These days, no vacation is truly complete until it has been digitally documented for all the internet to see. And while previous generations made do with Polaroids and postcards, today’s traveler immortalizes his or her adventures through posts on image-sharing sites such as Instagram.
Unsurprisingly, a city as beautiful and iconic as Budapest has more than its fair share of ‘instagrammable’ spots located throughout the city. Since providing a comprehensive list of each and every one of these breathtaking locations would be virtually impossible, we’ve assembled here a humble list of what we believe are the 15 most instagrammable spots in Budapest, in no particular order.
The Best Budapest Instagram Spots
1. Gellért Hill
If you’re looking for a spot from which to snap an iconic view of Budapest, this is it. With views of the Chain Bridge, the Elizabeth Bridge, Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and so much more, the Hungarian capital’s Instagram spots don’t get much better than this.
2. Batthány Square (View of Parliament)
For a Budapest Instagram spot with the perfect view of Parliament, Batthány Square is unquestionably the perfect choice. Located across the Danube from Hungary’s monumental Parliament building, the square provides an opportunity to appreciate the building as a whole, as the waters of the river float by at your feet.
3. The Royal Palace
Perched atop Castle Hill, the Royal Palace is both a great spot to snap Instagram shots of the city as a whole, and an impressive edifice worthy of photographs in its own right. And if you have the time, be sure to check out the museums inside!
No list of the best Budapest Instagram spots would be complete without a mention of the breathtaking Matthias Church
4. The Matthias Church
Just down the road from the palace is the Matthias Church. This elegant landmark, which once served as the coronation church for the kings and queens of Hungary, is today an ideal location for an idyllic Instagram post.
5. Fisherman’s Bastion
Just steps from the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion is truly a sight to behold. With great views of Budapest, magnificent architecture, and the stately statue of King St. Stephen, this is a must-see.
Without question, the Fisherman’s Bastion is among the most stunning Budapest Instagram spots
6. The Elizabeth Lookout Tower
If you’re willing to venture outside the city center, make your way up János Hill to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower. In addition to a beautiful hike through the hills of Buda, the top of the tower boasts a view of the city from a distance that secures its ranking as one of the best Instagram spots in Budapest.
7. Memento Park
Now here’s an Instagram spot unlike any you’d find elsewhere. Catch a bus to the outskirts of Buda, and photograph your way through Memento Park, an open-air museum housing statues from Hungary’s socialist era. With wild-looking statues of Soviet heroes such as Lenin and Marx slowly being swallowed by grass and moss, this is perhaps the most unique of all the instagrammable places in Budapest.
8. Margaret Island Flower Garden
Heading back to Pest, be sure to stop by Margaret Island. Here, in the middle of the Danube, you can find treasures such as the Island’s flower gardens, whose luscious blossoms are sure to be a hit on your Instagram page.
9. Margaret Island Japanese Garden
Continue walking through the Island, and eventually you’ll find yourself in the Japanese Gardens. This tranquil, secluded spot is one of the most peaceful Instagram spots in Budapest.
10. Margaret Island Budapest Sign
What better way to prove that you were in the Hungarian capital than by taking an Instagram photo of yourself in front of giant letters spelling out “Budapest”?
11. St. Stephen’s Basilica
Across the river, one of the best Budapest Instagram spots has to be St. Stephen’s Basilica. A glorious edifice dedicated to prayer and reflection, the church’s beauty is today often the subject of instagrammers from around the world.
The Hungarian capital’s monumental Heroes’ Square, one of the many must-see Instagrammable places in Budapest
12. Heroes’ Square
This columned monument, Budapest’s answer to the Brandenburg Gate, is naturally an ideal spot for Instagram selfies of you and your friends hanging out in the Hungarian capital.
13. Vajdahunyad Castle (City Park)
Originally erected as part of Hungary’s 1896 Millennium Exhibition, today the castle serves as an idyllic location for Instagram photos of both its unique architecture and the park surrounding it.
14. The Budapest Zoo
Have you ever wanted to get close enough to a Rhino to smell its breath? Then be sure to head to the Budapest Zoo, where you’ll have the opportunity to take unique, up-close-and-personal Instagram photos of nature’s wildest and most incredible creatures.
An image of the iconic Parliament from aboard a Danube River Cruise, one of the best Budapest Instagram spots
15. Danube River Cruise
While not a location in the strictest sense, a cruise down the Danube is nevertheless one of the best Budapest Instagram spots you could possibly hope for. Heading up and down the river, you’ll have the chance to capture images of many of the city’s most iconic landmarks from a truly unique point of view that you simply can’t achieve from the shore.
Naturally, you’ll be looking for a place to kick back and relax after a long day of documenting your experiences for all the internet to see. Boasting a convenient location, comfortable rooms, and luxurious accommodations, ESCALA Hotel is an ideal choice.
Located on the Pest side of the city, ESCALA Hotel is a great place from which to set out and photograph all the incredible sights that Budapest has to offer. Whether you’re heading to St. Stephen’s Basilica, snapping shots from Parliament from across the waters of the Danube, or making your way up to the breathtaking view from the Elizabeth Lookout Tower, ESCALA Hotel is the place for you.
Want to learn more about the Hungarian capital? Read our Budapest blog below!
- Learn more about all that the city has to offer this season in Summer Fun: The Best Things to Do in Budapest!
- If you want a bit more information about all the wonders you’ll be posting to Instagram, be sure to read our post on Budapest: A City of Architectural Wonder