Gellért Hill climb: Cave Church to the Citadella and Rudas

Climb Gellért Hill from Szent Gellért tér past the Cave Church to the renovated Citadella and the Liberty Statue, then walk down the Danube side to the Ottoman Rudas Bath.

Best time: Afternoon, reaching the Citadella for sunset; the path is steep and has steps, and the park is open until midnight from April to October.

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Szent Gellért tér

   Start at the Buda end of Liberty Bridge. 5 min

2. 2
   Gellért Hill Cave Church

   Pauline chapel in the rock; closed Sun and during the 17:00 Mass. 20 min

   A chapel of the Pauline order set in a cave in Gellért Hill, enlarged in the early 20th century on the model of Lourdes. A hermit, St Ivan, is said to have lived here and healed…

3. 3
   Gellért Hill, Citadella and Liberty Statue

   Fortress walls, Liberty Statue and the view over all the bridges. 60 min

   An Austrian fortress built in 1851 on the 235 m hill, reopened on 5 April 2026 after years of renovation. The 14 m Liberty Statue from 1947 stands at its east end and the walls…

4. 4
   Rudas Thermal Bath

   Walk down towards Elisabeth Bridge and soak under the 16th-century dome. 120 min

   An Ottoman bath founded in 1571/72, with the original dome over an octagonal pool. The newer wellness wing adds a rooftop hot tub with a view over the Danube.

Walking directions

More walks in Budapest

• Castle Hill loop: funicular to Vienna Gate3.6 km · 3 h 45 min
• Danube promenade, Pest side: Parliament to the Great Market Hall3.7 km · 3 h
• Andrássy Avenue to Heroes' Square and City Park3.5 km · 3 h 55 min
• Jewish Quarter: three synagogues1 km · 2 h 55 min
• Margaret Island loop6.1 km · 2 h 50 min