187 Best Sights in Hungary

Calvin Square takes its name from the neoclassical Hungarian Reformed (Calvinist) church that tries to dominate this busy traffic hub; this is a hard task, what with the dull-as-can-be glass facade of the Kálvin Center office building across the square. The Kecskeméti Kapu, a main gate of Pest, once stood here, as well as a cattle market that was a notorious den of thieves. At the beginning of the 19th century this was where Pest ended and the prairie began.

This historic square at the northwestern end of Castle Hill is named after St. John of Capistrano, a 13th-century Italian friar who recruited a crusading army to fight the Turks who were threatening Hungary; you can find a statue of the honored Franciscan here. The square is also home to the remains of the 12th-century Gothic Mária Magdolna templom (Church of St. Mary Magdalene). With most of church destroyed by air raids during World War II, the main feature still standing is its tower: you can pay to climb its 172 steps for stunning city views. Also on the square is the Hadtörténeti Múzeum (Museum of Military History), set within a former barracks that still has cannonballs from the 1849 siege lodged in its walls. The exhibits, which include collections of uniforms and military regalia, trace Hungary's military history from the original Magyar conquest in the 9th century through the period of Ottoman rule to the mid-20th century.

This charming neighborhood, which lies at the confluence of the three rivers, is the ancient heart of Győr. With its maze of fences and wonderfully curved gates surrounding baroque-style homes, it's a lovely area to simply stroll around, but two buildings in particular are worth a closer look. The first is the Püspökvár (Bishop’s Palace), the longtime residence of the Győr bishops. With sections that date right back to the 13th century—though it was built on the walls of an even-older Roman fort—the palace is now open as an exhibition space and lookout tower (entry costs 1,500 HUF). The second is the Székesegyház (Cathedral) with its heady mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque features. Step inside to see the bishop’s throne, which was a gift from Empress Maria Theresa; the frame of a painting depicting the Blessed Virgin and infant Jesus, which is considered a rococo masterpiece; and the 15th-century bust of St. László in his namesake chapel, which is an excellent example of medieval Hungarian goldsmithery.

This impressive Art Nouveau synagogue, tucked in between shops, markets, restaurants, and narrow streets has been the epicenter of religious life for Budapest’s Orthodox community since its opening in 1913. The interior features pale blue walls and ceiling, stained glass windows painted by famed mosaicist Miksa Róth, and benches adorned with Hungarian folk motifs. The synagogue has been undergoing intermittent renovations, so check its website if you're planning a visit.

The grandiose, imperial-looking station was built in 1884 and was considered Europe's most modern until well into the 20th century. Its neo-Renaissance facade, which resembles a gateway, is flanked by statues of two British inventors and railway pioneers, James Watt and George Stephenson.

Kerepesi Cemetery functions as a burial ground, national memorial space, and outdoor art gallery.  Founded in 1847, this beautiful and impressive cemetery is one of the oldest in Hungary and certainly the most well-known in Budapest, being the final resting place of Hungary's greatest artists, statesmen, and inventors. Maps are available at the entrance with descriptions of the most famous residents, including Mihály Vörösmarty, Attila József, Endre Ady, Mor Jókai, Janos Arany, Lajos Kossuth, Ferenc Erkel, Gyorgy Faludy, Miklós Jancsó, and Imre Kertész, to name a few. Wander the tree-lined avenues past the ornate tombs and mausoleums of this stunning graveyard, such as the grandiose lion-guarded one for Lajos Batthyány, or the mausoleum of Ferenc Deák or Lajos Kossuth. The communist-era mausoleum for the Labour movement, designed in 1958 by Olcsai-Kiss Zoltán, may still stir conflicting feelings, but it merits a stop. At 56 hectares (138 acres), this is one of the largest National Pantheons in Europe so you'll want to spend a while. You can also visit the Salgotarjani Street Jewish Cemetery ( see its Sights listing), which occupies the eastern corner—technically part of Kerepesi Cemetery but accessible via a separate entrance.

Considered by many to be Hungary's finest art gallery, the Christian Museum is located in the Primate's Palace in the pretty riverside Víziváros district. It's home to the country's greatest collection of medieval Hungarian religious art, as well as Dutch, German, and Italian master paintings; the 14th- and 15th-century Italian collection is unusually large for a museum outside of Italy. The museum's showstopper is the intricately carved 15th-century Holy Sepulchre of Garamszentbenedek, depicting the 12 Apostles clustered around Christ's tomb, which was wheeled through the town during Easter processions. You can reach the museum from the basilica via the steep Macskalépcső, or Cat Stairs.

A short climb up the steep sidewalk of Remetehegy (Hermit Hill) deposits you at this elegant, mustard-yellow baroque mansion. It was built between 1744 and 1760 as a Trinitarian monastery. Today, it holds an eclectic mix of modern design, paintings, sculptures, engravings, old clocks, antique furniture, and other items related to the history of Budapest. Included here is the printing press on which poet and revolutionary Sándor Petőfi printed his famous "Nemzeti Dal" ("National Song"), in 1848, inciting the Hungarian people to rise up against the Habsburgs. There are concerts here every Sunday in July.

The steep climb to the lookout tower on Mt. Badacsony’s summit is an integral part of the Badacsony experience and a rewarding bit of exercise. The trek to the tower, which climbs 455 meters—437 for the hill and a further 18 for the tower—begins behind the Kisfaludy Ház, a restaurant just above the Szegedy Róza-ház. Here stands the Rózsakő (Rose Stone), a flat, smooth basalt slab with many carved inscriptions; local legend has it that if a boy and a girl sit on it with their backs to Lake Balaton, they will marry within a year. Follow the trail marked in yellow up to the foot of the columns that stretch to the top. Steep flights of stone steps will take you through a narrow gap between rocks and basalt walls until you reach a tree-lined plateau. From here, simply follow the blue triangular markings along a path to the lookout tower. Even with time out for rests and views, the whole ascent should take less than an hour.

Kiskirálylány, the "Little Princess" statue, is Budapest's answer to Copenhagen's Little Mermaid or Brussels' Manneken Pis---a mini-marvel that has come to symbolize the city. Measuring just 20 inches, the bronze statue was crafted in 1972 by local sculptor László Marton, who based it closely on his own little princess, his six-year old daughter. Donning a bathrobe and a frayed newspaper crown, just as his own daughter would wear, the statue sits serenely on a downtown railing, with the picturesque backdrop of trams shuttling along the Danube. The statue you see here is in fact, a larger version cast in 1990; the original is now among the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery. 

The neighborhood to the south of Széchenyi István tér has regained much of its past elegance—if not its architectural grandeur—with the erection of several luxury hotels. Traversing past and continuing well beyond them is the riverside korzó, a pedestrian promenade lined with park benches and appealing outdoor cafés from which one can enjoy postcard-perfect views of Gellért Hill and Castle Hill directly across the Danube. Try to take a stroll in the evening, when the views are lit up in shimmering gold lights.

If you have time for only one of Szentendre's myriad museums, make it this extraordinary exhibition showcasing the works of a renowned Budapest ceramics artist. Margit Kovács, who died in 1977 aged 74, left behind a wealth of richly textured works that range from ceramic figurines to life-size sculptures and draw inspiration from folk history, Christianity, and 20th century life. Look out for the tiny but wonderful Beggar Woman with Forget-Me-Not Eyes, half-hidden in a wall recess. Your ticket includes entry into the Ferenczy and Kmetty Museums, along with a few other locals museums and galleries.

Used as a wine cellar during the 16th and 17th centuries and then as an air-raid shelter during World War II, this 16-meter (52-foot) deep, 1,200-meter (3,900-foot) long labyrinth—entered at Úri utca 9 below an early-18th-century house—has a fascinating history. Today, the cave system has been turned into something of a novelty attraction, which gets mixed reviews. Exhibits include elaborately costumed wax figures attending a "haunted" masked ball, the mist-filled tomb of Count Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned here), and the "Labyrinth of Darkness," a pitch-black section of the maze. It's a good escape on a hot day—it's a consistent 20°C in the caves—or join the 6 pm evening tour, when the winding corridors are illuminated only by oil lamp.

Andrássy út No. 67 was the original location of the old Academy of Music and Franz Liszt's last home; entered around the corner, it now houses a museum. Several rooms display the original furniture and instruments from Liszt's time there; another room shows temporary exhibits. The museum hosts excellent classical concerts year-round, except August 1–20, when it is closed. There is an additional fee for photo (1,100 Ft) and video permits (2,200 Ft).

Founded by renowned Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt, students have been training at this world-famous music conservatory with the likes of Erno Dohnanyi, Zoltán Kodály, and Béla Bartók among its teachers since 1907. The extravagantly decorated Art Nouveau concert halls at the Academy were built to enhance musical performance, both acoustically and visually. The interiors are richly decorated, featuring elaborate frescoes, stained glass, mosaics, grand marble stairs, rich woods, and tiled centerpieces featuring Zsolnay tiles. Audiences can even hear the grand hall’s beautiful organ, dating back to 1907. The academy is still a working college of music, attracting talent from around the world. Opera fans should look out for tickets to the fantastic baroque opera here, tucked away in a tiny but spectacularly designed baroque theater. It's easy to forget not just where you are but when you are once the lights dim for the opening act. Guided tours are also available.

The brainchild of Irene and Peter Ludwig, the Ludwig Museum at Müpa is Hungary’s only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Set in the Müpa Budapest cultural center, the Ludwig houses a significant collection of modern international and Hungarian fine art over three floors in the wing closest to the Danube. While focusing on Eastern and Central European art, it also puts a special emphasis on presenting Hungarian art of the '60s to the present day in an international context.

