Budapest is split into two by the Danube River. One side is where you should stay (and we will share our favorites from that side of the river soon) and one side is where you get the best views in Budapest.
The Buda side of the river deserves at least a day to explore with so much to take in. This side of the river has all the hills therefore you get some pretty incredible views of the city, but there’s so much more than that. Hungary’s president calls this area home just down the street from the castle.
Exploring Castle Hill in Budapest
Make Your Way Across the River on the Chain Bridge
Opened in 1849, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects the two sides of the city over the Danube River. The bridge is a very important structure in the city because it symbolizes unification and bringing together east and west.
Determine Your Method to Reach the Castle
The castle sits high up on the hill overlooking the city and the Danube below. There are a few ways to get to the top. We chose to walk up the path through the beautiful green park. There is also a funicular and a huge staircase that will get you to the top. The walk was very easy and had plenty of spots to stop, so I would recommend taking that way.
Explore the Buda Castle
This beautiful castle was first completed in 1265, but most of what you see today was completed in the late 1700’s. The buildings now house a history museum and the national gallery. We opted for the free stuff – which means walking around the outside taking in all the different view points. There were a few geocaches in the area which always come with free information about history and architecture.
We arrived there around 9 AM and there were very few people to be found on Castle Hill. There was a press conference happening outside the presidents home, but that was the only area we saw people.
Find more information about events and exhibits here.
Make Your Way to Matthias Church
There is a beautiful neighborhood between the castle and some of the other most popular buildings on Castle Hill. Underneath these houses and buildings, there is a maze of labyrinths that you can tour if you have time. Located a few blocks from the castle, you will find Matthias Church. It’s hard to miss with the colorful roof.
The church has a crazy history. It was named for King Matthias who was crowned without a royal bloodline. He helped expand the church. There was also a period of time when the Turks had taken over the Buda side of the river and turned this building into a mosque.
There are a lot of places to grab coffee near the church to sit and just stare at the beautiful structure and do a little people watching.
Find Your Way into the Fisherman’s Bastion
Located right in front of Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most popular spots in Budapest. The views from here are the absolute best. The lower terraces are all free and open all hours. You do need to pay admission to go to the upper terraces, but we skipped that. It’s just one level up and we saw gorgeous vantage points from all of the lower terraces without having to pay a penny.
The best history we found on this structure was on this website. There is a short video if you pay the admission for the upper terraces, but we were there for the best views of Budapest.
Once you are done enjoying the views, find the stairs that lead you down and start making your way back through district 1 to the Chain Bridge to complete the circle.
Rest Your Feet
The Gellért Thermal Baths are located just a short ride away and would be a perfect place to rest after a day of exploring (and climbing hills). Another great option is a Danube River Cruise. You can find many different options right along the river banks. There are sunset dinner cruises and hourlong history tours (which is what we did – free wine). The last option is finding your way to one of these ruin bars to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail.
Final Thoughts
While I would definitely recommend staying on the Pest side of the river while visiting Budapest, you can’t visit the city without spending some time on Castle Hill. It is hands down where you will find all the best views in Budapest.
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