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Buda Castle
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Buda Castle

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Buda Castle
4.5
About
Destroyed by fire in World War II, this imposing 13th-century palace was rebuilt with modern interiors while incorporating hidden walls and medieval structures that remained hidden over the centuries.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: District I / Buda
The historical center to a city with a multifarious and intricate past, Buda has some of the most outstanding buildings in Europe and an enviable natural landscape with stunning views onto the Danube. Centered around the Royal Palace, it provides a glimpse into the golden years of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the lives led by the aristocracy at the time. Matthias Church, beside the palace, hosted many events attended by the royal family and was the chosen place for the coronation of Franz Josef, one of the Hungarian Habsburg kings. Having admired the palace and the church, a visit to Buda will be unforgettable by the stunning and memorable panorama over Pest offered by the seven towered Fishermen’s Bastion.
Best nearby
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3,174 within 3 miles
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Attractions
671 within 6 miles
War & Peace memorial by Karoly Senyei
3
0 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Csongor and Tude Statue
9
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A Habsburg Nadori Kripta
2
57 ftSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Budapesti Történeti Múzeum
435
77 ftArchitectural Buildings • History Museums
Fountain of the Fishing Children
9
77 ftMonuments & Statues
Varhegy
10,667
254 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fountain of King Matthias
771
357 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains
Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria)
1,301
364 ftArt Galleries • Art Museums
Castle Garden
358
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Eyekaytoo
    Leverkusen, Germany2,622 contributions
    Beautiful views up at the castle which seemed to be closed for renovations
    We climbed up to the castle area from Bus Stop No. 15 on the Red Line of the Budapest City Sightseeing Hop On - Hop Off tourist double decker bus. Some of our large party decided to pay the extra money to take the touristy "train" up to the castle. The rest of us braved the walk on a grey, damp chilly December morning. By the way the Funicular railway was not working - in fact most of the castle buildings up on the hill also seemed to be closed for construction work. The most significant things up there were the excellent views across the river and the many construction sights with leering workers ogling the tourists crowds. Anyway we spent a good period of time just walking around and taking in the spectacular views before heading back down and hopping back on the next tourist bus.
    Written December 19, 2021
  • JRMADA
    United States3,254 contributions
    Excellent Views of The City
    This is a beautiful Palace (not a Castle) with a few museums and a gallery to visit. We took a Bolt (Taxi) from St Stephen’s Basilica rather than trying to figure out how to get up to the Palace since the main bridge is closed for repairs. A Bolt (taxi) will take you all the way up for about $8 maybe less depending on the time. There are some cafes to buy refreshments and right at 10AM the guards marched to their places. Really nice to see. Summers are brutal (very hot) up at the Palace, so if you can avoid the summers and F1 weekend, do so and you won’t regret it. Unfortunately the Place website is only in Hungarian and very hard to follow even for Hungarians, so get with your hotel personnel for current information. When we went, the Palace was open from 10AM-6PM daily. There are different entrance fees for the museums and gallery. The Palace grounds are free of charge, but there isn’t much to see.
    Written August 4, 2022
  • Mr_worldwide2
    45 contributions
    Great views.
    The funicular ride up to the castle ground is only short but well worth the price. We didn’t spend too much time here but the views across the river are amazing. The changing of the guard is well worth watching too if you happen to be there at the right time.
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 3, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
8,084 reviews
Excellent
4,388
Very good
2,787
Average
761
Poor
126
Terrible
22
Bailea R
10 contributions
Not worth going at the moment
Dec 2022 • Friends
Not impressed. There was scaffolding all around the building meaning we took a bus to go see this specific castle just to be let down by work being done, the cafe prices were high and a lot of the castle was closed off. We ended up leaving after only 30 minutes of trying to find something decent to look at but it just seems so much work was getting done. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks the scaffolding gets taken down for others to see the ‘pretty’ features. Also to ruin the experience even more builders were catcalling me from windows above that they were working on. I know this doesn’t have anything to do with the castle itself but really puts your off coming there again and made the experience even more unwelcoming.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD11,931 contributions
Always Open!
Nov 2022
Once the home of royalty, Buda Castle has a hodgepodge of styles – Gothic, Romantic, and Baroque. In large part, this is due to its having been destroyed and rebuilt at least six times; over the course of the past seven centuries. Unlike similar former royal properties, the interior of the Buda Castle does not convey the idea of what life here was like centuries ago, when kings were still around. Instead, it accommodates several public institutions, such as the Budapest History Museum – recounting the history of Budapest from the outset to the modern era; the Hungarian National Gallery – housing a collection of Hungary's most precious artifacts and works of art; and the Hungarian National Library holding, among other books, some rare and antique ones printed in Hungary and abroad.

