Lights, Camera, Budapest! The City Shines Among Europe’s Top Filming Destinations
If you’ve ever wandered through central Budapest and thought, “This place looks straight out of a movie scene,” congratulations — your inner director was right. According to the latest ScoutAround “Top 20 European Cities for Filming” ranking, Budapest has officially joined the cinematic elite, landing in third place just behind London and Berlin. That makes the Hungarian capital one of the most film-friendly cities on the continent — and the perfect backdrop for your next holiday selfie or blockbuster chase sequence.
Where History Meets Hollywood
It’s no mystery why filmmakers love shooting in Budapest. The city wears many faces — one day it’s Paris in the 1920s, the next it’s Moscow, Berlin, or even Gotham City. Just stroll through the cobbled lanes of the Castle District, the neo-renaissance splendor of Andrássy Avenue, or the grand panorama of the Danube bridges, and you’ll see why scouts can’t resist it. The architectural diversity is so rich that productions from Netflix to major studios have made Budapest their unofficial European backlot.
A City Built for the Big Screen
ScoutAround’s ranking is more than just a beauty contest. It uses serious industry data — from crew availability to infrastructure, studio facilities, and government incentives — to determine how film-friendly each city is. On that list, Budapest scored an impressive 86 out of 100, standing out for its cost-effectiveness, generous state support for productions, and world-class studios like Origo Film Studios and Korda Studios.
Best deals of Budapest
It’s not just the scenery that attracts Hollywood; it’s the math. Around 30% of local production costs can be reimbursed via Hungary’s film tax rebate system — a deal that makes even A-list producers smile. No wonder recent blockbusters, spy thrillers, and prestige dramas all have “Filmed in Budapest” buried somewhere in their credits.
All That Glitter Behind the Lens
Of course, not everything is smooth sailing in Tinseltown-on-the-Danube. With more and more international shoots rolling in simultaneously, local crew capacity can occasionally stretch thin. But the city’s ecosystem is growing fast, thanks to training programs and new infrastructure that ensure Budapest stays camera-ready.
Film Tourism: Your Turn to Star
For tourists, the fun part is finding the camera angles yourself. Fans of action scenes can explore Liberty Bridge, which doubled as the setting for explosions and stunts in Blade Runner 2049. Lovers of historical dramas will recognize Buda Castle or the Hungarian State Opera House from numerous period films. And if you’ve ever seen a cobblestone car chase that wasn’t quite Paris or Rome, chances are, it was right here.
So next time you sip coffee beside the Parliament or walk past a costumed crew by the Danube, remember — you’re not just in Budapest. You’re on set.
Related news
Anne Hathaway in Budapest: How Hollywood Turned Wesselényi Street into a Movie Set
Anne Hathaway is in Budapest, and for once, the rumor mill is absolutely right: if you stroll through the Jewish Quarter or along Erzsébet körút...
Jason Momoa Returns to Budapest: Why the Hollywood Star Called Hungary “Safe and Beautiful”
When Hollywood superstar Jason Momoa speaks about a destination, the world listens. The beloved Aquaman actor has once again graced Budapest with...
Hollywood’s All Around Favorite City To Film
Budapest has indeed become a favorite filming location for international productions over the past few decades. The city’s versatile architecture,...