Explore Budapest Like A Diplomat With This ‘Death By Lightning’ Filming Location Guide

If you’re a Netflix subscriber or a lover of dramatic true stories brought to life, you may have already heard of “Death by Lightning.” The mini-series, which premiered on Nov. 6, tells the tale of James Garfield, America’s 20th President. For those not in the know, Garfield was a revered and respected Civil War general turned politician who campaigned on promises of civil rights for African Americans and reforming the American government to eliminate corruption. Just four months into his tenure as President, Garfield was tragically shot by a deranged fanatic and later died of infection.

Since the story of James Garfield is so intrinsically tied to the United States, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the entirety of “Death by Lightning” was shot somewhere like Washington, D.C., or even Atlanta. In truth, the entire series was captured overseas in Budapest, Hungary. Those interested in exploring Budapest should be sure to read ahead. We’ll outline a handful of key filming locations for the Netflix mini-series, and offer a few tried-and-tested recommendations for local tourism. Before long, you may find yourself admiring the architecture of Eastern Europe, while pondering how America could be a different place today if it weren’t for Garfield’s untimely demise.

How Accurate Is ‘Death By Lightning’?

Like many works of historical nonfiction, “Death by Lightning” is designed to tell a true story that lends itself well to the small screen. This means that most of the broad strokes of the story are accurate, though the series takes a number of creative liberties along the way. Obviously, we don’t have an exact record of what these historical figures thought or said during their time, but “Death by Lightning” was written using some of the existing language from historical documents, journals and news stories of the late 1800s. The clothing, artifacts, and performances appear to be period-accurate, and the backdrops provided by Hungary’s capital city mirror the architecture and style of America circa Garfield’s presidency.

Budapest was established in 1873, making it an ideal location to tell the story of “Death by Lightning.” The narrative takes place across the 1880s, and offers a surprisingly contemporary look at the politics of centuries past. Actor Matthew Macfadyen recently sat down with USA Today to describe his time working on the series, remarking, “We were shooting in this enormous space on the outskirts of Budapest, and they’d built a proper gallows. It was quite odd and eerie… It was extremely hot that day, and it felt very stark and quite lonely.”

Explore ‘Death By Lightning’ Filming Locations

Key Scenes: As mentioned earlier, “Death by Lightning” was entirely filmed in and around Budapest, Hungary. Though the real-life backdrops were adjusted to resemble American architecture and design of the late 1800s, multiple Hungarian landmarks should be visible to the knowing eye. Budapest’s thriving downtown area was used to capture a number of sequences meant to convey Washington, D.C., with some minor adjustments made to ensure that no modern technology or motor vehicles could be seen in the distance.

Best Time to Visit: Though Budapest is a gorgeous vacation spot year-round, the general consensus says that the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons. The spring months of April and May offer mild temperatures, outdoor adventures and plenty of social events. The autumn months of September through November offer similar vibes, with a slightly colder atmosphere and a few more festivals and sightseeing opportunities.

Transportation Options: Budapest’s public transportation system is quite comprehensive, making it easy to use and cost-effective for all visitors. Buses, trains, trolleys and taxi cabs can be found on just about every street corner, and most official excursion tours offer their own transportation as well. If you’re really looking to go off the grid or explore every nook and cranny the city has to offer in one go, you’re welcome to rent a vehicle or charter a private driver. Still, for the vast majority of visitors, this won’t be necessary.

Not much is known about the specific choice to shoot this project overseas, though Hungary does offer some attractive tax incentives for film productions. While the series was being captured in the summer of 2024, a real-life political assassination was attempted home in the United States. President Donald Trump was narrowly grazed by a bullet from an alleged sniper in Butler, Pennsylvania, causing the team behind “Death by Lightning” to reflect on the very prescient nature of their production.

Things to Do: Budapest is home to a variety of sightseeing adventures, open-air markets, historical sites and more. Even if you’re not a massive fan of “Death by Lightning,” you’ll find plenty of things to do that will leave you itching to return for follow-up vacations. When you first arrive in town, be sure to check out one of the city’s comprehensive tours, which are conducted via boat cruise down the Danube River, or on the back of a topless Jeep Wrangler or G-Wagon. If you’re a wine drinker, you’ll want to take up a guided experience through Budapest’s many vineyards, which offer a tasting menu of the region’s finest flavors. Likewise, hikers will be drawn to the city of spas, for panoramic mountain views, scenic castle tours and access to soothing hot springs.

Where to Eat: During your stay in Budapest, you should find absolutely no trouble choosing a meal. The city is home to a wide array of delicious flavor combinations, many of which can be explored during a guided food tour. If you’re looking for a luxurious sit-down meal, you can’t go wrong with Retek Bisztró, SIMALIBA Belvárosi Csárda and the gorgeous Leo Rooftop Budapest, which offers a highly sought-after view of the Budapest skyline. If you’re dining on a budget or having difficulty securing a reservation at any of these upscale eateries, you can always check for local vendors at the Central Market Hall.

Where to Stay: One of the most underrated aspects of booking a trip to the Pearl of the Danube is the highly reasonable hotel rates. Opulent accommodations can be made from relatively inexpensive hotels, including the Bohem Art Hotel, Hotel Clark Budapest and the Aria Hotel Budapest. The Aria specifically boasts an in-house spa, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking, boating and taking in the region’s history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays Garfield in “Death by Lightning”?

Michael Shannon portrays President Garfield in the Netflix series, alongside Matthew Macfadyen’s Charles J. Guiteau, Nick Offerman’s Chester A. Arthur and Vondie Curtis-Hall’s Frederick Douglass. Shannon is best known for appearing in such works as “Bullet Train,” “The Shape Of Water,” “Man Of Steel” and “Knives Out.”

Who became president after Garfield?

Garfield’s Vice President Chester A. Arthur took on the job of commander-in-chief following the former’s assassination in 1881. Arthur served for the remainder of his term before ultimately deciding not to run for reelection. His own VP seat was left vacant until he left office in 1885.

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