Buda Castle, also known as the Royal Palace, is the centerpiece of Budapest Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The castle district complex is an old hilly area of the ancient town, where some of Budapest’s most significant and breathtaking historical monuments can be found.
The Buda Castle is deeply intertwined with the city’s rich and tumultuous past and has withstood wars, earthquakes, sieges, and fires over its 800-year-old history.
Its beauty remains unparalleled, and today, it is one of Hungary’s most magnificent symbols.
The Buda Castle District also houses the Matthias Church, the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the National Széchényi Library.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Buda Castle.
Top Buda Castle Tickets
# Walking Tour of Buda Castle with a historian
# Walking Tour of Buda and Pest
# Evening tour of Buda Castle: History & Myths
Table of contents
What to expect at Buda Castle
Take a guided tour and dive into a sprawling 800-year-old history of Hungarian legacy.
Learning about the castle’s bloody counts, the Ottoman invasion, the Habsburg power struggle, the conflict of faith, and the golden age.
Admire the architectural artistry that has brought the Baroque-style Royal Palace to life and the persistence involved in restoring this symbol of Hungarian pride every time it was damaged.
Step into the recently restored St. Stephen’s Hall, decimated during World War 2, and stand in awe at the opulence on display.
Stand on the terraces or the ramparts and view sweeping views of the city from atop the hill.
Your guide will also take you on a walking tour of the fascinating Castle Hill area on the Buda side of Budapest.
You will see Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Square, Savoy Terrace, and other popular Budapest attractions.
| Buda Castle | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Budapest: 3-Hour Live Guided Sightseeing Tour |
HUF 11,049 (€29) |
| Budapest: Buda Castle Guided Tour with St. Stephen’s Hall | HUF 6,096 (€16) |
| Budapest: Buda Castle District Walking Tour with a Historian | HUF 17,147 (€45) |
| 3-Hour Orientation Walking Tour of Buda and Pest | HUF 22,677 (€60) |
| Budapest: Buda Castle Vampires & Myths Evening Walking Tour | HUF 8,000 (€21) |
| Budapest: Buda Castle Private Walking Tour | HUF 41,147 (€108) |
Where to book tickets
Tickets for Buda Castle are available online and at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the booking page for Buda Castle, select your travel date and the number of tickets, and make the booking.
Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.
You do not need to carry printouts.
Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Carry a valid ID.
Buda Castle Ticket Price
For the Budapest: 3-Hour Live Guided Sightseeing Tour, the general ticket for ages 13 and above costs HUF 11,049 (€29).
Children between three and 12 are charged HUF 5,714 (€15) for access.
Infants up to two years are not charged anything.
For the Budapest: Buda Castle Guided Tour with St. Stephen’s Hall, the ticket price for all ages is set at HUF 6,096 (€16).
For the Budapest: Buda Castle District Walking Tour with a Historian, the ticket price for all ages is set at HUF 17,147 (€45).
For the Budapest: Buda Castle Vampires & Myths Evening Walking Tour, the adult ticket for all ages above 18 costs HUF 8000 (€21).
Youths aged between 11 and 18 are charged HUF 6,858 (€18).
Kids under 11 are not allowed to participate in this tour.
For the Budapest: Buda Castle Private Walking Tour, the ticket for all ages costs HUF 41,147 (€108).
Buda Castle vs. Castle District vs. Buda Castle Hill
Many visitors get confused with these three terms because they are used interchangeably. Buda Castle refers to the Royal Palace of the Hungarian Kings at the southern end of Castle Hill. Around Buda Castle are many other historical sights, all within a walled area known as the Castle district. As for Buda Castle Hill, that’s just another name for ‘Castle Hill.’
Buda Castle tours
There are many tour options with different itineraries to explore the Buda Castle:
Some tourists spend the whole day at Castle Hill exploring the various attractions, while others visit for an hour as part of their Budapest City tour.
Some prefer a walking tour, while others go around in the official Buda Castle Electric Hop-on Hop-off bus.
We list below the most popular Buda Castle tours –
Walking Tour of Buda Castle with a historian
With a trained historian accompanying you, this is a perfect Buda Castle tour for a history buff and those who love stories.
You will explore the whole Buda Castle District, including the Royal Palace, Savoy Terrace, Matthias Fountain, Palace Gardens, Alexander Palace, the Hungarian Presidential Palace, Matthias Church, etc.
