Thursday 11th July 2019

Today we arrived again into Budapest by bus at Stop Number 11 on our Yellow Line Bus route at Margit Híd Bridge on the Buda side of the River Danube.

On our list of places to visit today was Buda Castle, Várkert Bazár and The Fisherman’s Bastion, all of which were on the western side of the Danube.

Our Hop on Hop off bus arrived every 30 minutes at each of the stops and we were just in time for the next one. A few of the other city buses offer more frequent stops, so may be a better option.

We continued on the Yellow Route until the end of the line but stayed on the bus until it set off again from Stop Number 1 in order to reach our destination, Stop Number 8, Várkert Bazár.

Varkert Bazar

Lion outside Bazaar Eclectica Restaurant Cafe

Várkert Bazár is a complex of buildings and gardens which were built in 19^th century, known as the Castle Bazaar and Royal Gardens.

Semmelweis Museum

Statues outside the museum

It was originally built to replicate the Danube promenade on the Pest side of the river, as a shopping and entertainment centre, although this never really materialised and it started to become a derelict and neglected area.

After a renovation and restoration project to restore the buildings, this historic complex now houses a new cultural and entertainment centre, restaurants, shops, cafes and modern exhibition halls.

Castle Garden Bazar

Air Defence Early Warning Listening Ears 1917

By 2014 the historic buildings and monument had been restored to their former glory. The Bazaar and Royal Gardens are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as is Buda Castle.

One of our reasons for starting at this point was not only to see this area but we knew that there had been an addition of an escalator up to the castle, which meant we didn’t have to queue, or pay, for the funicular further along. There were also stairs that you could take in either direction.

Castle garden arch

Gloriette Castle Gardens

Wrought iron gate at Castle Garden Bazar entrance

After wandering the gardens we took the escalator up to where you can enter the outer walls of Buda Castle on the south side of the hill. From here there was also a lift up to the castle, which was excellent for anyone with mobility issues.

Stairs & escalator in Garden

Terrace in Castle Garden Bazar

View to Danube from Castle Garden Bazar

Decoration in dome

Sweeping lawn

Eventually we arrived at Buda Castle, which is also the Royal Palace and home to the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Although the courts, courtyards and gardens are free to explore and open, generally 24 hours a day, except when festivals take place, there is an entrance fee into the Royal Palace.

Buda Castle Mace Tower in the distance

Castle walls

Buda Castle

Castle Hill 2

View from Buda Hill to Gellert Hill

The city views from Castle Hill are wonderful and if you have the opportunity to visit at night I would imagine they are even more spectacular. If you are in Budapest on August 20^th, a National Holiday Day, be sure to find the perfect spot at Buda Castle or the Citadel to watch the Budapest Fireworks Show.

Outer castle walls view up to Royal Palace

Steps up to Castle Hill

The upper station of the historic Buda Hill Funicular is located a short walk from here between Royal Palace and Sandor Palace and we took the opportunity to watch the funicular in action.

Castle Hill Funicular

Budapest funicular view from half way bridge to Adam Clark Square and Chain Bridge

From here you can take an easy walk back down to the river level at Adam Clarke Square at the western end of the Chain Bridge, where the Zero Kilometre Stone is located, from which all distances are measured in Hungary.

Hungary Coat of Arms at the Base of Castle Hill in Adam Clark Square

Funicular entrance Adam Clark Square

Tunnel entrance at Adam Clark Square

Adam Clark, the Scottish engineer that the square is named after, also designed the huge road tunnel which is adjacent to the Castle Hill Funicular.

Our final stop of the day was Fisherman’s Bastion, which we had seen from the other side of the river. It takes its name from the Guild of Fishermen during the middle ages. We discovered that it is one of the top attractions for visitors to Budapest and it’s easy to see why.

Iconic image of Fishermans Bastion 1

One of the Disneyesque viewing turrets

Church of St Matthias

The present day lookout tower, built in the 19^th century has been likened to the logo on Walt Disney films, which is true and the 7 turrets represent the 7 Magyar tribes who founded the present day country in 895. There used to be real castle walls where there are balconies and cloisters and its present structure has never served as an actual fortification. It was never built to be anything other than a panoramic viewing terrace and to enhance the magnificent Matthias Church.

Church in Fishermans Bastion

St Stephen statue the 1st Hungarian King

Front of St Matthias

St Matthias Church

We exited the Bastion via the lower level sweeping staircase and continued down several more flights of stairs until we reached the banks of the Danube.

Magestic entrance to Fishermens Bastion and Castle Hill

One of the 7 turrets at Fisherman’s Bastion

We have loved our time in Budapest and would happily return to explore more hidden gems in the city that is often referred to, as the pearl of the Danube,