One of the biggest cultural venues, the MüPa across the river Danube
One of the biggest of the cultural venues, the MüPa

5+1 must-visit cultural venues of Budapest

Looking for the best cultural venues in Budapest? Discover the 5+1 must-visit places on JustBudapest.

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Thirsty for some cultural experiences in Budapest, but don’t know where to start? Want to take a day off from the sightseeing and recharge your batteries with a concert or an exhibition? You’re at the right place – Budapest has got it all. As the entertainment centre of Hungary, Budapest offers a wide range of cultural venues and other events all year round. Here’s a list of our favorite places for some intellectual fun – get ready for a real culture through the exciting streets of this fantastic city.

1. Palace of Arts – MüPa

The spectacular building of the Palace of Arts in Budapest
The spectacular building of the Palace of Arts in Budapest

MüPa (short for Művészetek Palotája, meaning Palace of Arts in Hungarian) gives nothing less than it promises with its name. It is truly a palace with a modern vibe and a classical overtone. It encompasses the true essence of art – it’s a melting pot for classical, contemporary, jazz and pop music, even for opera, and contemporary circus, dance, literature and film.

This diversity ensures its popularity among both connoisseurs and everyday people and allows new artistic trends and directions to be presented in an understandable way while respecting Hungarian and European artistic traditions.

How to get there
Take tram 1, 2 or 24, bus 54, or HÉV 7. If you want to arrive by car and have a valid ticket for the given day, you can park in the underground car park for free.

Pro Tip

Check the calendar on their website and make sure to get your ticket well ahead of time, since their events are extremely popular

Summary of
Palace of Arts – MüPa

Opening hours
Every Day
10:00:00 – 18:00:00
Web Address
Social Media
Address
1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1.
Important

Opening hours might differ depending on the end of the last performance.

2. Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts on Heroes’ Square, Budapest
Museum of Fine Arts on Heroes’ Square, Budapest

If you’re up for checking out one of the most important collections of European art spanning over several millennia, the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) is your place. Discover seasonal exhibitions and the museum’s own permanent collections from the Egyptian era through Leonardo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Goya to Monet and Picasso, all just a few steps away from the famous Heroes’ Square.

Take a day off and travel in time with art in one of the most famous cultural venues in Budapest.

Pro Tip

Book a guided tour in English – available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 3.30pm

How to get there
Take metro line 1, bus 20E, 30 or 105, or trolley bus 72 or 75. The closest parking garage is on Pollack Mihály tér

Summary of
Museum of Fine Arts

Opening hours
tuesday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
wednesday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
thursday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
friday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
saturday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
sunday 10:00:00 – 18:00:00
mo closed.
Web Address
Social Media
Address
Budapest, Dózsa György út 41, 1146

3. Opera

Budapest’s magnificent State Opera House
Budapest’s magnificent State Opera House

Fancy a bit of fancy? Put on your Sunday best and have a special audiovisual experience at the Hungarian State Opera. From classical opera pieces to contemporary ballet performances, you can surely find what you’re looking for. Thanks to the late-19th century neo-Renaissance exterior and the horseshoe-shaped auditorium, its beauty and quality of acoustics puts it right on the podium with La Scala in Milan, Italy.

How to get there
Take metro line 1 or bus 105 if you prefer public transportation, however, it’s easily reachable on foot from the city centre. Parking is available nearby in Opera Car Park.

Summary of
Opera

Web Address
Social Media
Address
Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061

4. Millenáris Park

Millenáris Park, Budapest’s largest open-air cultural spot
Millenáris Park, Budapest’s largest open-air cultural spot

Looking for a cultural venue in Budapest for the whole family? Look no further, Millenáris Park is your place. Built on an industrial area, Millenáris Park is a venue that regularly hosts events related to culture, science and tourism, such as the Invisible Exhibition (try it if you want to experience how life feels like without the sense of sight), the National Dance Theater, or the International Book Festival.

Pro Tip

The buildings are surrounded by a huge park with lakes and a playground, so if you’re looking for a green area to chill in the city, Millenáris is an excellent choice for that too.

How to get there
Take metro line 2, tram 4, 6, 17, 18, 59 or 61, bus 5, 16, 102 or 139. If you prefer driving there, you can park your car in the car park on the premises

Summary of
Location name

Opening hours
Every Day
06:00:00 – 23:00:00
Web Address
Social Media
Address
1024 Budapest, Kis Rókus utca 16-20.

5. CSOPA Science Center

CSOPA Science Center in Budapest
CSOPA Science Center in Budapest

If you want to have a deeper understanding of natural phenomena while having fun, or just want to bring science closer to your kids, CSOPA Science Center (short for Csodák Palotája, meaning Palace of Miracles in Hungarian) is the place to go. It’s a unique and interactive science exhibition with the possibility to touch and try anything you set your eyes on.

Try any of the more than 250 games, or test your abilities in one of their escape rooms.

Pro Tip

Plan at least a whole afternoon for the CSOPA Science Center, since once you step inside, you won’t want to come out.

How to get there
Take suburban railway line H5 from Battyhány tér, tram 17, 19 or 41, bus 9, 29, 109, 111 or 165. Parking is available in the Buda Entertainment & Gastro car park underneath the building where CSOPA Science Center is located.

Summary of
Location name

Opening hours
Every Day
10:00:00 – 18:00:00
Web Address
Social Media
Address
Budapest, Bécsi út 38-44, 1036

+1 Budapest Spring Festival

The magical Budapest Sping Festival
The magical Budapest Sping Festival

Budapest Spring Festival is not strictly a cultural venue, but a cultural festival taking place in several venues all over Budapest every spring. For the sheer magnitude and quality of art performances and exhibitions, it definitely deserves a spot on our list. From classical piano recitals and children’s film festivals to contemporary art exhibitions, it embodies everything that’s art.

How to get there
Since the festival is spread across several venues in Budapest, it’s best to check them individually when making plans.

Summary of
Budapest Spring Festival

Q & A

What are the best cultural venues in Budapest?
From arts to science to leisure time, Budapest offers tourists a broad range of cultural activities, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the CSOPA Science Center and the Spring Festival.
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