With a baroque fortress perched on a cliff and looming over the historic attractions of central Budapest, Budavár is the iconic Castle District of Budapest. The Buda Castle is one of the highlights of the city, with a funicular and a labyrinth around it. Check out this majestic sight and visit the other historic landmarks in the core of the city.

The castle dates back to the 13th century and was transformed into its current baroque structure in the 1700s. Climb to the top of Gellért Hill for spectacular views of the river and the rest of the city. Explore the area around the castle for its mix of baroque, neoclassical and medieval houses that show off the eclectic architectural layout of central Budapest.

One particularly scenic passage up and down the hill on the banks of the River Danube is via the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular. Ride it down to Adam Clark Square and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge that runs across the water. Walk along the edge of the river to find one of the most moving monuments in the city in the form of the Shoes on the Danube Bank. Comprising a line of shoes, the memorial honors the Jews killed by the fascist Arrow Cross group during World War II.

Note that the area is also commonly known by other names, including the Castle District, the 1st District of Budapest and Várkerület. The neighborhood is located on the western Buda flank of the River Danube, as it flows through the city center of Budapest. Ride the train or metro to the station of Batthyány tér, right by the river at the northern end of the district, and get around on foot. A tramway runs parallel to the water, while the Budapest-Déli station provides transportation to the area’s western edge.