Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest

Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest is one of the top Budapest attractions without a doubt. The present day lovely lookout towers / decorative fortification of Fisherman’s Bastion were built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout tower for the best panoramic views in Budapest, Hungary. Needless to say, there used to be real castle walls where now you can take fantastic photos from, but the present day structure has never served as an actual fortification in Buda.

Fishermans Bastion Budapest

Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest / Karoly Meyer Photography

Quick Facts about the Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest

Budapest Fishermans Bastion in March

Budapest Fisherman’s Bastion – Claudia Y Ros Photography

  • Built from 1895 to 1902
  • Looks like the logo of Walt Disney films, only nicer and older
  • Open all year round, day and night
  • Entrance fee: free balconies combined with fee paying top turrets
  • 7 turrets to represent the 7 Hungarian tribes who founded the present day country in 895
  • Cafe on the terrace of the Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest
  • Chapel inside the Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest (open from March 2013)
  • Protected by the guild of the fishermen during the Middle Ages, hence the name

The views from the Fisherman’s Bastion well deserve their own special tower atop the Buda Castle Hill, as not only the Buda Castle but also the river views plus the Danube riverfront sights are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Budapest Dinner Cruise with Buda Castle

Budapest Dinner Cruise with Buda Castle

This unique feature makes the Fisherman’s Bastion one of the most visited places in Budapest. The towers of the Bastion are also part of the Buda Castle tours. To appreciate the full range of river sights along the river Danube, many tourists take a Danube river cruise in Budapest.

61 thoughts on “Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest

    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Dear Visitor,
      Thank you for contacting us.
      According to its architectural style, the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle may seem to be a very old building, but the truth is it was built at the turn of the century (finished in 1902), to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state (among a lot of other buildings across Budapest).

      Learn more about the History of Fisherman’s Bastion on this link: https://fishermansbastion.com/history

      Have a lovely time in Budapest!

      Reply
        1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

          Dear Karen,
          Thank you for contacting us.
          We have emailed you.
          Have a nice holiday in Budapest!

  1. Charlie

    Dears Sirs,

    I would like to enquire about booking this venue for a wedding. Could you please send some information regarding how to book, prices etc. Many thanks

    Reply
  2. jessie williams

    Hello,

    I have sent an email enquiring about a resturaunt booking. Please could i have some more information on how i would do this? I cannot find a menu or a section to book a table.

    Kindest regards,

    Jessie

    Reply
  3. Diana

    Hello, I was trying to contact you via email, but haven’t receive any answer. I am interested in group visit to FIsherman’s Bastion.
    Hope you will contact me asap.

    Reply
  4. laurent

    and is there still in 2023 Free Entry to all parts of the Fisherman’s Bastion in the mornings before 9 am
    and in the evenings after 7 pm ?
    thanks

    Reply
  5. elvira

    Hello, I would like to know if this tour can be done in winter in February. and what are the best tours to do at this time of year in 3 days. Thank you

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hello Elvira,
      Buda Castle tours include a visit to Fishermen’s Bastion lower terraces.
      Entry to Fisherman’s Bastion
      Please note that visiting the lower terraces of Fisherman’s Bastion is free of charge.
      If you also wish to visit the upper terraces you’ll need to purchase entry tickets (there is a ticket vending machine on the spot) as follows:

      Tickets (Adults): HUF 1000 (approx. 3 Euro)
      Discount Tickets (Students & children under 14): HUF 500 (approx. 1.7 Euro)

      The upper terraces are free of charge before 9 am and after 7 pm.
      Let me recommend you the following tour, booking will be available from mid-January.

      https://budacastlebudapest.com/buda-castle-tour-funicular-ride-river-cruise/

      Reply
  6. Angela A

    My husband and I are very much looking forward to visiting your beautiful city in 2022. We are planning to dine at the restaurant at the Fisherman’s Bastion for dinner. A couple of questions that are unclear to me – is the fine dining restaurant different from the cafe or the same place? Also, what is the dress code like? Finally, is the Fisherman’s Bastion safe to explore and walk around at night, after dark? We will likely be staying nearby at the Hilton. Thank you for your time and sharing your city with us.

    Reply
  7. Rajendra Paul

    Greetings.

    How does this experience compare to the castle-church experience in Prague, if you know?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hello Rajendra,
      unfortunately, we do not have any details about the Prague castle tours, we recommend you try both of them if you are in the area and
      decide yourself!

