Walking around Budapest | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Trains from Warsaw and Krakow arrive at Budapest Keleti station in the city centre
• The M2 metro line runs beneath Keleti station at a depth of 28 metres
• Vasarcsarnok is a 19th-century Art Nouveau market hall near the Danube, 300 m from the metro
• Gellert Hill stands 235 m high and offers panoramic views of the city
• The Citadel at the top of Gellert Hill is reachable via park-like alleys, 750 m from the bridge
• Walking the full Budapest sightseeing route from Keleti to Heroes Square takes a full day

Keleti railway station

We start our walk around Budapest from Keleti Station. Located in the city centre, the station used to be called Central Station and was considered one of the most modern stations in Europe in the 19th century. Since 1970, there has been a station of the M2 underground line of the same name under the station at a depth of 28 metres, which will take you, among other places, to the Parliament. In 2014, the M4 metro line was opened under the Gellért hill on the other side of the Danube, which you can take for two stops to the Kalvin ter station (Kelvin Square) 8 min 2 km away.

Vásárcsarnok shopping hall

We get off the metro and head along Vamhaz Korut Street towards the Danube. After 300 metres, we pass Vásárcsarnok, an Art Nouveau shopping hall from the 19th century, where we can stock up on local delicacies that will serve as provisions for the day, including the famous Hungarian salami, ajwar and wine. The multitude and colourfulness of the products is very impressive, and the building itself is considered one of the most beautiful in Budapest. After leaving the market, head over the Freedom Bridge towards, across the river, Gellert Hill. 13 min 1 km

Gellert Hill

The 235 m high hill owes its name to Bishop Gellert, who, according to legend, was killed here in the 11th century by the Pagans. At the foot of the hill, the famous Gellert Hotel was built at the beginning of the 20th century, with a spa bath whose baths are now regarded as the most luxurious in Budapest. Next to the hotel is a unique place of worship - a rock-cut church built in 1926. Pass it and head up the park-like alleys to the Citadel at the top of the hill. 14 min 750 m

Citadel

The Citadel was built by the Habsburgs after the fall of the 1848 uprising, as an expression of Austrian domination. This function did not come to fruition, as the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was proclaimed in 1867 as a result of the national movement of Hungarians. Today, it houses a museum and a restaurant. The top of the hill is a great viewpoint over Budapest. Descend towards the Danube, following Friedrich Born Street towards the Castle. 37 min 3 km

Buda Castle

Towering over Budapest, the Royal Castle consists of several buildings from different eras. Its main part was built in the 18th century during the reign of Maria Theresa, while the earliest part dates back to the 13th century. The last inhabitant of the palace was Admiral Miklos Hortjy (1919 - 1945). After the war, the castle was used for museum purposes and now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. (open daily 10 - 18). From the castle, head along the park avenues towards the ... 5 min 500 m

Fisherman's Bastion

At any time of the day or night, the Tower is packed with tourists, attracted by the most picturesque panorama of the Danube in the entire city. The structure was built in the Neo-Romanesque style in 1895 for the fishermen's guild, to which it owes its name. Take a break here and enjoy a glass of wine overlooking Budapest before heading down towards the river. 10 min 800 m

Chain Bridge

Built in 1849, it was the first permanent crossing between Buda and Pest. It owes its name to the powerful chains stretched between the two towers carrying it. On summer weekends (July, August) it is the site of artistic festivals. Cross it to Antall József Boulevard, which stretches along the Danube and leads to the Parliament. 12 min 950 m

Parliament

Considered the symbol of Budapest. Filled with extensive boulevards and Art Nouveau townhouses, its surroundings are reminiscent of the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The Parliament building is modelled on the British Parliament, and its interiors are decorated with works by prominent Hungarian artists. The building can only be visited with a guide. Admission is free for EU citizens. From the square in front of the Parliament House, turn into Nador Street, which you take to ... 13 min 1 km

St Stephen's Basilica

Since its consecration in 1905, it has been the largest church in the Hungarian capital. The relics of St Stephen, the country's patron saint, are kept here. Its dome is exactly the same height as that of the Parliament and is visible from almost every part of the city. From the Basilica, along Szant Istvan (or St. Stephen) Street, we reach the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky metro station, which belongs to the oldest metro line dating back to 1896. The shallowness of the tunnel will certainly surprise us! We take the M1 line for 6 stops to Hasok Tere station . 6 min 3 km

Vajdahunyad Castle

Hasok Tere, or Heroes' Square, is the culmination of Andrassa ut the most elegant boulevard in Budapest where embassies, theatres and the opera house are located. The square connects it to the park-like part of the district, where Vajdahunyad Castle rises above the lake. The fairytale-like building, designed by Ignac Alpar, combines different styles with references to other Hungarian monuments. It is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing. Especially since we have just visited all the highlights of Budapest!

Now it's time for the important question - an evening in Budapest or do we set off to conquer more capitals? An important question to ask ourselves on this day. If it's Budapest, then it's easy... relax in the Szehenyuer Baths in the park, and if it's historic Bratislava or imperial Vienna... a very good choice - relax on the train journey!

To Keleti station, from where trains leave for Vienna as well as Warsaw and Cracow, head through the park towards Thokoly street. 27 min 2.2 km

To get to theNyugati railway station from where trains to Bratislava leave, you can take the familiar M1 line and get off at Oktogon station, where you can catch trams 4 and 6 and get off at the Nyugati stop, or walk 800 m towards the visible station building. 20 min 2.8 km

How do I buy a train ticket online?

Ticket reservations can be made via the reservation form, email: kontakt@polishtrains.eu or by phone: 703 402 010 (Call cost: PLN 2.58 including VAT/min). Feel free to contact us!