Things to Do in Buda Hill Budapest
Buda was the historic capital of the Kingdom of Hungary and since 1873 has been the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest, on the west bank of the Danube River. Buda comprises a third of Budapest’s total territory and is mostly wooded. We planned a day to tour the major landmarks of Buda.
National Gallery Buda Castle
We kicked off our day in Buda with a tour of the magnificent Buda Castle, immersing ourselves in its rich history. The buildings of the Buda Castle are currently occupied by two museums (the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum) and the National Library. There is no area in the Castle building, which is ‘castle only’, as all rooms, halls etc. are used by these three institutes.
We spent good three hours inside the Hungarian National Gallery. It has amazing collection and display of artworks depicting the turbulent past.
Buda Castle Opening Hours
The courts, courtyards of the Buda Castle are open day and night, 24/7. On special festival days, events are organized on the Buda Castle courts, the courts are fenced off. You will need to buy a festival entry to be able to get access to the castle and its attractions. Luckily we got free access.
- National Gallery opening hours: 10 AM to 6 PM. (closed on Mondays, but often open on national holidays)
- Budapest History Museum opening hours: 1 March – 31 October 10 AM to 6 PM, November 1 – February 29 10 AM to 4 PM. (closed on Mondays, but often open on national holidays)
The parties and noisy nightlife of the city of Budapest takes place on the Pest side, Buda side is usually quieter.
With the Hungarian National Gallery visit complete, we continued our adventure, heading towards the Turul Statue. The views from the top of the hill were simply breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of Budapest and the Danube River.
The Buda castle hill is a great place to walk around, many old buildings and sights. The cobblestone streets here are maintained from the medieval times. The view of Danube River from here is the best.
The sight of a raven holding a golden ring attracted my attention and also of many other photographers around. I read later that King Matthias took raven as a symbol for his signet sign. The story behind this choice is that:
A raven had carried off the ring which the king had removed from his finger. He chased the bird down, slew him and retrieved his ring. In commemoration of this incident he took raven as the symbol for his signet sign. And the raven is there for centuries, holding the ring in its beak!
Sights around Matthias Church in Buda Hill Budapest
With our appetites calling, we couldn’t resist the temptation of a traditional Hungarian lunch in the Castle District. We found a traditional restaurant in the Castle District and treated ourselves to a delicious Hungarian lunch. Goulash, chimney cake, and langos were among the mouth-watering local specialties we indulged in, savoring every bite.
Our next stop was Matthias Church, a striking Gothic masterpiece that left us in awe. Its intricate architecture and vibrant interior captured our senses, transporting us to a bygone era. After taking our time to appreciate the church’s beauty, we embarked on a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Castle Hill. The quaint shops, cozy cafes, and inviting art galleries added to the district’s allure.
Sights around Buda Hill River Danube
Fisherman’s Bastion on Buda Hill
From there, we made our way to the Fisherman’s Bastion, eagerly anticipating the panoramic views that awaited us. As we gazed out over the city, it felt like we had discovered a hidden gem. The sight was truly remarkable, as if we were standing on top of the world, gazing down at the sprawling Budapest city below.
On top of the old fortress wall is the Fishermen’s Bastion. Located in Buda Castle district, the edifice is impressive and has been a part of prestigious UNESCO heritage list since 1987. It is a recent construction, dating to 1895 – 1902. It is named so because according to customs that existed then, this part of the fort was protected by fishermen’s guild during the Middle Ages. There are seven towers, each symbolizing the seven chieftains who conquered the land for Hungarians.
Fishermen’s Bastion Budapest Hungary
Fisherman’s Bastion is open through out the day all through the year. Fisherman’s Bastion, an open panorama terrace, is free of charge to enter. However you need to pay if you want to enter the towers of the Bastion, from which you have broader view all around.
Taking a moment to unwind, we found a cozy cafe and sat down for a cup of coffee. The atmosphere was serene, and we wished time would stand still, allowing us to soak up the historic district’s charm a little longer.
The statue depicts the first king of Hungary, St. Stephen. The place is very crowded especially during sunset. This place is famous for the most stunning sunsets.
Also read: One Day Tour Budapest
Souvenirs from Budapest
The small lanes of Buda hill were dotted with souvenir shops and little eateries.
We stumbled upon charming local souvenir shops, where we had the opportunity to admire and purchase Hungarian-made crafts and items such as dolls and beautifully decorated Easter eggs. It was a delightful way to immerse ourselves in the local culture and take home a piece of Hungary with us.
Strings of dry paprika hung in shops were the common sight. You can read here: Paprika the National Spice of Hungary. We munched on hot Chimney Cakes as we strolled around.
