Hungarian National Gallery

If you want the whole experience- get there early. We started with the temporary exhibition with access to the permanent one around 2pm and we had to rush at the end (the gallery closes at 5:30 pm-6pm) and there was still a lot to see. The interiors are very tidy and well taken care of, it is quiet and spacious. Worth the prices too (50% discount if you’re from EU and under 26yo). The recently renewed temporary exhibition is a must see - different art for everyone. I’m happy to have visited and next time I’d consider getting there earlier.

Incredible place, spent over four hours there soaking in the art of a nation from the middle ages to modernism. Particularly liked the Soviet era glass bricks in the central hall, please notice and appreciate them! And don’t miss going up to the cupola for stunning Danube views.

Fantastic gallery with an amazing collection of Hungarian art. They also have some international names like a Gauguin, Monet and Cezanne but the best part is their own movements from the beginning of last century. At the top in the dome there are sweeping views of the city albeit with tight stairway access. Worth spending the majority of your time here on a given day as the other museums in the city do not compare.

Beautiful art gallery with two separate exhibitions. One is the main exhibition spread out on all three levels and the other one is temporary and about the Holocaust on level two. For that you have to pay extra but will get free admission to the main exhibition. We enjoyed the marvellous art, ranging from Impressionism, to Expressionism and Naturalism, et cetera. Worth a visit and a lot cheaper if you say you’re a student. For some reason they wanted to see our ID (we’re both 20) and not the student card. Beneficial if you want to pay less even though you aren’t a student.

The museum is located in the Buda Palace and is spread over three of its floors. On each floor you can admire different permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is worth setting aside a lot of time for sightseeing because the facility contains a lot of paintings and other types of art. There is a possibility of an audio tour, but it is not obligatory, because each of the paintings is well described. The exhibitions are very sensibly constructed, allowing you to acquire general knowledge about art in Hungary and its key representatives. I recommend it to anyone interested in art, whether classical or modern. However, I do not recommend coming here with children because they can get very bored, unless you are sure that your child is an art lover 😉

This is a stunning gallery The building alone is worth visiting, but the paintings exhibited here are incredible. Especially the works of Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka grabbed my interest and awe, with incredible colour and lighting. I highly recommend visiting, if you find yourself in Budapest.

The Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest is an absolute gem for anyone interested in Hungarian art and history. The gallery offers not only an extensive collection but also breathtaking views of the city and the Danube River. What impressed me most about the gallery was its focus on Hungarian art, which spans several centuries—from medieval times to contemporary works. It’s rare to find such a comprehensive collection in one place, and it truly allows visitors to appreciate the country’s rich cultural heritage. The medieval stone carvings and Gothic altars were particularly striking, providing a glimpse into Hungary’s early artistic traditions. The gallery also showcases masterpieces from the Romantic and Realist periods, including works by renowned Hungarian painters like Miklós Barabás and Mihály Munkácsy. The way the exhibits are curated makes it easy to follow the progression of artistic styles, and there’s enough context provided for non-experts to understand the significance of the pieces. Another highlight is the temporary exhibitions, which bring a fresh and dynamic element to the gallery. When I visited, there was a contemporary art exhibition that offered a fascinating contrast to the historical works, showing how Hungarian art continues to evolve. The building itself is impressive, blending historical architecture with modern gallery spaces. Walking through the various wings felt like a journey through time. Plus, the views from the gallery's terraces are spectacular—definitely a bonus after spending a few hours immersed in art. One thing I would recommend is to take your time here. The gallery is large, and there’s so much to see that it’s worth dedicating a few hours to truly explore everything. Overall, the Hungarian National Gallery offers a well-rounded cultural experience, blending art, history, and stunning surroundings in one place. It’s a must-visit for anyone in Budapest!

Located in the Castle district and right in the heart of the actual castle. The admission was free on the day but we had to wait 10 min to get in. The Gallery is spread over 3 floors and it is magnificent. Mainly Hungarian Artist but one can also spot works of Monet, Renoir, Gogun and Cezane and others. Very spacious and not very busy. Lockers are provided free of charge as well as cloakroom. Must see Landmark in Budapest.