Entry to Mathias Church is part of this tour.
The tour starts at 10 am and lasts for three hours.
An expert guide will lead your tour.
A coffee break with a complimentary cup of coffee will be part of the tour.
Meeting Point: Holy Trinity Square, Szentháromság tér, Castle District (Google Map)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Ticket price (All Ages): HUF 17,147 (€45)
Walking Tour of Buda and Pest
If you want to explore both the Buda region and the Pest region of the city of Budapest, look no further than this tour.
As part of this tour, you will see the main sights of Buda and Pest, such as the Royal Palace, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Danube Promenade, Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Szechenyi Square, etc.
Tour starting time: 10 am
Duration: 3 hours
Guide: Yes
Meeting Point: Budapest, Sütő Utca 2 – in front of Budapest Central Tourist Information Office (Google Map)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Ticket Price
Small group tour:
Adult Ticket (16+ years): HUF 40,000 (€105)
Child Ticket (up to 15 years): Free
Private tour (Minimum Two Participants):
General Ticket (All Ages): HUF 22,677 (€60)
*If you are a group of around six visitors, try out this Castle tour.
Evening tour of Buda Castle: History & Myths
This tour of Buda Castle is available throughout the week except for Monday and Wednesday.
You get a Gothic-adorned narrator who takes you around Buda Castle and tells you stories of war, medieval Budapest, vampires, and folk stories from Hungary.
You also learn about the cruelty of Elizabeth Bathory, the bloody countess, and the Romanian prince, Vlad Dracula, who ended up in the prison of Buda Castle.
The tour lasts two hours and will be led by an expert guide.
Tour starting time: 7.45 pm, 8 pm
Meeting Point: At the Zero Kilometer Stone located by the funicular below Buda Castle (Google Map)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
This tour is not suitable for children under 11.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (18+ years): HUF 8000 (€21)
Youth ticket (11 to 17 years): HUF 6,858 (€18)
Budapest city tour including Buda Castle
During this coach tour, you visit the three highlights of Budapest – Buda’s Castle District for a leisurely walk, Gellért Hill to take in spectacular views of the city, and Heroes’ Square in central Pest to see the statues of Hungarian kings and dukes.
When in the Castle District, you will take a short walk to explore the attractions such as Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion.
The tour starts at 10 am and lasts for three hours.
Meeting Point: Cityrama & Gray Line Travel Agency, Báthory Utca 19, Budapest 1054 (5th district, close to the Parliament). (Google Map)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Ticket prices
General ticket (13+ years): HUF 11,049 (€29)
Child ticket (3-12 years): HUF 5,714 (€15)
Infants under three are not charged anything for this tour.
*The Grand City Tour and Castle Walk tour is very similar to the one described above, except that it also includes pick up and drop off from your hotel.
Buda Castle Private Walking Tour
Best for a group of up to ten tourists
If money isn’t a concern, but you want a high-quality touring experience with VIP treatment, you must opt for this Buda Castle tour.
A private guide accompanies you from your hotel to the UNESCO World Heritage site and spends three hours narrating stories of Buda Castle and the Castle District.
Visits to Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion are also part of this tour.
A shuttle will pick you up from your hotel in Budapest.
The tour lasts for three hours and will be led by an expert guide.
Tour starting time: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Ticket prices: HUF 41,143 (€108) for a collective group of up to ten tourists.
Buda Castle Guided Tour with St. Stephen’s Hall
This is one of the only tours that allow you to visit the inside of the Royal Palace at the Buda Castle.
Enter St. Stephen’s Hall, the only area of the Palace interior that has been completely and accurately restored to its original splendor following World War II looting and destruction.
You will also wander through the Castle’s outdoor courts, see statues and fountains, and bask in sweeping views of the city below.
The tour begins at 4 pm.
An expert tour guide will lead you, and the tour lasts for 90 minutes.
Meeting Point: Palota Info Palace information point in Hunyadi Court, near the Matthias Fountain. Get Directions.
Ticket Prices: HUF 6,095 (€16)
Buda Castle timing
The Buda Castle houses the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, both of which are open from 10 am to 6 pm every day from Tuesday to Sunday.
On Mondays, all attractions in the Castle remain closed.
Budapest History Museum alters its timings slightly during the lean months of November to February when it closes early at 4 pm.
Opening hours of Buda Castle District
Buda Castle district, which includes the streets, courts, and even some points of interest such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, remains open all through the day.
