Discover Gellért Hill - With Breathtaking Views of Budapest

Gellért Hill (in Hungarian: Gellérthegy) is one of Budapest’s most picturesque and culturally rich locations, a destination that promises an unforgettable blend of panoramic views, historical sites, and natural beauty. Rising 235 meters above the Danube River, Gellért Hill offers some of the best vantage points in the city, drawing tourists and locals alike to experience its breathtaking vistas, historic monuments, and unique attractions.

Important Note for Visitors: Due to ongoing construction work, the top of the Gellért Hill is currently closed, including the Citadella and the Liberty Statue. However, some panoramic vista points, walkways can still be accessed. Also, the Hotel Gellért is closed, due to ongoing renovation work, it is planned to open in 2027. The Gellért Thermal Baths are open.

The Gellért Hill as seen from the Liberty Bridge © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

The Gellért Hill is renowned for its panoramic views of Budapest, providing visitors with a stunning perspective of both Buda and Pest, divided by the winding Danube. From various viewpoints on the hill, you can see landmarks like the grand Parliament building, the iconic Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The skyline is especially captivating at sunrise and sunset, with warm light illuminating the architecture and casting a golden glow over the river. Photographers, artists, and sightseers will find that Gellért Hill offers unparalleled opportunities to capture the essence of Budapest in all its historic and modern splendor.

How to get there:

For the most scenic route, take the No. 19 tram to the Gellért Tér or Rudas Gyógyfürdő stop, and hike the stone stairway up the hill. Travelers that want to minimize walking can take the M4 metro line to Móricz Zsigmond körtér. From there, take the No. 27 bus up Gellért Hill.

The Buda Castle Hill, as seen from the Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

The Royal Palace, as seen from the Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

The Hungarian Parliament, as seen from the Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

Gellért Hill - the Liberty Statue and the Citadella

At the top of Gellért Hill stands the Liberty Statue (in Hungarian: Szabadság Szobor), a prominent monument erected in 1947 to honor those who fought for Hungary’s freedom. Originally a Soviet monument, it was later adapted to celebrate Hungarian independence, and its commanding position atop the hill makes it visible from many parts of the city.

The Liberty statue (currently closed due to renovation), source: www.unsplash.com

Just beyond the Liberty Statue is the Citadella, a fortress constructed by the Habsburgs in 1851 after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49. While the Citadella was intended as a strategic military stronghold, it has since become a cultural and historical site. Its walls and viewpoints offer not only intriguing insights into Hungary's complex past but also additional vantage points with spectacular views.

The Citadella (currently closed) on top of the Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

Gellért Hill - the Rock Chapel and the Philosophers’ Garden

For those interested in religious and cultural history, Gellért Hill also features the unique Rock Chapel (Sziklatemplom), a hidden gem tucked into the hillside. Founded by Pauline monks in the 1920s, this chapel was inspired by pilgrimage sites such as Lourdes and is carved directly into the rock. The Rock Chapel’s cool, shadowy interior and rustic design make it a fascinating contrast to the ornate churches elsewhere in Budapest. During the Communist era, the chapel was sealed off, only to reopen after the fall of the regime, adding an air of resilience and mystery to the site.

For more information, please visit: https://sziklatemplom.hu/eng/

The Rock Chapel on Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

Gellért Hill also boasts scenic walking trails that wind through its natural landscape. These pathways offer a peaceful escape from the busy city below, with tree-lined routes, blooming wildflowers, and benches that invite visitors to pause and enjoy the surroundings. Exploring these trails can lead to unexpected viewpoints and quiet spots where you can appreciate the hill’s natural beauty.

The Philosophers’ Garden on Gellért Hill is a peaceful and contemplative monument dedicated to some of history’s greatest spiritual leaders and thinkers. Created by Hungarian sculptor Nándor Wagner, the garden features statues of Jesus, Buddha, Laozi, and Akhenaten, symbolizing unity among diverse spiritual traditions. The figures are arranged in a circle to emphasize harmony and mutual respect across religions and philosophies. Accompanied by statues of Abraham, Mahatma Gandhi, Saint Francis, and Bodhidharma, the garden inspires visitors to reflect on shared human values like compassion, understanding, and peace. Nestled among trees and overlooking beautiful city views, the garden is a hidden gem that adds a reflective and meditative dimension to a visit to Gellért Hill.

The Philosophers’ Garden on top of the Gellért Hill © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

Hotel Gellért and Thermal Baths

The famous Hotel Gellért is one of Budapest’s most iconic and historic hotels, renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and luxurious Gellért Thermal Baths. Opened in 1918, the hotel sits at the foot of Gellért Hill along the Danube River, offering guests breathtaking views and an elegant experience that has drawn visitors for over a century. Its beautiful facade and intricate interiors, featuring colorful mosaics, wrought-iron details, and stained-glass windows, reflect the grandeur of early 20th-century European design. This historic hotel has hosted countless dignitaries and celebrities and remains a beloved landmark that captures the charm and sophistication of Budapest’s Golden Age.

The Hotel Gellért (currently closed due to renovation) © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025

The adjoining Gellért Thermal Baths are an attraction in themselves, known for healing thermal waters sourced from nearby springs and housed in a space adorned with ornate columns, tiled floors, and vaulted ceilings. Built in the early 20th century and boasting an Art Nouveau design, Gellért Bath is renowned for its healing thermal waters and magnificent interiors. Visitors can relax in its indoor and outdoor pools, surrounded by mosaic-tiled walls, marble statues, and stunning stained glass. After a day of exploring the hill and taking in the sights, the thermal bath provides the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate, blending history and luxury in a quintessentially Budapest experience.

For more information, please visit: https://www.gellertbath.hu/

The Gellért Thermal Baths, source: https://www.gellertfurdo.hu/medencek

Who was Gellért bishop, after whom Gellért Hill is named?

Gellért bishop, also known as Saint Gerard or Saint Gellért of Csanád, was a Venetian-born bishop and missionary who played a significant role in spreading Christianity in Hungary during the early 11th century. Originally from Venice, he was educated as a Benedictine monk and became known for his intellect and devotion to faith. Around 1020, he journeyed to Hungary, where he was invited by King Stephen I (later Saint Stephen), Hungary’s first Christian king, to aid in converting the pagan Magyars to Christianity and establishing the Catholic Church throughout the kingdom.

Gellért became the first bishop of Csanád (in present-day Romania), where he worked tirelessly as a teacher and missionary, encouraging the adoption of Christianity and educating people in the faith. His efforts to help King Stephen create a strong Christian nation included founding churches, organizing monastic communities, and mentoring the next generation of clergy. Gellért’s devotion to his mission and his influence on Hungary’s Christian identity earned him a place of high regard in Hungarian history.

However, his work was met with resistance from factions opposed to Christianity, especially after the death of King Stephen in 1038, when the country faced political instability. According to legend, during a pagan uprising around 1046, Gellért was captured and martyred in Budapest. He was thrown from what is now known as Gellért Hill, sealed in a barrel and rolled down into the Danube. This dramatic and tragic death led to his veneration as a martyr and eventually sainthood in 1083.

Gellért’s legacy lives on in Hungary’s Christian heritage and through his namesake, Gellért Hill, where a statue commemorates his life and contributions to Hungary’s religious history.

The statue of Gellért Bishop on the Gellért Hill, source: www. unsplash.com

In conclusion, the Gellért Hill is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Budapest. Whether you’re drawn by history, nature, or simply the stunning views, Gellért Hill promises a memorable experience that captures the heart and soul of Budapest.

The view of the Citadella and the Liberty statue on top of the Gellért Hill (currently closed), with the Danube, source: www. unsplash.com