Bory Castle is one of Hungary’s hidden gems. Let’s discover it together.
When you visit Budapest, in Hungary, make sure to venture further away and go on day trips! Hungary possesses many hidden gems, one of them being Bory Castle. Only an hour and a half away from Budapest, Bory Castle is a unique location that is truly worth visiting. Here is all you need to know about Bory Castle: where is is, what to see there, how to get there, and more!
The History of Bory Castle
Bory Castle (Bory Var, in Hungarian) is, in truth, not really a castle.
It is more like an artist’s studio, built in the mid-20th century by Hungarian artist and architect Jeno Bory. The man considered Bory Castle as his ultimate work of art, enriching it year by year. The castle is a work of imagination, complete with seven towers, several studios, a beautiful garden, sculptures and mosaics everywhere you look.
Jeno Bory started building the castle in 1923, and it took him 40 years to complete it, almost all on his own! He built Bory Var in honour of his wife, Ilona, who was also an artist. You can see many representations of her at the castle – statues, paintings… Because of this, Bory Var is sometimes seen as a symbol of eternal love.
Why You Should Visit Bory Castle
In Budapest, you will experience the busy, thriving city life of the capital of Hungary. When you escape to the smaller towns and castles, you see the country in a different light. Bory Castle truly impressed me with its whimsical architecture, its quietness – and the beautiful artworks that are displayed, inside and outside the castle.
Walking around the gardens of Bory Castle and its impressive courtyard, I felt like the princess of a magical kingdom. We spent a few hours there, admiring the statues, climbing up and down the towers, smelling the roses… It seemed that time had stopped and I had entered a fairytale.
The main building of the castle is home to studios and many rooms where paintings, by Jeno Bory and other artists, are displayed. It feels much more intimate than your usual museum, because the art fits in seamlessly in the architecture. It was simply made to be.
How To Get There + Tips To Visit
You should allow for at least 6 to 8 hours in total to visit Bory Castle from Budapest. You can get there by taking a train from Budapest Deli train station, to the small town of Székesfehérvar. There are regular trains scheduled throughout the day, which you can book through this app (which is very easy to use!). Once you reach Székesfehérvar, take bus 31 in front of the station. From there, you will walk 5 minutes to the castle, which is located in a quiet, residential area, making it all the more special!
Tickets are 2500HUF for a regular adult ticket, which is currently 6€/$6. The lady at the ticket office didn’t speak English, but she was very kind and it was easy enough to communicate.
If you want to see more from Bory Castle (extra pictures, Stories, and videos) check out my Instagram page, in which I document all my travels and travel tips!
