size for a small child's idea of a ride; the view of Pest opens as you climb.

A bright bistro below the castle with a lunch menu and cakes, a sensible stop after the funicular; ask for a window table.

An interactive science centre with experiments to touch and run; Sundays are crowded, so arrive when the doors open if you can.

Goulash and paprikás dumplings, quick service and no booking; an early dinner at six suits the schedule of small children.

Children can look at paprika garlands, strings of salami and a few langoş; the upper gallery gives a view over the stalls.

Hot chocolate and cake in a historic coffeehouse on the main square, a good stop before the airport.