Location: District I / Buda
Top Things to do in District I / Buda
The 10 Best Things to do in District I / Buda, Central Hungary
Over 15 million gallons of water bubble daily into Budapest's 118 springs and boreholes. The city of spas offers an astounding array of baths, from the sparkling Gellert Baths to the vast 1913 neo-baroque Szechenyi Spa to Rudas Spa, a dramatic 16th-century Turkish pool with original Ottoman architecture. The "Queen of the Danube" is also steeped in history, culture and natural beauty. Get your camera ready for the Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica.
Restaurants in Budapest
1. Faust Wine Cellar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,055 reviews
Be our guest in our authentic Faust Wine Cellar under the Dominican Cloister - the part of the UNESCO World Heritage! We are offering about 80 sorts of Hungarian wines and 30 sorts of "Pálinka". During the week we are organizing special wine and "Pálinka" tastings guided by our sommelier!
Reviewed By hannamventures - Droitwich, United Kingdom
Tucked away inside the Hilton hotel right in the heart of the Buda history this place is an amazing experience to step away from the business of tourist attractions and take a seat in a gorgeous cellar and really get to know Hungary through the wines. We did the nine Hungarian wine flight, the gentleman running the cellar is fantastic and talked us through each wine and taught me how to air the wine properly. We left feeling very warm, very merry. Thank you!
2. Koller Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 263 reviews
Located in the historic Castle District of Budapest, we are working since 1953 as the oldest private fine art gallery in Hungary. Our three storey atelier-house & beautiful sculpture garden welcomes our visitors and customers with a homely and warm atmosphere. We show works of the best modern and contemporary Hungarian painters, sculptors and etchers. We advise our guests in fluent English, German, French and Italian.
Reviewed By yaacovc2016
A very good place to see contemporary art.the gallery is very friendly and prices are very good. The garden is lovely.
3. Peter Mansfeld Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By ianwebb75 - London, United Kingdom
A moving tribute to a freedom fighter against the soviets in the 50’s. In the middle of nowhere (look behind you) the monument appears. Read the bio about him as you stand there.
4. Varhegy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,653 reviews
Lovingly restored after being reduced to rubble during World War II, this picturesque area is located in the heart of medieval Budapest, which is characterized by cobblestone streets, narrow alleys and lovely squares surrounded by baroque and classical buildings.
Reviewed By ParvizM2013 - San Diego, United States
We decided to spend almost one day on the Buda side of Budapest and walk the hills of Buda Castle and see the beautiful attractions over there and also watch the beautiful views of Budapest from up there on the hills. The main attractions on the Buda side include Buda Castle, Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum, terraces of Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church. From our hotel in the city center, we could take a bus directly to Fisherman’s Bastion or walk. We decided to walk since we could see the beautiful Chain Bridge again and also walk up the Buda Castle Hills and see the panoramic views of the city. It took us about 45 minutes to walk from our hotel Moments to the top of the hills. It is of course hilly, but is a nice walk. On our way, we passed the Buda Castle, National Gallery and Budapest History Museum, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church. These are all beautiful structures. We skipped going inside the buildings since we wanted to spend more time outside and see the views of the city. Of all these sites, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are truly magnificent and we really liked Fisherman’s Bastion. The structures and the views from there are really fantastic. I will review Fisherman’s Bastion separately. The Matthias Church is an amazingly beautiful building. We did not go inside, but the outside structure is so colorful and pretty. All together, we spent about 4 hours walking the Buda Castle Hill and other attractions on the Buda side and took the bus directly from there back to the city center on the Pest side, about 15 minutes bus ride. The walk was very nice and we all enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend it.
5. Halaszbastya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,812 reviews
Built during the 19th century for the Hungarian Millennium celebrations, this mock bastion features pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of the fairytale castles in Disney World.