      Reply
  8. Teresa Toth

    It is more beautiful and romantic than pictures can capture. Sadly, I have been there sadly only 2 times. The last was my honeymoon 40 years ago. The view, the ambience cannot be replicated. It is a must see. Put it on your bucket list!!

    Reply
  9. Ruud

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    Are you open at Christmas Eve (24 December) or Christmas Day (25 December)? If so, is it necessary to make a reservation for dinner (2 adults and 1 child).

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Dear Ruud,
      Thank you for contacting us regarding a reservation at the restaurant of Fisherman’s Bastion.
      I would recommend you to contact Halaszbastya Restaurant directly at info[at]halaszbastya.eu
      Should you be interested in a private dinner cruise, please contact our partner on info[at]budapestrivercruise.com
      Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

      We wish you a wonderful Christmas time in Budapest!

      Reply
    2. Caroline

      We are staying at the Hilton at this moment.
      Great hotel, situated right by the Fisherman’s Bastion.
      We had a wander around last night, after dark, we found it to be perfectly safe, and not too busy.
      The restaurant has a spectacular view of the river and Government building, we haven’t eaten there yet, but maybe later.

      Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hello Deb, it depends on which cafe at Fisherman’s Bastion you have in mind.
      The one directly on Fisherman’s Bastion is renting a balcony of the bastion, and opens at 10 am normally, offering drinks (its Halaszbastya restaurant opens at 6.30 pm in the evening).
      There is a Starbucks cafe right next to the Fisherman’s Bastion, overlooking the Bastion but with no views / no panorama over the river Danube and the city of Budapest. The Starbucks cafe has the standard international Starbucks foods and drinks, including simple breakfast options, sandwiches etc.. It is open from 8 am in the morning until early night at 9.30 pm (08:00 – 21:30).
      A great, although more expensive, option could be the five star Hotel Hilton and its Icon Restaurant for a good breakfast, as some of its windows overlook Budapest’s panorama view (and offer a warm place in the winter cold), but you’ll need to check with them as hotel guests are prioritised I believe.

      Reply
  10. Andrew Lovasi

    We will be travelling to Budapest in 3 weeks and would like to be able to dine at the Bastion. Is this still possible and what would the process for this

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hello Andrew, yes you may book a dinner table at the Fisherman’s Bastion Restaurant (a separate company renting some parts of the historical monument). The menu and prices of the restaurant are available on this link
      halaszbastya.eu/_files/HBE_etlap_belivek_210x297-20160429-lapozos.pdf

      If you wish to enjoy a romantic / panoramic Budapest dinner, we also recommend taking a look at the river cruises where the views are fascinating, more up close, a favourite of local and foreign visitors alike with great culinary options, starting from 54 Euros per person with dinner and cruise
      https://budapestrivercruise.com/budapest-dinner-cruise
      The a la carte dinner cruise has a wide range of choices of excellent dishes and drinks, and an upper deck with a glass dome
      https://budapestrivercruise.com/budapest-candlelit-dinner-cruise-a-la-carte-dinner
      Have a superb time in Budapest and great views from the Fisherman’s Bastion.

      Reply
  11. Mrs. Smith

    Dear Anna Sheng

    The mother of two extremely misbehaving children apologizes a thousand times for these very inappropriate comments that they have written on this site.

    I hope that you all have a wonderful stay in Budapest and find the best solution for experiencing the most of the city by car or something else. I can answer your question by saying the bus system in the city is gold as well.

    I ask for your forgiveness!!!

    Furthermore I hope that it is possible for the website to delete these inappropriate comments. I only just realized that my young children had gotten access to my phone.

    I wish everyone a good evening

    Regards from an embarrassed mother

    Reply
  12. Anna Sheng

    we are going to visit Budapest on July 7 and will spend one week there.
    is it a good idea to rent a car? Is parking available in most tour’s site?

    Thank you

    Anna Sheng

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hi Anna, we usually do not recommend renting a car in Budapest to reduce the public traffic in the city and also because of the very efficient and fast public transport (unless you wish to use a taxi).
      Parking in the Buda Castle district is especially discouraged by highly limited car parking spaces, and very expensive parking rates to keep the car traffic to a minimum (similarly to e.g. London city) in a historical and touristic place.
      Hope you will enjoy your July in Budapest. Some things to do for that month: http://tenthingstodo.topbudapest.org/by-months/things-to-do-in-budapest-in-july/

      Reply
  13. Mark Ottaway

    We paid to access to access the Fishermans Bastion, but when we got there the gates were open and everyone was going up. I don’t understand why you charge money to access it when there are only gates on the exit.

