Budapest Art

There are many cool and interesting museums in Budapest. For example, the House of Terror, dedicated to communist times, is very informative, well-organized, and authentic (you have to take the audio guide!). On the other hand, Budapest Retro Museum offers a more fun take on the days of “goulash socialism.” If you wish to explore Hungarian history or art, head to either the Hungarian National Museum or the National Gallery and History Museum in the Royal Palace.
If you are looking for an art museum in Budapest, the Museum of Fine Arts has a great collection of Old Masters (Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Giorgione, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco Goya). It also has a fantastic collection of graphic art by Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt, for instance.
You can check out the works of world-famous Hungarian artists, Robert Capa, a renowned war photographer, in the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center, or Victor Vasarely, the founder of the Op Art movement, in the Victor Vasarely Museum.
Holocaust Memorial Center, tells the harrowing story of the murder and extinction of one of the greatest Jewish communities in the world.

The Budapest Opera House is one of the finest in the world. Recently completely renovated, it looks stunning. Performances are top-notch: great repertoire,  singers, dancers, and orchestra. There are often guest performances from around the world. Check out the program here. A tip: don’t go in the morning on the weekends; there are usually a lot of schoolchildren!

The Budapest Opera recently opened another spectacular venue: the Eiffel Art Center. The largest indoor complex in Hungarian railway history, a system of vast covered spaces unique in Europe, the Northern Railway Maintenance and Engineering, built between 1884 and 1886, is now home to the Hungarian State Opera’s new logistics and art center. It is an incredible mix of modern and traditional, with many performances, a lot of them for children.

Great venues for classical concerts in Budapest are the Liszt Ferenc Music Academy and the Palace of Arts. Budapest churches, for example, also host many music events in spectacular settings: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Matthias Church, St. Michael’s Church, and St. Anne’s Church. You can find the schedule here.

Budapest is home to a vibrant street art scene that showcases a wide range of artistic styles and messages. From colorful murals to thought-provoking stencils, the city’s streets are adorned with creative expressions.

One of the most iconic areas for Budapest street art is District VII, also known as the Jewish Quarter. Here, you will find a mix of traditional Jewish culture and street art, therefore creating a unique and dynamic atmosphere. The walls are covered with politically charged pieces, abstract designs, and whimsical characters, reflecting the diversity of the local art scene.

In addition to the Jewish Quarter, other neighborhoods like District VIII and District IX also boast impressive street art collections.

For something extraordinary, check out this abandoned shipyard, full of urban art: Ganz Szigeti Hajó-Daru-és Acélszerkezet Gyártó Kft

Budapest movie theaters offer some movies in English, or English subtitles (most movies are dubbed in Hungarian). You can either choose big multiplexes in shopping malls (Cinema City, Etele Cinema) or, on other hand, smaller, art cinema venues like Muvesz, Puskin, and Toldi.