Must-See in Budapest: Academy of Music

Located in the elegant 6th district of Budapest, the Academy of Music is one of those buildings that truly deserves the label hidden gem. From the outside, it already impresses — but stepping inside feels like entering a finely crafted jewellery box.

Officially known as the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, the building serves both as a music university and a world-class concert hall. It opened its doors in 1907 and has been a cornerstone of Hungarian musical life ever since.

Architecture worth slowing down for

Architecturally, the Academy of Music is a fascinating blend. The dominant style is Art Nouveau, enriched with elements of Gothic and Classicism. The façade alone can keep you busy for several minutes: ornate details, symbolic figures, and rich decorative motifs appear everywhere you look.

Many visitors walk straight past the entrance without noticing the statue of Franz Liszt positioned above it — which is a pity, as Liszt’s presence here is far more than symbolic.

Liszt, Hungary’s most famous composer, founded the music academy in 1875 in his own home. The institution was later named after him in 1925, honouring his immense contribution to Hungarian and European musical culture.

Visiting the Academy of Music

The building can be visited, but access is limited.

  • There are guided tours available at certain times

  • Opening hours for visitors are restricted and subject to change

  • The Academy is still an active university and concert venue, so public access depends on rehearsals and events

If you’d like to include the Academy of Music in your Budapest itinerary, it’s best to plan ahead. I’m happy to check current visiting options and see whether a tour or concert visit fits into your stay.

The best way to experience it: a concert

While guided tours are fascinating, the most memorable way to experience the Academy of Music is undoubtedly attending a concert. Hearing live music in this acoustically perfect, richly decorated space is something truly special — architecture and music enhancing each other in the best possible way.

Concert programs range from classical masterpieces to contemporary performances, making this an excellent evening experience during a Budapest visit.

Part of an Art Nouveau or customised tour

The Academy of Music fits perfectly into a Budapest Art Nouveau walk, where we explore how this artistic movement shaped the city’s architecture at the turn of the 20th century.

It can also be included in:

  • Architecture-focused tours

  • Music and cultural heritage walks

  • Fully customised private itineraries, tailored to your interests and pace

If you enjoy discovering Budapest through its artistic and cultural layers — rather than ticking off landmarks — this stop adds real depth to your experience.

A cultural landmark not to miss

Whether you admire it from the outside, explore it on a guided visit, or attend a concert inside, the Academy of Music is one of Budapest’s true cultural treasures. Elegant, expressive, and deeply connected to Hungary’s musical soul, it’s a place that leaves a lasting impression.

If you’re planning a trip and would like help building an itinerary that includes the Academy of Music — along with Art Nouveau highlights or other specialty experiences — feel free to get in touch.

Budapest Cafés: Gerbeaud Café

The golden age of Budapest’s famous coffeehouses was at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Today, we are witnessing a true renaissance of coffeehouse culture — and Budapest remains one of Europe’s most exciting cities for coffee and cake lovers.

Hungarians love their coffee, and visitors quickly fall in love with our historic cafés too. I wrote more about this passion in my main article, We Love Our Coffee – And Our Coffeehouses, Too, where I explore why cafés have always played such an important role in Budapest life.

On my Budapest Foodie Tour, we always try to visit different coffeehouses, giving travelers the chance to taste excellent Hungarian coffee and traditional cakes while learning about the stories behind these beautiful places.

Among all Budapest cafés, Gerbeaud Café is probably the most famous — and with good reason. Although I have already written about Central Café and the Book Café, Gerbeaud truly deserves to be introduced first, as it has been a symbol of elegance and quality for over a century.

The Men Behind the Budapest Gerbeaud Café

The story of the café is closely linked to Emile Gerbeaud, a talented French bonbonnier who was invited to Budapest by Henrik Kugler, the owner of a very popular cake shop and coffeehouse on Vörösmarty Square. Emile Gerbeaud’s creativity transformed the business: he developed an exceptional range of bonbons that were produced and sold in the millions every year. When he eventually took over the café, the Gerbeaud name became a highly respected trademark — not only in Budapest, but throughout Europe.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Gerbeaud was known as the ladies’ coffeehouse. Young women visited the café hoping to meet a wealthy and suitable husband. Even today, charming urban legends circulate about secret signs a lady could give if she was open to romance. These little stories add to the unique atmosphere of the place and are some of my favorite details to share on foodie tours.

Today, Gerbeaud Café is one of the most iconic historic cafés in Budapest, famous for its refined interior, elegant service, and outstanding selection of Hungarian cakes. Located on Vörösmarty Square, it is an ideal stop for anyone interested in classic coffeehouse culture and sweet Hungarian specialties.

Visiting the Café on a Food Tour

If you would like to experience Gerbeaud — and other historic cafés — in context, you might enjoy joining one of my Budapest Foodie Tours, where coffee, cake, history, and local stories come together in a relaxed and authentic way.

 

Count Gyula Andrássy Statue in Budapest

If you walk along the Danube in Pest, the area around the Hungarian Parliament is filled with symbols of Hungarian identity — and one of the most striking is the equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy. This sculpture is part of my ongoing Statues of Budapest series, where I introduce both famous monuments and smaller details that add meaning to the city’s streetscape.

Where is the Count Gyula Andrássy statue?

The statue stands at the Hungarian Parliament building, in one of the most important public spaces in Budapest. Even if you’re only passing by for photos of the Parliament, it’s worth stopping for a minute: monuments here are carefully chosen, and Andrássy’s presence tells a very specific story about Hungary’s 19th-century political turning point.

Who was Count Gyula Andrássy?

Count Gyula Andrássy (1823–1890) was one of Hungary’s most influential politicians and statesmen. He played a key role in the events that led to the Austro–Hungarian Compromise of 1867, a major political agreement that created the Austro–Hungarian Monarchy. For visitors, this is where a statue becomes more than decoration: it highlights a moment when Hungary’s modern political structure took shape — and why this part of Budapest is so dense with national symbolism.

Why an equestrian statue?

Equestrian statues traditionally represent leadership, authority, and statehood. In Budapest, this visual language matters: statues around the Parliament are designed to communicate political continuity and historical legitimacy. Whether you love history or you simply enjoy reading the city through its monuments, Andrássy’s statue is a good example of how Budapest “speaks” in stone and bronze.

A quick tip for your visit

When you’re photographing the Parliament, try including the statue in the foreground for a stronger composition — it adds context and scale, and immediately signals that you’re not just capturing a building, but a piece of Hungarian history.

Explore more: If you enjoy noticing details like this, you might like my collection of Statues of Budapest, featuring famous monuments and hidden gems across Buda and Pest.

Equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest
Equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest