After all that “Travel to the Pest of Budapest” mini series (divided into three parts: 1, 2, 3), it’s finally time for the Buda side of Budapest. Finally I’m done sharing my Budapest trip after more than 6 months since I actually traveled there. I still got so many trips to share with you all, and that’s also why I’ve been busy (or procrastinating to be exact) with the blog post because I’ve been traveling. But now I’m back and will not travel for quite a while. Anyway, here’s the Buda side of Budapest post.

Szechenyi Chain Bridge

To actually be in the Buda side of Budapest, you have to cross the Danube River. Alternatives to cross the river can be by cruise or the bridges. The most popular bridge in Budapest is the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, that connects Buda and Pest. It has similar name with the Szechenyi Thermal Bath in City Park. The name Szechenyi is taken from one of the greatest Hungarian politician, statesman, writer and he is also labeled as the Greatest Hungarian. I also find Szechenyi Chain Bridge beautiful at night when the light decoration is gleaming among the dark sky.

Take Picture of Hungarian Parliament

Hungarian Parliament is a humongous building, you can’t see the whole part from up close. If you walk from Szechenyi Chain Bridge to the direct opposite of Hungarian Parliament (across the Danube River), it can be quite far but manageable. If you want one of those postcard-esque pictures from your Budapest trip, I think you should do this.  You can also take picture anywhere from Buda side like from Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle or Szechenyi Chain Bridge. See more about Hungarian Parliament tour in here.

Matthias Church

This gothic-style church is very close to Fisherman’s Bastion. Very different kind of church if you compare it with St. Stephen Basilica from the Pest side of Budapest. But it seems like Matthias Church has the same style of architecture with the Hungarian Parliament. Sadly, I didn’t go inside of the church at the time. As this is a Roman Catholic Church, maybe you should include Matthias Church in your itinerary.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Located just literally steps away from Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion is somewhat was used as a tower back in the old days. I don’t know for sure what is it for, but nowadays, it is filled with restaurants and cafe, mainly because of the view from Fisherman’s Bastion is just pure gem panorama. The building itself is so unique. As it is in the Buda side and the elevation is much higher from the ground, you can see a beautiful perspective of the Hungarian Parliament Building from up there.

Buda Castle

Buda Castle is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site and inside of the what it used to be a royal palace is now a museum. I didn’t go inside because I was blown away by the view from Buda Castle and rather take pictures of the Buda Castle and the beautiful scenery. Because Buda Castle is in the Castle Hill, almost all of the Pest side of Budapest can be seen, if you are in Buda Castle area (from the garden/terrace or whatever you call it). What I absolutely love is the gate just before you enter the Buda Castle area if you’re coming from the funicular side. But if you want to take picture of the whole Buda Castle, it’s either you use drone or you go to the other side, which is Pest side. You can find a lot of packaged tours in Buda Castle website.

Budapest Castle Hill Funicular

Talking about the funicular, right after you cross the river (from the Szechenyi Chain Bridge), you can directly go uphill to Buda Castle by the funicular. When you get off from the funicular, you can see the gate that I talked about and absolutely love and you are now in the Buda Castle area already. You have to pay to ride the funicular and I suggest you plan your trip because in my case, I went to Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church by foot after I crossed the bridge. Then I walked to the Buda Castle from Matthias Church as it is not that far. After that, I decided to use funicular to go down and because it is closer to the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. You can do it the opposite way, whatever suits you.

A small advice for you, wait a moment till sunset before you come down by funicular from Buda Castle. I was very lucky to get this pink-ish colour of sunset. If you are photo hunting, the key is a lot of patience in waiting for the right timing.

Map Itinerary

Here’s the map if you want to follow they way I did it.