Buda Castle

In the elegant district of Buda, grand old palaces still steal the show. Dozens of them remain standing, each one echoing the legacy of the noble and royal families who once lived on this side of the Danube. But none of them rivals the building right in front of you. Whether you call it Buda Castle or the Budavár Palace, one thing’s for sure: this was once the Royal Palace of Budapest, and that’s how it’s remembered in history. Its story goes all the way back to the 13th century, when King Béla IV built a royal residence on the remains of a former fortress. Over the centuries, the palace expanded and evolved with each new ruler. In the 15th century, King Matthias Corvinus transformed it into one of Europe’s most impressive Renaissance palaces. That was a golden age for the city. But from the 1500s to the 1800s, the palace endured a series of devastating blows: first during the wars between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, then under Habsburg rule. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, its freshly rebuilt Baroque structure was destroyed in a fire. And in World War II, its neoclassical makeover was completely wiped out. Major restoration efforts began in the 1960s, but they drew heavy criticism: the results fell far short of the original plans. That’s why, since late 2022, a full historical reconstruction has been underway to bring the palace back to its former glory. Today, its purpose has changed entirely. Stretching over 300 metres and divided into six wings, from A to F, the palace is home to the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Széchenyi Library. It’s a cultural powerhouse, though you’ll need separate tickets to visit each site. The good news? The palace courtyards and gardens are open 24/7, and access is completely free. Just below the hill, a vast network of underground tunnels hides stories from the past, some of them open to the public, many still shrouded in mystery. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace is also a hotspot for festivals, exhibitions, and even pop culture moments , yes, this is where Katy Perry filmed her Firework music video. So whether you’re here for the history, the views, or just a bit of magic, Budavár Palace is one of Budapest’s most unforgettable landmarks.