VIII. Múzeum körút 14-16, Metro: M2 Astoria/M3 Kálvin tér, Tram 47-49, Open: 10am-5pm Mar 1-Mar 15 and Oct 15, Oct 31, Mar 16-Oct 14 10am-6pm, Nov 1-Feb 28 10am-4pm, closed Mondays, Budapest Card accepted.
Just north from Kálvin tér on Múzeum krt. stands the Hungarian National Museum. Built to the design of Mihály Pollack between 1837 and 1847, the museum's area covers over 8000 square metres and is the largest in Hungary.
It was from the steps of this building on March 15, 1848 that the famous Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi is said to have recited his revolutionary Nemzeti dal (National Song) as a call to arms against the Habsburg monarchy. Although the uprising failed, the date remains a celebrated national holiday. Permanent exhibitions include the Hungarian Coronation Insignia, the History of Hungary from St. Stephen to the Millennium and the History of Hungary in the 20th century.
Aquincum Museum
1031 Budapest, District III, Szentendrei út 139.
The Aquincum Museum's permanent exhibition, 'Gods, Soldiers and Civilians in Aquincum' embraces the town's most beautiful relics. Statuettes of gods and altar stones commemorate religion, military objects, such as weapons and common tools conjure up everyday life in the army.
The professional tools of certain types of manufacturing are also on display, as are relics of beauty, entertainment and grandiose interiors.
A reconstruction of the water organ from Aquincum can be heard and seen here. The most prominent works of Roman masons - gravestones, architectural ornamentations and inscriptions from buildings - are on display on a columned veranda around the Museum building.
Ady Endre Memorial Museum
V. Veres Pálné utca 4-6, Metro: M3 Ferenciek tere, Bus 8, 15, Tram 2, Open: 10am-6pm Mar 1-Oct 31 (closed Mon/Tue), 10am-4pm Nov 1-Feb 28 (closed Mon/Tue), Budapest Card accepted.
An exhibition celebrating the life and work of Hungarian poet, Ady Endre. Most famous for his volume of poetry 'Új versek', which had a profound effect upon the literary scene at the end of the 19th century, the museum is set in Ady's last apartment. Managing to recreate the atmosphere of the time, it displays the personal possessions of Ady and his wife, including furniture and original manuscripts.
Agriculture Museum
XIV. Vajdahunyad Castle, Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdő, Trolleybus 70, 72, 75, 79, Bus, 4, 20, 30, 105 Open: Mar 1-Nov 14 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun; Nov15-Feb 28 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun, Budapest Card accepted.
Located in part of the Vajdahunyad Castle, the most interesting aspect of a visit to the museum is a walk around the beautifully decorated hunting hall, complete with stunning ceiling motifs and stain glass windows.
Attila József Memorial Room
IX. Gát utca 3, Tram 4, 6, Open: 10am-6pm Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri, closed Monday, Saturday and Sunday
Memorial exhibition in honour of the renowned Hungarian poet. Original manuscripts and documents are displayed in a reconstruction of his single room apartment.
Aviation Museum
XIV. Zichy Mihály utca (Petőfi Csarnok), Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdő, Tram 1, Trolleybus 70, 72, 74, Open: 10am-5pm May 17-Sep 30, 10am-4pm Oct 1-Oct 15, closed Oct 16-May 16, Budapest Card accepted.
A long journey out to this relatively small museum in the 14th district offers precious little in the way of airborne interest, even for flying buffs. The space capsule of the first Hungarian cosmonaut is a highlight, although it must be said the passenger plane and glider exhibits are not very interesting.
Stromfeld Aurél utca, Bus 105, Tram 59, Open: 2pm-6pm Thu-Sun, Budapest Card accepted.
Set in the villa previously belonging to actress Gizi Bajor, the museum is devoted to stars of Hungarian theatre and cinema such as Hilda Gobbi Relics, Mari Jászai and Emilia Márkus. Old photographs and theatrical memorabilia are exhibited alongside the original furnishings of Gizi's home, making this a nostalgic visit for ex-pats returning to the country.
Banknote and Coin Exhibition
V. Szabadság tér 8 (Hungarian National Bank), Metro: M2 Kossuth tér, M2 Arany János utca, Bus 15, Open: 9am-2pm daily, Budapest Card accepted.
Exhibition detailing the history of Hungarian coins and banknotes to the present day. Includes the oldest coin in the country dating back to reign of St. Stephen.
II. Csalán út 29, Bus 5, 29, Open: 10am-5pm Tue-Fri (closed Monday), Budapest Card accepted.
Exhibition celebrating the life and works of Béla Bartók, Hungary's most famous 20th century composer.
The renowned house on Csalán Road, which guards and promulgates the memory of the greatest genius of Hungarian music, was built in the skirts of the forests-hills of Buda in 1924.
Bible Museum
IX. Ráday u. 28, Metro: M3 Kálvin tér, Bus 15, Open: 10am-6pm daily (closed Mondays), Budapest Card accepted.
Permanent exhibition divided into three main sections, 'Archaeology and the Bible', the 'History of the Bible in Hungarian' and the 'Bible around the world'. Guided tours for groups are available on request.
VIII. Mosonyi utca, Metro: M2 Keleti pu, Open: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun,
An interesting, if slightly bizarre alternative to the many art galleries and exhibitions in Budapest, the Museum of Criminology caught the headlines when first opened in 1999. With a large collection of police uniforms, badges and other items from the realm of Hungarian law enforcement, the museum makes for a worthwhile detour if you're in the vicinity of Keleti pu. (Eastern Station).
