9 Best Performing Arts Venues in Hungary

For a unique entertainment experience, it's hard to beat this cave theater, carved out of a limestone quarry 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Sopron. The 760-seat theater has amazing natural acoustics, which make for memorable classical music performances, pop and rock concerts, and musical theater productions. Arrive an hour early to enjoy the walking trail around the quarry, with lovely lookout points over the southern shore of Lake Neusiedl and a fun paleontological exhibition.

One of the city's largest-capacity (but least atmospheric) concert venues, this center hosts a wide range of events, sometimes with big international names.

Europe's biggest open-air concert stage with state-of-the-art facilities, Budapest Park is one of the top venues for international artists and it's definitely worth checking the schedule of events for international acts, outdoor movie nights, parties, cultural events, and local bands if you're in the city. If music is your thing, the line-up mixes bigger names like 50 Cent and The Pixies with local up-and-coming artists like Quimby and Parno Graszt. Located outside the city center, there is no residential curfew on noise here, so the after-parties can take their time.

Apart from its excellent permanent exhibition about the history of music, the House of Music also boasts a state-of-the-art concert venue. The packed event calendar is worth perusing; it usually features folk music from near and far, jazz, pop, and experimental tunes.

Built in the 1860s in the neo-Romanesque style (and since renovated with a splash of Art Nouveau), this beautiful old synagogue building hosts regular concerts, as well as other cultural events like the MEDIAWAVE International Film and Music Festival.

The city's most famous church hosts concerts from Hungarian and international organists, orchestras, and choirs. During the summer there are classical concerts on Friday (plus some Mondays and Wednesdays) at 7 pm, and organ recitals on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm. There are also less regular concerts held throughout the year: see website for details.

This pretty baroque theater is the main venue for regular performances by the Pécs Symphony Orchestra and the theater's own opera and modern ballet companies.

Ideal views of the Chain Bridge, fresh air wafting off the Danube, and a relaxed, breezy atmosphere: it’s all here at Pontoon. Essentially an outdoor venue located just along the river, sadly it’s only open from late spring to early fall. Sit up on the upper deck and enjoy the view or hang out on the clunky plastic chairs on the ground floor just over the water’s edge, where the center space is turned into a makeshift stage hosting some of the country’s best musicians and DJs. Music from jazz, folk, classical, and Roma to pop, rock, and experimental---there’s something for everyone, as well as some welcome relief from midsummer’s frequent heat waves at this leafy green venue.

The historic baroque church, which was built in 1761, hosts regular organ and classical music concerts throughout the year; performances typically start at 7:30 or 8 pm.