My Photography & Travel Guide to Budapest, Hungary 2024
Updated May 2024
Budapest is a wonderful city to visit and photograph. It is especially beautiful at night when the lights turn on illuminating all the historic buildings.
"Budapest is a stunningly beautiful city. You get the sense, particularly at night, that you're living in a fairy tale." - Anthony Bourdain
Sunset by the Chain Bridge with the Parliament
Budapest is also a city full of history, culture, and beauty. The areas around the Chain Bridge and Parliament are gorgeous.
Getting around the city is very easy since the historic area is quite compact, which makes all the main photography sites close together. I would recommend visiting for 3-4 days so that you have enough time to get to the best photography locations.
I first visited Budapest in October of 2016, a few months after I picked up a camera for the first time. I was only there for a weekend and did not have great weather. So, I was excited to return in April 2024 on a Scott Kelby workshop to retake shots, find new locations, and see how my photography has improved over the past 7-years. As always, Scott’s workshops are so much fun. You will learn a lot, take great photos and make new friends.
Team Budapest with Scott Kelby and Mimo Meidany, Scott B, Bob, Teresa, Sherry & Cole, Kim, Kelly, Miles, Craig, Willey, Richard and John
What is the best time to visit Budapest, Hungary?
The best time to visit Budapest is during the shoulder season, from April to May and September to November. The weather is mild, and there are far fewer tourists.
Sunrise at Fishermen’s Bastion
Where to Stay
Choosing the right hotel is crucial for a successful photography trip. I always want to be in a very central location. Of course, Budapest has a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own charm:
District V (Belváros-Lipótváros): This central district is perfect if you want to be close to iconic landmarks like the Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The Danube River promenade provides excellent sunset shots.
District VII (Erzsébetváros): Known for its vibrant street art and ruin bars, this district offers a unique blend of old and new. Capture the colorful facades and quirky details.
District I (Castle District): For a fairytale atmosphere, stay near Buda Castle. The Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are must-photograph spots.
Here are some specific recommendations:
Matild Palace Hotel:
Location: Situated in Budapest, Matild Palace combines yesteryear elegance with cutting-edge in-room facilities.
Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel:
Location: The New York Palace Hotel is a dramatic and opulent choice.
Corinthia Hotel Budapest:
Location: The Corinthia Hotel carries itself with effortless grace.
Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest:
Location: Párisi Udvar boasts one of the most extraordinary lobbies in the world.
Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel
Location: Situated right in the heart of Budapest, the Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel is on Váci Street, one of the city’s famous pedestrian streets. You’ll find yourself surrounded by historical landmarks, business centers, and vibrant cultural spots.
Location: The Gresham Palace is on the Pest side, right in front of the Chain Bridge.
Where to Eat
I do not have many recommendations for food in Budapest. We enjoyed Cucina, located right next to the Mercure Hotel in the City Center. We also enjoyed Cafe Muse for Coffee and Cake. I highly recommend KOLLÁZS —BRASSERIE & BAR in the Four Seasons Hotel.
A Liz & Chain Rooftop Bar in the Marriot Hotel has amazing views of the city.
Getting Around
The easiest way to get around Budapest is to use the Bolt App. It is like Uber, but Uber does not exist in Hungary. The app is very easy to use, and you know exactly how much you will pay for your ride.
By the Budapest Castle
Photography GEAR
I would bring a 15-35mm and a 70-200 mm or a 24-240 mm. You also want to bring a Tripod and ND filters since you will take lots of photos with water and reflections, which require long exposures.
Photography Guide Recommendation
If you are looking for a Photography Guide in Budapest, I highly recommend Miklos Mayer. Here is a link to his website, Hungary Photo Tours (his email is mayermiki@gmail.com). On our first night in Budapest, we went out with Miklos for about three hours, which was fantastic. He brought us to locations that we would not have found. He is an amazing photographer and provides excellent guidance on composition.
Photography Locations
Here are my recommendations for the best photography locations:
The Trams
I loved photographing the trams, especially the older ones. I played around with shutter speeds, and as you will see below, there is a wonderful spot by the Liberty Bridge to shoot at sunrise.
At Sunrise
I loved taking photos showing the trams' movements. The image below was taken from the Chain Bridge towards the Parliament.
Long Exposure by Chain Bridge Towards Parliament
Keleti pályaudvar Train STation
There are train stations, and then there are train stations. The Keleti Pályaudvar train station is fun to photograph early in the morning. You will get reflections of golden light off the trains, making for some wonderful shots. I especially loved the shadows in the morning.
Kálvin Tér Metro Station
For the past few years, I have loved photographing Metro Stations. The metro stations in London and Moscow are really interesting. We visited a modern, futuristic-looking metro station in Budapest called Kalvin Ter.
Parisi Utvar Hotel
The Parisi Utvar Hotel must have one of the most beautiful lobbies in the world. They did not seem to mind people walking through and taking photos.
Erzsébet tér (The EYE)
So many cities have installed Ferris Wheels. This one in Budapest looks very similar to the ones in London and Dubai.
Szent Gyôrgy tér (Funicular)
The Buda Castle Funicular will make your trip to the Castle much easier. You do not want to walk up.
The funicular, a UNESCO world heritage site, was constructed in 1870. Although the ride is only 95 meters long, you will appreciate how quickly you climb up. From above, you can enjoy incredible views of Budapest.
From the top you get an incredible overview of the city.
I would highly recommend going up at/after sunset. Walking back down towards the Chain Bridge, you can take some beautiful shots.
