Budapest is home to a vast array of spots offering breathtaking views of the city. With historic monuments, thermal baths and beautiful architecture all surrounding the Danube River, Budapest looks great from every angle. The sheer size of the city might seem daunting to first-time visitors, so here’s a round-up of our favourite places with spectacular views.
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of Budapest’s top attractions and not one to be missed! Built with the sole purpose of providing amazing panoramic views of the city, the Bastion looks like a dreamy fairytale castle. Here you’ll find impressive views over the Danube River, a great look at the Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament, and Castle Hill.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Offering 360° views of the city for only 500 Hungarian forints (approx. £1.40), Budapest’s largest church, St Stephen’s Basilica, is a great spot to soak up Budapest from above. If you don’t fancy climbing the 364 steps to the top, there’s also a lift on hand.
Hungarian Parliament Buildings
The century old Hungarian Parliament is the largest building in Budapest, and pretty breathtaking too. From the banks of the river on the Buda side, you’ll be able to capture this huge symmetrical building for an impressive photo. We recommended booking a guided tour as the inside is equally as stunning.
Gellért Hill & The Citadel
If you don’t mind breaking a sweat for a truly amazing panoramic view, a hike up Gellért Hill to the Citadel will not disappoint. The view from the top over Pest’s skyline, the Danube River and Elizabeth Bridge is beautiful. The Citadel commemorates those who died for the independence of Hungary and is a great place to watch the sun go down – stay late to admire the city’s sparkling lights at night.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Thermal baths may seem like an odd choice, but the Schéchenyi Thermal Baths are a work of art – a colourful location with amazing architecture. The baths are stunning all year round but for a truly amazing view, visit during winter and you might be lucky enough to see the marvellous settings draped in snow – magical!
János Hill, Elizabeth Lookout Tower
Standing at 528 metres high, the picturesque top of János Hill is the highest point in Budapest. On a clear day, you may be able to see as far as 80 kilometres and spot the peaks of the High Tatra Mountains on the border of Slovakia. You can reach this spectacular view on foot or by taking a chairlift.
Chain Bridge
Walking across the first permanent connection between Buda and Pest, the Chain Bridge, is an excellent way to soak up the surrounding sites with the mighty Danube River flowing beneath you. Parliament is on the Pest side, while Castle Hill is at the Buda end. We recommend also visiting at night, when the twinkling lights of the city reflect on to the dark river.
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