Ady Endre Memorial Museum
V. Veres Pálné utca 4-6, Metro: M3
Ferenciek tere, Bus 8, 15, Tram 2, Open: 10am-6pm Mar 1-Oct 31 (closed Mon/Tue),
10am-4pm Nov 1-Feb 28 (closed Mon/Tue), Budapest Card accepted
An exhibition celebrating the life and work of Hungarian poet, Ady Endre. Most famous for
his volume of poetry 'Új versek', which had a profound effect upon the literary scene at
the end of the 19th century, the museum is set in Ady's last apartment. Managing to
recreate the atmosphere of the time, it displays the personal possessions of Ady and his
wife, including furniture and original manuscripts.
 XIV. Vajdahunyad Castle, Metro: M1
Széchenyi fürdő, Trolleybus 70, 72, 75, 79, Bus, 4, 20, 30, 105 Open:
Mar 1-Nov 14 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun; Nov15-Feb 28 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun, Budapest Card accepted
Located in part of the Vajdahunyad Castle, the most interesting aspect of a visit to the
museum is a walk around the beautifully decorated hunting hall, complete with stunning
ceiling motifs and stain glass windows.
Although some of the exhibits may not be particularly interesting (especially
to children), there are often temporary exhibitions that are worth a look.
III. Szentendrei út 139, HÉV
Aquincum, Open: 9am-5pm Apr 15-30 and Oct 1-31, 9am-6pm May 1 Sep 30, closed Nov 1-Apr
14, Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.aquincum.hu
Running parallel to the busy highway of Szentendrei út, the Aquincum Museum's relics date
back to the period when the Romans conquered the region in around 35BC (eventually
becoming part of the province of Pannonia). Back then, Aquincum served both as a trading
settlement and garrison town, protecting other strategic interests along the Danube.
Today, the ruins sit uncomfortably amidst the suburban sprawl and graffiti clad walls of
the nearby HÉV station. The highlight of the museum is the reconstructed example of a
3rd-century water organ found at the site in the early thirties. Also of interest is the
small amphitheatre right next door to the station.
Attila József Memorial Room
IX. Gát utca 3, Tram 4, 6, Open: 10am-6pm Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri, closed
Monday, Saturday and Sunday
Memorial exhibition in honour of the renowned Hungarian poet. Original manuscripts and
documents are displayed in a reconstruction of his single room apartment.
XIV. Zichy Mihály utca (Petőfi Csarnok), Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdő, Tram 1, Trolleybus 70,
72, 74, Open: 10am-5pm May 17-Sep 30, 10am-4pm Oct 1-Oct 15, closed Oct 16-May 16, Budapest Card accepted
A long journey out to this relatively small museum in the 14th district offers precious
little in the way of airborne interest, even for flying buffs. The space capsule of the
first Hungarian cosmonaut is a highlight, although it must be said the passenger plane and
glider exhibits are not very interesting.
Bajor Gizi Theatre Museum
Stromfeld Aurél utca, Bus 105, Tram 59, Open: 2pm-6pm Thu-Sun, Budapest Card
accepted, Website: www.oszmi.hu/bajorgiziszineszmuzeum.htm
Set in the villa previously belonging to actress Gizi Bajor, the museum is devoted to
stars of Hungarian theatre and cinema such as Hilda Gobbi Relics, Mari Jászai and Emilia
Márkus. Old photographs and theatrical memorabilia are exhibited alongside the original
furnishings of Gizi's home, making this a nostalgic visit for ex-pats returning to the
country.
Banknote and Coin Exhibition
V. Szabadság tér 8 (Hungarian National Bank), Metro: M2 Kossuth tér, M2 Arany János
utca, Bus 15, Open: 9am-2pm daily, Budapest Card
accepted
Exhibition detailing the history of Hungarian coins and banknotes to the present day.
Includes the oldest coin in the country dating back to reign of St. Stephen.
Bartók Béla Memorial Museum
II. Csalán út 29, Bus 5, 29, Open: 10am-5pm Tue-Fri (closed
Monday), Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.bartokmuseum.hu,
Exhibition celebrating the life and works of Béla Bartók, Hungary's most famous 20th
century composer.
