Buda Castle
Buda Castle
4.5
About
Sitting atop Castle Hill and overlooking the river Danube is Buda Castle, a sprawling castle and palatial complex that dates back to the 1700s. Here, you'll find art and history museums, massive courtyards, churches and chapels, restaurants, and iconic attractions like the Fisherman’s Bastion, famous for its fairytale-like exteriors. Explore all this and more on a tour—there's even a night tour that gives you a glimpse into the dark side of Buda Castle. To get to the castle, you can walk up the hill starting from the iconic Chain Bridge. Otherwise, you can also ride the funicular—there's usually a line though, so get there early. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: District I / Buda
The historical center to a city with a multifarious and intricate past, Buda has some of the most outstanding buildings in Europe and an enviable natural landscape with stunning views onto the Danube. Centered around the Royal Palace, it provides a glimpse into the golden years of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the lives led by the aristocracy at the time. Matthias Church, beside the palace, hosted many events attended by the royal family and was the chosen place for the coronation of Franz Josef, one of the Hungarian Habsburg kings. Having admired the palace and the church, a visit to Buda will be unforgettable by the stunning and memorable panorama over Pest offered by the seven towered Fishermen’s Bastion.
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See what travellers are saying
- ladyericaKetchum, Idaho199 contributionsGreat outdoor activityLovely outdoor excursion worth a visit for sure. We didn't pay to go inside anywhere we just walked around. We took the funicular up and that was a waste of money. The trip is two minutes. We should have walked. But whatever. The grounds are cool and lots of pretty architecture to check out. Good views from the top and a nice meander down back to ground level. We missed St Matthias when we were up there which was an error.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 September 2023
- Mohi41280 contributionsImpressive for a single visit onlyWe knew beforehand that visiting the Buda Castle was going to be a day involving lots of walking to and from the buildings atop the Buda Hill. The taxi dropped us off at the Fisherman’s Bastion, a truly impressive edifice in white Neo Romanesque architecture which offers some of the finest views on the Danube and Pest. To get to the other buildings such as the palace or the National Gallery, it is a very lengthy walk and the directions not as clear. If you opt for the intertwined picturesque streets of Buda they tend to be quiet, without any traffic, pleasantly walkable but lacking in life. They do not have anything else to see such as antique or other quaint shops one might have expected at such a microcosm of culture and history. If not walking via these curvy streets you can walk through lots and lots of leafy walkways and paths that often have dead ends and you might discover you end up where you began! Reaching the national gallery was indeed a lengthy walk, with plenty of outdoor stairs and uphill walks. I would say it is beautiful to spend half a day max at the castle, but be prepared for expensive and poor quality coffee breaks in between at very touristy priced museum cafeterias.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 8 October 2023
- WanderingOttersonsDenver, Colorado1,468 contributionsPlan ahead to do the museumsPlan ahead for this. We did not on this occasion and found ourselves going in to purchase tickets to the museums on site and having a 2+ hour wait due to the slots being full. As such, we did not stay around for that as we would have liked but that is our own poor planning. There is not a lot to do in this area of the hill otherwise, but if you plan accordingly, then you should have no issue.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 October 2023
- Molly1107United Kingdom483 contributionsLovely viewsLovely area to visit. The funicular was not operating but it was a quick 20 min walk to the top. It is steep so would not recommend to those with a disability. There are buses available. Plenty of cafes and restaurants at the top. Great views along the Danube and across to Parliament. There is a lot of construction going on so photos a bit spoiled by cranes, tractors etc.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 October 2023
- Chris LNorthampton, United Kingdom421 contributionsBeautiful area in castle districtThe whole castle district is great for a walk around, particularly if you get a night where it's dry as we found it to be much quieter than daytime. We combined this with a vampire tour and this is a great way to explore the district as you get some more of the history and historical figures in the statues around the castle area. Surprising to see how much building work is ongoing and many buildings have had to be reconstructed; great location in a beautiful city.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 October 2023
- Amy E25 contributionsBreathtaking views over the DanubeSpectacular views. Plenty of history. Adjoins president’s accommodation complete with guard change ceremony. Beautiful architecture. Leads on to small town and Fisherman’s Bastion. Home to a museum and cafe.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 November 2023
- Neil KLiverpool, United Kingdom829,522 contributionsBig tourist attractionThe number one tourist attraction in Budapest is Buda Castle. Buda Castle ( Budavari Palota ) ,it's the historical palace of the Hungarian kings . Although this castle has stood here since the mid 1200's the huge Baroque castle we see today was actually built between 1749-1769 ,the castle is now home to the Hungarian National Gallery & Budapest Historical Museum. I love walking around this complex taking in the great looking buildings ,the statue's ,fountains and the stunning views looking out over to the River Danube ,it's a busy area and big crowds are common up here ,we were here on a freezing cold November afternoon and there were many tourists up here ,atmosphere was great ,loved it ,can't wait to go again ,if you're planning a holiday to Budapest it's most definitely well worth checking out.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 23 November 2023
- ofeverythingpetiteSingapore, Singapore28 contributionsMust visit when in BudapestIt is free to walk around the castle grounds and you can pay for museums or churches along the way if you want to visit them. We visited the History museum and frankly found it boring. The castle grounds are vast and you can get a bird's eye view of Budapest from Fisherman's Bastion. The night views are especially lovely as you get to see monuments like the Parliament lit up.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 December 2023
- CattyKyIsrael2,321 contributionsStunning view!Located on the top of the hill, Buda Castel offers best stunning view on the Denube river and the Pest side of the city. You can hang out there for a couple of houres, explore the complex, visit museum or grab a coffee in the cafe. You can get down to the river by the funicular Budavári Sikló or just walk throught the organized trails about half an hour, its not hard. Enjoy!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 20 January 2024
- SPSurat105 contributionsBeautiful views from Buda CastleThe climb to visit the Buda Castle has fantastic viewingspots along the route and from the balconies near the Hungarian National Gallery & Budapest History Museum. A walk along the obbled courtyards is fun. Dont miss the Change of Guards ceremony outside the President's office at noonVisited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 January 2024
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Robyn Sambell
8 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We stayed downhill from Buda Castle which was a very convenient location!
