1) Gellért-hill

The 235 m high hill that overlooks the Danube is iconic, and perhaps the best-known location on our list. At the foot of the hill stands the popular Hotel Gellért and the Gellért Baths, there’s a huge cave system inside the hill, and if you walk right up to the top, the fortress of Citadel awaits you. Start your walk from Gellért Bath, and you’ll walk beside the entrance of the Gellért Cave, which has interesting history and a great view to the city. At the top, you get a 360 degree view of Budapest, with all its bridges. Citadel was built in 1851 by Julius Jacob von Haynau, a commander of the Habsburg Monarchy. Liberty Statue in the middle is an iconic monument, that commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary.

photo:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadella

If you’d like to change your angle, walk down the hill toward Elizabeth Bridge, and you’ll find several lookout points, and a nice park, called the Garden of Philosophy. This is one of my favorite lookout points in the city, it offers the feel that you’re not in the city but above it, without having to leave too far. The Buda Castle looks amazing from here in the night, as well as the citylights. The park’s name comes from the sculptural group that stands in it – a perfect spot to relax.

photo: http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagner_N%C3%A1ndor

From here, the Buda Castle is in reach easily. We head straight toward Margaret Bridge, where a few less-known lookout points can be found.

2) The Tomb of Gül Baba

photo: http://budapestcity.org

First, you should check the Tomb of Gül Baba, which is close to Margaret Bridge. Gül Baba's octagonal tomb is located on Mecset (Mosque) Street, a short but steep walk from the Margaret Bridge in the district of Rózsadomb. The building and its garden is nice, and the view to the city will compensate you for your efforts.

3) Mansfeld Péter Park

photo: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/39782928

Only a few steps from the Tomb of Gül Baba, there’s a park dedicated to Péter Mansfeld, a young boy who died of the reprisals after the 1956 revolution. His statue stands quietly in the middle of the small park, which is high enough to offer an amazing view to the Parliament, as well as the bridges and Gellért-hill. This park is not too known, that makes it even more precious – you can spend a whole afternoon reading a book or simply staring at the view from one of the benches, without being in a crowd (which usually happens by the Citadel or around Gellért-hill).

4) Water Tower of Margaret Island

photo: viztorony.hu

For those who prefer 360 degree views, the newly renovated Water Tower at Margaret Island is a must see. The tower top is open between 11 am – 10 pm, from June ’til the end of September. In addition to the lookout, temporary exhibitions are held in the tower as well.

5) St. Stephan’s Basilika

photo: http://byjuice.blogspot.hu/2012/07/leneztunk-varosra-kupolabol.html

To close our circle and get back to the level of Elizabeth Bridge, the last lookout is perhaps the most beautiful. From the dome of St. Stephan’s Basilika, you can look at the city as birds do. The structre of the streets and some interesting details of well known buildings can be explored from here – no wonder it’s one of the tourists’ favorites.

These are only a few lookouts that are located inside the city. If you take a trip to the surroundings of Budapest, you’ll find nice lookouts, that offer a view not only to Budapest, but its wider surroundings as well.