Reviewed By Alessia_sp - Mosta, Malta
If you love pictures you certainly cannot miss the most popular selfie location...We had the perfect day on Buda side exploring the Budapest Castle grounds, followed by Fisherman's Bastions and the top of Buda where there is a beautiful garden and a stunning little village and church. The Buda sightseeing bus is the perfect way to get yourself to each stop without too much walking. When you get to the Fisherman's Bastions make sure to look at the views as long as take a selfie and group picture, the architecture is really beautiful. I would suggest going early so that you can appreciate the place without all the crowd. Pictures on @lessiaestil
6. Buda Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,985 reviews
Destroyed by fire in World War II, this imposing 13th-century palace was rebuilt with modern interiors while incorporating hidden walls and medieval structures that remained hidden over the centuries.
Reviewed By arshadmian786
Besides the monuments, you get a breathtaking panorama of the Danube with the Chain Bridge and the Pest side of the city on the opposite side of the river.The views are very similar to those from Fisherman’s Bastion. And being connected to the Chain Bridge, the palace complex is breathtaking at night when the overpass and the Castle are lit up. Be sure to also take a trip on the fully restored historic Castle Funicular Railway, which departs from the Buda end of the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge and deposits travelers in the heart of the Castle District.This entire historic landmark is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be explored either on your own or as part of an informative walking tour.
7. Matthias Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,285 reviews
Used over the centuries as a coronation church for the Hungarian kings, the slender and graceful architecture of this beautiful church dominates the main square of the Castle area.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
A very nice church on the Buda side at the Fisherman's Bastion. Worthwhile and full of history. Easy to reach, either on foot, by taxi, or by bus (bus line 16; Szentháromság tér stop). You also have a great view from the Pest side on the banks of the Danube. Visit this place once during the day and once at night. Worth it The Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) - officially: the Church of the Great Blessed Virgin of the Buda Castle (Budavári Nagyboldogasszony templom) - on the castle hill of the Fisherman's Bastion is a must when visiting Budapest. The facade and roof of the church, which is predominantly Gothic in style, are beautiful. The roof decorated with colorful glazed roof tiles is unique. Inside the church there are decorative paintings, magnificent frescoes and stucco decorations, as well as wonderful stained glass windows. The interior is created in a mixture of Gothic style and Art Nouveau. The neo-Gothic main altar of the Matthias Church is adorned with dark gold. However, the story that belongs to this wonderful church is also fascinating, sometimes sad at the same time. First built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style, the basilica was then converted into a church in the Gothic style. Under the Ottoman rule, all the sanctuaries were destroyed and the church converted into a mosque. After the almost complete destruction, the church was built in baroque style. Later it served as the coronation church for Franz and Sisi, the Hungarian royal couple. Before it was badly damaged again in the Second World War. You have to go there, when visit one of the most beautiful cities of Europe!
8. Museum of Music History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Located in the magnificent Baroque surroundings of the Erdody Palace, this specialty museum traces the history of musical life in Budapest from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
Reviewed By 469Eleonora
The museum is relatively small but full of interesting exhibitions. Would recommend it for everyone, already at the very beginning there's a lot of works of figurative art with references to Hungarian music and also English-language explanations.
9. Statue of St Stephen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,328 reviews
Reviewed By ohannybunny - Prague, Czech Republic
The whole place is architectural jewel, the statue of King Stephen made us research a bit about him, aparently great person of Hungarian history. I admired how even smallest details were perfectly crafted.
10. Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,863 reviews
The Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum is a thrilling, unique and moving place. Visitors can learn about the WWII and the 1956 revolution as well as the Cold War in relation to this former TOP SECRET nuclear bunker. It had an important role during the war and it was classified until 2002 and opened as a museum in 2008. The place ensures a real time warp into the past. Mobiles are not working inside. Do not expect a regular museum. One hour long tour departs every hour in English. Guide books are available in several languages. Unforgettable experience underneath the Castle Hill. The entrance is only about 5 minutes walk from the famous Matthias-Church of Buda.
Reviewed By rushmere86 - Wilstead, United Kingdom
What an incredible place, we thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour around this fascinating piece of history,our particular tour was in English (some tours are in other languages with a recorderd translation device,worth checking before you book)and we found the guide very knowledgeable and informative
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