Hungary Travel: A Must-See - The Hungarian Parliament Building

Video 1.  Budapest’s Golden Assembly (YouTube link)

Hungarian Parliament Building

The ungarian Parliament Building, known in Hungarian as "Országház," serves as the seat of the National Assembly and stands as a notable landmark of Hungary and a popular tourist destination in Budapest. Situated on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city, it graces the eastern bank of the Danube River.

Designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in a neo-Gothic style, the Parliament Building opened its doors in 1902 and has held the title of Hungary's largest building ever since.^[1] While the Vienna City Hall influenced its overall Gothic aesthetic, the dome's Renaissance elements bear resemblance to the Maria vom Siege church, also in Vienna. On April 26th, 2022, I finally fulfilled my wish and visited the Parliament Building. You can find my personal experience documented in this article.

Hungarian Parliament Building viewed from Fisherman's Bastion

Purchasing tickets

Same-day tickets can be purchased in limited numbers at the ticket office in the Visitor Center. (Please note that purchasing tickets on the spot might take a considerable amount of time.) Advance tickets are not available at its ticket office in the Visitor Center (marked number 6 on the map below), only online at www.jegymester.hu/parlament.

Open hours:

• The Parliament building is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Group visits start from the Visitor Centre.

Duration

• During the 45-minute guided tour, visitors can view the Main Staircase, the Dome Hall as well as the chamber and the lounge of the Chamber of Peers, while they are also familiarized with the history of the building, its architecture and the works of art it houses.

Admission fee valid from 09/16/2021:

• Ticket for EEA citizens: 3500 Ft 
• Student ticket for EEA citizens (aged 6-24): 1900 Ft 
• Ticket for non-EEA citizens: 6700 Ft 
• Student ticket for non-EEA citizens (aged 6-24): 3500 Ft 
• For visitors under the age of 6 visiting the Parliament is free
• Read [2] for any updated information and details.

Figure 1.  Map of Hungarian Parliament Building (Source: Parliament Website)

References

1. Craig Turp (2010). DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide: Budapest. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. pp. 8–9.
2. General Information (pdf)
3. Pre-book top attraction ticket? (tripadvisor.com)
• If you are serious about classical music or opera there are 3 main venues—The Palace of the Arts, the Hungarian State Opera House and the very beautiful and acoustical Liszt Music Academy. 
• All of course have advance ticketing but it is possible to buy tickets the day of performance. 
• Consider sitting on the main floor which is very economical and where the best sound is heard in these venues.