The Best Photography Spots in Prague and Budapest
When you’re looking to jet off on a spectacular multi-centre city break, a trip to the Czech Republic and Hungary is just the ticket. With short flight times, a host of beautiful sights to see and moreish cuisine, there are many great reasons to go.
These two European capitals are renowned for their majestic rivers and outstanding architecture, so we’ve picked out several of the best photography spots in Prague and Budapest you shouldn’t miss.
Whether you’re a keen photographer with a quality camera or are happy taking snaps on your smartphone, if you visit the places below, you’re sure to return home with lots of great shots to remind you of your holiday to these delightful destinations.
Picturesque Prague
Prague’s stunning streets have featured in many big-budget films, including Mission Impossible and Casino Royale. It looks incredible on the big screen and just as good in real life. Here’s a selection of our favourite places to capture five-star images during your stay, from highly popular places to those a bit off the beaten track.
Prague Orloj
This mediaeval astronomical clock dates back to 1410 and is the oldest one still in operation in the world. You’ll find it on the clock tower of the Old Town Hall, and while it makes for an amazing photo anytime, it comes to life every hour with a selection of fascinating figures and sculptures appearing at the top. You can also go inside the tower to get a fantastic vantage point and photo opportunities over the city
Letná Hill
While you can get gorgeous panoramic views over the city from Prague Castle, it’s an incredibly popular tourist attraction that’s always busy. We’d recommend going to Letná Hill instead when you’re looking to get great shots of the many bridges (including the most famous, Charles Bridge) that span the River Vltava.
Prague Castle
We couldn’t exclude Prague Castle from our list of top photography spots. It’s the world’s largest ancient castle complex, spanning over 70,000 square metres. Dating back to the 9th century, there’s so much history and detail to appreciate in the cathedrals, palaces and towers. Because of its lofty location, you’ll also get amazing shots across Prague from the castle.
Dancing House
While Prague has beautiful buildings from all major architectural ages, such as Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance, the Dancing House was constructed in the mid-1990s. This iconic and unusual structure is commonly called the Ginger and Fred building after its resemblance to the famous dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. You won’t have seen anything quite like it before, and while the exterior is worthy of a few carefully considered snaps, you can also go inside. The views over the river and the city from the top floor are as mesmerising as the building itself.
John Lennon Wall
Prague has so many well-known historical buildings that make for perfect photo opportunities. The best photography spots in Prague include the more unusual, too. To round up this quick guide, we’re highlighting the John Lennon wall, which is close to the Charles Bridge.
After Lennon’s death in 1980, the wall became a colourful celebration of his work and values, which remains to this day. Pictures of the vibrant graffiti will give you a completely different memory of Prague, in stark contrast to the elegant buildings that have stood for centuries.
Brilliant Budapest
As with Prague, we could detail dozens of the best photography spots in Budapest. However, for the purposes of this blog, we’ve chosen five of our favourites for you to explore on your city break to Hungary’s capital.
Great Market Hall
This indoor market opened for business in 1897 and is centrally located. The building itself is beautiful inside and out, so there’s plenty of scope for great images. If you love food photography, you’ll be in your element here. Uploading some tasty shots to your Instagram is bound to make your friends and family jealous as you enjoy your Budapest break in style
The Hungarian Parliament
Located on the banks of the River Danube, this majestic building is unmissable. Given its sheer scale, it’s best to capture it from above at Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. Another great place to snap it is from the opposite river bank, especially at sunrise. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts a 96-metre-high dome, which can be seen from far and wide
Liberty Bridge
If you’re more of a night owl than a morning person, a sunset selfie on Liberty Bridge might be just up your street. This is one of Budapest’s most popular photography spots, given the beautiful Danube backdrop. The bridge is just over 330 metres long and took two years to build between 1894 and 1896. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge reopened to pedestrians in August 2023 and is another wonderful place to bring Budapest to life through your camera lens.
Gellért Hill
At 235 metres tall, Gellért Hill provides unrivalled panoramic vistas over the river and Budapest’s sprawling expanse and attractions below. If you visit at night, you’ll get the most spectacular shots of the whole city lit up and shimmering in the distance. Gellért Hill is also a wonderful place to relax in the restaurant and take in the various exhibitions. The Liberty Statue on top of the hill makes for another great photo, especially when you capture the cityscape in the background.
Heroes’ Square
Whether you’re interested in Hungarian history or not, you’ll be impressed by the various statues and monuments found in Heroes’ Square. The most famous of these is the Millennium Monument. Completed in 1906, its main column is 36 metres high and has a statue of the Archangel Gabriel sitting on top.
We hope this article has painted a picture of the incredible photography spots that lie in wait on your Prague and Budapest city break. All that’s left to do is book your trip and start counting down the days until you go.
