|Hungary🇭🇺Buda Castle & Fisherman's Bastion Day Tour
Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion are one of the most representative attractions in Budapest. The fairytale towers and corridors are beautiful day and night! The classic and beautiful bird's-eye view of the Danube and the Parliament Building shows the outline of medieval defense operations and the beauty of architecture.
We took our five-month-old baby to the mountain city in March this year. The baby's four-wheeled car easily got stuck in the gaps between the stone slabs and was really "difficult to move" 🙂↕️. However, modern technology helped a lot. There are elevators and lifts all the way up from the foot of the mountain. There are buses to climb the mountain on the side of Margaret Bridge, which saves a lot of leg strength. Just push a little bit and the baby car can reach it.
⭕️ #Transportation plan to Buda Castle
• Cable car: Take the Buda Castle Cable Car (Budavári Sikló) next to the Chain Bridge, and climb the mountain in about 2 minutes
• Bus: Take bus No. 16 from Deák Ferenc tér or Clark Ádám tér in Pest, get off at Szentháromság tér (Holy Trinity Square Station) to reach the Fisherman's Bastion
• Walking: There are basically three climbing routes
1/ There are stairs up the mountain at the Elizabeth Bridge
2/ There is an automatic elevator up the mountain at the middle Chain Bridge (a short walk is required)
3/ At the Margaret Bridge, there is a full slope and stairs to climb the mountain. Walk back to Buda Castle from the Fisherman's Bastion in the opposite direction. You will pass the Presidential Palace on the way and enjoy the beautiful scenery
⭕️ #Best season and time recommendations
• Best season: Spring and autumn (April-June, September-October • Summer (July-August): The peak season for summer vacation, hot during the day, crowded, can be avoided in the early morning or evening.
• Winter (December-February): The snowy Fisherman's Bastion is unique, but you need to keep warm.
Best time to visit:
• Early morning (6:00-8:00): The least crowded, suitable for taking pictures of the tranquil dreamy scenery.
• Dusk (17:00-19:00, earlier in winter): Budapest is breathtakingly beautiful under the setting sun.
• Night (before 22:00): The Fisherman's Bastion and the Parliament Building, decorated with lights, complement each other, and the night view is beautiful.
⭕️ #Ticket and tour time recommendation
Ticket information (reference price in 2025):
• Free admission: Most areas are free to visit, including the corridors and towers.
• Tickets for Fisherman's Bastion Observation Tower: The ticket price for the highest tower is about 1,200 HUF (about 3 EUR).
• Suggested tour time: The full tour takes about 1.5-2 hours, which can be shortened to 45 minutes if you only take photos. The trip up and down the mountain takes another 30 minutes each way.
⭕️ #Classic Tour Route (suitable for first visit)
1. Holy Trinity Square - the main entrance of Fisherman's Bastion, with the famous Holy Trinity statue in the center of the square
2. Fisherman's Bastion Corridor - six white towers represent the seven tribes of Hungary in the past, symbolizing the protection of Buda City
3. Matthias Church - a Catholic church with a gorgeous mosaic roof, with a long history, and you can enter the interior for a visit
4. Observation Deck - the best view overlooking the Danube and the Parliament Building, suitable for taking pictures of magnificent scenery during the day and night
5. Castle District Stroll - explore the Buda Castle District along the cobblestone road, and feel the ancient architecture and European atmosphere
6. Buda Castle - Garden and King Matthias Fountain
⭕️ #Hidden Tour Route (avoid the crowds, in-depth experience)
• Matthias Bell Tower: Climb the bell tower to overlook the panoramic view of Budapest from a higher angle
• Garden behind Fisherman's Bastion: There are fewer people, and you can quietly enjoy the tranquility and greenery of the Castle District.
• Hilton Budapest: The ruins of a medieval monastery are in the hotel courtyard, with a full glass window view of the Fisherman's Bastion. Enjoy the private and invincible bird's-eye view of the Fisherman's Bastion in comfort
⭕️ #Best photography angles and tips
• Fisherman's Bastion Corridor: Standing under the arch, with the Parliament Building as the background, the most representative Budapest beauty.
• The highest tower observation deck: The widest view, overlooking the entire city
• The square in front of Matthias Church: With the church as the background, capture the delicate beauty of Gothic architecture
• Fisherman's Bastion at night: The Fisherman's Bastion and the Parliament Building under the golden light complement each other, suitable for long exposure night photography.
⭕️ Recommended surrounding attractions (can be visited together)
1. Buda Castle - the site of the Hungarian Royal Palace, now the National Gallery and History Museum.
2. Chain Bridge - the connecting bridge between Buda and Pest, brightly lit at night, suitable for walking and taking pictures.
3. Gellért Hill - Walk to the Statue of Liberty on the top of the hill and enjoy a panoramic view of the Danube.
4. Great Market Hall - Experience Hungarian food culture, taste authentic cuisine, and fill your stomach after going down the hill
⭕️ #Must-eat food
• Hungarian goulash (Gulyás) - It is recommended to taste the authentic home-style flavor at Pest-Buda Bistro.
• Fried bread (Lángos) - A representative of street snacks, you can try the cream cheese and garlic flavor.
• Smoked duck breast (Kacsa sült) - Traditional Hungarian food.
• Dessert Danube waves (Duna hullám) - A perfect combination of chocolate and vanilla cake, you can taste it in a century-old shop in the Pest area
Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion are must-see attractions in Budapest. Are you ready to explore this fairy-tale scene in Europe?