3 ages in 1 building: The fascinating Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest

Spend a day with your family or friends visiting Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyadvár) and its treasures in Budapest’s unique city park (Városliget) and enjoy its lively atmosphere.

Budapest City Park(Városliget) was the first public park in the world. Every season is a great choice for a visit here. In summer we can go boating on the lake, in winter we can go skating on the same frozen lake. In addition to a family program offer (Budapest Zoo, Capital Circus of Budapest, which was established in 1889), you can also buy some street food or have a refreshing cocktail at its cafés and restaurants. Next to all this is Vajdahunyad Castle, which is the home of the Hungarian Agricultural Museum.

A versatile island in the city

The stunning castle was built in 1896 for the country’s millennium anniversary to present the treasures of the Hungarian architectural history. Designer Ignác Alpár perfectly merged the elements of different architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. That is why you can find on the Vajdahunyad Castle the gates of the church of Ják, the chapel of the Pécs cathedral, the elements of the houses in Levoča and Banská Bystrica, not to mention some of the motifs of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő. The building itself looks like the Hunyad Castle in Transylvania. It was intended as a temporary building, but Hungarians loved it, so the decision was made not to dismantle it after the millennium annversary celebration events.

Adventure in the past – the hidden treasures of the castle

The main entrance of the building can be approached through the Lion stone bridge. We can walk around the monastery belfry, each element of which refers to the monuments of medieval Hungary. Unfortunately, the destruction and the war did not spare Vajdahunyad Castle either. After renovation work (1959), the architectural masterpiece became a listed building in 1991. Uniquely, we can find three famous statues of Budapest here: the statue of the designer Ignác Alpár stands nearby the main entrance, the statue of Anonymus (anonymous notary of King Béla IV) stands in front of the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, and the statue of Count Sándor Károlyi, the leader of the Magyar cooperative movement stands in the castle courtyard.

The characteristic castle gate

Budapest City Park and the castle can be seen from the top of the tower. But that’s not the only reason it’s worth going up to the Gatehouse, which is approximately 37 meters high. There is also a photo exhibition presenting the history of the castle. If we have enough time, we can walk through the so-called Siege Corridor. It is interesting that an armored knight from King Matthias’ famous black army can also be discovered in the rose window.

Enjoy the overview of Budapest from the Apostles’ Tower

The castle has several special characteristics. If we climb the 150 steps, we will reach the Apostles’ Tower (Apostolok tornya), which reflects the clock tower of Segesvár. From here you can have an incredible view of the capital and its sights: Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, St. Stephen’s Basilica. 

In addition, we can also explore the rarely seen parts of the castle itself. If you want to see the whole building, it is worth walking around the canal. And if you are interested in museums, the Museum of Agriculture is a recommended place to visit – it is in the castle building.

Vajdahunyad and its background – Adore the romance on the boating lake

Városliget offers many recreational opportunities. In the neighborhood you will find the popular boating lake (it is not allowed to swim there), which is a favorite place of lovers in spring and summer. A traditional boat and a pedalo can be rented as well. In winter you can enjoy a good party while skating on the frozen lake and admiring the grove or tasting the popular mulled wine. Next to the lake there is the Zoo Boulevard with its many attractions. You can find here for example the Gundel Restaurant, built in 1894 (formerly called Wampetics Restaurant until 1910) and its “little brother”, the Owl’s Castle Restaurant (Bagolyvár étterem), which was built right next to the left-wing of the building, and shares the kitchen with Gundel, but offers more consolidated prices. Both restaurants represent Hungarian cuisine admirably.

The green area in the heart of the city 

With the launch of Liget Budapest Project, Budapest City Park has received 5,000 square meters of green space, despite the fact that the construction of several entertainment complexes has begun. For example, the House of Hungarian Music (Magyar Zene Háza) is being built here and the Budapest Zoo is being renovated. Thanks to the largest garden and landscape architecture program in the history of Budapest, the vegetation of Városliget will be completely renewed in several stages. Many new trees and plants will be planted after the various constructions. From now on, beside the popular Margaret Island (Margitsziget), we can also take a walk and enjoy the fresh air in the City Park, which will be a great hideaway from the jungle of city. If you are in Margaret Island 7 hidden parks and gardens in Budapest.

Fantastic events 

Budapest City Park and Vajdahunyad Castle are also home to many events. When the weather is good, there is a wine and champagne festival (Rosalia Festival) with light music concerts. The popular Kürtőskalács festival also took place here before. Moreover, in some years, National Gallop (Nemzeti Vágta) also takes place here. Not to mention that families from Budapest and the countryside also come here to have a great time and enjoy the different programs. If you have several days in the capital, it is worth coming out here and having a walk in this extraordinary park which is easily accessible by public transport.

Best offer – Leisure and recreational opportunities near Vajdahunyad Castle 

In addition to the above mentioned cavalcade of experiences, the largest green area in Budapest is also suitable for active relaxation. You can rest and recover in the truly legendary Széchenyi Thermal Bath (Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő), which is one of the largest spa facilities in Europe. In addition to the indoor and huge outdoor pool, massages and body treatments are also available for those who are looking for relaxation. In the so-called activity pool, you will find a whirling corridor, underwater effervescence production, neck shower, underwater jet massage and other great services.

Near the Vajdahunyad Castle you can try the historical underground railway (Földalatti) – also known as metro line 1 – which transports the passengers all the way to Váci utca. Stops are indicated by yellow signs along Andrássy út (a 2,5 kilometer long avenue, also worth a walk). To approach the underground railway, we need to go through the Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere) or reach the Szechenyi Bath (Széchényi Fürdő) station. 

If you love castles and want to learn more about the city of Budapest, check out the top 100 things you can’t miss in Budapest. The Budapest Card can be useful for public transportation, allowing you to easily get to any point in the city.

More interesting and useful tips

If you’re in Hungary, you should definitely try one of the locals’ favorite and special desserts, the chimney cake. The chimney cake of Budapest is one of the most delicious treats which is available in many flavors – Édes Mackó is a good place to try it. 

If you’re looking for a pleasant stroll around the famous Heroes Square, you should first read our article on the subject to truly appreciate this endlessly beautiful architectural masterpiece.