Travelling to Hungary’s capital is a real treat for every one of our senses. Its beauty, its gastronomy and its rich history, not to mention its impressive local craft beers, are a very attractive attraction. 

But beyond tasting its delicious dishes and desserts, today we are going to tour Budapest looking for the best art museums. We want you to discover the history of the city, and the country, through unique works that will last through time. Ready to take a bath in art and culture?  

The Best Art Museums of Budapest 2024 

Hungarian National Museum

Múzeum krt. 14-16, 1088 

You’d better have your camera ready and your battery topped up because you’re going to need it. At our first stop, the photos start before you even enter. Just as you can hear, the façade will give you a clue that this is the right parade. 

The building doesn’t just embrace history, it stars in it, as in the revolution of 1848. Get ready to take a trip through human history, travelling from prehistoric times to the communist era.

But that’s not all: its interior, its decoration and the fantastic state in which the facilities are kept will attract your attention as much as its collections and works. You can’t leave without visiting this museum. It is as important as that trip you have made, or will make, to the Szimpla.

Hungarian National Gallery

Szent György tér 2, 1014 

Have you visited Buda Castle, have you had to climb the hill to the top, or almost to the top, of Budapest, have you had your photo taken at Fisherman’s Bastion? If the answer is no, here’s one more reason to go up there; the Hungarian National Gallery. 

In order to enter the gallery, get ready because you’re going to love it, you’re going to have to enter the Royal Palace of Buda Castle. 

In operation since the mid-20th century, Magyar Nemzeti Galéria, as it is known, has a collection of works, from paintings to sculptures to weavings, that tells the story of Hungary from almost its beginnings as a nation, from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau.

Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art

Komor Marcell u. 1, 1095

Let’s take a leap, leave the historical review and go straight to the contemporary, let’s go to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Thanks to the work of Irene and Peter Ludwig, their dream came true, and became the dream of many others. 

The impressive Müpa Budapest building, and we’re not just saying that because the place is a real showpiece, houses more than 12,000 m2 of exhibitions with works by great artists such as Claes Oldenburg or the famous Andy Warhol.

Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museums of Fine Arts)

Dózsa György út 41, 1146

Take metro line 1 if you don’t want to take a longer walk than you should to get to City Park and Heroes’ Square. 

On one side of the square, with a classical façade that resembles our first museum, the imperial Hungarian National Museum, you’ll find the Museum of Fine Arts. We don’t need to explain much about what you’ll find inside, do we?

Just in case, we warn you that you’re going to want to spend the whole day there, because they have works from every period of human history you can imagine, rivalling the great museums of Europe. 

But it’s not all Egypt and modernism. Look for The Romanesque main hall and be amazed by this incredible work and its history.

Kunsthalle (Műcsarnok)

Dózsa György út 37, 1146

Don’t go too far, don’t think we’re going to make you walk any further than you have to. Since you are in Heroes’ Square, one of the most beautiful and historic places in Budapest, just cross it and go to the other end of the square. 

You won’t believe that two such majestic and important museums are so close to each other. And this the Kunsthalle, Műcsarnok, is a contemporary art museum that has managed to get its hands on some of the world’s most important temporary exhibitions. If modern and contemporary art is your thing, you must go in and take a look. 

When you finish your visit, don’t forget to stop by Dracula’s Castle, the Vajdahunyad Castle. But if you want to relax, unwind and enjoy Europe’s largest spa, your stop is just a few steps away; Széchenyi Baths.

Hungarian House of Photography – Mai Manó House

Nagymező u. 20, 1065

Even if you can’t find the word museum anywhere, take it from us that this is a museum, as well as an institution, in the world of photography. 

And if you’re an amateur, you probably know who Mai Manó is. And if you don’t, you already have some homework to do. A true artist of this beautiful art, who is considered a genius by the Hungarians, and who proved it throughout his career. 

This impressive building displays a large number of his works as well as works by local artists taking their first steps in this world.

Victor Vasarely Museum

Szentlélek tér 6, 1033

From genius to genius, in different branches, but true masters. Victor Vasarely is considered the father creator of optical art, also known as op art, in which he plays with shapes, light and shadow and figures to create visual effects that will make you freeze in front of a work of art, completely hypnotised. Whether you are an art lover or not, this parade will not disappoint you.

Imre Varga Collection (Gyűjtemény)

Laktanya u. 7, 1033

We change our artistic expression once again and take a leap into the difficult art of sculpture. Imre Varga was, and still is, considered the most talented sculptor in the history of Hungary. He was also an expert as a graphic artist and painter, among other things. Visit his museum if you want to see the perfection of various arts created by the same hands.

Róth Miksa museum

Nefelejcs u. 26, 1078 

If you thought that after talking about painting, sculpture, optical effects and design we had covered all forms of artistic expression, you are very wrong. You won’t see this coming, and if you’re curious, you’re going to love it. 

Meet Miksa Róth, a true genius in the difficult art of glass painting and mosaic creation. His works of art can be found in churches and cathedrals all over the world, which shine thanks to his incredible stained glass windows. The best of his history and work is gathered in his museum and you won’t believe what he was capable of.