- Gems of Budapest
Panoramic Gems - Buda Castle
Updated: Apr 19
Perched majestically on the hills overlooking the Danube River, Buda Castle stands as an emblem of Budapest's rich history and cultural heritage. Located in the Castle District, this iconic landmark encapsulates centuries of royal grandeur, architectural brilliance, and artistic marvels, offering visitors a captivating journey through time.
The Royal Palace on the Castle Hill, as seen from the Chain Bridge, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
The courts, courtyards and streets of the Buda Castle are open all day, every day.
Hungarian National Gallery
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2.
Opening hours:
Monday - closed
Tuesday-Sunday: open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closing of exhibitions starts at 5.30 pm at the top floor
Ticket office:Â open until 5.00 pm
Entry is allowed until 5.00 pm - also with pre-purchased or free tickets
The Dome of the Buda Palace can be visited with a ticket bought to the permanent or temporary exhibitions, depending on weather conditions during opening hours from 10 am to 5 pm.
Plan your visit to the Hungarian National Gallery:
Budapest History Museum
Address:1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2. Buda Castle Building "E"Â
Opening hours
Free entry with the Budapest Card!
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
The museum is closed on Mondays.
The St. Stephen’s Hall is open to visitors by appointment: https://szentistvanterem.hu/en
Buda Castle Cave Walking Tours
Catch a glimpse of a 3,3 km long cave system hiding underneath the streets of the Castle District and discover the history and the unique geology of the Buda Castle Hill.
Tickets can be purchased ONLY ONLINE. It is not possible to buy tickets on the spot!:
Duration and length of the tour:
regular tours: 1,5 km, approximately 1,5 hours
short tours: 0,6 km, approximately 45 minutes
Meeting point:
regular tours: at the Holy Trinity Column of Szentháromság Square (in front of the Matthias Church - address: 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér)
short tours: by the entrance of the cave (address: 1014 Budapest, Dárda utca 2.)
Good to know:
The walking tour takes place in a cave environment on paved roads with lighting
The inside temperature is 12°C (54° Fahrenheit), suitable clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended
The number of participants is limited to 25 people at a time
Group reservations with additional dates are available upon request.
Contact: varbarlang@dinpi.hu
The tour is recommended from the age of 12
Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum
Address: 1012 Budapest, Lovas street 4/C.
For individual visitors (less than 10 people) registration is not possible. Guided tours in English start at every full hour. You can purchase your ticket online: https://www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en/jegyek, or on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the visit on the spot, we advise you to arrive minimum 20 minutes before the program.
Groups (from 10 to 14 people) are required to make a reservation in advance (minimum 2 days prior) and they can join the regular tours, or can pay for VIP tours. Regular 60 minutes long English guided tours depart every full hour, groups are limited to 25 people.
Groups from 15 people also have to make a reservation (via registration on the website minimum 2 workdays before the day of the visit), they get 10% discount and an appointment separate from individual visitors.
The tour takes about 60 minutes. It covers the whole facility: the historical wartime hospital and the machinery as well.
The temperature is between 15-18 degrees Celsius (59-64° Fahrenheit) all year. During the summer it may feel cold, so you are free to bring an extra jumper or buy military clothing in the souvenir shop. Authentic coats (capes) are also available on the spot and are free of charge.
Entry for children under 6 years is not allowed (due to the nature of the exhibition), and it is not recommended for children between 6-12 years.
Welcome to Buda Castle, offering the best panoramic views of the city!
The courtyard of the Royal Palace on the Castle Hill, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Buda Castle traces its roots back to the 13th century when after the Mongol invasion King Béla IV of Hungary ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns and set his own royal palace on the top of the protecting hills of Buda. Over the centuries, it evolved into a royal residence, witnessing the reigns of various monarchs and empires, each leaving their mark on its structure and ambiance.
The Royal Palace in the Buda Castle was considered to be a magnificent royal residence in Europe in the 14th-15th century, during the reign of Hungarian kings Louis the Great (1342-1382), Sigismund (1387-1437), and Matthias Corvinus (1458–1490).
