Budapest Castle Hill

A focal point of the city's history, Castle Hill hosts the most iconic monuments of Budapest.

TravelCurious Tip

Buda Castle hosts various festivals throughout the year, including an international wine festival, a beer festival and a folk art festival — time your visit accordingly!

Hungarians citizens moved to Castle Hill in the 13th century, seeking protection from the Mongolian invasion; the first royal castle was built around this time by Béla IV. Castle Hill really flourished in the 15th century, after the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples led to an influx of Italian artists and craftsmen and Buda became an influential European city. Its fortunes have been up and down since: the Turkish occupation and World War II both led to huge damage. Today it has been restored to its former glory, and is now recognised as a World Heritage Site.


The hill itself is a kilometre-long limestone plateau that towers over the Danube, offering a breathtaking panorama of the river and the Pest side of the city on the opposite bank. Below it there is a 28 kilometre-long web of caves formed by man-made passageways and thermal springs like those that fuel the city’s famous baths. Castle Hill has two main parts: the Old Town and the Royal Palace. Spread about it are many over Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums, including Trinity Square, Matthias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion.


The most picturesque ways to reach it are either by walking across Széchenyi Chain Bridge and taking the Sikló, a railway built in 1870 that ascends steeply from Clark Ádám tér to Szent György tér near the Royal Palace, or by walking up the Royal Steps leading northwest off Clark Ádám tér. Although people still live here, cars are banned from the area: taxis, buses and those who work or live there have permission to go up.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Budapest
Matthias Church
The site of several historic coronations and weddings, Matthias Church has also seen its fair share of architectural controversy.
Fisherman's Bastion
Known as the Halászbástya, this stunning fin-de-siècle terrace is dedicated to the guild of fishermen who defended the city walls in the middle ages.
Buda Castle
The historical residence of Hungarian royalty, this impressive palace complex has seen a series of transformations since the mid-13th century.
Hungarian Parliament Building
On the bank of the Danube, this impressive building displays an eclectic mixture of architectural styles and is home to the Crown of St Stephen.
Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge, also know as Széchenyi Bridge connects East and West Budapest through the River Danube
Castle Hill Funicular Station
The Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló in Budapest inaugurated in 1870 connects Adam Clark Square, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Buda Castle

Related Tours

Buda Castle District: Private Tour including Gellért Hill
On your private walking tour, your expert local guide will take you to some of the important historical and cultural sites of Buda. Once the capital of Hungary, the Buda area of the town contains monuments that define the city’s legacy. 

On your private tour, you will:

  • Commence your tour on Castle Hill, which offers phenomenal panoramas of the city;
  • Visit the stunning Matthias Church with tickets included;
  • Enjoy a short stop at the Fisherman's Bastion (with tickets included), and admire the panoramic views;
  • Explore the gardens of Buda Castle and learn about the Hungarian monarchy;
  • Discover Gellért Hill, a 235mt high hill overlooking the Danube;
  • Visit Gellért thermal baths, since 1918 have become the city's most famous Art Nouveau baths;
  • Your tour ends with tickets included to enjoy the thermal baths at your leisure, be sure to bring your swimsuit.

Budapest is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, home to an incredible array of World Heritage Sites and stunning architecture that draws millions of tourists each year. The Danube river splits the Buda side of the city from the Pest which, having both been independent cities originally, were unified to become Budapest in 1873.  The multitude of hot springs has made the city famous for its public baths which come in a variety of architectural styles from the Turkish era to Art Nouveau. 

Your private guide will begin your tour on Castle Hill, which stands more than 100 m above the Danube and offers outstanding panoramas of the city. Here you will find the stunning Matthias Church, dating back five centuries. The Fisherman’s Bastion is also worth your attention, a terrace with stunning views dedicated to the fisherman that defended the city walls in the Middle Ages. Buda Castle is the historical residence of the Kings and Queens of Hungary, an imposing building that has undergone a series of transformations since the mid-13th century, and on this tour, you will explore the gardens with your guide.

As you wander to Gellért Hill, enjoy yet another stunning vantage point to admire the city in all its glory. The hill was named after Saint Gerald, who was thrown to his death here. Built with impressive Art Nouveau architecture dating back to the 20th century, the Gellért thermal baths are the quintessential place to spend the rest of your day. Your guide will depart with you here, so you can visit the bathhouse and enjoy the Gellért spa at your leisure. 

Please note that children below 15 years are not allowed to enter the Thermal Pools.
A Day in Budapest: Private Tour with Tickets Included
Budapest, Hungary’s capital and the largest city on the River Danube became famous for its spectacular architecture, rich cultural heritage, vast Parliament building, impressive synagogues, delicious local cuisine, and for being the world’s top Spa destination! The 19th-Century Chaine Bridge connects the hilly Old Town of Buda with the flat but vibrant district of Pest.  On your full-day tour, your expert local guide will show you some of the most important historical and cultural sites of Budapest - and not to mention some truly breathtaking views. 