This is why some visitors reach the Buda Castle hilltop for romantic late-night or early-morning walks.
Note: Some of the restaurants and bars in Castle Hilltop stay open till midnight.
How to reach Buda Castle
Buda Castle is situated on the Buda side of the city, on Castle Hill, overlooking the Danube River.
Address: Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary. Get Directions
The Castle is easily accessible by public transportation.
By Bus
Szentháromság Tér bus stop is a two-minute walk away from the church.
Donáti Utca bus stop is a five-minute walk away.
Mikó Utca bus stop is an eight-minute walk away.
You can board bus lines 16, 16A,116, and 916 for the Matthias Church.
By Train
Halász Utca and Mikó Utca Tram stations are both a ten-minute walk away.
By Car
Put your starting point here to navigate to the Buda Castle.
Several parking spots are available nearby.
Buda Castle timings
The Buda Castle houses the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, both of which are open from 10 am to 6 pm every day from Tuesday to Sunday.
On Mondays, all attractions in the Castle remain closed.
Budapest History Museum alters its timings slightly during the lean months of November to February when it closes early at 4 pm.
Opening hours of Buda Castle District
Buda Castle district, which includes the streets, courts, and even some points of interest such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, remains open throughout the day.
This is why some visitors reach the Buda Castle hilltop for romantic late-night or early-morning walks.
Note: Some of the restaurants and bars in Castle Hilltop stay open till midnight.
How long does the tour take
If you wish to visit the Royal Palace and the surrounding attractions only, the tour will take you around 70-90 minutes.
For a comprehensive Buda Castle district tour, you must budget three to five hours.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Buda Castle is as soon as the castle opens in the morning.
This will allow you to beat the crowds since Buda Castle is a popular destination, and you might have to rush through the attraction in later hours.
Things to see in Buda Castle
The Buda Castle houses three attractions – the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Széchenyi National Library.
Most visitors to Buda Castle skip the Library because….it is a library.
These three institutions occupy all areas of the Castle – no space in the Castle building is ‘Castle only.’
In short, inside the Buda Castle, one can only visit the Museum, Gallery, or Library.
However, there are many other points of interest in the Buda Castle District (the walled area around the Castle).
Buda Castle
Known by many names, such as the Royal Castle, Castle Palace, Budavári Palota, etc., this massive building is an 18th-century Neo-Baroque structure.
The 200-plus rooms form a symmetrical layout around the 62-meter-high central dome facing the River Danube.
Change of Guard
The changing of the Guards is one of the Buda Castle attractions most visitors want to witness.
The ceremony happens in front of Sandor Palota (also known as Alexander Palace), which is by the Funicular in the Buda Castle District.
Sandor Palota is also the official residence of the Hungarian President.
The Buda Castle Changing of the Guards ceremony is a few minutes long and involves a lot of marching, spinning of the rifles, saluting, drums, etc.
Ceremony timings: 9 am to 5 pm, every hour by the hour (e.g., 10 am, 11 am, … 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm). If you plan to catch the 9 am ceremony, it is better to arrive 15-20 minutes early for a vantage position.
Hungarian National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery also referred to as Magyar Nemzeti Galéria, is in the main wing of Buda Castle, facing the Danube.
The Gallery showcases Hungarian sculpture and painting from the time of the Magyar invasion in the 9th century to the much more artistically productive 20th century.
Besides Hungarian art, collections of international masterpieces are also on display.
Don’t miss out on the sculptures and panel paintings from the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Baroque works.
From May to October, visitors can also go up on the Dome Terrace for stunning views of the Pest side of the city and the river Danube.
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, the Hungarian National Gallery opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm. On Monday, it remains closed. The last entry is at 5 pm.
Budapest History Museum
The History Museum is spread over four floors in the south wing of Buda Castle.
Locally known as Budapesti Történeti Múzeum, this Budapest attraction displays artifacts and exhibits about Hungary’s long and rich history.
Don’t miss out on the rare documents, ceramics, metalwork, textile samples, utensils, etc., which depict life in the towns of Buda, Pest, and Obuda till their unification in 1872.
The other highlights of the Budapest History Museum are the Renaissance Room, Gothic Room, The Royal Chapel, etc.
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, the Budapest History Museum opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm. On Monday, it remains closed. The last entry is at 5 pm.
