Rising high above the capital, Gellért Hill is the green heart of Budapest, a place where the bustle of the city gives way to nature. From its panoramic viewpoints, breathtaking vistas unfold over the Danube, the bridges, the Parliament, St Stephen’s Basilica and Buda Castle. On this walk, stories will unfold – some drawn from legend, others from recorded history.
You will hear of the Celts who once settled here, of the martyr who was killed on this hillside and gave the hill its name, of witches believed to hold their Saturday night gatherings here, and of astronomers who scanned the skies from this commanding vantage point. You will discover why Hungarians came to loathe the Austrian military fortress built at the summit, a structure that became a symbol of oppression, and learn about the fierce battles fought here between German–Hungarian and Red Army troops during the Siege of Budapest in 1944–45. Along the way, we also uncover the true story behind Budapest’s iconic Liberty Statue, and its unexpected connection to the Soviet Marshal Voroshilov. Our walk ends high above the city, on the rooftop terrace of the western round bastion of the renewed Citadella, where – almost within touching distance of the clouds – Budapest reveals itself in one sweeping panorama, perfect for unforgettable photographs.