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Hello Mark, thank you for sharing your observations. The turn tile gates are not guarded late in the evening, they are open for visitors. By day time, in contrast, the entrance is guarded and tickets need to be purchased (from March to October). You can find more information about prices at Fisherman’s Bastion, tickets, seasonal changes, etc. here: https://fishermansbastion.com/fishermans-bastion-prices

      Reply
  14. Jan Dusselaar

    Hello,
    I am disabled and use crutches to walk and for longer distances I use a wheelchair.
    Is it possible to get inside the Fisherman’s bastion by car?
    Is it possible to park my car, for example, near the Matthias Templon?
    On Google maps I see parkingplaces for invalids inside the Fisherman’s bastion but at Dísz tér I see also barriers.
    How do i pass these barriers?

    Reply
    1. Jan Dusselaar

      To: Ügyfélszolgálat (www.budavarikapu.hu)
      Subject: parking inside the Buda Castle protected zone for disabled persons
      Hello,
      I do have a Blue Badge Parking Card for disabled persons.
      Is it possible for me to get inside the Buda Castle protected zone by car?
      What wil be the costs?

      The answer
      Parking in the castle is free for disabled persons.
      You can enter the castle area on all roads, and you have to draw a ticket at the barrier.
      You have to leave the castle area only on Palota út, where you can present the Blue Badge Parking Card for the inspector.
      Best Regards, Customer’s Office of Budavári Kapu Kft.

      Reply
      1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

        Dear Jan, thank you very much for sharing the information regarding the wheelchair parking accessibility at the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest. It is most helpful for other tourists with a blue disabled badge. Wishing you a great time in Budapest, Hungary.

        Reply
  15. 王政雄

    I am a disabled person , always need the electric wheelchair with me. Could let me know is available to visit all the fisherman’s bation ?

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Dear Visitor, thank you for letting us know.
      unfortunately the upper turrets of the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest are not wheelchair accessible, but the lower parts, ramparts, terraces offer great views for visitors in wheel chair too, with some important considerations to keep in mind before making your visit: first, the area is mostly covered in cobblestones, but not everywhere, so the ride is occasionally bumpy and the cobblestones may affect the wheels of your wheelchair negatively.
      Please zoom in on this view for a better understanding what the surfaces look like near the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church: https://goo.gl/maps/gaNDxP8HtCC2

      With these road circumstances in mind, if you decide to go ahead, and take the smoother pavements, and on some parts, the bumpier cobblestone ways to the bastion, please make sure to access the Buda Castle District by bus or taxi. There are public buses which are wheelchair friendly but the minibuses and the Castle buses are mostly crowded, and not easy to get on them with a wheelchair, unless the other guests – mostly tourists – are considerate enough to make you space on the bus (it should not be impossible but please do not be surprised to see fully packed buses in the Castle District).
      From the bus stop one needs to get off at the Holy Trinity Square (Szentharomsag Ter): from there there is approximately 22 meters / 72 feet to cover as a distance partly on smoother pavements and partly on cobblestone.

      Holy Trinity Square has been recently renovated, and according to local wheelchair users, it is easily manageable with a mobile chair or wheelchair.
      Matthias Church has got a rampart for wheelchair users, so it is also accessible for visitors.
      In the nearby Hotel Hilton there are many accessible toilets that you can use.
      Please note that the Buda Castle courtyards (next to the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery) are all covered in cobblestones, which make them, unfortunately, not wheelchair friendly.

      We hope this helps to make an informed decision about the accessibility of Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest. Wishing you a great time in Hungary.

      Reply
  16. Sheila Korn

    We will be in Budapest on St. Stephen’s Day and want to plan dinner near where the fireworks will be best seen. Do you have a suggestion for a restaurant?

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Dear Sheila,
      in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Bastion, we can recommend either the luxurious Halaszbastya Restaurant or the equally luxurious Icon Restaurant of the five star Hilton Budapest hotel in the Buda Castle District. That said, most visitors wish to get a better view a bit closer from the river cruises on the Danube while enjoying the Fireworks show on Aug 20, St Stephen’s Day: https://budapestrivercruise.com/budapest-fireworks-cruises
      Have a great time in Budapest in August.

