The Sándor Palace on Castle Hill
The Sándor Palace is the seat of the Office of the President of Hungary. It stands on Castle Hill, beside the upper station of the funicular. Because it is a working seat of state, it is not a museum, and you should not expect a daily visit with a ticket.
Most visitors see the palace from the outside while they walk across the hill. If you want guidance on the area, a guided walk adds the background. See Buda Castle tours for walks through the Castle District.
History of the Sándor Palace
The palace was built in 1806 and renovated in 2002. Its architect is not settled: both Johann Aman and Mihály Pollack are named, and neither can be given as the only one.
1806
The palace is built on Castle Hill.
2002
The building is renovated.
Today
It serves as the seat of the Office of the President.
The wider hill
The Castle District is a World Heritage site, inscribed in 1987.
History of Buda Castle →Our picks: Buda Castle walks and Budapest tours
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 walk with Saint Stephen's Hall
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A guided walk through the castle district that includes a visit to the hall. Ask whether other castle museums are included before you book.
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Guided walk through the caves under the castle hill
- Cave walk
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A short, inexpensive way to see the underground side of the castle hill with a live guide. It is a walk through the caves, not a museum visit.
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Visitor access to the Sándor Palace
Special programmes with free guided visits exist. They need registration in advance, by name, for single guests or for groups of up to 30 people. Livestreaming inside the building is not allowed. Such programmes are special days. They are not regular museum opening, and published slots can be fully booked.
Outside those programmes, plan to see the palace from the square and the paths around it. Do not expect an open door, and do not assume that an interior tour can be booked on the spot.
What to see near the Sándor Palace
Several sights are close to the palace on the hill.
| Sight | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hungarian National Gallery | Szent György tér 2 | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Budapest History Museum | In the palace, from the Lion Courtyard | Daily, 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Funicular upper station | Szent György tér | Daily, 08:00 to 22:00 |
The Lion Courtyard leads to the Budapest History Museum, the Stephen's Hall and the National Library. The stone paving in the courtyard is partly uneven. A sensible order is to ride up, look at the palace from outside and then choose one museum rather than several.
Arriving by car is not simple. Entry into the palace area needs a permit from the castle administration, and special access for visitors with reduced mobility has to be arranged with the institution in advance. A walk from the funicular or bus 16 is the easier way in.
Getting to the Sándor Palace
Ways up to the square in front of the palace.
By funicular
The funicular runs from Clark Ádám tér at the Chain Bridge to the upper station on Szent György tér, beside the palace.
Funicular fares and hours →By bus
Bus 16 is the alternative to the funicular. Night bus 916 serves stops in the Castle District.
On foot
Lifts in Tabán connect Palota út with the Csikós Court. The Stöckl staircase and lifts lead on to the Lion Courtyard.
A free view
The viewpoint at the Mary statue by the Castle Garden is free of charge.
Sándor Palace: frequently asked questions
What is the Sándor Palace used for?
It is the seat of the Office of the President of Hungary.
When was the Sándor Palace built?
In 1806. It was renovated in 2002.
Who built the Sándor Palace?
Either Johann Aman or Mihály Pollack, and the attribution is not settled.
Can I go inside the Sándor Palace?
Not on an ordinary day. There are special programmes with free guided visits that need registration by name in advance, for single guests or groups of up to 30 people.
Is there a changing of the guard at the Sándor Palace?
Do not plan your visit around one. The palace is the seat of the Office of the President, and seeing it from the outside is the part of the visit you can count on.
How do I get to the Sándor Palace?
Ride the funicular to the upper station, which is beside the palace, or take bus 16. Entry by car into the palace area needs a permit.