On your private tour, you will:

  • Commence your tour at Heroes' Square by the iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes.
  • Visit two of Europe’s most important synagogues at Dohány Street Synagogue and Rumbach Street Synagogue (if open at the time of the tour);
  • Admire the elegance of St Stephen's Basilica, a neoclassical cathedral (tickets included) named for the first King of Hungary;
  • See the scale and opulence of the Hungarian Parliament Building - which contains the Crown of St Stephen;
  • Discover Budapest’s stunning array of architectural styles, from the Turkish era to Art Nouveau;
  • Enjoy the buzz of Pest, a vibrant cultural hub on the eastern banks of the Danube;
  • Take a well-deserved, relaxing lunch break at Bisztró Csárda (Lunch not included);
  • Head to Buda District and enjoy the calm and historic vibe of Buda with its characterful streets;
  • Find out what drove Buda and Pest to unify as one large capital city;
  • Walk up to Castle Hill, which offers phenomenal panoramic views of the city and over the river;
  • Learn about the Buda Castle, by the imposing equestrian Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy;
  • Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church with tickets included;
  • End your tour at Fisherman's Bastion where you are free to enjoy the panoramic views of the city at your leisure.

Explore the beautiful city of Budapest, a great city of the Renaissance, situated majestically on the Danube River. Budapest is famous for its stunning array of architecture and fairytale towers displayed extravagantly all over the city from the castle to the opulent parliament building; for its abundance of luxury thermal spas and vast network of underground caves; for its gastronomy; and for its rich artistic and cultural heritage. 

Budapest is the cultural, political, and economic hub of Hungary. The mighty Danube River neatly dissects the city, with the old town of Buda extending into the hills on the west bank and Pest sitting in the lowlands to the east. As Hungary’s largest city, Budapest is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic thanks to its long and complex history beginning with the Romans, and the legacies of the Asiatic conquest, Mongol invasion, Ottoman siege, German control, and Soviet rule. Your guide will talk you through the many trials and tribulations of the city, and the story of how Buda and Pest were eventually united as one city. 

Enjoy exploring both sides of the city; start at the Heroes' Square and learn about the iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes. Walk around trendy Pest home to the largest Parliament building in the world, its height is matched by the imposing St Stephen’s Basilica, and the Great Synagogue is also one of the largest places of worship for the Jewish faith in the world.

Then head across the river to the old town of Buda, with spectacular views from the castle. Enter Matthias Church and end your tour at Fisherman’s Bastion where you can admire the panoramic views at your leisure.
Welcome to Budapest: Private Guided Walking Tour
Explore the highlights of the beautiful Hungarian capital of Budapest, on this half-day walking tour around the city's main highlights.

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Admire the scale and finery of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Kossuth Lajos Square;
  • Walk by the famous Kossuth Lajos square, also known as the bank of the Danube;
  • Find out what caused Buda and Pest to unify as one large capital city;
  • Learn of the importance of the Danube River to Budapest since ancient times;
  • Enjoy the tranquillity of the quaint and characterful historic streets of Buda as you learn the stories of famous Hungarians who lived here and shaped the destiny of the city;
  • Pass by St Stephen's Basilica, a stunningly elegant neoclassical cathedral;
  • Experience the buzz of Pest, a vibrant cultural hub on the eastern banks of the Danube;
  • Walk around Castle Hill, which offers phenomenal panoramic views over the city;
  • Pass by the buildings on the Buda side like Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Sándor Palace, and Buda Castle.
  • End the tour at Fisherman's Bastion terrace, and enjoy the best views of the city at your leisure!

Considered one of Europe’s most strikingly beautiful cities, Budapest contains an incredible array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is an amalgamation of two independent settlements of Buda and Pest that were joined in 1873.

Learn about Hungary’s complex political history outside the magnificent Neo-Gothic Parliament building, admire the stunning St. Stephen’s Basilica and enjoy the relaxed and famously friendly atmosphere of Trinity Square's lovely 13th Century Matthias Church. 

Budapest is split by a wide sweep of the mighty River the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river (the Volga is the longest) that stretches from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. The city is rich in geothermal water resources, with thousands of subterranean pools spouting mineral-rich waters dating back over 2,000 years. Using 20 million litres of water, Budapest’s grand, mosaic-clad bath-houses are open to the public, earning it the title of ‘World's Spa Capital’! From the Ottoman Empire of the 16th Century through to the tragedies of World War 2 and the thriving modern city it is today, your guide will show you the major monuments, and the hidden gems, and tell you the many stories that have shaped the city over many centuries. 

Also experience the buzz of Pest, the vibrant cultural hub on the eastern banks of the Danube. You’ll also walk around Castle Hill with its sweeping vista overlooking the city – the money shot! Your tour ends at Fisherman's Bastion terrace, to enjoy the best views of the city at your leisure!
Buda Castle Jewish Heritage Live Virtual Tour
Discover the Jewish History of the Buda Castle Hill on this Private Live Virtual Tour, where we will take you through the Northern part of the Buda Castle hill – one of the least visited parts of the hilltop neighbourhood. On your two-hour private virtual tour, you will:

  • Travel back to the country’s extensive and fascinating medieval history
  • Enjoy stories about the continuous Jewish community, dating back to the city’s founding
  • Hear about the first Jewish District, which was established soon as King IV Béla fortified Buda, and was only knocked down due to the construction of the Royal Palace in 1420.
  • Learn about the Righteous Among Nations title and those who have been bestowed the title.  
During this hour-long live Live Virtual Tour, you will be introduced to the story of two medieval synagogues while walking pass them with your local guide. 
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