The Buda Castle District, the historic jewel of Budapest, is a city district full of fascinating sights, whose beauty and cultural richness captivates all visitors. Explore the most beautiful tourist spots in Budapest, learn about the history of the city and enjoy the fascinating atmosphere!
What to see in this beautiful, historic part of the city
Budapest's oldest site, the Buda Castle District boasts an outstanding historical past, surviving more than 30 sieges. Its timeless beauty doesn't need Instagram filters, and its many significant attractions have made the Buda Castle District a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's justifiably popular with tourists, with nine emblematic sites from the Hungarian National Gallery to Matthias Church, the Castle Hill Alley and the Fisherman's Bastion, making it a great base for exploring the historic heart of Budapest.
Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes so that you can walk comfortably through the cobbled Old Town to discover Budapest's tourist spots!
The Royal Palace of Buda
The first stop on your exploration of the Buda Castle District is certainly the Royal Palace. Although the palace stood on this site as early as the mid-13th century, after dozens of sieges, battles and wars, the current palace is a modernised version, mostly shaped to its present appearance by post-World War II reconstructions. Although its neoclassical appearance gives it a past-century look, it still displays the royal splendour that visitors to our capital admire.
Hungarian National Gallery
Once you've admired the palace from the outside, it's well worth taking a tour of the inside, as the Royal Palace is not only an impressive sight, but also home to many of the city's top cultural institutions. The most impressive part of the site is the Hungarian National Gallery, which displays Hungarian art history over four floors, from medieval reliefs to 20th century abstract paintings.
The Castle Museum
If you're interested in history or ancient architecture, don't miss the Castle Museum, part of the Budapest History Museum, next to the Hungarian National Gallery. Once you've admired the artistic treasures, this is the best place to learn about the history of the Hungarian capital for over 1000 years!
Changing of the guards
At the Buda Castle, it's also worth waiting for the changing of the guards - it takes place every hour during the day in front of the Alexander the Great Presidential Palace. Unlike the stunning ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, for example, it can be observed at close quarters by local visitors. Soldiers dressed in full dress uniform parade around the grounds, paying tribute with their immaculate choreography, providing tourists with an extraordinary experience.
You're probably already starving from exploring all the sights, but luckily, you'll find plenty of special restaurants of ours in the Buda Castle district, whether you're looking for traditional Hungarian cuisine, barbecue or Italian delicacies!
If you are a real gourmet, try the Baltazár Grill Restaurant!
At Baltazar, special street food dishes are prepared on the world's best handmade charcoal grill, the Josper Grill from Spain, with the added speciality of being served in a way that is easy to share, considering the communal dining experience. Simple yet creative and the atmosphere is captivating on the cobbled terrace, enjoying the beauty of the old town!
If you want to know more about Baltazar, you can even find the menu by clicking here!
And for more of our restaurants, click HERE!
But what other Budapest tourist spots are waiting for you in the castle district?
The Matthias Church
After lunch, get back on the road and head for the square! Standing in the Buda Castle District, Matthias Church has no less religious merit. The building, which has undergone numerous renovations and even served as a mosque in Ottoman times, is now famous for its Gothic elegance, colourful roof tiles and Art Nouveau frescoes and mosaics. Stunningly beautiful inside and out!
The Fisherman's Bastion
Although you're unlikely to fish from the Fisherman's Bastion at the height of the Danube (the name refers to the medieval fishing guild that historically protected this stretch of the city), the views of the city really make up for it! The view from the edge of the castle's fortifications, where the picturesque Pest panorama opens up before your eyes, is simply stunning! But it's not just the views of the Parliament that are amazing, the Fisherman's Bastion building itself is beautiful! And on its steps, street musicians are always providing an atmospheric ambience.
Castle Hill Funicular
The defensive, hilltop location of the Buda Castle district made it attractive to the city's early settlers. However, this hilltop view can be a challenge for visitors and tourists today. Fortunately, the Castle Hill Funicular is here, providing a quick trip to the top and back for tired feet, all accompanied by great views!
Mary Magdalene Tower
The tower of the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Kapistran Square in the Buda Castle district is a faithful reminder of past times. The history of the church dates back to 1247, and the tower took its present form during the 15th century when it was enlarged. The tower has undergone many changes over the centuries, but was rebuilt in 1950. The 170 steps lead to the top of the tower, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Not to be missed!
Buda Castle Labyrinth
The entrance to the Buda Castle Labyrinth is on Úri street. It originally served as a natural formation, where heat sources washed out the cavities between the limestone and the marble underneath. In the 14th and 15th centuries, cellars and wells were added to the houses, so that the system stretches to a depth of about 12 metres, and including the artificial parts, it is 3,300 metres long. Today, the accessible part of the Buda Castle Labyrinth is 1,000 metres long and has a constant temperature of between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. It is worth exploring for its unique historical and underground environment!