Some popular souvenirs to get back from Hungary are: Pálinka – Fruit Brandy, Hungarian wines, Unicum – a drink that is over a hundred years old. It has been used as a drink to solve digestive problems, Foie gras – Goose Liver, Embroidered tablecloths and bookmarks, Rubic’s Cube – A Hungarian souvenir known all over the world, Matyó-patterned clothes for everyday use and many more. I was at a loss to choose one. Finally I bought some painted Easter eggs.
Souvenirs from Budapest
Trivia: The edifice is a popular filming location. It features in music videos by two world-famous singers, Ellie Goulding and Selena Gomez.
Fountain Statue of Naked Woman Buda Hill
Regrettably, we didn’t have enough time to visit the renowned thermal baths of Rudas Baths or Gellért Baths, where we could have enjoyed the therapeutic hot springs and melted away the fatigue of the day. We also missed the opportunity to explore Gellért Hill, take a peaceful walk up to the Liberty Statue, and discover the hidden gem of the Cave Church (Sziklatemplom).
It was a reminder that sometimes, in the midst of exploring, we have to make choices and prioritize.
How to Get to Buda Hill
We drove up the Castle Hill Budapest and luckily got a cool parking spot for our car. We spent the next four hours visiting the various sights.
If you get there by walk take the right turn from Chain Bridge. It is an uphill path, there are some staircases too, to the top till Fisherman’s Bastion.
FAQ about Budapest Palace District
Is Buda castle worth seeing?
This place is among the most notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the European continent, so yes, Buda Castle is worth visiting. It was formerly known as the Royal Palace, the Imperial Family’s accommodation.
How much is Budapest Funicular tickets?
I did not avail this as we enjoyed walking up. Upwards Ticket: 1200 HUF/adult, 700 for children (between 3-14 years of age) Return ticket 1800 HUF, for kids between 3-14 years of age: 1200 HUF.
Which part is better Buda or Pest?
There is no one answer. Buda is considered to be the calmer side of the city and since I was travelling with kids I loved Buda better. But for those looking for active night life, pest will be the best choice.
Which is more safe, Buda or Pest?
Buda has a much more residential atmosphere, giving the impression of being safer comparatively. That said I would like to add on the whole, Budapest is safe for tourists.
How long do you need to spend in Buda?
My advice would be to set aside at least two days for this wonderful UNESCO site. Tourists do rush around and see all the possible sights but those preferring slow travel two or days for the Castle Hill of Budapest would be ideal.
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I love Budapest, especially the Buda side which is home to many of the city’s historical sites like the Royal Palace and the Fishermen’s Bastion. The story of King Matthias Corvin is an old favorite of mine. Matthias was born at Cluj, which is currently part of Romania.
Interesting..!
Nice pics of the King & castle. The raven looks so life like !
lovely post and wonderful story!! coming here after a long time and just catching up with all the posts i missed!
Wonderful shots. That is some story about the raven. I wonder what it's like to become a symbol of a guy after being slain by him!
The story of the raven is interesting — I had not heard that before. Buda Hill looks like a very fascinating place to visit.
Love the Horse statue.. what beautiful workmanship…
What beautiful images, each one on its own.
awesome sights!
Saint Stephen looks indeed regal upon his stately horse! 🙂
Very nice photos.
Regards and best wishes
I thought it's real! You got me, lol!! Awesome shots Indrani thanks for sharing.
SWF
You start to convince me to visit Budapest ! it's not that far from here.
Beautiful pictures !
The pics are fabulous. I especially loved the second one.
Thanks for sharing these Indrani:)
The statue is amazing…the detail…wow!!
Hugs
SueAnn
HI Indrani, interesting bit of history and story. I love the statue and the fort with the towers is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your skies, happy Skywatching!
So beautiful, Indrani!
I really love it.
Greetings from Holland,
Anna :-))
I love this series, excelantes shots. Greetings.
Very interesting read about the raven.
Those towers remind me of the Medieval times.
Wonderful! I really like the second photo with the towers and the statue set against the beautiful, summer sky.
Pretty…
picturebite.com
Raven's story is interesting. St. Stephen's statue is superb particularly the ornamentation of the horse.
Great pics, you are a fount of knowledge. I'm constantly amazed about how much you know about your photographic subjects.
NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PLACE
Lovely shots, Indrani!
PS: I wish you to get to Taj Mahal vey soon. It's superb.
That's an interesting story about the raven and all the shots are stunning.
nice one for SWF, magnificent sight!! Happy weekend! Hoping you can visit my skywatch post.
oh, how lovely! thanks for dropping by at http://www.explorerminded.com
Lovely pictures Indrani! that conical structures (Bastion?) is gorgeous. And so is the structure of first king. What a grandeur in that statue!!!
Lovely pictures, the Raven has spent a few years holding the ring, it must be really hard not to drop it.
A fascinating post as always, Indrani, in addition to beautiful skies and superb captures! Hope you have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Very nice and good shots.
well done Indrani