Shoes of THE Danube Memorial
There is a somber memorial called the Shoes of the Danube, located on the banks of the Danube River, not far from the Hungarian Parliament building. The memorial includes sixty pairs of old-fashioned shoes people wore in the 1940s. They sit at the water's edge, scattered and abandoned, as though their owners had just stepped out of them and left them there. The shoes honor the Jews who were massacred by fascist Hungarian militias during WWII.
Szabo Ervin Library
Fővárosi Szabó Ervin Könyvtár is the largest library in Budapest, Hungary. The Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library's main branch is housed in the 19th-century neo-baroque Wenckheim Palace.
We visited the library for a private tour. The highlight of the library is the three spiral staircases.
I also loved taking photos of the details in the library.
Liberty Bridge At Night
Liberty Bridge, or Freedom Bridge, connects Buda and Pest on the southern side of the city across the River Danube.
Here is another angle from an overlook above the bridge.
Liberty Bridge shooting trams
Liberty Bridge is a great place to go for breathtaking views of Budapest. Located in the heart of the city, it spans the Danube River and offers stunning views of the city's Buda and Pest sides.
From the bridge, you can see some of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, including the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Buda Castle. The views from the bridge are magnificent at sunset when the city is bathed in a golden glow.
The Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge is an iconic landmark and a must-see for any visitor to the city. Completed in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube River, connecting the Buda and Pest sides.
The bridge, also known as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, was named after István Széchenyi, a Hungarian statesman.
It really looks great at any time of day, but from my experience, the best view is at the blue hour/sunrise.
My B&W Version
It is especially charming at night when the lights illuminate the entire bridge, and the Danube creates reflections.
The Budapest Royal Castle
The Royal Castle, “Buda Castle,” is located on the Buda Side of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other sites in this area include Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. On the way up to the castle, you can enjoy wonderful views of the city.
Here is a shot from the Buda Castle towards the Pesh part of the city.
Exploring Buda Castle Hill
Outside of Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, Buda Castle Hill has many attractions worth visiting, including Trinity Square, The Royal Palace, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Labyrinths of Buda Castle, the National Széchenyi Library, and the President’s Palace (Sandor Palace).
These locations offer fantastic photo opportunities and more scenic views of the Danube River and the Pest side. While exploring the cobblestone streets around Trinity Square, you will find unique buildings and architectural details hosting a variety of shops, galleries, bars, and local restaurants.
Along the walk from the Buda Castle to the Fishermen’s Bastion I found this classic American car.
On the Road to the Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is a gorgeous architectural complex located next to the castle. It is one of Budapest’s most photographed locations, with intricate carvings, beautiful ornamentation, and grand towers.
There are so many compositions that you can take from the Bastion. I would recommend going at Sunrise.
I loved using the arches to frame the shots towards the Parliament.
Matthias Church
Right next to the Fishermans bastion is the Matthias Church. The Matthias Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady, is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the Castle District.
It is named after King Matthias, the first king of Hungary to be crowned in the church.
The church was originally built in the 13th century but has undergone several renovations and additions.
It is the highest spot in the city with outstanding views.
The Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament Building is a stunning architectural masterpiece. It is the largest parliament building in Europe and one of the oldest legislative buildings in the world! It is probably my favorite building in the city to photograph. This is both a Sunrise and Sunset location.
During Blue Hour after Sunset
The building was completed in 1904 and is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Sunrise
I recommend coming at Sunrise and Sunset. The sun comes up behind the Parliament.
Blue Hour after Sunset
Gellert Hill
Gellért Hill is my favorite photography spot in Budapest. Once you visit, you’ll quickly understand why. Located on the Buda side of the city, the hill offers stunning panoramic views of both the Danube River and downtown Budapest. This is a sunset location.
Gellért Hill is home to several important landmarks, including the Citadella, a 19th-century fortress atop the hill, and the Liberty Statue, a monument erected to honor the Soviet liberation of Hungary during World War II.
The Opera House
This magnificent new-Renaissance style structure, completed in 1884 and modeled after the Vienna Opera House, is home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet.
There are so many details to photograph inside the Opera House.
A Model Shoot
We were lucky enough to photograph a model named Ági Koltai. Scott always includes a model shoot in every workshop.
She is stunning and was so much fun to photograph.
Of course, no workshop is complete without my buddy Willey.
St Stephens Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is a beautiful neoclassical cathedral in Budapest's heart. It is named after St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary, and is the largest church in the country.
The inside of church is beautiful. I loved the ceiling.
The basilica, completed in 1905, is known for its stunning architecture, including its grand dome, ornate columns, and colorful stained-glass windows.
The Central Market
I have always loved visiting food markets, and this one is particularly nice. The ornate brick structure that houses the central market on the Pest side is worth a visit. You can photograph colorful stalls filled with beautiful arrangements of produce, meats, seafood, and other specialty foods from the area.
HEROE’S SQUARE
Heroes’ Square is another iconic landmark in Budapest. I love the symmetry. It’s usually very busy in the day, so as I did for these two photos, I would suggest going there in the early morning before the crowds.
It is located at the end of Andrássy Avenue, which is a popular shopping and cultural district in the city.
Liz & CHain Rooftop Bar in the Marriot Hotel
The rooftop bar in the Marriot Hotel is a perfect spot for a drink and an evening photo. The views and drinks were amazing, and it was the perfect place to end our Budapest trip.
I enjoyed Budapest; the city offers so many opportunities for photographers to shoot.
If you have enjoyed this guide to Budapest, you can look at my other Photography & Travel Guides by clicking this link.