If you want the whole experience- get there early. We started with the temporary exhibition with access to the permanent one around 2pm and we had to rush at the end (the gallery closes at 5:30 pm-6pm) and there was still a lot to see. The interiors are very tidy and well taken care of, it is quiet and spacious. Worth the prices too (50% discount if you’re from EU and under 26yo). The recently renewed temporary exhibition is a must see - different art for everyone. I’m happy to have visited and next time I’d consider getting there earlier.

Incredible place, spent over four hours there soaking in the art of a nation from the middle ages to modernism. Particularly liked the Soviet era glass bricks in the central hall, please notice and appreciate them! And don’t miss going up to the cupola for stunning Danube views.

Fantastic gallery with an amazing collection of Hungarian art. They also have some international names like a Gauguin, Monet and Cezanne but the best part is their own movements from the beginning of last century. At the top in the dome there are sweeping views of the city albeit with tight stairway access. Worth spending the majority of your time here on a given day as the other museums in the city do not compare.

Beautiful art gallery with two separate exhibitions. One is the main exhibition spread out on all three levels and the other one is temporary and about the Holocaust on level two. For that you have to pay extra but will get free admission to the main exhibition. We enjoyed the marvellous art, ranging from Impressionism, to Expressionism and Naturalism, et cetera. Worth a visit and a lot cheaper if you say you’re a student. For some reason they wanted to see our ID (we’re both 20) and not the student card. Beneficial if you want to pay less even though you aren’t a student.

The museum is located in the Buda Palace and is spread over three of its floors. On each floor you can admire different permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is worth setting aside a lot of time for sightseeing because the facility contains a lot of paintings and other types of art. There is a possibility of an audio tour, but it is not obligatory, because each of the paintings is well described. The exhibitions are very sensibly constructed, allowing you to acquire general knowledge about art in Hungary and its key representatives. I recommend it to anyone interested in art, whether classical or modern. However, I do not recommend coming here with children because they can get very bored, unless you are sure that your child is an art lover 😉

This is a stunning gallery The building alone is worth visiting, but the paintings exhibited here are incredible. Especially the works of Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka grabbed my interest and awe, with incredible colour and lighting. I highly recommend visiting, if you find yourself in Budapest.

The Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest is an absolute gem for anyone interested in Hungarian art and history. The gallery offers not only an extensive collection but also breathtaking views of the city and the Danube River. What impressed me most about the gallery was its focus on Hungarian art, which spans several centuries—from medieval times to contemporary works. It’s rare to find such a comprehensive collection in one place, and it truly allows visitors to appreciate the country’s rich cultural heritage. The medieval stone carvings and Gothic altars were particularly striking, providing a glimpse into Hungary’s early artistic traditions. The gallery also showcases masterpieces from the Romantic and Realist periods, including works by renowned Hungarian painters like Miklós Barabás and Mihály Munkácsy. The way the exhibits are curated makes it easy to follow the progression of artistic styles, and there’s enough context provided for non-experts to understand the significance of the pieces. Another highlight is the temporary exhibitions, which bring a fresh and dynamic element to the gallery. When I visited, there was a contemporary art exhibition that offered a fascinating contrast to the historical works, showing how Hungarian art continues to evolve. The building itself is impressive, blending historical architecture with modern gallery spaces. Walking through the various wings felt like a journey through time. Plus, the views from the gallery's terraces are spectacular—definitely a bonus after spending a few hours immersed in art. One thing I would recommend is to take your time here. The gallery is large, and there’s so much to see that it’s worth dedicating a few hours to truly explore everything. Overall, the Hungarian National Gallery offers a well-rounded cultural experience, blending art, history, and stunning surroundings in one place. It’s a must-visit for anyone in Budapest!

Located in the Castle district and right in the heart of the actual castle. The admission was free on the day but we had to wait 10 min to get in. The Gallery is spread over 3 floors and it is magnificent. Mainly Hungarian Artist but one can also spot works of Monet, Renoir, Gogun and Cezane and others. Very spacious and not very busy. Lockers are provided free of charge as well as cloakroom. Must see Landmark in Budapest.