Despite thousands of years of conquests and the serious damage to the city suffered during the World Wars, many artefacts remain and can be seen housed in the incredible architecture of the national museums and art galleries in Budapest!
1. House of Terror
The House of Terror (or the Terror Háza) is the undisputed gem of Budapest’s museum collection. The museum’s focus is on the periods of Soviet and Nazi dictatorship and is incredibly moving, with exhibits dedicated to those who gave their lives in the October 23rd Revolution of 1956 as well as to the many misplaced Jewish residents of Budapest during the Second World War.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
– note The House of Terror will be closed from the 12th – 19th January 2015 for maintenance
Prices: 2,000 HUF (≈ €6.30) or 1,000 HUF if under 26 with an International Student Card
– free for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26 on every first Sunday of the month.
Location: 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 60
Website: www.terrorhaza.hu
2. Hungarian National Gallery
The national art gallery is located within Buda Castle (or the Royal Palace) on Castle Hill and was opened in 1957. It’s focus is on Hungarian art through the ages.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Prices: 1,400 HUF (≈ €4.40) for permanent exhibitions or 2,800 HUF (≈ €8.80) for all exhibitions
– half price (700 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1014 Budapest Szent György tér 2
Website: www.mng.hu
3. Hungarian National Museum
Founded at the very start of the 19th Century, the museum can be found close to the Central Market Hall and houses exhibits dedicated to Hungarian culture and history. The museum has huge grounds, which are often used for cultural festivals so be sure to look up a schedule to see if anything’s on during your time in Budapest!
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Prices: 1,600 HUF (≈ €5.00)
– half price (800 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 14-16
Website: www.hnm.hu – currently undergoing maintenance
4. Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts houses more international works of art than the National Gallery, and is located on one side of Heroes Square directly opposite the Kunsthalle. It was opened at the very beginning of the 20th Century.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Mondays to Thursdays (on Mondays only partial opening) / 10.00 am – 7.00 pm, Fridays, 9.00 am – 7.00 pm, Saturday – Sunday
Prices: 1,800 HUF (≈ €5.70) for permanent exhibitions
– half price (900 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György út 41.
Website: www.szepmuveszeti.hu
5. Kunsthalle Budapest
Directly opposite the Museum of Fine Arts stands a complimentary building that is home to the contemporary art of Hungary. Opened in 1896 it houses contemporary Hungarian art exhibitions.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday / 12.00pm – 8.00pm, Thursdays (closed Mondays)
Prices: 1,800 HUF (≈ €5.70) for permanent exhibitions
– half price (900 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1146 Budapest, György út 37
Website: www.mucsarnok.hu
6. Museum of Applied Arts
Architecturally, the Museum of Applied Arts is my favourite of all the museums in Budapest, with an impressive art nouveau building that incorporates Hindu, Mogul, and Islamic designs for the interior. The exhibits are often spectacular works of interior design art or jewelry and definitely worth a look!
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Prices: 3,500 (≈ €11.00) for combined exhibition ticket
– half price (1750 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1091 Budapest, Üllői út 33-37
Website: www.imm.hu
7. Transport Museum of Budapest
The Kozlekedesi Muzeum is one for the railway lovers! The museum relates the shift from railways to road transport, and is especially fun for families and young children.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm, Tuesday – Friday / 10.00 am – 6.00 pm, Saturday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Prices: 1,600 HUF (≈ €5.00)
– half price (800 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1146 Budapest, Városligeti körút 11
Website: www.mmkm.hu
8. Palace of Arts
Often confused with the Kunsthalle, the Palace of Arts regards itself as an art centre, and not as a museum, It is an incredibly modern building, having been built as recently as 2005. Hungarians affectionately call it Müpa (Művészetek Palotája) and it offers exhibitions as well as stage performances and musical concerts!
Opening Hours & Prices: dependent on each individual event or exhibition (see calendar)
Location: 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1
Website: www.mupa.hu
9. Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center
The Hungarian photography scene has long been overlooked in the support of fine and contemporary arts in Budapest, but with the opening of the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in 2013 photographers and their exhibitions are finally getting their chance to shine in Budapest.
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 7.00pm, Monday – Thursdays & Saturday – Sunday / 11.00am – 9.00pm, Fridays
Prices (for the current exhibitions): 2,000 HUF (≈ €6.30)
– 800 HUF discount (1,200 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1065 Budapest, 8 Nagymező Street
Website: capacenter.hu
10. Ludwig Museum
Located directly on the Danube, the Ludwig Museum is absolutely stunning at night time, and if you get the chance to take a night river cruise you will be treated to the incredible light show that displays along the building’s outer wall facing the river. Housed within the Palace of Arts, it prized itself on its collection of important international contemporary art pieces from the last century.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Prices (for the current exhibitions): 800 HUF (≈ €2.50)
– 50% discount per exhibition price (currently 400 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1
Website: www.ludwigmuseum.hu
11. Hungarian Jewish Museum
The Hungarian Jewish Museum in Budapest is not only the largest Synagogue in Europe, but also the second largest in the entire world, second only to New York. Over 150 years old, the beautiful building outlived the terrible events of the Nazi occupation and continues to display historical artefacts of one of the oldest still-active religions in Hungary.
Opening Hours: 10.00 am-6.00 pm, Sunday – Thursday / 10.00am – 4.00pm, Fridays (closed Saturdays)
Prices: 2000 HUF (≈ €6.30)
– 1,150 HUF discount (850 HUF) for citizens of EEA (European Economic Area) if under 26
Location: 1075 Budapest, Dohány Street 2
Website: www.zsidomuzeum.hu
I’ve done my best to make sure all the information here is correct – but if you know otherwise please let me know!
Lots of love & Enjoy the rich history & art of Budapest!
2 comments
Hey there. Super fine list, especially re prices :). Just wanted to drop a line here to say that there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Budapest for free! 🙂 You might wan to check Budapest Free Events website.
Hey Anna – thanks for sharing. I’m sure some of my readers will love to see the free stuff 🙂
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