Széchenyi National Library
The massive Széchenyi National Library has occupied the southwest wing of Buda Castle since 1985.
This National library contains more than six million documents, emphasizing Hungarian manuscripts and maps.
Most tourists skip this attraction because it is….a library.
Attractions in Buda Castle District
The walled area around the Buda Castle, also known as the Castle District, is a tourist’s paradise with lots to do and see.
We list out some of the best –
Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is locally referred to as Halászbástya and is right behind the Matthias Church.
These are highly decorated towers built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout over the city and River Danube.
Its seven towers, colonnades, and embrasures were designed in Neo-Romanesque style by Frigyes Schulek.
Opening hours: The Fisherman’s Bastion remains open all through the day, and you can visit any time you want, including holidays such as Christmas or New Year.
Matthias Church: The Church of Our Lady
The Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) is also known as The Church of Our Lady and was built in 1269.
This Church is popular with tourists because despite being a Gothic Catholic church, the atmosphere is more oriental and mystically exotic – a significant change from the other Churches in Europe.
This Roman Catholic Church even served as a mosque during the Turkish reign.
Opening hours: Buda Castle Hill’s Matthias Church is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, it closes early at 1 pm, and on Sunday, it opens later – at 1 pm.
Note: If you want to enter only for the prayers, you don’t need to buy tickets.
Old Rock Chapel
Old Rock Chapel is just behind Matthias Church.
Besides exploring the 700-year-old structure, you also get to see 3D Past, a unique 3D Hungary History cinema experience.
Opening hours: Old Rock Chapel is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday. On the weekends, it opens at 1 pm and closes early at 5 pm.
Entry tickets: All visitors taking a seat for the movie must buy a ticket worth HUF 1,500.
Holy Trinity Square
Holy Trinity Square (Szentháromság Tér in Hungarian) is the central square on Castle Hill.
It is an ideal meeting place for locals and visitors, offering 360-degree views of the Buda Castle Hill, Buda Royal Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and the Old City Hall.
Do not miss out on the Holy Trinity Statue, built by the locals to keep the Black Plague away.
Andrew Hess Square
This famous Square is named after the first printer of books in Buda-Andrew Jess.
The points of interest at this Square are – St. Nicholas Tower, Pope Innocent XI monument, and ‘Vörös sün’ (the Red Hedgehog).
Labyrinth of Buda Castle
Underneath Castle Hill is a complex system of natural caves and passages that the inhabitants of the area have used since the Middle Ages for many purposes.
This Labyrinth is 1000 meters long and is walkable in approximately 30 minutes.
Opening hours: Buda Castle Labyrinth opens at 10 am and closes at 7 pm daily. The oil lamp tour starts after 6 pm. The last entry is at 6.30 pm.
Buda Castle cave guided tour: The adult ticket costs 3000 Ft (€11)
Kids below 18 and seniors above 64 pay €8 for entry.
Infants below three are not permitted.
Hospital in the Rock
The hospital in the Rock underneath the Buda Castle district is a unique attraction, and you can’t miss it.
During World War II, Castle Hill’s caves doubled up as an air-raid shelter and emergency hospital.
When the Cold War started, the hospital was fortified further to protect it from chemical and nuclear contamination.
With time, the hospital and the nuclear bunker got the name ‘Hospital in the Rock’ (Sziklakorhaz in Hungarian).
Today, it is a fascinating museum exhibiting the biggest collection of Hungarian waxwork with more than 40 figures and lots of medical equipment.
Opening hours: Hospital in the Rock opens at 10 am and closes at 8 pm every day. The last tour starts at 6 pm every day of the week.
Hospital In the Rock Guided Tour: The adult ticket for all ages above 16 cost HUF 38,090 (€100)
Kids between seven and 15 years of age pay HUF 14,477 (€38).
Kids younger than seven years are not permitted entry.
The House of Houdini
This small museum celebrates the fact that Houdini, the world-famous magician and escapologist, was born in Budapest.
Inaugurated in 2016, the House of Houdini on Dísz Square exhibits Houdini’s magic-related items and personal artifacts.
Do not miss out on the highlight – a magic show by the resident magician.
Opening hours: Hospital in the Rock opens at 10 am and closes at 8 pm, every day. The last tour starts at 6 pm every day of the week.
Entry tickets: The House of Houdini’s general ticket for ages 12 and above costs HUF 3,425 (€9), and kids below 11 years pay HUF 2,285 (€6).
