The diverse culture of Budapest can be best experienced in one of its several museums. Be it the modern arts, history, music, or the magical side of Budapest you prefer, there is a museum for everyone in this bustling city.
Budapest has such a wide range of options when it comes to visiting a museum. The only real difficulty won’t be finding one, but rather choosing which one you want to visit next! Gathered below are your best bets, arranged according to your unique personality and preference. And the best news? You don’t have to pick just one…
Top museums in Budapest if you are a(n)…
Art lover:
Pablo Picasso once said that “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” We think he was on to something for sure. So, when your soul needs some uplifting inspiration by way of breathtaking beauty, cruise on over to the Museum of Fine Arts, located in Heroes’ Square, which houses an impressive collection of 100,000 pieces spanning all periods of European art.
You can also take a look around Ludwig Modern Art Museum, where extensive collections of more contemporary art by both Hungarian and international artists line the walls.
Or, how about a stop at the Hungarian National Museum, where you can wade through the wonders of Hungary’s rich history, art, and archaeology? You’ll not be sorry.
History fanatic:
Are you a history buff? Budapest brings so much to the table for all you fans of the past. Peruse your way through the House of Terror. Although it may sound like a Spooky Halloween-themed haunted house, it’s a bonafide museum that contains numerous exhibits that delve into the terrifying times of the fascist and communist-era in Budapest during the 20th century.
Or perhaps the kid in you loves all things related to knights and castles. The Budapest History Museum offers visitors a unique and telling glimpse into the turbulent times that led Budapest to become the beautiful city that it is today.
Does wandering through the ruins of an ancient city whet your appetite? If so, you will find a wealth of archaeological gems left over from the once lofty ancient Roman city of Aquincum at Budapest’s Aquincum Museum.
Music maniac
The Liszt Ferenc Museum of Budapest pays homage to legendary Hungarian composer and conductor Franz Liszt. What’s most fascinating, the museum itself is a reconstruction of the last Budapest flat where the composer lived in the late 1800s.
Also housed within Buda Castle is the Museum of Music History, which will whisk you away on a journey through Hungary’s most epic and significant musical moments. Although this museum may be smaller than most, it does prove the statement true: “Good things come in small packages.”
Fancy the unusual
If the popular saying “Keep it weird” sounds wonderful to you, then we’ve got three museums that are sure to put a smile on your face.
The Flippermúzeum, also known as the pinball museum, is a fabulously quirky collection of arcade memorabilia and games, spanning all periods, and most of which you can play yourself, making it the perfect place to get your game on, quite literally!
For fans of the world-famous escape artist Harry Houdini (most people don’t realize that he was born in Hungary!), the House of Houdini “houses” the biggest collection of authentic Houdini artifacts in all of Europe. It’s the perfect spot for aspiring musicians and just plain Houdini appreciators to converge for a fun walk through Houdini’s legacy.
Are you a fan of spirits? And no, not the spooky, creepy kind. Specifically, those who appreciate Unicum, the unique Hungarian aperitif made from myriad herbs and spices, will be interested in the fascinating history of the elixir, as well as the family behind its creation—all of which can be found at the fabulous Unicum House.
With kids
Are you in Budapest with kids? If so, we’ve got just the thing for you to mix business (as in education in our case) with pleasure.
Explore some of the enchanting, family-friendly museums of Budapest!
Again, we will return to the saying that “Good things come in small packages” to introduce Miniversum, a delightfully whimsical world where all things (really) small are celebrated. One of the largest miniature exhibitions in the world, this interactive fairytale-esque locale features tiny replicas of well-known Hungarian, Austrian, and German landmarks.
Alice would be super excited if you told her that you were taking her to Csodák Palotája (which just so happens also to be called the Palace of Wonders). Among the wonders, one can expect to find within this science-centered museum are super fun games and educational displays, suitable for both the kid and those adults with a thriving kid inside!
Budapest’s “fabled” Fairy Tale Museum and Workshop is a place of fairytales indeed. Here, tiny visitors’ every dream can be vicariously lived out among a trio of museum areas, one of which even boasts a theatre, where shadow and puppet shows can be created and enjoyed!
Whatever museum you decide to check out, we wish you a joyful and educational experience, one to write home (or a blog) about!