IX. Ráday u. 28, Metro: M3 Kálvin tér,
Bus 15, Open: 10am-6pm daily (closed Mondays), Budapest Card accepted
Permanent exhibition divided into three main sections, 'Archaeology and the Bible', the
'History of the Bible in Hungarian' and the 'Bible around the world'. Guided tours for
groups are available on request.
VIII. Mosonyi utca, Metro: M2 Keleti pu,
Open:
10am-5pm Tue-Sun, Website: www.policehistorymus.com
An interesting, if slightly bizarre alternative to the many art galleries and exhibitions in
Budapest, the Museum of Criminology caught the headlines when first opened in 1999. With a large
collection of police uniforms, badges and other items from the realm of Hungarian law enforcement,
the museum makes for a worthwhile detour if you're in the vicinity of Keleti pu. (Eastern Station).
Also on display are photos and other material forms of evidence from famous Hungarian crimes. No
items on the famous 'Whiskey robber' as yet, although locals would doubtless be thrilled. Free
admission.
V. Kossuth tér 12, Metro: M2 Kossuth
tér, Bus 15, Tram 2, Trolleybus 70, 78, Open: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun (closed Mon),
Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.neprajz.hu
This impressive building, designed by Alajos Hauszmann, was originally the Palace of
Justice. With sculptures on the main façade depicting magistrates and legislators, the
interior decoration is also beautiful, particularly the huge entrance hall with its
chandeliers and marble staircases.
However, pride of place must go to the magnificent ceiling fresco by Karoly Lotz (note
that images of Justitia the goddess of justice give away the original function of the building).
The museum also houses a fine permanent exhibition of Hungarian culture and colourful folkart, as
well as other cultural displays from around the world.
Ferenc Liszt Museum
VI. Vőrősmarty utca 35, Metro: M1 Vörösmarty
u, Open: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.lisztmuseum.hu
The former home of Hungary's most famous composer Ferenc Liszt, who lived here for 5 years
from 1881 until his death in 1886. The three room apartment displays original furniture
and other personal possessions. Recitals take place most Saturday mornings.
X. Martinovics Ignácz tér 12, Bus 9, 32, 62, Tram 13, 28, Open:
9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat (closed Mon)
Set in part of a working fire station way out in the 10th district, the museum charts the
history of fire-fighting in Budapest, from ancient equipment found in the Roman settlement
of Aquincum to modern fire engines. Among the exhibits are late 19th-century horse drawn
engines and the first motorised firefighting vehicle brought from England.
Budavári Palota E Épület, Várbusz, Bus 16, Open:
10am-6pm daily, Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.btm.hu
Charting the history of both the Royal Palace and Budapest, the museum's permanent
exhibitions give an insight into the medieval cities of Buda and Pest, along with displays
of Gothic sculptures and remains from archaeological excavations.
Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts
VI. Andrássy út 103, Metro: M1 Bajza
utca, Bus 105, 4, Open: 10-4pm Jan 1-Mar 13 (closed Mon), 10am-6pm Mar 14-Dec 31
(closed Mon), Budapest Card accepted
Museum based around the collection of Hungarian businessman Ferenc Hopp, who by the time
of his death in 1919, had amassed a huge collection of works from India and the far east.
Ancient Buddhist art dating back to the 9/10th centuries is displayed alongside Japanese,
Indian and Tibetan-Nepalese pieces.
 VI. Andrássy út 60, Metro: Oktogon,
Open: 10am-6pm Tue-Fri (closed Mon), Sat/Sun 10am-7.30pm, Website: www.terrorhaza.hu
Although the folks at Pestiside (a
must read blog for Budapest) reckon the House of Terror's interior makes both communism
and fascism look "irresistibly stylish", this downtown museum - which caused a
fair degree of controversy when it opened - was once the headquarters of Arrow Cross
Party, then the Hungarian Nazis between 1944 and 1945, before being taken over by the
Communist secret police (once Soviet troops had "liberated" Hungary).
Opened in 2002 by the right-wing Fidesz Party (during
that year's election campaign), the museum was dismissed by the now ruling socialists for
being a "party-aligned piece of political propaganda". Indeed, having secured
victory at the polls, they then threatened to slash the museum's budget, raising the
question of just which version of Hungarian history politicians would have you believe.
Highlights of a visit here include "The Changing
Room," where a rotating mannequin illustrates the ease in which some Hungarians
switched sides to appease their new masters, while a photo wall of
"victimizers," details just who (living and dead) helped aid both Nazis and
communists during the country's darkest years.
