Fall in Love with the Top Budapest Instagram Spots
Budapest is a photographer’s dream coming true: majestic palaces, fairytale castles, incredible city views, iconic bridges, hip ruinous bars, Art Nouveau thermal baths. Budapest is without a doubt one of Europe’s most photogenic and instagrammable destinations.
From the moment you meet the city, you instantly become inspired by and infatuated with its old-world charm which you’ll want to capture with your camera.
#1 Hungarian Parliament
Wondering what is the most iconic and most photographed Hungarian building? The answer is none other than the Hungarian Parliament, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, as part of the banks of the Danube, and the largest building in Hungary. Even though its exterior looks epic when you’re standing up close, we promise you that you’ll find the best viewpoint if you cross the Danube river. It’s on the Buda side of the river and directly faces the Parliament building. Take a stroll over there, let yourself get inspired and start your photo shoot.
Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary
#2 Fisherman’s Bastion
Continue your photographic quest with one of the most instagrammable places in Budapest: the fairytale-looking Fisherman’s Bastion. With its imposing towers, Disney-like fortress and jaw-dropping views, you can imagine the countless cool photo opportunities you’ll get. There are many viewpoints within the complex which are Instagram-worthy, such as the arches, the balcony viewpoints or the staircase leading up to the fortress itself. Take your pick and strike a pose.
MEININGER tip: The sun rises right in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion, so, you might want to set up your alarm pretty early to watch the mesmerizing sunrise from there. Plus, you’ll have the whole place to yourself minus the big crowds.
Address: Budapest, Szentháromság tér, 1014 Hungary
#3 Gellért Hill & Citadella
We’ve heard the quote that “if you can look down, you’re in Buda, but if you can look up, you’re in Pest”. The ideal viewpoint from which to look down over Budapest is the Citadel atop Gellért Hill. It’s the highest point in the city with unparalleled views of the magical cityscape: the Danube river, the Liberty Bridge, the Chain Bridge, the Parliament Building, the Budapest Eye, St. Stephens Basilica and Margaret Island. Reaching the Citadel means climbing up the hill for about 20-30 min. If you don’t want to sweat before your photo shoot, you can also catch the bus. Whatever you choose, you’ll definitely be rewarded.
Address: Budapest, 1016 Hungary
#4 Gellért Baths
Although the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most famous Budapest spa, the Gellért Thermal Bath with its roman-style columns and mosaic walls is the most photogenic bath house of the city. Originally built between 1912-1918, in a breathtaking Art Nouveau-style with intricate details, the Gellért Thermal Bath includes a gorgeous main indoor pool which will gladly pose for you from the right angle.
Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Hungary
#5 Heroes’ Square
Built in 1896, the Heroes’ Square is one the biggest squares in Budapest. Right in the center of it, you’ll find the Archangel Gabriel statue holding a cross surrounded by the statue of the seven chieftains of the Magyar tribes and other important Hungarian national leaders as well as the Holy Crown of Hungary. On either side of the square, you’ll also see impressive neoclassical structures: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art, a contemporary art museum. All in all, the Heroes’ Square consists a vast, minimalist space perfect for all of you, creative minds, who’d like to snap a shot against this stunning backdrop.
Address: Budapest, Hősök tere, 1146 Hungary
#6 Great Market Hall
Budapest’s Great Market Hall, built in a Neo-Gothic style in 1897, is the largest indoor market in the city with more than 100 stalls covering over 3 floors. It offers you very interesting Instagram ops, especially if you’re into architecture and street photography. Stroll among the busy stalls, admire its huge steel structure and look up at the colorful-tiled roof.
MEININGER tip: Climb up the stairs and have someone shoot some pics while you walk in the middle of the market.
Address: Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093 Hungary
#7 Photogenic Bridges
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge opened in 1849 and was the 1st permanent bridge built across the river linking Buda and Pest. Don’t miss a photo shoot session, there, especially in the evening hours right before it gets dark when the bridge is wonderfully lit-up.
The Liberty Bridge is another impressive structure worthy of being photographed. Connecting the Great Market Hall on the Pest side with Gellért Hill and Spa on the Buda side, this bridge has an intricate Art Nouveau-design, mythological sculptures and the Hungarian coat of arms.
MEININGER tip: Take a photo when Budapest’s famous yellow trams trundle across the Liberty Bridge and you’ll capture the perfect contrast between them and the dull green of the steel with the murky Danube as backdrop.
Chain Bridge Address: Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Hungary
Liberty Bridge Address: Budapest, Fővám tér 1093, 1118 Hungary
#8 Little Princess Statue
A nostalgic symbol of the city is the small Little Princess Statue sitting on a fence in front of the Vigadó (Budapest’s 2nd largest concert hall). The original sculpture was created in 1972 by László Marton inspired by the artist’s own daughter when she used to dress up as princess to play. Cross the street, across from where the Little Princess sits, for some amazing pics of the Buda side of the city, too. Put it on you Insta-worthy bucket-list asap.
Address: Budapest, Belgrád rkp., 1051 Hungary
#9 Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar
The peak of Budapest’s nightlife is its ruin bars, abandoned buildings transformed into hipster hangout-spots. Don’t miss out on photographing the largest and most iconic of them all: Szimpla Kert, which first opened its doors back in the early 2000s. Here, you can find everything you want: graffiti-covered walls, mismatched furniture and art installations, including bathtubs (!), a farmers’ market and flea market during the weekend, an open-air cinema, a huge outdoor garden, galleries and live music.
MEININGER tip: Visit it during daytime when there’s better light and fewer people.
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 Hungary
#10 Vajdahunyad Castle
Grab your cameras and get ready to soak up romantic vibes coupled with a mysterious, eerie atmosphere. Meet the Vajdahunyad Castle with its captivating mix of Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It looks like a medieval building. However, it was, in fact, built in 1896 out of wood and cardboard and was rebuilt in 1908 from stone and brick. Legend has it, in this Budapest super instagrammable place, Count Dracula was once imprisoned. Excited, yet?
Address: Budapest, Vajdahunyad stny., 1146 Hungary
Where to stay in Budapest?
Of course, at the MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall.
Centrally located next to the Great Market Hall, our hotel is ideal for relaxing after a day full of some city-exploration and creative photo-shoots.