When I hopped off the plane at Budapest’s airport, I had no idea what to expect from my trip. But the least I can say is that the city totally took me by surprise and quickly became of my favorite European capital cities. Budapest reminded me why I love traveling in the first place. Surely, there’s nothing more exciting than discovering a city’s atmosphere for the first time, right?
If you’re into history, architecture, nightlife and unmatched views, get ready to stop at every single corner. Budapest is definitely a photographer’s heaven as well as one the most underrated cities in Europe from my own experience. Talking about photography, let’s dive right in!
In this article you will find:
- The best photo spots in Budapest (especially if this is your first time)
- A map of the photo spots covered in this post to help you make the most of your time in the Hungarian capital
- The best time to take pictures in Budapest
- Bonus: the best Budapest Instagram hashtags
In a rush? Then make sure to pin this for later!
When is the best time to take pictures in Budapest?
If you’re aiming for that ‘perfect Instagram shot’ then there’s literally no secret other than waking up at dawn to reach each spot as early as possible and avoid the crowds.
I noticed that this is especially true for spots like Fisherman’s Bastion or St. Stephen’s Basilica. Other than that, I found it pretty easy to take pictures in Budapest, including in the middle of the day. It is definitely not the most crowded capital I’ve visited.
One thing is for sure, you will not regret the early wake-up call! Having a place like Fisherman’s Bastion to yourself is definitely a unique experience, and I can’t recommend it enough. The early bird catches the worm, right?
Ready to discover Budapest’s best photo spots?
Let’s go!
1. Budapest Parliament (across the Danube River)
What to type into Google Maps? Novotel Budapest Danube (as a starting point).
I arrived there in the middle of the day and still managed to take quite a few pictures while taking my time! There are plenty of good photo spots along the river, so you won’t have any problems finding a free (and good) one.
Also, if Novotel Budapest Danube’s price range falls within your budget, consider staying there as it’s close to many landmarks and attractions in Budapest such as Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Chain Bridge, Buda castle, etc. (keep scrolling to know more about these spots). They also offer rooms with a view over the Danube River. What more could you ask for? 🙂
2. Fisherman’s Bastion
No trip to Budapest would be complete without a stop at Fisher man’s Bastion. The view and architecture are so breathtaking that chances are you will feel like visiting it more than once during your stay. I took these pictures between 8-9 am and it was just fine. However, I would recommend coming at sunrise to avoid group tours that start flocking around pretty early in the morning.
The best part about this incredible location is that the options are almost endless when it comes to photography. In case you need more inspiration and photo ideas, here’s a blog post I can’t recommend enough: 10 Best Viewpoints From Fisherman’s Bastion In Budapest
Good to know: if you do a quick Google search, you will find that Fisherman’s Bastion opens at 9 am and closes at 11 pm from Monday to Sunday. In fact, only a very small portion of the Bastion (i.e. the upper terrace and towers) require a ticket and actually open at 9 am.
Other than that, the whole Bastion is accessible for free 24/7. The pictures above and below were all taken in the free areas.
You will definitely get lost for a couple of hours (talking from experience here). See for yourself:
3. Matthias Church
Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are basically the same spot which will save you a lot of time. They are also two of Budapest’s most popular attractions, so definitely make them a priority.
5 Unique Things to Do in Budapest
Budapest: Historic Cruise with Welcome Drink
Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Walking Tour
Budapest: Classical Music Concerts in Matthias Church
Budapest: Walking Tour of Buda Castle with a Historian
Budapest: Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music
4. Chain Bridge
You simply can’t miss the iconic Chain bridge (built in 1849) during your trip to Budapest! If you’re into photography, you will definitely love this spot as you’ll be able to try out many different angles around the bridge and bring a unique perspective to your photos.
I would also recommend stopping by in the morning to avoid the crowds crossing the bridge as well as in the evening to enjoy the bridge once it’s illuminated.
5. Budapest Eye
Everybody knows about the London eye, but what about the Budapest eye? Even though the wheel in itself is nothing special (I’m sure the view from the top is amazing though), the fountain on the nearby square is absolutely stunning and makes it a very photogenic spot!
I took this picture in the middle of the day without any problems. That’s definitely one more reason to check it out.
6. St. Stephen’s Basilica
Another of Budapest’s many architectural gems! If you plan to capture this one, make sure to wake up early and make it a priority along with Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church. There’s literally no other way as this spot is located in the city center and can therefore get pretty crowded.
7. Budapest Parliament (up close)
This picture was taken in the middle of the afternoon. As it is often the case when it comes to photographing popular spots abroad, I would say that the earlier the better. However, with a bit of patience, you’ll be able to take a few decent shots during the day as well.
I would also recommend visiting it if you have the chance! The inside is just as stunning as the outside, and it’s definitely a good opportunity to learn more about Hungary’s rich culture and past. I learned a lot during my visit to the parliament, which I found to be a great introduction.
8. The Cute houses and streets between Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle
If you take your time to explore the area, you will definitely come across a couple of cute houses and streets like this one.
What to type into Google Maps? “The House of Houdini” or use the code “F2XM+QR Budapest, Hungary”, which you can also copy and paste directly into Google Maps (this is the location pictured here) and just explore from there!
Also, if you’re in for a little surprise (and some incredible view), make sure to check what’s hiding at the end of the street pictured behind me! Here’s the exact Google Maps code: F2XM+VG Budapest, Hungary.
Map of the most Instagrammable places in Budapest
Photo spots I haven’t covered in this article:
- Buda castle
- Vajdahunyad Castle
- Szechenyi Thermal Baths
- Liberty Bridge
- New York Café
- Gellért Hill
The Best Budapest Instagram hashtags
Now that you know everything about the most Instagrammable posts in Budapest, it’s time to plan your hashtags! Here’s some inspiration for your next posts.
| #thisisbudapest | #hungary |
| #welovebudapest | #budapestagram |
| #ig_budapest | #topbudapestphoto |
| #momentsinbudapest | #fishermansbastion |
| #budapest_hungary | #instahun |
| #ilovebudapest | #budapestphotography |
| #budapestparliament | #budapestravel |
| #visitbudapest | #budapestgram |
| #instahungary | #welovehungary |
| #budapest | #ighungary |
It looks like you’ve reached the end of this article! I wish you a wonderful trip and hope that you will enjoy Budapest as much as I did. And don’t forget to bring an extra battery and SD card… you will need them 🙂
By the way, if you found this blog post useful, let me know on Instagram @rosesandpostcards, that would make my day! And in case you’re looking for more travel inspiration, make sure to check my other posts!
See you soon!
Budapest is on my dream destination list! Seeing your relaxing day here has made my desire to go all the more intense. The colors!!! Great post as always, Margo 🙂