Surprisingly, the castle is always open – even at night – and, as such, deserves a visit. Besides the historic building, you will be treated to the outstanding views of the lower part of Buda and Pest across the Danube. There is no shortage of courtyards, quiet nooks and corners here to wander in, while walking around. The fountain in the main courtyard is quite impressive, depicting the hunting party of King Matthias. The sculpted figures are so lifelike that one can almost hear the dogs panting and barking while chasing the prey. The military guards here are also of interest, especially when doing their routine, marching and shouldering rifles as an exercise between long stints of standing guard.

You can catch a bus # 16 or the funicular up to Buda Castle.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen M
Kirkwall, UK562 contributions
Great castle that can be mostly accessed for free - definitely worth a visit for the views across the Danube
Dec 2022 • Couples
Easy access from a number of routes. Can hop on a small trolley bus which provides a tour around the external castle & old town. Enter via the lower gardens & walk up. Or catch the funicular for a quick 1 minute ride. You can wander the castle area free if charge. It offers amazing views across the Danube. Some areas like the castle museum & St Stephens chapel require a ticket. Both are worth a wander. Lots of information plaques with English translations
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hannah S
Kent, UK7 contributions
Great views
Sep 2022 • Couples
Great views from the castle. I would definitely recommend visiting however it is not an all day attraction unless you are interested in the museums. We were slightly disappointed after our visit, more information on what there is to do (we only came across the history museum by chance) would be good.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lorna D
12 contributions
Passed the time
Oct 2022 • Couples
Not much to see, nice views of the river etc from the walls. Free to walk around - have to pay to get into the museum - would give this a miss unless you like stones and pictures.
Tip - have to pay for toilets so take some coins as do not accept notes.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RjessMMM
Vancouver, WA494 contributions
Wonderful exterior
Dec 2021
The castle itself was beautiful from the outside and the views were amazing as well. The national gallery was inside and we chose not to visit. Wasn’t a typical castle like the one we saw in Prague for instance but still a nice place to visit. You just have to decide whether or not the cost is worth of what is actually inside the castle. Enjoy.
Written December 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taylor R
St. Andrews, UK101 contributions
Worth going!
Nov 2021
This is def a top attraction in Budapest and worth your time. Large complex with lots to look at (especially if the weather is nice!). I recommend also visiting the national gallery - they have a beautiful collection that is varied in era and artistic techniqie.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael N
Cheadle Hulme, UK4,148 contributions
Pleasant castle visit
Dec 2022
Wandered around castle grounds after leaving our hotel. Signage to museum entry was very poor (especially as it was wet). Eventually followed others into building through a large door.
Had not booked online and thus not sure of gaining entrance, however on asking and providing proof of age we were admitted free as over 70.
Several staterooms to see and auxiliary exhibitions. Lots of information to read about the old monarchy and also about the architects.
Quite a lot of construction going on in the grounds and did not visit the art galleries as of little interest.
Some beautiful views across the city and especially the parliament building. Looks magnificent in sunshine and when illuminated at night.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marzena S
15 contributions
spectacular views
Oct 2022
The castle district is like a little village. The castle is more like a palace than castle. It contains museum and library, you have to pay to see inside. The are amazing views from the hill. Fishermans bastion looks like Disney place. Most of the area looks like a building site , as our guide explained that some of the palaces are being reconstructed. There is a guard change outside Aleksander's palace every hour, its worth to stay and watch it.
its a must see if you visit Budapest but personally , I was abit disappointed.
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steven
Aylesbury, UK1 contribution
Buda Castle
Sep 2022 • Friends
Spectacular views, especially at night. Really good they are restoring it for the umpteen time in the last few centuries!

The national gallery is spectacular if you love all sorts of art. The palatial part is tiny, so don’t be expecting a baroque palace inside! But there’s a great retrospective of Hungarian and Buda Pest history that really engages you. Worth a visit for that alone.

If you want to see the crypt you have to book well in advance on-line.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Buda Castle (Budapest) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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