Vajdahunyad Castle

Buda Castle is usually at the top of everyone’s list of Budapest attractions to see when they visit the capital of Hungary, but did you know that Budapest has a second castle?… Well, kind of. I had no idea it was there until I made my way to Heroes’ Square. Nestled in the heart of Budapest’s City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel. With its charming turrets, intricate facades, and a storybook-like reflection on the park’s lake, this stunning castle looks like something that has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. But it’s not actually a real medieval castle.

View of Vajdahunyad Castle from across the lake

A Castle Born from Imagination

Along with Heroes’ Square with its iconic Millennium Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle was built in 1896 as part of Hungary’s Millennium Exhibition, celebrating 1,000 years of Hungarian history. The mastermind behind its design, architect Ignác Alpár, took inspiration from some of Hungary’s most iconic architectural styles, blending Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements into one impressive castle model.

Initially constructed from wood and cardboard for the exhibition, the castle was so beloved by locals and visitors that it was later rebuilt in stone and brick by 1908. One of its most interesting features is the Gothic-style section modeled after Corvin Castle in Transylvania.

The main entrance gate to Vajdahunyad Castle. The Gate Tower is on the left.

More Than Just a Pretty Face: Inside Vajdahunyad Castle

While the exterior is stunning to look at, it’s worth taking a walk through the castle courtyards to see the interior of the castle.

The Museum of Hungarian Agriculture

Vajdahunyad Castle does actually serve a purpose; it also houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the largest museum of its kind in Europe. The exhibits cover everything to do with agriculture, from traditional Hungarian winemaking to forestry and fishing. Even if agriculture isn’t your thing, the museum is worth a quick peek if only to explore the castle’s interior. From the outside it looks like a palace!

View from inside the main courtyard. On the right is the Gothic style Apostles’ Tower and ahead is the Baroque style palace that houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture

The Church of Ják

Outside the museum is a stunning church built in the Romanesque style as a replica of the Church of Ják. Get up close to see the elaborate carvings that surround the big wooden doors.

The replica of the Church of Jak

The Gate Tower

For a small entrance fee, you can climb up inside one of the castle’s Gothic towers. The Gate Tower (which you can see from the front of the castle near the lake) is well worth climbing just to get the views from above the main gate.

The Gate Tower from the top of the gate

The Apostles’ Tower

I didn’t do this, but you can also pay for a tour to climb one of the other castle towers – the Apostles’ Tower – for more wonderful views of Budapest.

View towards the palace and the Apostles’ Tower from the Gate Tower

Budapest City Park (Városliget Park)

Vajdahunyad Castle is surrounded by the picturesque Budapest City Park – a green oasis in the centre of Budapest. It’s well worth taking a leisurely stroll or a bike ride around to escape the city for a moment. There are cafes as well where you can enjoy a drink or some lunch while looking over at the castle. The lake next to the castle makes for some great photos and you can hire boats to paddle around in. Apparently, there is ice skating here in the winter, and there is a Christmas Market in the castle grounds.

Visiting Vajdahunyad Castle

Getting there

Vajdahunyad Castle is located in City Park (Városliget), just a short walk from Heroes’ Square. You can take the M1 metro line (the oldest subway in mainland Europe!) and hop off at the Széchenyi Fürdő station.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Entrance to Vajdahunyad Castle is free and the castle courtyards are open 24/7.

Entrance to the palace (Museum of Hungarian Agriculture) costs HUF 2,500 and is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm (closes earlier in the winter months).

Entrance to the Gate Tower costs HUF 400 (this is included for free if you buy the ticket to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture). Opening hours are 9am – 7pm every day.

A tour of the Apostles’ Tower costs HUF 800. Opening hours are 10am – 4pm every day.

You can also purchase a combined ticket where you can do all of the above for HUF 3000. Children under 6 are free.

Where we stayed

Since we are travelling with kids these days, we stayed in an Airbnb (more space and a kitchen) in a nice central location in district V, not far from the Opera House. It was an easy half hour walk to Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle from there. We like to walk everywhere, but the metro in Budapest is fantastic if you don’t like walking too far.

Vajdahunyad Castle might not be a real castle, but it’s well worth having a quick look if you’re in the Heroes’ Square area – even if it’s just for the photo opportunities!