A Must-See in Budapest: Museum of Fine Arts

With over 100,000 Hungarian and international artworks spanning from ancient civilisations to the end of the 18th century, the Museum of Fine Arts is the largest and most comprehensive art museum in Budapest — and an absolute must for culture lovers visiting the city.

Opened in 1906, the museum’s Classical Revival building is a work of art in itself. From the outside, it resembles an ancient Greek temple — and that’s no coincidence. The tympanum on the main façade is an exact replica of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, giving the building a timeless, monumental presence on Heroes’ Square.

After being closed for almost four years of renovation, the museum has fully regained its original splendour. The restored interiors are just as breathtaking as the collections they house. Wandering through the building truly feels like stepping back in time.

My personal favourites are the Romanesque Hall and the Renaissance Hall — spaces so atmospheric that even visitors who don’t usually consider themselves “museum people” are often left speechless. Exploring the museum is not just about viewing artworks; it’s a journey through centuries of European and ancient history.

The Museum of Fine Arts collections at a glance

The Museum of Fine Arts is divided into six main departments:

  • Egyptian Antiquities

  • Classical Antiquities

  • Old Master Paintings

  • Sculptures

  • Prints and Drawings

  • Old Hungarian Collection

Thanks to this wide range, the museum works equally well for first-time visitors, returning travellers, and families with older children.

Visiting tips

The Museum of Fine Arts is located right at Heroes’ Square, making it easy to combine with a walk through City Park, a visit to Vajdahunyad Castle, or even a relaxing stop at Széchenyi Thermal Bath afterwards.

I often recommend it as an extra stop during a custom Budapest walking tour, especially for guests interested in art, architecture, or classical history.

    %For up-to-date opening hours and current exhibitions, I always suggest checking the museum’s official website before your visit.

 

A beautiful day in the Tokaj wine country

We were lucky enough to visit the Tokaj wine region last week, this is one of my favourite tours. We were able to sample some truly amazing wine in Tokaj and Mád, visited the fairytale castle of Boldogkő, saw a beautiful rainbow over the vineyards and had also the chance to see the Mád synagogue.

This was a tour to remember, I hope I can show more and more travellers this beautiful part of Hungary.

 

The Turul Bird in Budapest – A National Symbol Above Buda Castle

Few statues in Budapest carry as much symbolic weight as the Turul bird statue. More than a decorative monument, the Turul is one of Hungary’s most important national symbols, deeply rooted in legend, origin stories, and identity.

This statue is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, which explores how public sculptures reflect the layers of history and mythology that shape the city.

The legend of the Turul

According to Hungarian tradition, the Turul — a powerful, mythical falcon — guided the ancestors of the Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin in 896, the year associated with the founding of the Hungarian homeland.

Because of this legend, the Turul represents origin, protection, strength, and destiny. It appears frequently in Hungarian art, literature, and monuments, always carrying a meaning that goes far beyond its physical form.

Where can you see the Turul statue?

One of the best-known Turul statues in Budapest stands at the upper station of the Buda Castle Funicular, near the entrance to the Castle District. With its wings spread wide above the city, the bird overlooks the Danube and Pest — a fitting position for a symbol meant to watch over the nation.

Many visitors pass beneath it on their way into Buda Castle without realizing its significance, yet once you know the story, the statue becomes impossible to ignore.

Why the Turul still matters

The Turul bird is not tied to a single historical figure or event. Instead, it represents continuity — the connection between myth, history, and modern Hungary.

Standing beneath it, you’re reminded that Budapest is not only a city of architecture and monuments, but also a place shaped by stories passed down for more than a thousand years.

Explore more: The Turul bird is featured in my Statues of Budapest collection, where famous monuments and symbolic figures reveal the deeper identity of the city.

Turul bird statue at the upper station of the Buda Castle Funicular in Budapest
Turul bird statue at the upper station of the Buda Castle Funicular in Budapest