Kids younger than six years enter for free.
Museum of Music History
The Museum of Music History in Buda Castle District is also referred to as the Institute for Musicology and narrates the story of music in Hungary from the 18th century to the present day.
Music concerts are conducted in the Museum at regular intervals, and access is free of charge with the museum entry.
Open hours: The Museum of Music History opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays.
Entry Tickets: The Budapest Music Museum’s adult ticket (over 18 years of age) costs HUF 2,000 (€5.25).
Tickets for minors and senior citizens are set at HUF 1000 (€2.62).
Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum
The Pharmacy Museum in Buda Castle District brings to life the practice of medieval Alchemy in the form of a Lab and therapeutic tools and items.
The locals refer to this tiny Museum as Aranysas Patika Muzeum.
Some of the interesting items on display here (some would use the word ‘creepy!’) are dried bats and tiny crocodiles in jars, herbs used for curing, etc.
Open hours: The Pharmacy Museum opens at 10.30 am and closes at 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays.
Entry Tickets: The Pharmacy Museum’s adult ticket (26+ years) costs HUF 800 (€2.1).
Children (up to 26 years) and senior citizens (64+ years) gain access to HUF 400 (€1.05).
Museum of Telephones
This telecommunications Museum is a hidden gem of the Buda Castle District and is right next to the Buda Castle.
Inaugurated in 1991, this museum allows visitors to go back to the past and touch and feel the old telephonic devices.
While exploring, don’t miss the hand-cranked magneto phones and the first-ever ‘telephone’ constructed and patented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.
Open hours: The Museum of Telephones opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays.
Entry Tickets: The Telephone Museum’s adult ticket costs HUF 500 (€1.31).
Museum of Military History
This Military Museum was established in the early 1920s to exhibit the artifacts of both global and Hungarian military history.
However, the Museum’s primary focus is the 1848–49 War of Independence and the Hungarian Royal Army.
The Museum of Military History opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays.
Open hours: The Museum of Military History opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays.
Entry Tickets: The Telephone Museum’s adult ticket costs HUF 1,500 (€4)
Download this map to understand the Buda Castle District and its attractions, including the Buda Castle. Courtesy: Nathan Hamilton
Walking to Buda Castle
Once you decide to walk to the castle, you must choose between one of the two available routes –
Gentle Hill Walk
First, you must reach Szell Kalman Square (locally known as Széll Kálmán Tér) and then start your walk toward the Castle.
You can cover the distance of 2.3 Km (1.4 Miles) in approximately 30 minutes.
On the way, you will pass by the Vienna Gate (Becsi Kapu), the National Archives, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Presidential Palace.
Steep Hill Walk
Since on this route, you gain an elevation of 45 meters (147 feet) quickly, we recommend this only if you are healthy.
This walk starts from the Chain Bridge at Clark Adam Square, via the stairs leading up next to the Funicular.
Most visitors can walk a distance of 550 meters (one-third of a mile) in approximately ten minutes.
Most tourists who prefer walking opt for a Buda Castle walking tour.
Buda Castle Funicular
The Buda Castle Hill Funicular is an exciting way to get to the Castle, especially if you are traveling with kids or seniors.
The Funicular runs on a 95-meter (311 feet) route of 50 meters elevation and has two tram cars.
It only has two stations – the lower station at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge (at Clark Adam Square) and the upper station on Castle Hill, right next to the Buda Castle.
The Buda Funicular service starts at 7.30 and ends at 10 pm every day of the week.
However, every alternate Monday, they close for maintenance (schedule).
The duration of the ride is only a few minutes, and the frequency is every 10 minutes up and down Castle Hill.
Expect long lines during peak tourist seasons, resulting in waiting times of up to 30 minutes.
The Funicular ride up to Buda Castle costs 1,200 Ft (€3.4) with a small discount if you buy a return ticket.
Bus to Buda Castle
If you arrive from the Pest side (City Center), opt for Bus No. 16 from Deak Ferenc Square.
After six stops and 11 minutes, you will be dropped near Buda Castle.
If you try to get to the Budapest castle from Buda’s side, opt for Bus No. 16, 16A, or 116 from Szell Kalman Square.
After six minutes and five stops, you must get down at Dísz Tér.
A quick ten-minute walk will get you to Buda Castle.
Sources
# Budacastlebudapest.com
# Budapest.org
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
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