1. Rudas Bath Terrace - pictured above

This is not an ordinary viewpoint as it comes with a thermal pool with healing water. With an impressive backdrop of Gellért Hill and the Statue of Liberty you can gaze at the panorama of the Danube. It is also worth trying the wellness area and the Turkish hammam. Check opening times as most days are men-only or women-only with limited mixed days. 

2. Normafa 

It is one of the most popular weekend outings for locals, which is accessible in 20 minutes from the city. The air is cleaner here and the views of the Buda hills and the city are magnificent. In the winter tobogganing and even skiing is possible. János Hill (Jánoshegy) has the highest point of the city: at 528 meters take in the views from the Elisabeth Lookout Tower.

It can be visited free of charge from sunrise to sunset. You can also travel here by the Zugliget Chairlift and enjoy the city’s view literally below your feet.  A new trail meandering above the tree tops will soon be built at Normafa.

MTI Photo: Noémi Bruzák

3. Hármashatár hill / Guckler lookout

This lookout is a little further away from the city center. The hiking route is part of the so called “National Blue Trail”, which runs through Hungary and has a full length of 1165 kms (724 miles). The viewpoint is also accessible by public bus and driving.

The Karoly Guckler Lookout offers wonderful views: in clear weather you can see the Mátra Mountain and the Tatras in the distance. The Danube is meandering “at your feet” and you can admire all of the bridges that connect Buda and Pest. It’s open during night time too.

The Pálvölgyi Cave and Szemlőhegy Cave are also worth a visit in the area. The lookout is free.

4. Mansfeld Peter Park

This park is located on the Buda side in the fancy Rosehill area. A memorial to Peter Mansfeld stands here. He was the youngest martyr of the 1956 revolution. Mainly locals with dogs and couples on dates come here to watch the sunset.

The Parliament, the bridges over the Danube and the Gellért Hill can be viewed at a wonderful angle from here. This is also a hidden spot for watching the fireworks on the national day (20 August).

5. Tomb of Gül Baba

The tomb of the 16th century Ottoman-Turkish dervish is located here. According to legend, at the funeral of Gül Baba, even Suleiman the Great helped carry the coffin. It is also worth visiting the adjacent rose garden and the cultural center that has different events and exhibitions. It is located right below Mansfeld Peter park.

MTI Photo:  Sándor H. Szabó

6. Tower Of the Apostles - Vajdahunyad Castle

150 steps lead up to this lookout tower from the inside of the Agricultural Museum. The tower is a replica of the clock tower in Sighisoara. From here we can marvel at the special details of the castle, which was built for the 1896 World Fair.

The ice rink and boating lake are in front of your eyes and you can also spot Gellért Hill and the Basilica. Guided tours of the tower are in English and Hungarian, additional ticket is needed.

7. Inner City Parish Church

Enjoy a slice of the city and great views of the Buda side from the two towers of the Inner City Parish Church located next to Váci Street. You can walk up the stairs or take the elevator to the top. The lookout will be closed until March 2022.

8. Margaret Island Water Tower

The 57-meter-high reinforced concrete water tower was built in 1911 in Art Nuevo style. It is located on Margaret island between Buda and Pest. In summer, it operates as the Margaret Island Theater. The lookout is open from May. The water tower can be reached by scheduled ferry boat, public transport, car and on foot.

MTI Photo: Zoltán Máthé

9. Ziggurat

There are temporary exhibitions inside this tower-shaped building. It’s located by the Palace of Arts and the National Theater. A spiral road leads up to the 12-meter lookout point, from where you can look at the Danube.

+1. Skydeck - MOL Campus
​​​​​​​

The first skyscraper in Budapest will open in Autumn 2022 in the southern part of the city at the Kopaszi Gát neighborhood. MOL is an oil and gas company, the largest in Hungary. Their headquarters will move to the 28-storey building designed by Foster+Partners. The 120-meter-high observation deck will be open to everyone.


Source: Budapestinfo.hu


MTI Photo of Normafa: Márton Mónus