# Buda Castle

> The first royal palace on Castle Hill was built by King Béla IV between 1247 and 1265. Under Sigismund, one of the largest Gothic palaces of the late Middle…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/buda-castle/

A vast palace complex on Castle Hill with museums, courtyards and long terraces looking across the Danube to Parliament. Take the funicular or walk up from the river, and come early or late for softer light.

The first royal palace on Castle Hill was built by King Béla IV between 1247 and 1265. Under Sigismund, one of the largest Gothic palaces of the late Middle Ages arose in the early 15th century, and under Matthias Corvinus it was remodelled in Renaissance style. It was badly damaged when the city was retaken in 1686; the Baroque rebuilding followed from 1749 to 1769, and the extension under Alajos Hauszmann ran until 1912. In the winter of 1944/45 it was destroyed again and later rebuilt. The Castle District has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Today it houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Széchényi Library. The funicular of 1870 runs up from Clark Ádám Square, is about 95 metres long and takes roughly 90 seconds; it is closed on certain days for maintenance. On foot, you can climb up via the Chain Bridge. Allow half a day if you include a museum.

- **Nearest town:** Budapest, Hungary
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 47.4960, 19.0396
- **Editor's pick:** ★

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Hungary: Vignette needed for motorways.** Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## Sources

- [Buda Castle (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buda_Castle)
- [Budapest Castle Hill Funicular (Just Budapest)](https://justbudapest.com/budapest-castle-hill-funicular/)

## Nearby

- [Szentendre Old Town](https://camping-spirit.com/places/szentendre-old-town/) – 19 km
- [Hungarian Open Air Museum](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-szentendre-skanzen/) – 21 km
- [Gödöllő Royal Palace](https://camping-spirit.com/places/godollo-royal-palace/) – 27 km
- [Visegrád Citadel](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-visegrad-citadel/) – 33 km

## FAQs

### Where is Buda Castle?

Buda Castle is in Budapest, Hungary, at GPS 47.4960, 19.0396. It is about 19 km from Szentendre.

### Can you camp near Buda Castle?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Haller Camping, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 17 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Buda Castle?

Places worth a stop nearby: Szentendre Old Town (19 km), Hungarian Open Air Museum (21 km), Gödöllő Royal Palace (27 km) and Visegrád Citadel (33 km).

### When is the best time to visit Buda Castle?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)