Did you know that every month there is one day free admission for the permanent exhibitions? This offer is for visitors under 26, or for two adults accompanying a family member under 18. This is also only valid for citizens of the European Economic Area (EU + Norway + Iceland+ Liechtenstein).
The Hungarian Natural History Museum
Free on the first Sunday of each month
This museum houses the largest natural history collections of Hungary and the region. It has many different departments so you will definitely find something that interests you, with interactive demonstrations and educational programmes as well.
How to get there: from Katona Apartments take metro 3 from Ferenciek tere to Nagyvárad tér (4 stops).
The Museum of Fine Arts
Free on the third Saturday of each month.
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Photo: my cousin Nóra Mészöly
This is the primary museum for international art in Budapest. It mainly consists of international artwork from artists across Europe and is divided into six major collections: Egyptian Art, Classical Antiquities, Sculpture, Old Master Paintings, Department of Art after 1800, and Prints and Drawings.
*Please note that the Museum of Fine Arts is closed for building renovations until 31 October 2018.*
How to get there: from Katona Apartments walk to Vörösmarty tér. Take metro 1 to Hősök tere (Hero’s Square).
The Hungarian National Museum
Free on the third Saturday of each month.
The Hungarian National Museum has several permanent displays covering Hungary’s prehistory to the fall of the communist system. For instance, you can find out about the Scholar Hungarians who made the twentieth century or, if you prefer something a little older, one room displays the medieval Hungarian Coronation Mantle, a ceremonial robe once worn by Hungarian kings at their coronations. Going back even further, another permanent exhibit focuses on Medieval and Early Modern stone inscriptions and carvings and The Roman Lapidary exhibit is a collection of ancient Roman stone inscriptions and carvings.
How to get there: this museum is a 10 minute walk from Katona Apartments. Walk in the direction of Astoria, once there turn right and the National Museum will soon be on your left hand side.
The Hungarian National Gallery
Free on the third Saturday of each month.
The museum is located in Buda Castle and is the largest public collection documenting and presenting fine art in Hungary. Not only do you get to see some fantastic pieces of art but if you make your way to the dome terrace you can also enjoy some great views over the city and the river Danube.
How to get there: from Ferenciek tere take bus no. 5 or bus no. 178, get off at Dózsa György tér and walk up the stairs until you reach the foot of the Castle wall to the left.
The Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre
Free on the third Sunday in each month.
Sztaravodai ut., Szentendre 2001
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Photo: Andrey Pshenichny – Flickr
Szentendre is a charming little town north of Budapest, and there is more than just the Open Air Museum that is worth a visit here. Please take a look at my other post to find out more about
Szentendre and what to do there.
The Open Air Museum itself is a historic village with many original buildings and objects representing Hungarian architecture and culture from the end of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century.
How to get there: Take metro 2 from Astoria in the direction of Déli Palyaudvar and get off at Batthyány tér. Here, change to the suburban railway line H5 and take a train to Szentendre, the journey takes approximately 39 minutes. From the Szentendre railway station take the local bus from stop no. 7 to Skanzen.
The Budapest History Museum
Free on the last Saturday in each month.
Buda Castle E building
The exhibitions in the Budapest History Museum focus on the unstable history of the 2000 years when the city of Budapest was split into three individual towns, Buda, Pest and Óbuda, and what these town were like.
How to get there: From Ferenciek tere take bus no. 5 or bus no. 178, get off at Dózsa György tér and walk up the stairs until you reach the foot of the Castle wall to the left.
The Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park
Free on the last Saturday in each month.
Here you will find the remains of the town Aquincum, a former military garrison of the Roman province of Pannonia, including a large amphitheater for 1,600 spectators.
How to get there: Walk to Astoria and from there take bus no.9 in the direction of Óbuda, Bogdáni út. Get off at Flórián tér (14th stop) and change to bus no.134 in the direction of Békásmegyer, Újmegyeri tér. Get off at the 4th stop, Záhony utca.
Kiscelli Museum
Free on the last Saturday in each month.
The museum presents various objects and documents related to the history of the capital after 1686 whilst the Budapest Municipal Gallery collects and presents works of art from the 20th century and contemporary artists of Budapest.
How to get there: Take metro 2 from Astoria metro stop in the direction of Déli Palyaudvar. Get off at Batthyány tér and take tram no. 19 or 41 to Szent Margit Kórház, then walk for about 10 minutes back on Bécsi Street and up the hill on Kiscelli Street.
The Military History Museum
Free on the last Sunday of each month.
Here you will find collections from Hungary’s military history including memorabilia and artefacts from the medieval times to the world wars and the present day.
How to get there: From Ferenciek tere take bus no. 5 in the direction of Pasaréti tér until Körmöci utca stop (6 stops ).
Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art
Free on the last Sunday of each month.
Ludwig Museum collects and displays masterworks of modern and contemporary art.
Although it focuses on Eastern and Central European art, it also puts a special emphasis on presenting valuable pieces of American pop art.
How to get there: Take tram no. 2 from Március 15. tér in the direction of Közvágó híd. Get off at Müpa – Nemzeti Színház stop (5 stops).
About the authors: Virág and János
Virág, a native of Budapest, and János, who’s been living in the city since 1997 are real fans of the capital of Hungary and try to awake the enthusiasm of others. They are dedicated to helping tourists to make most out of their stay.
Here you can read more about them: http://katonaapartments.hu/
Katona Apartments 