First day out we visited the Castle and bought ' The official Buda Castle bus' pass to take us to the top of the very steep hill. It's a hop on hop off system. Given time any restraints and if one is not fit I guess it seems a good idea. The cost was $13AUD per person. We soon discovered the #16 local bus does the same route! I had 7 day pass for $23 AUD! We visited again at night using the pass and it was fantastic! Make sure you have a validated ticket. A fine can ruin your day!
First day out we visited the Castle and bought ' The official Buda Castle bus' pass to take us to the top of the very steep hill. It's a hop on hop off system. Given time any restraints and if one is not fit I guess it seems a good idea. The cost was $13AUD per person. We soon discovered the #16 local bus does the same route! I had 7 day pass for $23 AUD! We visited again at night using the pass and it was fantastic! Make sure you have a validated ticket. A fine can ruin your day!
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany3,146 contributions
Dec 2021
We climbed up to the castle area from Bus Stop No. 15 on the Red Line of the Budapest City Sightseeing Hop On - Hop Off tourist double decker bus. Some of our large party decided to pay the extra money to take the touristy "train" up to the castle. The rest of us braved the walk on a grey, damp chilly December morning. By the way the Funicular railway was not working - in fact most of the castle buildings up on the hill also seemed to be closed for construction work. The most significant things up there were the excellent views across the river and the many construction sights with leering workers ogling the tourists crowds.
Anyway we spent a good period of time just walking around and taking in the spectacular views before heading back down and hopping back on the next tourist bus.
Anyway we spent a good period of time just walking around and taking in the spectacular views before heading back down and hopping back on the next tourist bus.
Written 20 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Briansivess
Edinburgh, UK237 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
On our trip to Budapest we went to the castle the view from the top is amazing you can see from the top both buda and pest. The castle is to be found on the buda side of the river with amazing views of all the city .. from the bottom you can choose to walk up the steep hill or you can take the cable car up the side of the hill at a cost of €7 each return there is also a museum at the top which is an extra cost to go in .. on top you’ll find shops and restaurants. There is a cathedral there to which you can enter at an extra cost behind it is the most amazing view with a cafe on the highest part which give amazing photo opportunities.. it is a nice relaxing walk up there and if you want a bit of history you got to do it
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoonaMuslim
739 contributions
Oct 2019
Depending on how much time is available, it is easy to spend a whole day there.
The heart of the castle district is the castle palace. It is the highest and largest building in the city. But not only that!
The history of the former Royal Castle (Királyi Vár) dates back to the early 14th century. Today's building
combines Gothic and Renaissance style elements into a magnificent overall picture. The dome of the palace is in the classicist style.
Great for walking, easily accessible on foot from the Fisherman's Bastion. It offers a great opportunity to look over Budapest and see many sights. The beautifully landscaped castle garden is at the foot.
Everything is wonderfully illuminated at night with spotlights. Impressive from the outside and well worth a visit.
The Castle Palace can be reached via the Széll Kálmán tér (Metró line 2). Also with the Várbusz (No. 10 or 110), or bus 16 from Déak Ferenc tér - depending on where you come from. The funicular offers another option from the banks of the Danube at the chain bridge.
Art exhibitions take place inside the palace and can be found out in advance. In addition, there are treasures such as the King Matthias Collection, the Hungarian National Gallery with Hungarian Art, and the Historical Museum (the Castle Museum) in the Castle Palace.
The Széchényi National Library is also located there
Definitely worth a visit, a must when visiting Budapest!
Impressive and beautiful during the day, gorgeous and romantic in the evening or at night. There are seating options to take a break and let the scenery work on you.
Great photo opportunities, I would go there once during the day and once in the evening / at night. It is worth enjoying both impressions.
The heart of the castle district is the castle palace. It is the highest and largest building in the city. But not only that!
The history of the former Royal Castle (Királyi Vár) dates back to the early 14th century. Today's building
combines Gothic and Renaissance style elements into a magnificent overall picture. The dome of the palace is in the classicist style.
