We were on a tour near Parliament when we heard some music from in front of the building. When we walked closer we noticed that a military band was playing and were surprised to recognise the song they were playing: Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode. Budapest really is a musical city, you can hear street musicians at the most popular tourist spots and sometimes you’re just lucky to be at a special performance.
Thank you so much for sharing your reviews, it’s always a pleasure to see how much you enjoyed your tours in my Beautiful Budapest. I’m grateful for all the reviews shared on Google, TripAdvisor or on my website.
Here are a few ones of the most recent reviews:
My wife and I have been using private tour guides for many years as we have traveled the world. We consider it the absolute best way to experience, as fully as possible a new city, region or culture. Julia is one of the best private tour guides that it has ever been our pleasure to work with. Charming, witty, knowledgeable, professional, thorough and kind are just a few of her positive attributes. She greatly helped bring the Budapest area to life for us. We recommend her most highly.
We had a wonderful time with Julia. She is proud of her city and happily took us around to see it. She is knowledgeable, happy and very experienced. I would not hesitate to use her again. Recommended!
Julia is an outstanding tour guide! She is extremely knowledgeable, and very accommodating and flexible. We would highly recommend her tours if you are planning a trip to Hungary!
Thank you very much for the great tours and the precious time we spent together exploring my Beautiful Budapest!
Shortly after the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest reopened following several years of renovation, I finally had the chance to step inside again — and it was every bit as breathtaking as I had hoped.
I’ve always found the building overwhelming in the best possible way, and the renovation has only enhanced that feeling. The interior is simply magnificent. The colours are rich and harmonious, the decorative details are astonishing, and the Neo-Renaissance ornamentation feels as vibrant and alive as it must have been in the late 19th century.
Walking through the Opera House truly feels like time travel. The atmosphere, the soft lighting, even the familiar scents of the historic interior all contribute to the sensation of stepping back into the golden age of Budapest. Nothing feels over-restored or artificial — instead, the building feels carefully revived, respectful of its original spirit.
A masterpiece reborn
Designed by Miklós Ybl and opened in 1884, the Opera House has always been one of Budapest’s architectural crown jewels. The recent renovation has allowed visitors to experience Ybl’s vision with renewed clarity, revealing details that had faded or disappeared over time.
From the grand staircase to the richly decorated auditorium, every space invites you to slow down and look closer.
How to visit the Opera House
There are several wonderful ways to experience the Hungarian State Opera House:
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Attend an evening performance – the most immersive option, combining architecture and music
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Join a guided interior visit, which offers insight into both the building and its history
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Private visits, which can be incorporated into a customised itinerary
The Opera House can easily be included in a walking or driving tour, especially when exploring Andrássy Avenue and the surrounding area.
If you’re interested in visiting the Opera House during your stay, feel free to contact me — I’m happy to help plan the visit and include it seamlessly in your Budapest itinerary.
An essential experience in Budapest
The renovated State Opera House is not just something to see — it’s something to feel. Elegant, atmospheric, and deeply connected to Budapest’s cultural identity, it remains one of the city’s most unforgettable interiors.
Whether you visit for a performance or simply to admire the architecture, this is a place that stays with you long after you leave.
St Stephen’s Basilica entrance fee often comes as a surprise to visitors who expect free access to one of Budapest’s most famous churches, visiting the interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica is a highlight for many travellers to Budapest.
For many years, visitors could step inside the Basilica by leaving a small donation at the entrance. Today, tourists are asked to purchase a ticket to visit the interior, while the church continues to function as an active place of worship.
Tickets and practical information
Tickets are available at the ticket office located to the right of the Basilica, and prices may change from year to year. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about current ticket prices, opening hours, and special visits, it’s always best to check the official website of St. Stephen’s Basilica before your visit.
Church services and special occasions
Please note that church services, weddings, and religious events take priority. During these times, visitor access may be limited to certain areas, or the Basilica may be temporarily closed to tourists altogether.
This is part of what makes the building special: it is not only one of Budapest’s most impressive landmarks, but also a living, functioning church.
Visiting as part of a guided tour
St. Stephen’s Basilica is often included in Budapest walking and driving tours, and an interior visit can also be arranged when timing allows. Visiting with a guide helps you navigate practical details while also understanding the history, symbolism, and stories behind what you see.
The György Ráth Villa Museum is one of Budapest’s most inspiring small museums, especially for visitors interested in Art Nouveau, interior design, and applied arts. I once brought a group of interior design students from the United States here as part of a private Art Nouveau walking tour, and the villa turned out to be one of the highlights of their visit.
The former home of György Ráth — first director general of the Museum of Applied Arts — feels less like a traditional museum and more like a carefully preserved private residence. The exhibition showcases around 600 pieces representing all branches of applied arts, including:
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furniture
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jewellery
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Zsolnay ceramics
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Tiffany glassware
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paintings and sculptures
The collection beautifully illustrates the international influences present in Hungarian Art Nouveau at the turn of the 20th century. British, Austrian, and French styles appear alongside Oriental influences and Transylvanian roots, creating a uniquely Hungarian artistic language.
Practical information – György Ráth Villa museum
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and can easily be combined with a walk through City Park or nearby Art Nouveau sites.
I often recommend the György Ráth Villa as an extra stop on custom Budapest walking tours, especially for art lovers, designers, and travellers interested in architecture and interiors.
Just a couple of pictures I’ve taken on my tours to show you how beautiful Budapest and its surroundings are in spring.
The Citadel on the top of Gellért hill is being renovated, and unfortunately the entire area is closed because of the construction works. It also means that a truly popular tourist attraction of Budapest is closed and it’s impossible to enjoy the most magnificent views over Buda and Pest. The very bad news is that it remains closed for another few years and it’s impossible to estimate when it reopens. It’s just my personal opinion that they could have left a little path open for the tourists to enjoy the view, but that’s not the case.
You can still take a walk on Gellért hill, and you can climb to the statue of Saint Gellért from where you’ll have a great view over the Pest side of the river.
Some of you know how much I love this time of the year, I love the smells and the colours of spring and I’m fascinated by the blossom of the cherry trees all along Tóth Árpád sétány in the Buda Castle district. Walk with me to see more!
I’m taking a lot of pictures and videos while I’m walking around my Beautiful Budapest. Here is a little video to show you some of the attractions I’ve taken recently. I hope by seeing it all of you will want to see it for yourself. Don’t hesitate to book a tour with me, so that you can have the most amazing Budapest experience!