It’s enough to go to the Geological Museum just to visit the building, a 1896 masterpiece by Ödön Lechner, who pioneered Hungary's brand of Art Nouveau. This Maria Teresian yellow building with terra-cotta brick highlights, complete with a globe on the highest spire, is a work of art as well as a functioning institute of geology. While the museum and library feature exhibits and displays, there is little of interest here. You can learn about the Hungarian rocks and minerals and see the cute footprints of some prehistoric animals and buy some memorabilia at the gift shop. Guided tours are available by appointment only.

Ideal if you're looking to while away an afternoon with young kids, the Hungarian Natural History Museum was first established in 1802 and boasts an impressive collection of over 10 million items. Currently housed in the buildings of an old military academy, upon entering visitors are immediately spellbound by the skeleton of a two-ton whale. Continue your journey through the region's dinosaur fossils, archaeological treasures from the Carpathian Basin, and an array of flora and fauna from various countries and oceans worldwide. Exhibition areas often close with little notice, so check the museum's website in advance. It's also worth exploring the surrounding Orczy-kert (Orczy Park) and its botanical gardens if you have time.

This eight-story neo-Renaissance building was commissioned by photographer Manó Mai and presents a fascinating history of Hungarian photography. Imperial and royal court photographer at the turn of the 20th century, Mai worked and lived here throughout his life. Today, this building features the only intact turn-of-the-century studio house, which has recently been renovated for use. The three stories of exhibition space display an eclectic selection of photographic works, mostly featuring contemporary artists, but sometimes classic works of art, too. Don’t leave without having a coffee and cake at the gorgeous Mai Manó Café on the ground floor---either sit inside enjoying the Moroccan mosaic-tiled walls or sit outside to watch the theater crowds come and go from the Moulin Rouge across the street.

At the southern end of Margaret Island, the Margaret Bridge is the closer of the two island entrances for those coming from downtown Buda or Pest. Just north of the Chain Bridge, the bridge walkway provides gorgeous midriver views of Castle Hill and Parliament. The original bridge was built during the 1870s by French engineer Ernest Gouin in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel. Toward the end of 1944, the bridge was accidentally blown up by the retreating Nazis while crowded with rush-hour traffic. It was rebuilt in the same unusual shape—forming an obtuse angle in midstream, with a short leg leading down to the island—and has been refurbished in recent years, now sporting a bike path on the north-facing side that pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists all share on their way to the island.

With its finely sculpted biblical reliefs, the column is a superb specimen of baroque design. It was erected in 1745 to mark the former site of the medieval Church of Our Lady, which was destroyed by Sopron citizens in 1632 because they feared the Turks would use its steeple as a strategic firing tower.

In the 15th century, King Matthias Corvinus had a separate, 350-room palace built on the bank of the Danube below the citadel. It was eventually razed by the Turks, and not until 1934 were the ruins finally excavated. Now, after extensive reconstruction, it's possible to visit about 20 of the rooms—including the royal bed chambers, the kitchen, and the chapel—which are spread throughout the Királyi palota (Royal Palace) and its Salamon torony (Salamon Tower). Come during summer to see medieval games and craft demonstrations.

Located in the park’s enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle, the quirky and slightly faded Museum and Library of Hungarian Agriculture dating to 1907 presents Hungary's agricultural history, an economic mainstay for the country to this day. With 40 collections covering Hungarian agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and viniculture through the ages, it’s not the flashiest of museums in terms of the displays, but it does have a range of fascinating natural science and cultural anthropological relics on display. Be sure to check out the skeleton of Hungary’s most famous, unbeatable racehorse, Kincsem, and the only remaining specimen of the Bakony Pig. The museum also offers tours of the castle’s gatehouse and the Apostles’ Tower, a fine opportunity to climb the gilded stairs of this gorgeous building and get closer to its glass mosaics by famed artist Miksa Róth.

This is the former home of extraordinary Art Nouveau and Art Deco master stained-glass artist Miksa Róth, whose work can be found on the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. It is essentially a three-room residential apartment filled with collections of his work, objects from his everyday life, and other art from the period. They also regularly holds talks, classes, and guided tours related to the artist and the arts in general.

A long-standing reminder of Ottoman rule in Hungary, this 40-meter-high minaret was originally built in the early 1600s as part of the larger Djami of Kethuda mosque. Today it stands all alone, capped with an obvious Christian cross. Meanwhile, the small platform once used for the Muslim call to prayer is instead crowded with tourists who have climbed the 97 spiral stairs to enjoy fine panoramic views of the city.

Erected in 2014, the Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation commemorates the Hungarian victims of the German Nazis in WWII. Germany, represented by an eagle, attacks Archangel Gabriel, Hungary's patron saint. Jewish and opposition leaders have criticized the statue as an attempt to absolve the Hungarian state and Hungarians of their collaboration with Nazi Germany and their complicity in the Holocaust. They have even created their own protest counter-memorial next to it: a collection of Holocaust original and symbolic memorabilia (shoes, suitcases, photos) and a statement in a range of languages asking people to also remember the victims of the Hungarian Arrow Cross Party (Nyilaskeresztes Párt), under whose reign in 1944-1945 thousands of civilians were murdered in Hungary and thousands more sent to concentration camps in Austria and Germany.