Cultural Must Sees
Budapest is brimming with culture of both the contemporary and classical kind. Every day of the week, there’s a unique cultural happening going on somewhere in this vibrant town, which is also home to plethora museums. Budapest is also the city of festivals in celebration of everything from craft beer, wine and goose liver to opera and film.
Museums
Budapest offers great opportunities to see interesting historical and art exhibitions.Here is a sampling of some of Budapest’s finest museums.
Hungarian National Museum
Found in Mihály Pollack’s triumphant neo-classical setting, the Hungarian National Museum includes a rich collection of objects and art from ancient and modern Hungary.
Hungarian National Gallery
Situated gloriously atop Castle Hill, the Hungarian National Gallery houses the art of past great Hungarian artists, revealing both their link to the European mainstream, as well as their individual Hungarian temperament and creativity.
Buda Palace Buildings A,B,C,D
Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed on Mondays.
Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts
One of Europe’s great art museums, this collection ranges from Ancient Egypt to the post-impressionists.
Ludwig Múzeum (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Budapest’s premier site for contemporary art, housing a permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Aquincum Museum (Museum of an Ancient Roman Settlement)
Recently renovated, on the site of a first-century Roman settlement.
House of Terror (Museum of the Communist Past)
Museum of Applied Arts
Situated in one of the city’s architectural masterpieces, Ödön Lechner’s art nouveau ode to rural Hungary, the Applied Arts Museum houses major permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Városliget (City Park)
Full of things to see and do: statues and monuments, running tracks and football fields, concert venues and museums, as well as playgrounds for the kids.
János-hegy (John’s Hill)
A chair lift departing from Zugligeti út 97 takes passengers on a thrilling ride up the side of the highest peak in the Buda Hills, János-hegy (John’s Hill). Atop it is a historic lookout tour with breathtaking views of the city.
Natural History Museum
Recently renovated, Budapest’s Natural History Museum boasts new exhibits on the evolution of life on Earth, the ecosystems found in the region, and one of Europe’s greatest mineral collections.
Nagy-Hárs-hegy (Linden Tree Hill)
A top destination for hikers in the Buda Hills, Nagy-Hárs-hegy features a beautiful 100-meter wooden lookout tower, as well as exit paths to several stops on the Children’s Railway.
Normafa
A popular wooded area with hiking, biking, and fitness trails, sledding hills, and even a ski slope.
Budapest Zoo
Recently expanded, the original buildings are beautiful examples of Budapest’s art nouveau (szecesszió) style. Species from all over the world are found in various areas of the zoo.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. – 4/ 7 p.m every day (for more information visit website)
Zwack Museum
Museum and distillery now owned and directed by McDaniel’s own alum, Sándor Zwack. The museum and movie are dedicated to telling the story of the Zwack family’s famous and still secret herbal liquor, as well as the many tribulations the family faced during the 20th century.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children’s Railway
This children-run railway is a charming inheritance of the former political system and winds through the scenic Buda Hills, offering good stop off opportunities along the way. You may be pleased to know that adults drive the engines.
Millennium Underground
Continental Europe’s oldest underground railway has been whisking passengers directly under elegant Andrássy út since 1896 and has been UNESCO-listed since 2002. A fabulous living museum.
Palace of Arts
The state-of-the-art Müpa is a cultural powerhouse of classical, contemporary, popular and world music, as well as jazz and opera. It hosts concerts from big international names and also serves up contemporary circus, dance, literature and film programs.
Opening hours: every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Margaret Island
A green oasis in the middle of the Danube that’s accessible within minutes from central Pest and Buda. Attractions include a musical fountain, a Japanese garden, the Palatinus and the Hajós Alfréd bathing and swimming complexes, and ancient abbey ruins. It’s also a great spot for running and the track that runs right around the island has recently been restored.
Széchenyi Baths
Take in the therapeutic waters in stunning neo-classical surroundings. Equally magical when the snow is falling and the steam is rising as it is in the sweltering heat of summer. Work your way around the pools of various temperatures, hit the sauna and then brave the chilly plunge pools. There is also an outdoor pool for swimming at full pelt.
Opera House
The jewel in the crown of Budapest’s uber stylish and signature boulevard. Despite the luxurious surroundings that evoke Budapest in its late nineteenth century heyday, ticket prices to see excellent operas, ballets and recitals remain very reasonable.
Gellért Baths
This Art Nouveau bathing extravaganza is a must-see for bathing fans. The entrances to the separate male and female thermal bathing pools can be found respectively through the right and left doors next to the deep end of the main pool. The garden with its wave pool is very pleasant in summer.
Opening hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Franz Liszt Music Academy
This music university that was founded by legendary composer Franz Liszt in 1875 has honed the skills of the likes of Sir George Solti. It’s also a top venue for classical music concerts with its mix of beautiful Art Nouveau surroundings, amazing acoustics and the talent on show.
Check out this link to find out what’s going on in buzzing Budapest: Culture & Events in Budapest