Location: Budapest
Top Things to do in Budapest
10 Art Museums in Budapest That You Shouldn't Miss
Over 15 million gallons of water bubble daily into Budapest's 118 springs and boreholes. The city of spas offers an astounding array of baths, from the sparkling Gellert Baths to the vast 1913 neo-baroque Szechenyi Spa to Rudas Spa, a dramatic 16th-century Turkish pool with original Ottoman architecture. The "Queen of the Danube" is also steeped in history, culture and natural beauty. Get your camera ready for the Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica.
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1. Kovacs Gabor Collection
2. Victor Vasarely Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By clayrich - Burnley, United Kingdom
Fascinating museum showing the op art of Vasarely. I'll be honest and admit I had not heard of him but saw this in a Lonely Planet guide book on Budapest. It was terrific value and a bargain, really. There are some other works in addition to Vasarely but the main attraction are the mind bending op art works he produced. It's a lovely little museum and an insight into something I knew nothing of but will definately find out more. You will find yourself staring at some of these images, your mind not quite beleiving what you are seeing.
3. Imre Varga Collection (Gyujtemeny)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By ThoughtfulTraveler18
Imre Varga created the moving sculptures in the Doheny Synagogue commemorating the Jewish lives lost during WWII in Hungary. He is not Jewish, and yet was commissioned to do these pieces, no doubt, because of his evocative works about humanity and the sacredness of life. His many sculptures of his father feature his loss of limbs after serving in the war, with his medals of honor affixed to his chest with nails, reminiscent of Jesus on the cross, conveying the hypocrisy and the sacrifices of war. We found this museum moving and beautiful, as each piece is deeply thoughtful and moving. Because we began our trip with the Doheny synagogue and ended it with the Imre Varga Museum, we felt it to be an extra magical, bookended trip. Don't hesitate to ask the museum director to explain some of the pieces, especially the sculpture of the woman on horseback in the inner courtyard.... a very special story awaits you. We also visited the Vasarely Museum nearby (wonderful).
4. Varfok Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Varfok Gallery is one of the first Hungarian, privately founded contemporary galleries after the political changes of 1989. Its services include the representation of its artists, organization of exhibitions, guided tours and publishing.
5. Rehab Budapest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
The Rehab Budapest is a Barber Shop to get your hair done as you like it. And our Bistro with our amazing hamburgers and beers. Take a break from the city, enjoy the amazing foods, get a quick shave!
6. Rath Gyorgy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By BogsideBunny - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Have been in Budapest several times over the years and wanted to revisit the Applied Arts Museum which I had gone to on my very first trip. Discovering it was closed for a major overhaul, the curators have moved some of the exhibits to this lovely townhouse and have created a compact exhibition leaning heavily on the Art Nouveau period. There are exhibits not only from Hungary but also from some of the other countries where Art Nouveau had a strong impact - France, Austria, Holland, Scandinavia and even Scotland, my homeland, gets a mention thanks to CRM and The Four. I found the Hungarian exhibits particularly interesting as I didn't realise there was such a big influence of AN here. The lady at the cash desk gave me a very interesting book which gave details of all the exhibits which I bought at the end as a souvenir. Really enjoyed this wee museum, guess the content is right up my street but for anyone with even a passing interest in Art Nouveau it's not the worst place to pass an hour. Bit off the beaten track but for me, definitely worth the effort!
7. Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 158 reviews
Rich collections of international contemporary art by such Hungarians artists as Lakner, Keserü and Konkoly, plus important works by Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Claes Oldenburg representing the more avant-garde and American Pop-Art forms.
8. Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galeria)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,278 reviews
The Hungarian National Gallery is the largest public collection documenting and presenting the rise and development of the fine arts in Hungary. It has operated as an independent institution since 1957. The HNG moved to its present location, the former Royal Palace of Buda, in 1975. The Hungarian National Gallery was established to display Hungarian art in itself. The basis of its collection is the New Hungarian Picture Gallery at the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, and the Hungarian material belonging to that museum’s collections of modern sculpture, medals, and prints and drawings. The holdings of the new institution include approximately 6000 paintings, 2100 sculptures, 3100 medals, 11,000 drawings, and 5000 prints.
Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States
The Hungarian National Gallery (a.k.a. Magyar Nemzeti Galéria) covers four floors and four wings of the former Royal Palace. Its outstanding collection of Hungarian art dates from the 11th century and includes several genres (e.g., ceramics, paintings, sculpture, wood carvings) across a wide range of time (e.g., Medieval, Renaissance, Gothic art, Baroque and modern). The largest collections include medieval and Renaissance stonework, Gothic wooden sculptures, panel paintings and late-Gothic winged altars. The collection of Hungarian paintings and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries is usually popular. Since 1975 the collection has been housed in the opulent former royal residence (dating back to the 14th century). The museum can be overwhelming. Some advice: -- You can't see it all, so pick a focus (e.g., artist, time period, genre) -- Wear comfortable shoes -- Ticket lines can be long, so arrive early in the day (before the tour buses) -- An audio guide is available in several languages -- Agree on a meeting place and time and split up (everyone will find their interest) -- For those who find art museums boring, there is a very nice cafe and a large museum shop -- Weather permitting, you can buy an extra ticket to access the dome, which offers superb views in all directions. -- The museum's web site has information about temporary exhibits The National Gallery is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm (last admission), and the building closes at 6pm. The entry fee in 1800 HUF, and an audio guide rental is 800 HUF.
9. Zsigmond Kun Folk Art Museum (Lakasmuzeum)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
10. Palace of Exhibitions (Mucsarnok)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 121 reviews
Built in 1895, this art and culture center exhibits the works of modern-day Hungarian and international artists and showcases a variety of plays, films and concerts throughout the year.
Reviewed By MarriedAnd-Over-50 - Mission, Canada
Located right across from Heroes Square this is fantastic looking building that displays works of modern Hungarian and International Artists. You can't miss it when you visit Heroe's Square. Worth entering for any exhibition. I liked it very much
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