Great for walking, easily accessible on foot from the Fisherman's Bastion. It offers a great opportunity to look over Budapest and see many sights. The beautifully landscaped castle garden is at the foot.
Everything is wonderfully illuminated at night with spotlights. Impressive from the outside and well worth a visit.
The Castle Palace can be reached via the Széll Kálmán tér (Metró line 2). Also with the Várbusz (No. 10 or 110), or bus 16 from Déak Ferenc tér - depending on where you come from. The funicular offers another option from the banks of the Danube at the chain bridge.
Art exhibitions take place inside the palace and can be found out in advance. In addition, there are treasures such as the King Matthias Collection, the Hungarian National Gallery with Hungarian Art, and the Historical Museum (the Castle Museum) in the Castle Palace.
The Széchényi National Library is also located there
Definitely worth a visit, a must when visiting Budapest!
Impressive and beautiful during the day, gorgeous and romantic in the evening or at night. There are seating options to take a break and let the scenery work on you.
Great photo opportunities, I would go there once during the day and once in the evening / at night. It is worth enjoying both impressions.
Written 5 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rice76
Toowoomba, Australia67 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Stunning views of the city and plenty to see up there. The furnicular doesn’t go every second Monday (in the morning) so we elected to walk up (rather than get little hop on/off cart thing) which was really quite quick and easy. Can explore buildings for minimal cost but don’t have to spend money to enjoy this area. Took us a good couple of hours to get around. Changing of the guard at noon so good to be there then.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alina E
Bucharest, Romania347 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
It’s a long trip, you have to be very well dressed if you gon in the winter time because it’s very windy and cold. You can take from the bottom the official tour bus for buda, and for 6€ they get you from one point to another if you don’t want to walk all the way. Beatiful places to visit but expensive prices for everything.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr_worldwide2
58 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
The funicular ride up to the castle ground is only short but well worth the price. We didn’t spend too much time here but the views across the river are amazing. The changing of the guard is well worth watching too if you happen to be there at the right time.
Written 3 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessandra Funcia
Arisdorf, Switzerland374 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We took the electric car as we were with two kids being one of them 4yo, to grant we could see everything! It is one option worth considering in our case. It costs 5euro per person and you can hop on and out every 10min. We went back on foot though as we stayed longer and the service was over. It took us 7min to walk down with kids. We visited the castle gardens and had great views of the city from there. Really nice! We also managed to see the change of the guards twice which is simple but interesting, specially for the kids.
Written 29 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJH
Cromwell, New Zealand37 contributions
Jan 2020
The Buda Castle, overlooks the city of Budapest and is a must visit. Use the Big Bus tours to access the old town and learn the history and significance of this amazing sight. Photo opportunities aplenty both within the castle grounds and from the bronze falcon statute.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor R
New York City, NY123 contributions
Nov 2021
This is def a top attraction in Budapest and worth your time. Large complex with lots to look at (especially if the weather is nice!). I recommend also visiting the national gallery - they have a beautiful collection that is varied in era and artistic techniqie.
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the castle accessible with a wheelchair? Is there a toilet for the handicapped, with a handle on both sides of the seat?
Written 15 December 2019
As already said, within the Castle the streets are large cobbles, which are not the easiest to walk on let alone push a wheelchair.
But dont be put off as there is lots to see and do up there, you can catch a buggy up or use the lifts. Its well worth the trip.
I cant answer the toilet question.
Written 16 December 2019
This might be a strange one given its a castle but would this be suitable for someone with mobility issues? I can walk long distances but struggle with steep hills and flights of stairs.
Written 24 August 2019
There multiple options to get up to the castle, there is a little hop on - hop off bus well more like golf carts that has 4 stops to help you get around (which is what I used). You will find different companies offering the same service. Make sure you take notice of the one you choose and where the stops are.
Written 27 August 2019
can anyone recommend a good tour of the castle and bastion, either a free walking tour or reasonably priced paid tour?
Written 23 June 2019
You can do both, take the guided tour which is very informative, then stroll around by yourselves. Doing it yourselves is easy as everything is easily marked and explained, and it is well worth a visit.
Written 23 June 2019
Thank you, this is really helpful, I can’t see how to book times online but there are tours, do you think we would need a tour or can you wander around the castle on your own? Would anyone know if there is an audio guide available? Can’t see this on the website, many thanks in advance
Written 3 May 2019
I’m not sure if there are tours or audio guides available, sorry but me and my mum walked around by ourselves and it was amazing as it is!
Written 5 May 2019
Hi, does anyone know if the castle & grounds are open on Sunday’s? I can’t find the opening times on their website.
Written 30 April 2019
Hi there, the grounds are open every day and evening. As for going into the castle there are booking times available but you can access the grounds during the day and night, 7 days a week.
The view from the castle is stunning. First day we went up to the castle in the funicular but the other times we visited during the evening or day we walked up. A bit of a walk but the grounds and surrounds are just beautiful.
Cheers
Di
Written 1 May 2019
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