      Reply
  17. Troela

    It is beautiful there but beware of pickpockets!! A neat man (about 55 years) offered to take a picture of me and my sister. A companion has stolen our money. Is on the picture.

    Reply
    1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

      Dear Trolea,
      thank you for your invaluable feedback. We are terribly sorry to hear about the incident that happened with you while enjoying the Fisherman’s Bastion. Taking care of any valuables is recommended in crowded places in big cities, unfortunately, including Budapest too and its most popular and busiest attractions. Thank you for sharing your tip with us.

      Reply
  18. micaela

    could anyone please inform me the name of that wonderfully blooming tree on the courtyard of the fisherman bastion.

    Reply
  19. Julie

    Hello. After having a lovely day looking around the Fisherman’s Bastion I realised we were missing my daughters bag ( I think the strap must have broken and fallen off) it is a bright pink bag with some green on it and full of things for a toddler. I would really like to find the bag as it would make our trip away much easier. If it is handed in please could someone reply please.
    The view was spectacular and the musicians in the cafe were great.
    Thanks

    Reply
  20. Péter

    ??? Hogyan lehet az, hogy a Halászbástyának nincsen magyar nyelvű oldala??? S az, hogy ezen az oldalon sem lehet a nyelvek közül választani – Az is felháborító, hogy egy magyar államporgálnak belépőt kell fizetni, ha megakarja tekinteni örökségét. Katasztrófa!
    Gratulálok az I. kerület vezetésének! Büszkék lehetnek magukra…

    Reply
    1. Béla

      Az még egy dolog, hogy hiányol valaki magyar információt. az viszont egy másik téma, hogy a külföldi túristák közel 90%-a német anyanyelvü. Aki ismeri az idegenforgalomban dolgozókat, a magyar túristahivatalt és a parlamenti képviselöket is, annak nem csoda a német nyelvü prospektusok nyilvánvalóan szándékos megszüntetése. Tartsd a markodat és erre légy büszke “magyar”!

      Reply
      1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

        Kedves Béla, köszönjük az építő jellegű kritikát. A Halászbástya oldalának angol nyelvű domainjéhez egyelőre csak az angol nyelvű változatot fejlesztettük ki, a pénzügyi keretek ezt tették lehetővé. Köszönjük szíves türelmüket es megértésüket a további nyelvi opciók kivitelezéséig. Ha addig bármiben magyar nyelvű látogatók kérdéseire választ tudunk adi, szívesen állunk rendelkezésre.
        Üdvözlettel, FishermansBastion.com

        Reply
      1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

        Kedves Anita,
        köszönjük segítő szándékát. Az Ön által linkelt oldal kizárólag a Halászbástya étterem oldala, amely honlapon a menükről és asztalfoglalásról lehet tájékozódni. Bérlik a Halászbástya több termét, teraszát és egy tornyát is a Budavári Önkormányzattól.

        Reply
  21. Bruce Cheney

    Is there a gift store there (or nearby) that sells replica plates from 1710 Hungary? We believe we purchased a replica plate in 2009 that was in a display case in the foyer area. It had “MJ” on the back and “Made in Hungary”. It was purchased in honor of my wife’s Hungarian grandmother. Unfortunately, it has been broken and we want to get another, if possible. If you can help, it would be very much appreciated. We will pay whatever cost is involved.

    Reply
  22. Petr Procházka

    Dears,
    I am going to Budapest with my girlfriend this weekend …. I have heard that Fisherman’s bastion is amazing spot …. Could you please provide me some other further information? Is
    there some private place where we could be alone?

    Thank you very much for your response
    Best regards,

    Petr Procházka

    Reply
      1. Fisherman's Bastion Post author

        Hello Petr, your comment has been edited. Please picture the Fisherman’s Bastion as an open air terrace with bastions / towers. It has 7 towers but none is private. There is also a cafe in a short section of the bastion building where you can book a table. Hope this helps with some ideas for a romantic visit in Budapest: http://romanticbudapest.com/

        Reply
  23. Linds

    Love the photos and great information. I’ll be in Budapest in December, and I can’t wait to snap some pictures of Fisherman’s Bastion. Did you take your photos at night or early morning? I’m thinking a visit before sunrise might be ideal.

    Reply

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