Budapest: Guided Walking Tour of Buda Castle and Castle Hill
Historical tour of Budapest’s Castle Hill and Castle Quarter: we trace the medieval royal city of Buda and its Baroque redevelopment, visiting Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace (Buda Castle) with the Hungarian National Gallery, and the Buda Castle Promenade.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Buda side, Batthyány square ( Batthyányi tér) Metro station exit, on the street level Nearest public transport: Batthyány tér M+H tram stop; Halász utca tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Trip to Budapest guides. Look for the guide with the blue free tour flag.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (7 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (10€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Castle Hill rises over Budapest and reminds us all of the city’s ancient past – after all, this was the core of the mediaeval, royal city of Buda. Discover with us a city within a city, an amazing mix of old and new, culture and heritage!
The plateau with its museums and monuments, churches and public buildings, gates, and bastions is one of the most important places in Budapest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding cobblestone streets and steps take you to the top of it. This is where king Bela IV built his palace in the 13th century. The original structure was torn down, rebuilt and redeveloped countless times, resulting in a monumental Baroque structure housing today the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Library and The Budapest History Museum. In the heart of the Castle Quarter sits the Matthias Church, sometimes referred to as Coronation Church of Buda. This is where the statue of Virgin Mary scared the Turks occupying the city so much that their resistance fell on the same day! Finally, there is the Fisherman’s Bastion – an architectural masterpiece, with its seven towers representing the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the area in the 9th century. The Bastion offers breathtaking views of Buda hills, Pest, and the Danube. Last but not least there is the beautifully renovated Castle Garden Bazaar – sort of a leisure park with countless galleries, theatres, restaurants, and gardens. All that is surrounded by beautiful Baroque and Rococo houses. No doubt, Castle Hill is truly like a treasure chest. Go ahead and let’s open it together!
Highlights
- 1
Castle Hill
The historic core of Buda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, museums, and monuments.
- 2
Royal Palace
Monumental Baroque structure housing the National Gallery, National Library, and the Budapest History Museum.
- 3
Matthias Church
The historic Coronation Church of Buda, with a miraculous legend connected to its Virgin Mary statue.
- 4
Fisherman's Bastion
An architectural masterpiece with seven towers representing the Magyar tribes and offering breathtaking views of the Danube.
- 5
Holy Trinity Square
The central square of the Castle Quarter, home to the iconic Holy Trinity Column and Matthias Church.
- 6
Baroque Houses
Beautifully preserved historical houses in Baroque and Rococo styles lining the district's charming cobblestone streets.
7Castle Garden Bazaar
A stunningly renovated leisure complex with galleries, theatres, and gardens at the foot of the castle.
Map
Buda side, Batthyány square ( Batthyányi tér) Metro station exit, on the street level Nearest public transport: Batthyány tér M+H tram stop; Halász utca tram stop
Our customers said about us
Budapest
5.0Jacky Rattue
Great tour of the Castle Hill with Susan
Really enjoyed this tour. It was good to see the places where some of the key historical events had taken place. She took the steps gently so that we were fine (!), even in today’s heat. I really recommend this tour, as it gives you an excellent understanding of the Buda part of the city.
Budapest
5.0Suzanne
Great tour with Sou!
Really interesting tour with Sou. Lots of facts & figures and very humorous too! Thanks for teaching us so much.
Budapest
5.0Mariel from Argentina
Buda Castle Tour with Bulash
Bulash is so energetic that all participants follow the countless stairs and slopes almost without noticing it. He is both deeply knowledgeable and a talented narrator - I would almost say a performer such is his skill. Kudos! PS: his name may be misspelled. He said we could also call him Goulash!
Budapest
5.0Diane Lovatt
Great informative tour
Sophia was our tour guide and we really enjoyed the tour. Sophia had a wealth of information about the Buda district and we enjoyed her delivery and fun sense of humour. I’d definitely recommend a tour if this area - stunning views too!
Budapest
5.0Kalliopi
Our tour with Dora was excellent. We had a really good time and learned so many things about Hungarian history at the same time. The walk through the Buda castle was a great experience. Thank you very much!
Budapest
5.0Ruff
Rita is Spectacular!!!
What an amazing tour we had (12 Nov 2024) with Rita as our tour guide of the Buda Castle District! Very informative, educational, and equally entertaining. Rita's passion just shines through with her tours. If ever you are in Budapest, Rita's tours are the ones to book! It'll be the best 2 hours of your life!
Budapest
5.0Kimberly Thwing
CLAUDIA IS GREAT!
Claudia is extremely knowledgeable and really knows her stuff but at the same time she makes a two hour walking tour FUN! Not every tour guide is able to do that. I highly recommend her!!!
Budapest
5.0Jennifer B.
Thank you Sophie !!!
My tour of Buda Castle with Sophie was truly fun and informative. The time spent with her, along with her detailed explanations, was such an enjoyable and happy experience for me.
Budapest
5.0Olga
Sofi
Sofi was great
Budapest
5.0Joana
Definitely would recommend!
I did a tour yesterday with Odea (hope I would it write) and it was such a nice, informative tour! Odea is the funniest, coolest Tourguide I ever had, would defo recommend to go with her and hear about Hungarian history (all 1,000 years of it!) ❤️