Also on display are photos and other material forms of evidence from famous Hungarian crimes. No items on the famous 'Whiskey robber' as yet, although locals would doubtless be thrilled. Free admission.
V. Kossuth tér 12, Metro: M2 Kossuth tér, Bus 15, Tram 2, Trolleybus 70, 78, Open: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun (closed Mon), Budapest Card accepted.
This impressive building, designed by Alajos Hauszmann, was originally the Palace of Justice. With sculptures on the main façade depicting magistrates and legislators, the interior decoration is also beautiful, particularly the huge entrance hall with its chandeliers and marble staircases.
However, pride of place must go to the magnificent ceiling fresco by Karoly Lotz (note that images of Justitia the goddess of justice give away the original function of the building). The museum also houses a fine permanent exhibition of Hungarian culture and colourful folkart, as well as other cultural displays from around the world.
VI. Vőrősmarty utca 35, Metro: M1 Vörösmarty u, Open: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.lisztmuseum.hu The former home of Hungary's most famous composer Ferenc Liszt, who lived here for 5 years from 1881 until his death in 1886. The three room apartment displays original furniture and other personal possessions. Recitals take place most Saturday mornings.
Fire Brigade Museum
X. Martinovics Ignácz tér 12, Bus 9, 32, 62, Tram 13, 28, Open: 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat (closed Mon)
Set in part of a working fire station way out in the 10th district, the museum charts the history of fire-fighting in Budapest, from ancient equipment found in the Roman settlement of Aquincum to modern fire engines. Among the exhibits are late 19th-century horse drawn engines and the first motorised firefighting vehicle brought from England.
Historical Museum of Budapest
Budavári Palota E Épület, Várbusz, Bus 16, Open: 10am-6pm daily, Budapest Card accepted.
Charting the history of both the Royal Palace and Budapest, the museum's permanent exhibitions give an insight into the medieval cities of Buda and Pest, along with displays of Gothic sculptures and remains from archaeological excavations..
VI. Andrássy út 60, Metro: Oktogon, Open: 10am-6pm Tue-Fri (closed Mon), Sat/Sun 10am-7.30pm.
Although the folks at Pestiside (a must read blog for Budapest) reckon the House of Terror's interior makes both communism and fascism look "irresistibly stylish", this downtown museum - which caused a fair degree of controversy when it opened - was once the headquarters of Arrow Cross Party, then the Hungarian Nazis between 1944 and 1945, before being taken over by the Communist secret police (once Soviet troops had "liberated" Hungary).
Opened in 2002 by the right-wing Fidesz Party (during that year's election campaign), the museum was dismissed by the now ruling socialists for being a "party-aligned piece of political propaganda". Indeed, having secured victory at the polls, they then threatened to slash the museum's budget, raising the question of just which version of Hungarian history politicians would have you believe.
Highlights of a visit here include "The Changing Room," where a rotating mannequin illustrates the ease in which some Hungarians switched sides to appease their new masters, while a photo wall of "victimizers," details just who (living and dead) helped aid both Nazis and communists during the country's darkest years.
VII. Dohány utca 2, Metro: M1, M2, M3 Deák tér, Bus 7, 7A, 78, Tram 47, 49, Open: 10am-5pm Mon-Thu, 10am-3pm Fri, 10am-2pm Sun, Closed Sat, Budapest Card accepted.
Housed in a wing of the Central Synagogue (the second largest in the world) Budapest's Jewish Museum was built on the site where Theodor Herzl, the famous Zionist leader and novelist was born. Containing mostly 18th and 19th century art treasures, exhibits are arranged in three main rooms according to their ritual significance i.e. Sabbath, holidays and life cycle ceremonies. A fourth room, which covers the Holocaust, gives a harrowing insight into the fate of an estimated 550,000 Hungarian Jews murdered by the Nazis and Hungarian Arrow Cross fascists during the final years of WWII.
Kiscelli utca 108, Bus 60, 165, Tram 17, Open: 10am-6pm Apr 1-Oct 31, 10am-4pm Nov 1-Mar 31, closed Mondays, Budapest Card accepted.
Decorative arts coupled with important Hungarian 19th century works are among the permanent exhibits in this Baroque Trinitarian monastery. Downstairs there's a history of Hungarian printing houses in the 18th and 19th centuries, including an antique printing press. Contemporary 20th century Hungarian art is also featured, highlights of which are works from cubist János Kmetty, Károly Ferenczy and the vibrant puppet themed paintings of Margit Anna. Temporary exhibitions and concerts are also held during the summer.
VIII. Ludovika tér 2, Metro: M3 Klinikák, M3 Nagyvarád tér, Open: 10am-5pm, Jan 1-Mar 31 and Oct 1-Dec 31, 10am-6pm Apr1-Sep30 (closed Tuesday), Budapest Card accepted.
The museum's permanent exhibition covers the geographical history of the Carparthian basin, while also looking at man's development in the region through the ages. Other temporary exhibits usually have plenty of interactive displays and models to keep children amused.
Imre Varga Sculpture Museum
III. Laktanya utca 7, Metro: HÉV Árpad híd, Bus 6, 86, 106, Tram 1, Open: 10am-6pm daily, Budapest Card accepted.
It's fair to say that few modern day sculptors breathe life into sheet metal like Imre Varga can. This small, but impressive collection demonstrates why the artist not only enjoys critical acclaim for his work, but has also become a household name in Hungary. Despite the would be handicap of being a favoured sculptor under the 'goulash communism' of János Kádár, Varga's career seems to have blossomed still further since democratisation.
