Budapest has rich history and amazing architecture. Most of the iconic sites are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage. Thanks to the fact that Buda is hilly, you can also enjoy breathtaking views at some points of the city.
Here's a collection of the most popular photo spots in Budapest with some hints & tips to help you take the best shots. Still not sure if you could do it yourself? As a local portrait photographer I'm happy to help to capture your memories!
Fisherman's Bastion
Introduction:
Fisherman's Bastion can be found on the Buda side of the city. It is by far the most popular and most Instagrammable photo spot in Budapest. Well, for a reason.
Background:
Built between 1895-1902 in Neo-Romanesque style to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state (a few other buildings and monuments were also built for the same reason ). Though it looks like a Castle, it was built purely to be a panoramic terrace, and to create nice surroundings for Matthias Church which is located right at the same spot. The "only" difference is that Matthias Church has been standing there since the 13th century(!).
The type of photography Fisherman's Bastion fits:
With such a stunning architecture and breathtaking views towards the Pest side of the city, this spot is a fantastic location for any kind of photo shoots.
Best season for a photo shoot at this spot:
The Disney-like lookout tower with its 7 turrets is a perfect backdrop for your portraits throughout the whole year.
Best time during the day for a photo shoot at this spot:
I recommend to start early in the morning in order to catch the best available lights and to beat the crowds. Lights are fantastic shortly after sunrise on a sunny day. The latest recommended start time is 07:30AM. From around 08:30AM the area can get really crowded. Also after 09:00AM there is an entrance fee to visit the upper terrace.
Outfit recommendations:
It is mostly limestone everywhere, which means the area is not really colorful by itself. I recommend to wear colors in case you'd like to have colorful pictures from this spot. The limestone being too reflective on sunny days, I highly recommend to bring sunglasses to avoid having squinting eyes on the photos!
Outfit change possibilities at this area:
There is a public bathroom at the bastion which officially opens at 08:00AM. There is a small fee to use it, but please note that they accept cash only. Otherwise you can change outside in the street.
Buda Castle
Introduction:
Buda Castle can be found on the Buda side of the city, on the top of Castle Hill. It is a very popular photo spot in Budapest.
Background:
The present castle was built in the 18th and 19th century. However the very first castle at the same spot was built in the 13th century, after the Mongol invasion.
The type of photography Buda Castle fits:
With such a stunning architecture and breathtaking views towards the Pest side of the city, this place is a fantastic location for any kind of photo shoots.
Best season for a photo shoot at this spot:
The Castle is a perfect backdrop for your portraits throughout the whole year.
NOTE: Construction works have been started in the Buda Castle area in spring 2024. It might get a point when the possibilities to take photos there would be very limited.
Best time during the day for a photo shoot at this spot:
I recommend to start early in the morning in order to catch the best available lights and to beat the crowds. Lights are fantastic shortly after sunrise on a sunny day. The latest recommended start time is 08:30-09:00AM. After that time the area can get really crowded. There is no entrance fee.
Outfit recommendations:
It is mostly limestone everywhere, which means the area is not really colorful by itself. I recommend to wear colors in case you'd like to have colorful pictures from this spot. The limestone being too reflective on sunny days, I highly recommend to bring sunglasses to avoid having squinting eyes on the photos!
Outfit change possibilities at this area:
Changing outfit is possible only outside in the street.
Hungarian Parliament Building
Introduction:
The Hungarian Parliament building is located on the Pest side of the city. It is one of the most known Budapest landmarks, and it's a very popular and Instagrammable photo spot.
Background:
Built between 1887-1904 in Neo-Romanesque style. It is the third largest parliament building in the world. It is 96 meters high, which number is to symbolize the date 896, when the first Hungarian tribes arrived to this land what we call Hungary today.
The type of photography Budapest Parliament fits:
With its stunning architecture this building and Kossuth Lajos square in front of it is a fantastic location for any kind of photo shoots. One side of the building is facing the river Danube and the Castle Hill (with a view to Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church and Buda Castle), which makes this location even more diverse.
Best season for a photo shoot at this spot:
This stunning building provides a perfect backdrop for your portraits throughout the whole year.
Best time during the day for a photo shoot at this spot:
It works either in the morning (not too early) or in the afternoon. The lights towards the Castle Hill are fantastic shortly before sunset on a sunny day. There is no entrance fee, the square is open for the public anytime.
Outfit recommendations:
It is mostly limestone everywhere, which means the area is not really colorful by itself. I recommend to wear colors in case you'd like to have colorful pictures from this spot. The limestone being too reflective on sunny days, I highly recommend to bring sunglasses to avoid having squinting eyes on the photos!
Outfit change possibilities at this area:
Changing outfit is possible outside in the street, or at some cafes/bars, but most probably you would need to buy there something in exchange.
Liberty Bridge
Introduction:
Besides Chain bridge, Liberty bridge is the second most known bridge in Budapest. It is a very popular photo spot in the city.
Background:
Liberty bridge was the 3rd permanent bridge of Budapest, built in 1896 for the millennial celebrations of Hungary. There is tram line going through the bridge since 1898.
The type of photography Liberty bridge fits:
With such a stunning architecture and stunning views both towards the Buda and the Pest side of the city, the bridge and the surroundings is a fantastic location for any kind of photo shoots.
Best season for a photo shoot at this spot:
Liberty bridge is a perfect backdrop for your portraits throughout the whole year.
Best time during the day for a photo shoot at this spot:
Both early mornings and late afternoons work. However please note that the bridge is very a popular meeting point among locals as well. It means that it gets crowded in the afternoons and evenings.
Outfit recommendations:
The bridge is dark green. I like taking pictures there also with the yellow tram in the background. I recommend to wear colors in case you'd like to have colorful pictures. Having usually a bit darker tones and busy backgrounds I recommend to wear lighter pastel colors to avoid blending into the surroundings.
Outfit change possibilities at this area:
Changing outfit is possible outside in the street, or at some cafes/bars, but most probably you would need to buy there something in exchange.
Vajdahunyad Castle
Introduction:
Vajdahunyad Castle can be found on the Pest side, in the city park called Városliget. It is a very nice and diverse, but for some reasons underrated photo spot in Budapest.
Background:
Originally it was built out of wood and other poor materials, because it was meant to be something temporary, an exhibition during Hungary's millennial celebrations in 1896. But it became so popular that later they rebuilt it out of stone and bricks.
The type of photography Vajdahunyad Castle fits:
With such a stunning and diverse architecture (all buildings are different there!) and the huge park around the place, the castle and its surroundings is a fantastic location for any kind of photo shoots.
Best season for a photo shoot at this spot:
This stunning area provides a perfect backdrop for your portraits throughout the whole year.
NOTE: Between late autumn and mid spring the park is not so green, as mostly there are no leaves on the trees.
Best time during the day for a photo shoot at this spot:
I recommend to start early in the morning (but not at sunrise) in order to catch the best available lights and to beat the crowds. The latest recommended start time is 07:30-08:00AM. After that time the area can get crowded. There is no entrance fee.
Outfit recommendations:
Apart from the park's green colors, in general the background here is mostly brownish and yellowish. I recommend to wear colors in case you'd like to have colorful pictures. Having usually a bit darker tones and busy backgrounds I recommend to wear lighter pastel colors to avoid blending into the surroundings.
Outfit change possibilities at this area:
Changing outfit is possible only outside in the street.