Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
The Fisherman’s Bastion – world famous for its magnificent views from its turrets and terraces – is one of the most well-known attractions of the Buda Castle area, and provides perhaps the most beautiful panorama of the city from the Buda side over the river Danube and its attractions in Budapest, including the Hungarian Parliament building. It is also one of the most famous and favoured destinations for Budapest photo opportunities.
Opening Hours of Fisherman’s Bastion
Monday to Sunday: always open (any day, nonstop)
Entry to Fisherman’s Bastion
Visiting the lower part: free of charge on any day, all-day
Visiting the upper towers and panorama terraces:
- Jun 1-Sep 30
- Daytime (9 am-9 pm): HUF 1,200 / adults and HUF 600 / students (free for children under 6)
- Sep 30-Dec 23
- Daytime (9 am-7 pm): HUF 1,200 / adults and HUF 600 / students (free for children under 6)
Discount with Budapest Card: not available
Buying Tickets at Fisherman’s Bastion
There is a row of Cashiers opposite the Matthias Church. One of them is for selling tickets to the Fisherman’s Bastion. Or you can also book in advance.
Tickets can be paid on the spot by card only (major debit or credit cards, Visa, Master etc.).
Getting to the Fisherman’s Bastion
There are several ways to approach the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle.
Green Travel options: The first is by the dedicated Buda Castle bus (free with Budapest Card either as a public transport minibus, number 16, or as the Official Hop on Hop off Castle Bus) which will take you right up to Holy Trinity Square, a few metres from the Bastion. The other green option is taking the historical cable car, the hillside Funicular. The Funicular is closer to the Buda Castle Royal Palace wings, approx. 10 – 15 min walk from the Fisherman’s Bastion.
Lastly, there is a not too demanding hillside trail. You can challenge yourself to take a sporty walk up from the Danube riverbank through hundreds of steps and forest paths, to be finally be rewarded by the sights of the historical Fisherman’s Bastion and the beautiful scenery of Budapest. Excellent cardio.
Taxis / Cars: You can also take a taxi to drop you off near Fisherman’s Bastion. The taxi can pull over close to Matthias Church to drop off visitors. Renting your own car in Budapest can be stressful, and even more so in the Castle District for non-residents.
History of Fisherman’s Bastion
According to its architectural style, the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle may seem to be a very old building, but the truth is, most of its structure was built at the turn of the century (finished in 1902) as a scenic lookout wall matching the Matthias Church. The Fisherman’s Bastion celebrates the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian stated, which couldn’t have happened without the 7 Magyar (Hungarian) tribes making a pact and conquering the Carpathian basin. Accordingly, you will see the 7 tribes represented by the 7 towers of the ‘fortification.’ There is a longer version of the History of Fisherman’s Bastion.
Attractions by Fisherman’ Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is literally only a few steps away from some of the most important attractions in the Buda Castle.
St Michael Chapel: under the ramparts of the Fisherman’s Bastion there is a hidden chapel. Parts of its walls date back to the Middle Ages.
Statue of St Stephen: the Fisherman’s Bastion embraces a fascinating sculptural artwork, the Statue St Stephen I, the first king of Hungary who established order and transformed the largely tribal confederation into a modern Christian kingdom.
Matthias Church: right in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion, you can see the astonishing medieval Matthias Church. It’s not just any historic church—it’s a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture with a twist. Its vibrant, patterned roof tiles, intricate interior designs create a special atmosphere. Come for a concert to feel elevated to a different level.
Further sites nearby Fisherman’s Bastion:
Ruszwurm Cafe – 1 minute away
Holy Trinity Statue – 1 min away
Statue of Andras Hadik – 2 min away
The Fisherman’s Bastion offers panoramic views of some of the most beautiful attractions in the city. If you look to the left from the terraces of the Fisherman’s Bastion, you can see the Margaret Island behind the yellow Margaret Bridge. The next one is the Chain Bridge, a historical Classicist bridge spanning the river Danube in Budapest, which ends on the Pest side by the Four Seasons Hotel (Gresham Palace). Behind Gresham Palace, you can also see the top of the St Stephen’s Basilica.
Last updated Oct, 2024
