Enjoy a spectacular panoramic tour of the fairytale Buda Castle District and Gellert Hill with the most fabulous views of the city
Enjoy a panoramic ride along the spectacular Buda riverbank passing by the iconic Gellert Bath, the Castle Garden Bazaar, Chain Bridge, the Tunnel, and the Funicular before you drive up to the historic Buda Castle District perching on the plateau of the 80 m high Castle Hill. Marvel at the 700-year-old iconic Matthias Church, and the fabulous view from Fisherman’s Bastion, the most famous lookout in Budapest. Take a tour through the cobblestone streets of the Castle's medieval dwelling quarter passing by the remnants of St Mary Magdalene Church, the oldest structure in the Castle district. Walk around the Royal Palace courtyards adorned with imposing statues and fountains and get an insight into the history of the Hungarian kings. View the seats of the Hungarian Prime Minister and the Hungarian President and enjoy the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony in front of the presidential palace (subject to availability). At last, drive up to Gellert Hill, the highest vantage point in the city topped with the Citadel and Liberty Statue, and admire the unparalleled view of Budapest.
Tour highlights
- Enjoy a panoramic ride along the spectacular Buda riverbank
- Explore the historic Buda Castle District the former seat of the Hungarian kings
- Marvel at the iconic Matthias Church and the stunning view from Fisherman’s Bastion the most famous lookout in Budapest
- Walk around the Royal Palace courtyards and get an insight into the history of the Hungarian kings
- View the seats of the Hungarian Prime Minister and the Hungarian President
- Enjoy the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Presidential Palace
- Visit the Citadel and Liberty statue on top of Gellert Hill and marvel at the astonishing view of Budapest.
Tour Specs
Tour duration: 3 hours
Driving distance: 15 km
Difficulty level: easy
Tour type: public tour with an English-speaking guide
Schedule
APR-OCT 11 AM and 3 PM
Check-in 15 min before departure time
Meeting Point
Budapest Scooter Tour 1053 Budapest Vámház körút 10 (the office is located inside the house courtyard) Hotline: +36 309845100
Tour map
Budapest Scooter Tour
All our tours start and finish at Budapest Scooter Tour office at 1053 Budapest Vámház körút 10. The office is inside the courtyard of the building.
Great Market Hall
The spectacular Great Market Hall is a good source of Hungarian products. You can also make it a pit-stop for a quick bite of traditional Hungarian food when touring the city. Shop with the locals for sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and pastries. Fancy bottles of Tokaji, a variety of paprika and handicrafts are also available.
Liberty bridge
Originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph today called Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) was built between 1894 and 1896. Opened in the year of the Millennium and was officially completed when Emperor Franz Joseph inserted the last silver rivet into its iron structure. The top of each of the bridge’s pillars is decorated with a 'Turul' bird, the mythical bird of Hungary.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) a recently restored neo-Renaissance building on Buda riverfront was built in 1883 according to the plans of one of Hungary's great architects Miklós Ybl.
Chain Bridge
Chain Bridge was the first bridge to permanently connect Buda and Pest. At the time of its completion, Chain Bridge was considered to be one of the wonders of the world. Chief engineer Adam Clark completed the span in 1849. Crossing the bridge is just a short walk and no matter which direction you go, the view is beautiful.
Buda Castle
This World Heritage Site is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Its unique atmosphere with beautiful ancient buildings such as the Matthias Church, The Fisherman's Bastion, The Royal Palace, silent courtyards, twisted, narrow cobblestone streets, and superb views make it the most important architectural heritage and a top destination of Budapest.
Matthias Church
The 700-year-old Matthias Church was the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916, the last Habsburg king. It was also the site for the great Hungarian King Matthias' two weddings, hence its name. The eastern gate of the church was built in the 13th century. Today, Matthias Church remains one of the city's most prominent buildings.
Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most fascinating sights on Castle Hill. Although fishermen from Watertown (Víziváros) reputedly defended this part of the city during the Middle Ages, Fishermen’s Bastion was built in the 1890s and it’s purely decorative. Today, it's a favorite lookout.
St. Mary Magdalena Tower
The tower was part of the 13-century Gothic church. During the Turkish occupation, this church was only allowed to use for the Christians and was shared by Catholics and Protestants.
The Royal Palace
The first royal residence on Castle Hill was built in the 13th century, after the Mongolian invasion. Construction continued in the 15th century, following the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples in 1476. Many Italian artists and craftsmen accompanied the new queen, bringing the Renaissance style to Buda. The palace was completely destroyed when liberating Buda from the Turks. In the 18th century, a Baroque palace was built, which is identical to the core structure of the present-day palace. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the palace gave a home to lavish ceremonies symbolizing peace between the dynasty and the nation.
Gellért Hill
Gellert Hill (Gellért-hegy) offers some of the best panoramic views of Budapest. The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerald), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046.
Citadel
The Citadel (Citadella), the fortress on the top of Gellert Hill was built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary's War of Independence in 1849. It was a prime, strategic site for shelling both Buda and Pest in the event of a future rebellion.
Liberty statue
Liberty Statue (Szabadság Szobor) stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city. The statue was erected in 1947 during the Communist era. As Liberty had already become a symbol of the city, she was not removed unlike other Communist icons, such as the Red Army soldier who used to stand at her feet, allowing us to see her in her original surroundings.
Elisabeth bridge
Probably the most elegant bridge in Budapest was named in honor of Queen Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The original suspension bridge was built at the end of the 19th century, but the damage sustained in World War II left the bridge beyond repair. Using the old pillars, a new bridge was built in the 1960s.
The Hungarian National Museum
The Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) is the oldest public museum in Hungary. The museum's present building was built between 1837 and 1847, and it stands as a great example of Neo-Classicist architecture. Founded 200 years ago, the museum is dedicated to the history of Hungary and today it remains a symbol of Hungary's national identity. The permanent exhibition includes furniture, textiles, weapons, metalwork, and ceramics. One of the most valuable items is the Coronation Mantle (the Crown Jewels are on display in Budapest's Parlament)
What's included:
- 50 cc gas scooter (passenger on 50 cc scooter is not allowed by law, 125 cc scooter eligible to carry a passenger for a surcharge and subject to availability)
- Safety helmet, gas, 3-rd party liability insurance, Intercom radio with a headset
- English-speaking tour guide
Exclusions:
The tour does not include meals, drinks, and admission tickets only if explicitly specified.
Requirements
Valid driver's license
50cc scooter: Car license or Moped license
125cc: Motorcycle license EU A1 category or international equivalent
Liability
The tour participant drives the scooter at his/her own risk. The driver is liable for damages caused to the scooter at his/her fault up to a maximum of 500 EUR/ 200.000 HUF