Buda Castle

Buda Castle showing a park, heritage architecture and a castle
Buda Castle featuring a bridge, a river or creek and heritage architecture
Buda Castle which includes heritage architecture, night scenes and a river or creek
Buda Castle showing château or palace and heritage architecture
Buda Castle which includes château or palace, a bridge and heritage architecture


One of the highlights of the Budapest skyline, this palatial structure also offers interesting galleries and museums.

The Buda Castle (Budai var) is part of Budapest’s internationally protected World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical significance. The beauty of the large castle, with the Chain Bridge in the foreground and both structures reflecting in the Danube River, is a sight that shouldn’t be missed, especially when city lights have come on after dark. Find these inspiring views from many spots on the Pest side of Budapest, particularly from the Parliament area, or observe them while on a river cruise on the Danube. It’s also worth crossing from Pest to the Buda side of the river to the Clark Ádám Square to travel up to the castle itself. Walk from Roosevelt or Széchenyi Square in Pest across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge to reach the Castle Hill Funicular for a ride up to St. George Square to access the castle. Or, you can walk all the way up for exercise to burn off all the Hungarian cuisine that you have been enjoying! Once at the peak of the hill, look around to take in the views. You can see back to Pest and the Parliament building. In the foreground of Buda is the Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion while to the south is the Citadella fortress. Winding through all this is the Danube with its bridges, boat traffic and impressive buildings all along the banks. Be sure to have your camera you’ll want plenty of photographs.The first castle was built on the hill in the 1200s as protection from invading Mongols. Over the centuries, several other castles were built for residences or fortresses for ruling powers but were successively destroyed by oppressors, occupants or World War II and Hungarian Rebellion aggression. Rebuilding during the last half of the 20th century has created the current 1,000-foot (300-meter) castle. The Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum occupy wings in the castle. After you enjoy the Buda Castle outside views, visit these sites, which have admission fees, to enjoy the inside treasures.

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Things to do near Buda Castle

Discover the charm of Buda Castle with a variety of activities, including the renowned Budapest Wine Festival that showcases local vintages. Take a Buda Castle walking tour to immerse yourself in the area’s rich history and stunning architecture, or explore Budapest by foot to experience its vibrant culture. Whether you're indulging in theatre or art, Buda Castle offers a captivating blend of entertainment and sightseeing.

Shopping

For a delightful shopping experience near Buda Castle, visit Great Market Hall, a vibrant public market just 1.6km away, or head to Paloma, a family-friendly shopping centre located 1.4km away. Philanthia, a charming store, is only 966m from the castle.

Recreation

Experience the soothing Gellért Thermal Bath, renowned for its wellness and relaxation ambiance, located 1.6km from Buda Castle. For entertainment, enjoy live performances at Vigado Square, just 644m away. Alternatively, indulge in the tranquil Rudas Baths, offering rejuvenating treatments 966m from the castle.

Adventure

The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular, located 322m from Buda Castle, offers a thrilling ride with stunning views. For water fun, Aquaworld Budapest, 12.9km away, is the perfect adventure waterpark for families. Enjoy an exciting game of Lasergame Lasertag, situated 1.6km from the castle.

Nightlife

Experience the vibrant nightlife near Buda Castle. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Ferris Wheel of Budapest, just 966m away, or challenge yourself at the Verem Room Escape Game, 805m away. For a cultural evening, catch a performance at the New Theatre, 1.6km from the castle.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near Buda Castle

Buda Castle offers a delightful array of attractions for every type of traveller, including charming squares, historic churches, and picturesque streets. Whether you're seeking cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, or a taste of the city's rich history, the area surrounding the castle is brimming with opportunities to explore. Enjoy the blend of heritage and vibrant atmosphere that makes this destination a must-visit on your trip to Budapest.

  • Parliament Building: This stunning historic Civic Government Building, located 1.3km from Buda Castle, showcases magnificent neo-Gothic architecture. Explore its grand halls and learn about Hungary’s political history while enjoying the impressive views of the Danube River.
  • St. Stephen's Basilica: A short 1.3km stroll from Buda Castle, this magnificent cathedral boasts awe-inspiring architecture and remarkable mosaics. Climb to the dome for panoramic views of Budapest, and experience the spiritual atmosphere that permeates this iconic landmark.
  • Szechenyi Chain Bridge: At just 805m from Buda Castle, this historic bridge is an engineering marvel. Walk across the Danube, marvel at its elegant design, and appreciate its significance in connecting Buda and Pest, especially at sunset.

Best time to go to Buda Castle

The best time to visit Buda Castle is dependant on what kind of holiday you are seeking. July and August are its hottest month on average. At the time of August, visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is sunny. January is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with no rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January32.9°F (0.5°C)No RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
February36.1°F (2.3°C)No RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
March44.2°F (6.8°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
April53.8°F (12.1°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
May61.3°F (16.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
June70.0°F (21.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
July74.1°F (23.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
August74.1°F (23.4°C)Light RainSunnySlightly HighAverage
September65.1°F (18.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
October54.3°F (12.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
November44.6°F (7.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
December35.2°F (1.8°C)No RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Buda Castle

To save money on your visit to Buda Castle, consider travelling between January and March when accommodation prices are lower. Book your hotel about a month in advance or explore last-minute deals on Expedia for potential savings, especially on Tuesdays, the cheapest day to stay. Utilise Expedia’s search tools to find eco-certified hotels and sort results by price. Additionally, combining flights, hotel stays, and activities into a package can yield better deals, ensuring you maximise your budget while enjoying Budapest's rich history and attractions.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Buda Castle are January to March, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to May to June and September, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: Booking a hotel around Buda Castle about 1 month out from when you are planning to stay is usually when prices are lowest. If you're a little more spontaneous, you could also peruse Expedia's last minute deals for hotels, look out for the green banner below the price, as this indicates a cheaper deal.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Buda Castle is Tuesday. The most expensive day to stay around Buda Castle is Friday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Utilise Expedia’s search tool to refine your preferences, such as your budget, preferred location, and type of accommodation you desire. For instance, selecting the Eco-certified option will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels currently available. To discover the most affordable prices and offers, simply sort the price filter from low to high.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can potentially save money by combining your hotel stay at Buda Castle with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.

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