Fisherman's Bastion: free and paid areas
Fisherman's Bastion has two kinds of visit. The lower level is free to walk. The upper viewing terrace is ticketed and priced separately. If you only want a look at the white towers and a view over the Danube, the lower terraces give you that without a ticket.
Do not confuse the bastion with the tower of the Matthias Church or with the Magdalene Tower. They are separate places with separate tickets. A guided walk on Castle Hill can bring the sights together, see Buda Castle tours for the options. Across the river, the Hungarian Parliament tours and tickets are a separate visit.
Fisherman's Bastion upper terrace tickets
The upper terrace costs HUF 1,500 to 1,700 for adults and HUF 750 to 850 reduced in 2026. The amount at the ticket office falls within that range. A combined ticket with the Magdalene Tower costs HUF 2,500 to 2,700 for adults and HUF 1,250 to 1,350 reduced.
Reduced tickets are for children under 14, students and visitors over 65. Children under 6 enter free. You need proof at the office, and reduced tickets are sold only in person. A visitor with a disability and at most one companion enter free after the documents are checked.
Our picks: walks that include Fisherman's Bastion
Only the long Castle Hill walk is built around the bastion; the other two are church walks that pass it. Ask about the upper terrace in every case, because the lower level is free and the upper one is paid.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Castle district walk with Matthias Church entry
- Matthias Church entry
- Licensed English-speaking guide
A two-hour small-group walk that goes inside the church with priority entry. Ask whether the upper terrace of Fisherman's Bastion is included before you book.
Check availability →
Historic Buda Castle walk with Matthias Church
- Matthias Church entry
- Live commentary inside
A 2.5-hour walk with a professional guide who also leads you through the church. Ask whether the upper terrace of Fisherman's Bastion is included before you book.
Check availability →Castle Hill walk with Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church
- Castle, church and bastion
- Local guide
- Selectable upgrades
A long castle walk with plenty of time at each stop. Ask which entries are included in the option you choose before you book.
Check availability →Fisherman's Bastion and Castle Hill tours
Guided walks of Castle Hill and Budapest that pass the bastion, with live prices and availability. Check whether the upper terrace is part of the ticket.
Fisherman's Bastion opening hours 2026
These are the hours when the fee for the upper terrace applies.
| Period in 2026 | Fee hours |
|---|---|
| 2 January to 31 May | 09:00–19:00 |
| 1 June to 30 September | 09:00–21:00 |
| 1 October to 23 December | 09:00–19:00 |
Entry is free on 1 January, 15 March, 20 August, 23 October and from 24 to 31 December. The table gives the hours when the fee applies, not a closing time. For most visitors, the lower terraces are the easiest way to enjoy the bastion without a ticket, and the upper terrace is worth it when you want the full view in daylight.
If you visit in winter, check before you go whether the upper terrace is free in the cold months.
Fisherman's Bastion views and what is free
The viewpoint by the Mary statue at the castle garden is free too, so a short walk along the hill can give you more than one view without a ticket. Many visitors combine the bastion with the Matthias Church in one stop.
The lower level was briefly fenced off in early 2025 in an attempt to charge for it. The barrier was removed after 24 hours, and the lower terraces are free again. Plan on the free lower level unless you want the upper terrace.
Tips for visiting the bastion
- Bring your ID or student card if you want a reduced ticket.
- Buy the combined ticket only if you also want to climb the Magdalene Tower.
- Check the fee hours in the table before you plan an evening visit.
- Combine the bastion with the Matthias Church and the funicular ride up the hill.
The tickets page covers the museums on the hill, so you can plan the day around the hours of each place.
Fisherman's Bastion: frequently asked questions
Is Fisherman's Bastion free?
The lower level is free. The upper viewing terrace is ticketed: HUF 1,500 to 1,700 for adults in 2026, and HUF 750 to 850 reduced.
When is the upper terrace free?
On 1 January, 15 March, 20 August, 23 October and from 24 to 31 December.
Who pays the reduced price?
Children under 14, students and visitors over 65, with proof at the ticket office. Children under 6 are free.
Is the bastion the same as the Matthias Church tower?
No. The church tower is a separate ticket with 197 steps, and the Magdalene Tower is another separate place. See the Matthias Church page.
How do I get to the bastion?
Take the funicular from Clark Ádám tér or bus 16, or walk up by stairs and lifts.