☰Castle District

The Castle District sits atop Buda's limestone plateau, a compact hilltop quarter that packs in centuries of Hungarian history and some of the best views over the Danube. Buda Castle, the massive former royal palace, now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Behind it, Fisherman's Bastion offers a fairy-tale terrace of white turrets and arches framing a panorama across the river to the Parliament building — arrive at dawn to beat the selfie crowds. Matthias Church, with its colorful Zsolnay tile roof, is one of the most distinctive churches in Central Europe. The cobblestone streets between these landmarks are pleasantly quiet, lined with pastel-colored houses and small museums. Take the funicular up from the Chain Bridge or walk the steep paths from the river. The district is compact enough to cover in half a day, but the views alone justify lingering.