Discover the Best Museums in Budapest

Whether you’re looking to take a crash course in Hungarian fine art, immerse yourself in 20th-century history, or discover the city’s offbeat side, the best museums in Budapest have plenty to keep any cultured traveler busy.

Museum of Fine Arts

Best museum for Old Masters

Set in a building resembling a neoclassical temple, Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts showcases works by world-famous artists like Raphael, El Greco, and Dürer, along with an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts. The museum’s highlight is the Romanesque Hall, a frescoed space inspired by medieval Hungarian art. Constructed in the early 1900s, the gallery suffered severe damage during World War II and was restored in 2018, reopening to the public for the first time in 70 years.

Hungarian National Gallery

Best museum for Hungarian art

Located in the Royal Palace at Buda Castle, the Hungarian National Gallery charts the history of Hungarian art, from medieval Gothic triptychs and sculpture to post–World War II abstraction. Notable highlights include the lookout platform from the castle dome, the paintings of Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, and the work of Hungarian impressionists such as Pál Szinyei Merse and József Rippl-Rónai.

Hungarian National Museum

Best museum for history buffs

The Hungarian National Museum is the country’s largest. Exhibits take visitors through the story of Hungary from prehistory to the Communist era. Must-see items include the Roman lapidarium, the stunning Seuso Treasure (a collection of 4th-century silver vessels), and the 11th-century coronation mantle of St. Stephen.

Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art

Best museum to discover new artists

The Ludwig Museum is the ideal place to visit for art enthusiasts looking for contemporary works from Central Europe and beyond. The gallery features ongoing, rotating exhibitions that spotlight emerging artists from the region, serving as a lively counterpart to the stellar permanent collection.

House of Terror

Best museum for difficult history

Located in the former headquarters of Hungary’s secret police, the House of Terror opened in 2002 to commemorate the victims of the Communist and fascist regimes. It offers an immersive experience with multimedia and interactive installations; you will see the cells where political prisoners were held and watch video accounts from survivors sharing their stories. Exhibits represent different themes, such as a room filled with lard blocks symbolizing the forced handover of agricultural produce during the Communist regime.

Aquincum

Best museum for connecting with the ancient past

Head to suburban Óbuda to explore the site of the ancient Roman city of Aquincum. Today, it’s an archaeological park where you can stroll among the ruins of houses, shops, and bathhouses. An impressive museum located in a former electric transformer building explains Roman life in Hungary through displays of mosaics, jewelry, everyday items, and even a portable organ dating back to the 3rd century.

Budapest History Museum in Buda Castle

Best museum for medieval history

Housed in the south wing of Buda Castle, this branch of the Budapest History Museum chronicles the history of this storied city. You’ll find dioramas featuring Celts and Romans, and the stunning Gothic sculptures that bring the story of the Middle Ages to life.

Holocaust Memorial Center

Best museum for bearing witness

The poignant Holocaust Memorial Center explores the impact of this tragedy on Hungary. The immersive collection blends personal artifacts and films with graphic depictions of life in concentration camps, culminating in a beautiful former synagogue.

Kiscelli Museum

Best museum for local color

The Kiscelli Museum is a charming museum situated in an 18th-century monastery in the Óbuda neighborhood. Its galleries showcase an intriguing array of everyday items from the 18th and 19th centuries, including antique furniture, vintage pharmacy equipment, and retro shop signs.

Hospital in the Rock

Best museum for considering the Cold War

This subterranean hospital beneath the Castle District operated during World War II and the 1956 Revolution before becoming a nuclear bunker in the 1960s. The Hospital in the Rock was kept secret until the early 2000s and opened as a museum in 2008, allowing visitors to see a sanitized version of the hospital that includes reconstructed operating rooms with wax figures.

Hungarian Agriculture Museum

Best museum for castle aficionados

The unusual Hungarian Agriculture Museum in City Park covers its remit expertly, with exhibits on livestock breeding from the 15th century, hunting paraphernalia, and an impressive collection of taxidermy. However, the site’s appeal lies in its historical location: Vajdahunyad Castle, a stunning 19th-century replica of a Transylvanian monument that radiates Central European charm.

Zwack Unicum Museum

Best museum for a nightcap

At the original Zwack Unicum Museum, you’ll learn all about the famous Hungarian spirit Unicum, a bitter herbal digestif that many either love or hate. The museum allows visitors to tour the cellars and sample Unicum right from the barrel while discovering the history of the brand and its connection to Hungarian traditions.

Róth Miksa Museum

Best museum for gorgeous glass

Miksa Róth’s Art Nouveau stained-glass masterpieces adorn many notable locations across Budapest, including the Hungarian Parliament. Set in Róth’s former home and workshop, this small museum captures both his personal and artistic history, featuring well-preserved rooms alongside a collection of his beautiful works.

House of Hungarian Photographers

Best museum for shutterbugs

Set within a stunning house adorned with frescoes and ceramics, the House of Hungarian Photographers celebrates photography throughout history. Once the residence of Mai Manó, a royal court photographer in the 19th century, this museum features the preserved photo studio along with exhibitions showcasing the work of both Hungarian and international photographers.

Budapest Pinball Museum

Best museum for families

The quirky Budapest Pinball Museum holds the title of Europe’s largest interactive museum dedicated to pinball machines. More than just a collection of vintage equipment, this location allows visitors to play on over 100 sets, including games dating back to the 19th century, such as bagatelles from the 1880s and a 1940s Humpty Dumpty-inspired game.