 VII.
Dohány utca 2, Metro: M1,
M2, M3 Deák tér, Bus 7, 7A, 78, Tram 47, 49, Open: 10am-5pm
Mon-Thu, 10am-3pm Fri, 10am-2pm Sun, Closed Sat, Budapest Card accepted,
Website: www.c3.hu/~bpjewmus
Housed in a wing of the Central Synagogue (the second largest in the world) Budapest's
Jewish Museum was built on the site where Theodor Herzl, the famous Zionist leader and
novelist was born. Containing mostly 18th and 19th century art treasures, exhibits are
arranged in three main rooms according to their ritual significance i.e. Sabbath, holidays
and life cycle ceremonies. A fourth room, which covers the Holocaust, gives a harrowing
insight into the fate of an estimated 550,000 Hungarian Jews murdered by the Nazis and
Hungarian Arrow Cross fascists during the final years of WWII.
Kassák Memorial Museum
III. Fo tér 1, Bus, 6 and 86, Tram 1, HÉV Árpád híd, Open: 10am-6pm Mar 17-Oct 30, 10am-5pm Nov
1-Mar 15, closed Monday, Budapest Card
accepted
Museum dedicated to the avant-garde writer and artist along with temporary exhibitions of
period paintings.
Kiscelli utca 108, Bus 60, 165, Tram 17, Open: 10am-6pm
Apr 1-Oct 31, 10am-4pm Nov 1-Mar 31, closed Mondays, Budapest Card
accepted, Website: www.btmfk.iif.hu
and www.btm.hu/Kiscell/kiscell.htm,
Decorative arts coupled with important Hungarian 19th century works are among the
permanent exhibits in this Baroque Trinitarian monastery. Downstairs there's a history of
Hungarian printing houses in the 18th and 19th centuries, including an antique printing
press. Contemporary 20th century Hungarian art is also featured, highlights of which are
works from cubist János Kmetty, Károly Ferenczy and the vibrant puppet themed paintings
of Margit Anna. Temporary exhibitions and concerts are also held during the summer.
Hungarian National Museum
 VIII. Múzeum körút 14-16, Metro: M2 Astoria/M3 Kálvin tér,
Tram 47-49, Open: 10am-5pm Mar 1-Mar 15 and Oct 15, Oct 31, Mar 16-Oct 14 10am-6pm, Nov
1-Feb 28 10am-4pm, closed Mondays, Budapest Card accepted,
Website: www.hnm.hu
Just north from Kálvin tér on Múzeum krt. stands the Hungarian National Museum.
Built to the design of Mihály Pollack between 1837 and 1847, the museum's area covers
over 8000 square metres and is the largest in Hungary.
It was from the steps of this building on March 15, 1848
that the famous Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi is said to have recited his revolutionary
Nemzeti dal (National Song) as a call to arms against the Habsburg monarchy. Although the
uprising failed, the date remains a celebrated national holiday. Permanent exhibitions
include the Hungarian Coronation Insignia, the History of Hungary from St. Stephen to the
Millennium and the History of Hungary in the 20th century.
Hungarian Natural History
Museum
VIII. Ludovika tér 2, Metro: M3 Klinikák, M3 Nagyvarád
tér, Open: 10am-5pm, Jan 1-Mar 31 and Oct 1-Dec 31, 10am-6pm Apr1-Sep30
(closed Tuesday), Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.nhmus.hu
The museum's permanent exhibition covers the geographical history of the Carparthian
basin, while also looking at man's development in the region through the ages. Other
temporary exhibits usually have plenty of interactive displays and models to keep children
amused.
Imre Varga Sculpture Museum
 III.
Laktanya utca 7, Metro: HÉV Árpad híd, Bus 6, 86, 106,
Tram 1, Open: 10am-6pm daily, Budapest Card accepted
It's fair to say that few modern day sculptors breathe life into sheet metal like Imre
Varga can. This small, but impressive collection demonstrates why the artist not only
enjoys critical acclaim for his work, but has also become a household name in Hungary.
Despite the would be handicap of being a favoured
sculptor under the 'goulash communism' of János Kádár, Varga's career seems to have
blossomed still further since democratisation.
The garden of the museum houses one of his most popular
works - Derkovits, while inside there's plenty of thought provoking social comment in his
work to digest. Recommended.
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