The World Heritage sites in Budapest include all the important historic and cultural monuments that make the Hungarian capital one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Banks of the Danube, the Castle Hill, with the renewed Castle Bazaar & Royal Gardens, the GellĂ©rt Hill in the background, the GellĂ©rt Baths, the Pest riverbank including the Parliament and other landmarks, the AndrĂĄssy Avenue with the Millennium Underground and the Heroes’ Square at its end all are protected by the UNESCO’s program.
The first sites that made the World Heritage list in 1987 include a 60 hectare (cc. 148 acre) scenic riverbank from the Liberty Bridge (SzabadsĂĄg hĂd) to Margaret Island.
With a little bit of historical background these outstanding buildings and vistas tell you how Budapest evolved from a small village into a vibrant metropolis.
Quick Links:
Castle District– Castle Bazaar & Royal Gradens – GellĂ©rt Hill – Danube bank – AndrĂĄssy Avenue – Heroes’s Square
The First World Heritage Sites in Budapest
Castle District
In 1987 the UNESCO decided to include the Castle District and the Danube embankment from Liberty Bridge to Margaret Island in their World Heritage programme.
The main reason they did so is that Budapest incorporates many historic and cultural sights that depict important periods from the story of the city.
In Castle District you’ll find several-centuries of the city’s history condensed. Numerous sieges, wars and natural disasters destroyed much of the original Castle Quarter, still its beauty and charm will enchant you.
Although reconstruction works managed to preserve remains of the earliest monuments, mainly baroque buildings dominate the districts today.
The Royal Palace plays an important role not only in Budapest’s but in the country’s cultural life.
The palace’s medieval part houses the Budapest Historical Museum.
The National Gallery, and the National Széchenyi Library are also there.
In the heart of the Castle District, on Holy Trinity Square (SzenthĂĄromsĂĄg tĂ©r) stands the capital’s most famous temple, Matthias Church.
The more than 700-year old church witnessed many coronations and royal weddings.
TIP:
As of October 2015. you can go up to the lower lookout terrace of the renovated Bell Tower and enjoy the view. Visiting hours: every day 10.00-17.00, at every hour.
Tickets: 1400 HUF, students/retirees: 1 000 HUF, free for children under 6 years of age.
The Gothic tower together with the turreted Fishermen’s Bastion (HalĂĄszbĂĄstya) in the background are among the best known landmarks of Budapest.
The Castle District well deserves to be part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
- walking on its cobbled, romantic streets in an early spring morning (before the tourists arrive)
- the breathtaking panorama of the Danube with the bridges and the Pest embankment with the dominating Parliament.
Two more things I love about this historic quarter of Budapest are:
If not for its World Heritage status then for the two above benefits you must not miss visiting the Castle Hill in Buda.
TIP: A pleasant and romantic way to enjoy the wonderful panorama of these world heritage sites lining the Danube banks is to go on a cruise where you can have a delicious lunch or dinner, too.
Live gypsy music by an award-winning band adds to the pleasant atmosphere during the sightseeing boat tour & dinner starting at 19.00.
Labyrinth in Buda Castle – BudavĂĄri Labirintus
An extensive cave system lies under the ground in Buda Castle most of which dates back to the middle ages. Part of the labyrinth is open to the public and can be explored. Some great exhibitions make the exploration even more interesting.
Entrance 1: Ări utca 9., two minutes walk from SzenthĂĄromsĂĄg tĂ©r, GPS:
47.50018° N, 019.03408° E
Entrance 2: 1014 Budapest, Lovas Ășt 4/A. – GPS: 47.499637° N, 19.033177° E (accessible with wheel chair)
Opening hours: 10.00-19.00 every day
Official Website: Labyrinth in Buda Castle
Exhibitions:
- Medieval architecture – travel back in time under the ground to see the magnificent royal palace of King Sigismund of Luxembourg and King Matthias as well as monuments from the era of the Turkish rule,
- The Most Beautiful Caves of the World – a photo exhibition
- Nighttime Tours with Lantern: start at 18.00.
Tickets:
- daytime programs: adult: 2 000 HUF, children of 6-12 ages: 600 HUF, family ticket (2 adults +2 children under12): 4 000 HUF, student, teacher, pensioner: 1 500 HUF
- nighttime program: same as daytime programs (you have to show the ticket). The programs can be visited alone, booking is required.
Find out more about other monuments and history of Budapest Castle District.
Gellért Hill
The 235 m high hill with the Cidadel fortress and the Statue of Liberty on the top is located at the Buda end of SzabadsĂĄg hĂd (Liberty Bridge).
The whole hill is a nature reserve with large parks, sprawling lawns, well-tended playgrounds that make the hill a popular excursion spot.
The hill was named after Bishop Gellért who died martyr on the hill in the 11st century.
You can see the bishop’s statue in the northern side of the hill. Other monuments the hill boasts are a cave church, a 19th century fortress, the Cidadel, and the Statue of Liberty.
Find out more about attractions on the Gellért Hill.
Danube Embankment
You can descend from Castle Hill by the cogwheel railway/siklĂł (entrance at Fishermen’s Bastion), and you’ll arrive at Clark Adam Square.
The whole Danube embankment from the Gellert Hill to the Rudas Baths forms a harmonic integrity, including the Danube Bridges and the opposite Pest side with the imposing Budapest Parliament and other outstanding architectural masterpieces.
TIP: Walk towards the Chain Bridge and you can admire the city’s newest attraction the Castle Bazaar & Royal Gardens designed by MiklĂłs Ybl architect in the second half of the 19. century.The arcaded, terraced complex today houses shops, exhibitions, an event hall under the ground, as well as cafes and restaurants. The historic buidlings have been retsored tothier original state.
The first permanent connection between Buda and Pest, the Chain Bridge (SzĂ©chenyi LĂĄnchĂd) spans the Danube between Clark Adam Square and SzĂ©chenyi Square.
The white and graceful Elizabeth Bridge (ErzsĂ©bet hĂd) and the Liberty Bridge (SzabadsĂĄg hĂd) provide additional links, making the two city parts a whole entity.
Near the Pest end of the Chain Bridge you can admire two architectural gems on Széchenyi Square:
- The Neo-Renaissance Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and
- Gresham Palace representing Art-Nouveau splendor, where the Four Seasons Hotel provides for luxury accommodation. The hotel was voted Europe’s best luxury hotel by Tripadvisor.com.
Read more about Four Seasons Gresham Palace.
More Sights to Explore…
Vörösmarty tér, a downtown square that hosts many popular events (Christmas fair, Spring fair, Book Festival), is just a short stroll from Széchenyi Sqr.
Budapest’s largest church and tallest edifice, St. Stephen’s Basilica stands on a large square, Szent IstvĂĄn tĂ©r.
Read more about sights and attractions in Budapest’s city centre.
More Budapest World Heritage Sites Added In 2002
AndrĂĄssy Avenue and its Environs
AndrĂĄssy avenue and its environs are among the most beautiful parts of Budapest. The elegant mansions and villas along its sides display architectural styles from the second half of the 19th century.
The avenue received its name after Count Gyula AndrĂĄssy, Hungary’s prime minister between 1867-1971, who cared about Budapest and done much to develop it into a true metropolis.
Numerous important cultural and historic buildings stand along the road, like the Budapest Opera House or the Millennium Monument on its other end on Heroes’ Square.
Two great museums flank the square on its sides
- The Museum of Fine Arts – Note: the museum is closed till 2018 due to a compex reconstrucion. Both its permanent and temporary exhibitions are worth a visit. During the time the musuem is closed to visitors you can view some of the collection in the Hungarian National Gallery (Buda Castle/Royal Palace).
- Hall of Art (MƱcsarnok) – home to Hungarian and international contemporary exhibitions
Continental Europe’s first underground line (M1 or yellow metro line) runs underneath the wide avenue, connecting the bustling downtown Budapest with City Park behind Heroes’ Square.
The park is a place for entertainment and relaxation with the Amusement Park, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden and the Szécheny Baths. The lake entices you to rocking in a boat in summer or ice skating in winter.
TIP #1:
A wonderful way of exploring the world heritage sites in Budapest is by going on thematic walking tours.
TIP #2:
Our guide to Budapest Attractions includes our favourite sights with lots of photos.
TIP #3:
The New Main Street between Kålvin tér and Szabadsåg tér is a partillay pedestrianized area with quite a few historic sights, cafes and restaurants. Although it is not part of the World Heritage Site program but the street is a result of a recent redevelopment project, and shows new contemporary face of Budapest.
Visit also the Official Site of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List-Budapest