Buda in the Middle Ages (Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493)
The state of the castle building deteriorated during the Turkish occupation starting in 1541, and during the Battle of Buda in 1686. The restoration, in the then fashionable Baroque style, began during the reign of Queen Maria Theresa in 1749. At the end of the 19th century the palace was expanded with another wing according to the plans of architects Miklós Ybl and Alajos Hauszmann, and later neo-Baroque ornamentation was also added.
The coronation of Franz Joseph as King of Hungary in 1867 reinforced the need for expansion and improvement to make the Royal Palace on Castle Hill into a true royal residence. Leadership of this project was assigned, after the death of Miklós Ybl, to another renowned architect of the day, Alajos Hauszmann. His work resulted in a palace complex that ranked among the most distinguished royal buildings of Europe in the early 20th century. In addition to completely renewing the exterior architecture, Hauszmann designed interiors that befitted a royal residence.
The Royal Palace in Buda in 1930, source: Fortepan
St Stephen’s Hall was placed in the new south range of the palace, and was a true jewel box. Its interior had a Romanesque design, but at certain points accommodated some Hungarian ornament and Hungarian character. Hauszmann gathered the finest craftsmen in the country to produce a masterpiece of turn-of-the-century Hungarian applied art. Among those who worked on the furniture, fittings and decoration were Endre Thék, Alajos Strobl and Gyula Jungfer, and the central element of the room, the monumental pyrogranite fireplace, was made in the factory of Vilmos Zsolnay.
St Stephen’s Hall after being authentically recreated in the Royal Palace
During World War II the building was again severely damaged; its reconstruction began in the 1960s. The Hungarian National Gallery moved to the Royal Palace of Buda Castle in 1975.
The Royal Palace on the Castle Hill, with the Matthias fountain by Alajos Stróbl, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Today, the castle complex comprises an array of architectural gems, including the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion, all of which showcase a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Strolling through its cobbled pathways, visitors are transported to a bygone era, where tales of kings, queens, and noble knights come to life.
Panoramic view of the Danube and Pest from the Castle Hill, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
One of the highlights of a visit to Buda Castle is exploring its interior, where opulent chambers adorned with intricate frescoes, lavish furnishings, and priceless artworks await. The Hungarian National Gallery housed within the palace walls showcases a vast collection of Hungarian art spanning centuries, providing insight into the nation's cultural heritage and artistic evolution.
Panoramic view of the Saint Stephen Basilica from the terrace of the Royal Palace, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
The castle's hilltop location offers breathtaking panoramic views of Budapest, with the Danube River meandering below and the city's skyline stretching into the horizon. Sunset vistas from the castle grounds are particularly mesmerizing, casting a golden glow over the historic landmarks and the shimmering waters of the Danube.
Map of the Buda Castle District
Beneath the grandeur of Buda Castle lies a hidden world of intrigue and mystery: the vast cave system that winds its way beneath the castle's foundations. Carved by the erosive forces of nature over millions of years, these subterranean passages have witnessed a storied history intertwined with the castle above. Originally formed by the thermal waters that flow beneath Budapest, these caves served as shelters for early humans and later became crucial strategic assets during times of conflict. During World War II, they provided refuge for civilians seeking shelter from air raids.
The vast cave system under the Castle Hill, photo by Csaba Egri
In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Buda Castle serves as a hub for cultural events, concerts, and festivals throughout the year, adding a vibrant flair to its timeless charm. From medieval reenactments to contemporary art exhibitions, there's always something captivating happening within its walls.
Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy in front of the main entrance of the Hungarian National Gallery, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Whether you're a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply a traveler seeking to immerse yourself in the magic of Budapest, a visit to Buda Castle is an absolute must. With its rich tapestry of heritage, breathtaking architecture, and panoramic views, it promises an unforgettable experience that will linger in your memories long after you've bid farewell to the Hungarian capital.
The view of the Castle District from Gellert Hill in Budapest, source: unsplash.com
