An ever-increasing number of visitors arrive in Budapest to admire its architectural masterpieces and take photos of the mesmerizing cityscape, but to get the best perspectives over the Magyar metropolis, there are a few lofty locations where almost anyone can snap incredible shots. If you would like to zoom in on Budapest’s one-of-a-kind skyline, visit any of these spots for taking great panoramic photographs – from the apex of a sacred steeple to chic rooftop bars to a lookout on a mountain peak. Here we present our top-ten favorite places to get stunning all-encompassing photos of Budapest.
Towering above central Budapest with its twin bell towers and celestial stained-glass windows, St. Stephen’s Basilica ranks high on many travelers’ bucket lists for visiting the city – and those who climb the spiral staircase (or take the elevator) leading to the circular balcony that encompasses the dome can take unique shots of Hungary’s capital from an extremely central perspective. If we look down from up here, we can snap the buzzing life around the numerous bars and restaurants that flank Szent István Square and Andrássy Avenue, while in the distance we can zoom in on ornate rooftops of colorful Zsolnay tiles, the Parliament’s postcard-superstar dome, or the rolling Buda Hills featuring the stately Royal Palace.
Found within the attractively historic Castle District, the lofty spires of the Matthias Church dominate the skyline of Buda with its lace-like construction pointing high towards the clouds. Anyone who ascends its steeple by climbing 197 steps encounters a captivating collage of monumental sights found across the city, including the curving Danube with its statuesque bridges, the numerous tour boats gently gliding down the river, Margaret Island’s sylvan scenery, or Pest’s metropolitan scene. If we dare to peek directly down from here, we can capture the church’s colorful Zsolnay tiles covering the roof, or we can focus on the adjacent Fishermen’s Bastion from above.
As one of the prime spots for taking panoramic shots of Budapest, the colossal Citadel fortress atop Gellért Hill has long been in the focal point of city visitors and locals, who long to get amazing images of the sights that surround the hill for miles around. If we arrive here on foot, we pass by numerous scenic viewpoints that provide glimpses of the encompassing landscape that unfolds before our eyes, framed by the hill’s lush vegetation. When at the top, we can get a wide-angle shot over the Elizabeth Bridge and the curving Danube, or we can turn around to get a close-up image of the massive fortress that crowns the hill alongside the majestic Liberation Monument.
With its eclectic mix of architecture, the fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle within City Park is a camera-ready sight in and of itself, while two of its palatial steeples are open for visitors who want to rise above the giant parkland to capture city vistas from an uncommon perspective. Accessible after climbing a skyward staircase, the Apostles’ Tower stands 30 meters above the ground, and once we reach its alfresco outlook we encounter an unexpected 360-degree view over Budapest’s entire skyline, including the silhouettes of the Buda Castle and Gellért Hill, the colossal dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica, or the Parliament’s pointy architecture downtown, while we can capture the nearby Széchenyi Bath from a bird’s-eye perspective, and in clear conditions we can even zoom in on the outlines of the Gödöllő Hills to the northeast. Those who decide to climb the castle’s Gate Tower can expect views from a lower altitude over City Park’s sylvan settings, or over the giant rose window by Hungarian stained-glass genius Miksa Róth, enhancing the castle’s magical feel.
With its exceptional position inside the elevated Castle District, the Fishermen’s Bastion is one of Budapest’s most visited landmarks, and it ceaselessly inspires urban photographers while serving as a stunning backdrop for weddings and special occasions. Placing our camera in front of its stone-carved arches and positioning our shot towards the Pest side of the city, we can get intricately framed images, or we can focus on any of the many stimulating monuments seen from here, including the majestic Parliament building, or we can even zoom in on boats crusing the fast-flowing Danube with vistas spanning from Margaret Bridge to Petőfi Bridge and beyond. If we are here at night to take illuminated shots, we can capture the magical cityscape with myriad sparkles that light up the Danube spans, the glorious , and Pest’s sprawling buildings shining bright under metropolitan lights.
As the northernmost entryway to the , providing direct access to the road connecting Budapest and the Austrian capital, the Vienna Gate now stands as a monument hidden in plain sight – and even most people who notice it don’t realize that a unique lookout point is open to the public at the top. Just hop aboard bus line 16 or 116 and disembark at the Bécsi kapu tér stop just a short stroll away from the gate, and after ascending just a few steps you’ll stand amid a lofty setting that allows us to capture the city from a specific northward angle – images shot from this out-of-sight position cover the Buda Hills and ’s dense parkland, or in case we want to get a little more arty, we can make an eclectic image that fuses a fragment of Pest’s urban landscape with soaring treetops beside this historic gateway.
Downtown Budapest boasts several scenic rooftop bars, where we can immerse in the picturesque panorama while lounging with refreshing potables under the open sky. Perched atop the historic on , guests lounge at the alfresco enveloped by the city’s sweeping skyline after a long elevator ride. Pick a picture-perfect site and get comfortable in front of a beautiful background, where you can take numerous scenic selfies with your friends framed by Pest’s angular rooftops, the distant Buda Hills, or any of the city’s monumental landmarks that you can spot from here – whether all these stunning photos are taken under sunlight or starlight, just add glassfuls of vibrant cocktails to have some of the most enviable clicks that you can get in Hungary’s capital. Those who can’t get enough of the impressive views (and shots) from Budapest’s rooftops can ascend the atop , a deluxe hangout that presents some of the most romantic scenes of the Magyar metropolis, while is a more wallet-friendly spot to climb for snapping mesmerizing photographs.
Anyone who plans to leave downtown’s buzzing scene behind for a short while can get close to nature when embarking on a mini-excursion in , and while this forested high ground is certainly a good place for chilling summertime picnics and easy hiking trips, many come here specifically to capture long-distance portraits of the city. Several modern amenities are scattered across Normafa’s recently renovated hilltop parkland, where we can soak in the peaceful vibe that surrounds the area, while a spacious viewing ground allows photography aficionados to take a snapshot of the undulating natural landscape around the hill. Looking to the cityscape, the amalgam of urban settings seen from afar makes the city appear as a scale model with miniature edifices in the distance.
As the tallest point of Budapest, rising 527 meters high, is a beloved destination of urban dwellers for one-day excursions and quick getaways from the bustling metropolitan life. To catch widespread vistas over the Hungarian capital, a chairlift provides panoramic rides to the top and while we approach the peak at this leisurely pace, we can turning our cameras downwards to snap a few scenic images of the sylvan scenes below, or we can focus on the surrounding scenery that envelops our steady rise. Once atop, those who climb the Erzsébet Lookout Tower get a far-reaching view of the city – and in clear conditions, we can zoom our lenses as far as the High Tatra Mountains.
