Gellért Hill and the Citadella
Gellért Hill rises above the Danube, and the Citadella sits on top of it. The park, the promenades and the usual lookout points are free, and so is the way to the Liberty Statue. Only the exhibition The Bastion of Liberty and the terraces reached through it need a ticket. After its renovation, the Citadella works under regular visitor rules again.
The hill gives you a view across the Danube and toward the castle hill. A river trip shows the same stretch from the water, and our Danube cruise guide compares the boats and prices. For another view from Buda, read how to visit the Hungarian Parliament.
Our pick: Segway tour
The ride goes up Gellért Hill to the Citadella, the viewpoint this page is about, and the Segway takes care of the climb.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Budapest tours with views over the Danube
City walks, river trips and sightseeing tours in Budapest, with live prices and availability.
Citadella Budapest: free and paid areas
Not every viewpoint is free.
Free
Park, promenades and the ordinary lookout points, including access to the Liberty Statue, cost nothing.
Paid
The exhibition The Bastion of Liberty and the terraces that you reach through it, the Roof Garden 360 and the Round Bastion Terrace, need a ticket. Do not call every viewpoint on the hill free.
Booking
Book ahead if you can. On site only the remaining capacity is sold. Your ticket marks the start of a 20-minute entry window, so arrive on time.
Opening hours
Park and exhibition follow different hours.
| Area | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Park, April to October | Daily | 06:00–24:00 |
| Park, November to March | Daily | 08:00–22:00 |
| Exhibition | Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday | 10:00–18:00, last entry 16:40 |
| Exhibition | Friday | 12:00–20:00, last entry 18:40 |
The park in the evening and the exhibition on a Friday afternoon fit into one long day on the hill, and the park alone costs nothing.
Exhibition tickets in 2026
Prices in forint.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | HUF 4,900 |
| Youth and students, ages 6 to 26 | HUF 2,450 |
| Seniors, ages 62 to 70 | HUF 2,450 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Visitors with a disability plus 1 companion | Free, with registration |
Some reductions depend on EEA citizenship and proof, so bring your ID and do not assume a discount applies to everyone.
Nature protection on the hill
The green space has rules.
Protected area
Gellért Hill has been a protected area since 1997, and the Gellért cave is specially protected.
Stay on open paths
A green area is not a licence to enter fenced-off rocks or caves. Keep to the open paths and the signed lookout points.
Gellért bath
The Gellért bath has been closed since 1 October 2025 and is planned to reopen in 2028. Read our thermal baths guide for the bath that is open.
How to plan your time on the hill
Ways to do it, from free to ticketed.
The free visit
Walk through the park, take the promenades and stand at the usual viewpoints. Add the Liberty Statue, which you reach at no cost. This is a good plan for a short stop, and it works at any hour the park is open.
With the exhibition
Book the Bastion of Liberty exhibition and arrive at the start of your 20-minute entry window. From the exhibition you reach the Roof Garden 360 and the Round Bastion Terrace. Friday is the late day, with the exhibition open until 20:00.
The evening walk
From April to October the park stays open until midnight, and from November to March until 22:00. Plan an evening visit with a look at the hours first, because the exhibition closes earlier than the park.
Getting there
Check the current access for buses and cars before you travel, and do not plan around a lift or a shuttle that you have not confirmed.
The hill pairs well with the castle district. Walk the free lower level of Fisherman's Bastion, ride the funicular and come to the hill for a second viewpoint on the river. The history of the castle hill explains what you see in the district.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the hill fits.
Gellért Hill and the Citadella: frequently asked questions
Is Gellért Hill free?
The park, the promenades and the ordinary viewpoints are free, including the way to the Liberty Statue. The exhibition and the rooftop terraces need a ticket.
How much is the Citadella exhibition?
An adult ticket is HUF 4,900 in 2026, and youth, students and seniors from 62 to 70 pay HUF 2,450.
Do I need to reserve the Citadella exhibition?
Booking ahead is recommended. On site only the remaining capacity is sold, and the ticket marks the start of a 20-minute entry window.
When is the park open?
From April to October daily 06:00–24:00, and from November to March daily 08:00–22:00.
Can I enter the caves on the hill?
No. The Gellért cave is specially protected, and fenced-off rocks and caves are not open to visitors.