At the entrance of Sas Hill Visitor Center the information sign gives you some information on the specialties of the natural reserve and a basic visitor guide. Enter through the gate and proceed to the visitor center.

Visitors are entertained by colorful pictures and interactive games. Downstairs you can try the Hawkeye game to experience what a common kestrel can see flying above the hill. Two short films introduce the history of the hill and local wildlife. Upstairs provides a scenic view over the lookout and the surrounding area. This floor is a usual venue for presentations and even birthday parties. In summers, pet shows are organized where you can see skunks, badgers and beech martens. Short guided tours on the hill are also available.

Guided tours start at intervals of one hour. The nature trial is around 850 meters long and of easy difficulty so young and elderly can complete it within 50 minutes. Guides are there not only to assure safety on the narrow path along the edge of the cliffs and protect endangered species but also to enhance visitors’ experience with detailed explanations or stories.

The first station of the nature trail teaches the rules to keep in the area. Then we reach a drinking well, occasionally with sunbathing lizards. The next stop also has a relation to lizards as two open-air terrariums for lizards. The information board displays the mascot of the natural reserve, the European copper skink, which was discovered by Hungarian botanist Pál Kitaibel on Sas Hill. In return he is commemorated in its Latin name (Ablepharus kitaibelii).

There the nature trail splits from the path leading to the lookout. The railed path passes an old military bunker where we can learn the story of Joseph, the 2-meter-long large whipsnake who used to hibernate in the bunker. Joseph has not been sighted for a while but his relatives have inhabited Sas Hill by today. In the meantime the guide will give an insight into the specialties of local flora too.

A unique feature of Sas Hill is that temperature variation on the two slopes of the hill has created two different micro climates. While the bare southern slope is characterized by sub-Mediterranean climate on the bushy northern side it is that of highland. This means a temperature difference of 5 °C at least. Looking down into the deep we may discover a strange cliff that resembles a shaggy head called Beethoven Rock. The southern slope provides habitat only for green spots on the bare dolomite rocks. One of the survivors here is seseli leucosper, which especially prefers dolomite environment. Another species of the hill is the specially protected joint-pine with only male plants on Sas Hill and female ones on Gellért Hill. They are wind pollinated so the fulfillment of their “long-distance romantic relationship” depends on wind direction.

Following the trail you will get to the eastern tip of the hill that used to serve as a lookout point before the current one was constructed. The view from here is stunning although you are not on the top yet. Besides the scenic view over Little Gellért Hill and a great part of Buda you can detect another strange-shaped cliff from here called Bear Rock.

Walking on the northern side of the hill you can see an old air intake connected to the seismological observatory of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences lower below the trail. The northern slope is rich in vegetation and a special species there is the Hungarian blue grass. The thermometer placed here shows a little lower temperature than the one on the southern side, however, sometimes difference was 15-20 °C. Walking along a serpentine with a stunning view you will reach the end of the trail at the visitor center. Another trail leads directly to the lookout spot. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible.

Before reaching the lookout you will see the Eagle (Sas) Pole erected in 2012. The text on the wooden carving tells the legend about the name of the hill. It says when in September 1686 Buda was retaken from the Turkish, eagles, birds of freedom flew from the hill towards the castle. That is how the hill got its name.

The lookout point provides a 360° panoramic view over Budapest and surroundings. It is easy to spot Kelenföld Railway Station, the Castle of Buda, the Gellért Hill, the Mathias Church, the Hármashatár Hill or Margaret Island with the Danube. On a clear day you can even see Mátra Mountains in the distance. There are three panoramic photos there to help you identify buildings and areas.

Opening hours

February 27 – November 1

Tuesday, Friday, weekends and public holidays: from 10 to 18

Guided tour:

Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 17 in every hour

Tuesday, Friday and public holidays: on request

Official website: www.dunaipoly.hu/sas-hill-visitor-center