Buda Castle

Buda Castle featuring heritage architecture, a garden and a castle
Buda Castle featuring château or palace, a bridge and heritage architecture
Buda Castle showing an administrative building, night scenes and a bridge
Buda Castle featuring château or palace and heritage architecture
Buda Castle featuring heritage architecture, a castle and a bridge


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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InterContinental Budapest by IHG

InterContinental Budapest by IHG

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InterContinental Budapest by IHG
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Park Plaza Budapest

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Carlton Hotel Buda Castle

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Hotel Clark Budapest - Adults Only

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Radisson Blu Beke Hotel, Budapest

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Things to do near Buda Castle

At Buda Castle, immerse yourself in the rich cultural scene with various entertainment options, including theatre and art exhibitions. Ideal for a city break, you can enjoy guided bus tours and city tours that unveil the castle's history. Don't miss the enchanting castle night tour, which offers a magical view of the illuminated structure, making your visit truly unforgettable.

Shopping

For a delightful shopping experience near Buda Castle, visit the Great Market Hall, only 621m away, for local produce and souvenirs. Paloma, located 559m away, offers a mix of shopping and entertainment. Philanthia, just 373m away, is perfect for unique gifts.

Recreation

Experience the Gellért Thermal Bath for a soothing body treatment amidst a serene atmosphere, located 621m from Buda Castle. Alternatively, rejuvenate at Rudas Baths, 373m away, for a traditional wellness experience. For entertainment, enjoy a lively music concert at Vigadó Square, just 249m away.

Adventure

At Aquaworld Budapest, located 5.0km from Buda Castle, enjoy thrilling water slides and family-friendly attractions. For motorsport enthusiasts, Hungaroring, 6.8km away, offers the excitement of motor racing. Aquarena, 7.5km from the castle, features fun-filled water activities for all ages.

Nightlife

The nightlife around Buda Castle is vibrant and diverse. Experience breathtaking views on the Ferris Wheel of Budapest, enjoy thrilling challenges at Locked Escape Game, or immerse yourself in culture at the New Theatre, all within a short distance, ensuring a memorable evening in this historic area.

Find the best attractions near Buda Castle

Within and around Buda Castle, visitors can explore a variety of attractions, including charming squares, historic churches, and picturesque streets. These sites cater to those seeking cultural experiences as well as outdoor activities. For a convenient stay, consider nearby hotels and top attractions that enhance your visit. Don't forget to discover local points of interest close to Buda Castle for a truly enriching experience in Budapest.

  • Parliament Building: A stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, the Parliament Building offers guided tours that showcase its opulent interiors and rich history. Located 497m from Buda Castle, visitors can admire its grandeur while soaking in the cultural atmosphere of the city.
  • Szechenyi Chain Bridge: This iconic historic bridge, just 311m away, connects Buda and Pest, providing breathtaking views of the Danube River. Strolling across the chain bridge is a must, especially at sunset, when the city lights reflect off the water.
  • St. Stephen's Basilica: An architectural masterpiece, this cathedral, also located 497m from Buda Castle, boasts stunning mosaics and a panoramic dome view. It’s a serene spot to experience local culture and spirituality.

Best time to go to Buda Castle

The best time to visit Buda Castle can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Buda Castle falls in July and August. August has slightly high visitor numbers and sunny weather. The coolest average temperature around Buda Castle falls in January, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with no rain (dry).

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January32.9°F (0.5°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
February36.1°F (2.3°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
March44.2°F (6.8°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
April53.8°F (12.1°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly 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 Rain (Dry)Mostly 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. Tuesdays are typically the cheapest days to stay, while Fridays are the priciest. Utilise Expedia’s search tools to filter by budget and find eco-certified hotels. Additionally, consider package deals that combine your stay with flights and activities for extra savings. Don’t forget to make use of public transport to explore Budapest affordably.

  • 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: The cheapest time to book a hotel around Buda Castle is usually 1 month out from when you are planning to stay. If you're a little more spontaneous, you could also peruse Expedia's last minute deals which could secure you a cheaper stay. Look out for the green banner below the price to spot the deals.
  • 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: Expedia’s search tool enables you to specify your budget, chosen location, and various other preferences. You can arrange your search results to display prices from lowest to highest, allowing you to identify the most affordable hotels right away. Additionally, you have the option to refine your choices by hotel category—selecting the Eco-certified filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels that are available for booking.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your hotel stay at Buda Castle with your flights and activities through an Expedia package deal.