Budapest is a city taken straight out of a storybook, with fairytale castles, dramatic bridges, and grand architecture. Split almost through the middle by the Danube river, Budapest has two sides – Buda, where you’ll find panoramic views and dreamy buildings, and Pest, home to chic eateries and urban sights.
Discover all this and more in Hungary’s capital as I guide you through the most Instagrammable places in Budapest. Whether you’re catching the sunset at Fisherman’s Bastion, finding hidden views of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge or dining in a secret garden at Mazel Tov, you’d better have your camera ready to capture it all!
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Fisherman’s Bastion
Housed atop a hill in the Buda neighbourhood, with panoramic views over Budapest and fairytale-esque architecture, Fisherman’s Bastion is the Instagram spot in Budapest. This hilltop fortress was built as far back as the late 1800s, in a mix of Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles, and is part of a UNESCO world heritage site.
Between balconies, brick turrets and dramatic stairways, there are so many photo spots at Fisherman’s Bastion to discover, and with lots of hidden corners, it’s fairly easy to find a spot to take photos with no one else in them.
Matthias Church
You don’t have to venture far to find your next Budapest photo spot! Matthias church sits just behind Fisherman’s Bastion, drawing in photographers with its colourful tiled roof. Another fine example of Gothic Revival architecture in Budapest, the church has had many purposes over its 1000 years of existence – a spot for royal coronations, a mosque, and now a catholic church.
You can walk around Matthias Church to get a 360-degree view of the beautiful architecture. One of the best photo spots with the church is on its northeastern side, where you can see the striking church peeping through the trees and surrounding buildings.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest is split by the Danube River, and so there are several bridges joining the two sides of the city. Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest, and the dramatic brick-and-iron structure has earned it a spot as one of the most iconic photo spots in Budapest.
I recommend walking across the bridge to see it up close, but for the best photos, you’ll want to be on the hillside near Buda Castle.
From this spot in front of Buda Castle, head down the pathway and look out for views of the bridge through the trees. You’ll want to end up at this small square for one of the coolest views in Budapest, looking straight across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
Check out the top activities in Budapest
Várkert Bazár
Another gem of the Buda Castle district is Várkert Bazár, one of my favourite Instagrammable places in Budapest. This small complex of buildings and gardens sits at the foot of Buda Castle and dates back to the 1800s, although it was only fully restored in 2014 after extensive WWII damage.
Highlights of Várkert Bazár that you’ll want to photograph include the Staircase Pavillion and its ornate balcony, the garden promenade where you’ll find vine-adorned stone pillars, and the event room building (Rendezvényterem).
Szimpla Kert
Ruin bars have become synonymous with Budapest, both the city’s nightlife and its culture. Throughout the 2000s, these bars popped up around the city, though mainly in the Jewish Quarter, in abandoned and derelict buildings. They breathed new life into the Budapest’s ‘ruins’ and created fun, eclectic spaces to relax with a drink.
Szimpla Kert was the original Budapest ruin bar, and it’s also the coolest! Head inside, and you’ll find a hybrid indoor/outdoor space with mismatched and vintage furniture, neon lights, plants, and fun wall art. You’ll want to head to the back courtyard to find the most Instagrammable area.
Hungarian Parliament
Both an important government building in the city and a great place to take a photo, the home of the Hungarian Parliament is found in the heart of Budapest. The dramatic Gothic Revival building sits right on the eastern bank of the Danube and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world.
Take a walk around the whole Hungarian Parliament building to get up close and snap some shots of the intricate architecture – each corner brings something new to marvel at! One great photo spot is on the northeast side (right here).
City skyline from the Danube
Between the Hungarian Parliament and the hilltop buildings of the Buda district, Budapest has one of the most dramatic cityscapes that is best seen from the Danube River. Book a river cruise to see all of Budapest’s most iconic attractions in a different light that will have you taking photos left, right and centre!
You’ll see a highlights reel of the most Instagrammable places in Budapest – the Hungarian Parliament, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and more. You’ll also get up close to the city’s bridges as you cross under them. I recommend a nighttime river cruise, where you can see the city skyline light up.
Mazel Tov
You’ll find that there are quite a few Instagrammable restaurants in Budapest, but Mazel Tov takes the throne. Similar to the ruin bars mentioned earlier, the restaurant breathes new life into an unused building, creating a ‘secret garden’ style patio.
The place is decorated with an array of greenery, fairy lights and cute patio furniture – and it helps that the food is great too!
Vajdahunyad Castle
Of all the architectural marvels in the city that we’ve seen so far, it can often feel like you’re stepping into a fairytale in Budapest – and Vajdahunyad Castle is no exception.
Found in Városliget, Budapest’s city park, the castle is easily one of Budapest’s most unique spots, as it features four architectural styles in one building. Baroque, Romanesque, Renaissance and Gothic features come together to showcase the history of Hungary’s buildings in this purpose-built 1800s castle.
A short walk around the castle grounds will transport you out of Budapest and into a storybook as you see some of the best photo spots in Budapest around the castle gates, the chapel, and, of course, the palace itself. Make sure you explore the rest of Városliget after – there is so much to see!
Géllert Baths
Budapest is known for its thermal baths – there are countless ones to visit across the city. And although Széchenyi might be the most popular, Gellért Bath earns the title of the most beautiful thermal baths in Budapest.
The baths were built in Art-Nouveau style, meaning you’ll find a lot of sweeping arches, interesting shapes, and ornate decorations. The best places to photograph here are the main swimming pool and the thermal pool area. Make sure you also check out the outdoor area!
Liberty Bridge
The green iron of Liberty Bridge is eye-catching enough to make most stop to take a photo. The impressive structure crosses the Danube and features Hungary’s coat of arms in various places. What cements it as one of the best photo spots in Budapest is the vintage yellow trams that regularly cross over the bridge. Wait patiently, and you can grab the perfect shot.
Fun fact: There’s a tiny sculpture of King Franz Joseph on Liberty Bridge. I was too distracted by the trams to look properly, but the location is around here.
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