Szépművészeti Múzeum
The museum on Hősök tere presents the collections of ancient Egypt and classical antiquity, as well as European and Hungarian art before 1800.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The establishment of the Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) was decided by the Millennium Act of 1896; the site was designated in 1898, opposite the Műcsarnok (Kunsthalle). The building was designed by Schickedanz Albert and Herzog Fülöp Ferenc, who were also the creators of the Műcsarnok and of the Millennium Monument on Hősök tere. It was inaugurated on 1 December 1906 in the presence of I. Ferenc József, and opened to the public on 5 December.
The collection absorbed the materials of the Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum and the Országos Képtár (National Picture Gallery), as well as the Jankovich, Pyrker, Esterházy and Ipolyi collections. Since then, the museum has grown through purchases, foundations and donations. The Second World War caused serious damage: the building was hit by a bomb, and the most important art treasures were transported west at the end of the war, returning only in 1946–1947.
After the largest reconstruction in its history, the museum reopened at the end of 2018. Hungarian art before 1800, which the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria (Hungarian National Gallery) received after 1957, has since returned to the Szépművészeti Múzeum, so the house once again presents the history of universal and Hungarian art in line with its original concept.
Highlights
- The collection of ancient Egypt and classical antiquity
- Permanent exhibitions of European painting from 1250 to 1800
- European sculpture from 1350 to 1800
- Hungarian art from 1600 to 1800
- 17th-century picture gallery with three hundred paintings
Permanent exhibitions
- Ókori Egyiptom – The permanent exhibition of the Egyptian collection presents the art and culture of ancient Egypt.
- Klasszikus ókor – az Antik Gyűjtemény kiállítása – A permanent exhibition presenting the remains of Greek and Roman art.
- Európai művészet 1250–1600 – The permanent exhibition of old European painting and sculpture, from the 13th century to the end of the 16th century.
- Founded
- 1906
- Director
- Baán László
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 5,800 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 2,9006–26 and 62–70-year-old Hungarian and other EEA citizens, pensioners and recipients of disability benefits, adults arriving with two or more children under 18, members of certain art associations (50% discount, with proof) |
| Children & teens | HUF 2,900free up to age 5 · Children under 6 may enter free of charge; 6–26-year-old EEA citizens receive a 50% discount. |
| Seniors | HUF 2,90050% discount for ages 62–70; visitors over 70 may visit the museum free of charge. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freePersons with disabilities may enter free of charge; eligibility must be proven. |
| Students & apprentices | HUF 2,900Up to the age of 26, for EEA citizens, a 50% discount with a card. |
| Groups (15+ people) | HUF 5,200 per personFor groups of at least 15 paying visitors, a 10% group discount on the permanent exhibition ticket prices (adult HUF 5,200, reduced HUF 2,600). For school groups with registration, HUF 1,400 per person; accompanying teachers may enter free of charge. |
| Families | –One or two adults arriving with at least two children under 18 are entitled to a 50% discount. |
| Szépmű Állandó Bérlet (Szépmű Permanent Pass; unlimited entry to the permanent exhibitions for 365 days), full price | HUF 9,800Starting price; the reduced version is available from HUF 4,900. |
| Audio guide (about 120 objects) | HUF 1,200Available in Hungarian, English, French, Korean, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese; in German about 50 objects. |
| Explorer pack for families or couples (can be rented until 16:00) | HUF 2,000 |
| Pre-announced guided tour, supplementary ticket (60 minutes) | HUF 1,500In Hungarian or English; the supplementary ticket costs HUF 1,500 or HUF 2,000. |
Free admission: Free for everyone on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October). On the second Saturday of every month, the permanent exhibitions may be visited free of charge by 6–26-year-olds and by adults accompanying children under 18 (up to two adults per family).
Discounts require a photo ID proving eligibility. Tickets can be bought online and at the on-site cash desks, and payment is also possible with a SZÉP card. With a ticket for a temporary exhibition, the permanent exhibitions open that day can be visited free of charge.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main entrance can be reached by the external lift to the right of the main staircase, which can be used independently during opening hours. Three lifts operate inside the building; a stairlift is also available for the exhibition space of European sculpture 1350–1800, and a guard assists with its use. Strollers and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge. There is one disabled parking space on the right side of the building, behind the taxi rank.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
During the teaching period (except September), on the second Saturday of each month there is the family programme Szemezgető for 7–12-year-olds; once a month the Szia Szépmű! session for 4–6-year-olds; and during school holidays the Múzeumi szünetelő. An Explorer pack can be rented by families for the permanent exhibitions (a travel suitcase for children aged 5–12).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hősök tere · 2-min walk
Kisföldalatti (Millennium Underground, M1), buses 105 and 210, 20E, 30, 30A and 230, and trolleybuses 72, 75, 79 and 81: Hősök tere stop.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park of its own; the surrounding streets belong to parking zone B. The Múzeum Mélygarázs (Museum Underground Car Park) is about a 10-minute walk behind the Néprajzi Múzeum and is open 24 hours a day (entrance at the junction of Dózsa György út and Damjanich utca).
- Accessible parking
Cyclists can use the bicycle parking to the left of the main entrance staircase; the nearest MOL Bubi station is beside the Kisföldalatti stop, at the Hősök tere end of Andrássy út.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Fine Art Bistro (admission ticket required); MúzeumShop in the entrance hall (can be visited without an admission ticket). Free cloakroom for larger bags and packages.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (HU, EN, FR, KO, IT, RU, ES, ZH, JA, DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Bags up to 30 × 25 × 15 cm may be taken into the exhibition rooms, but rucksacks may not. Food may not be brought in. An additional ticket is required for guided tours; groups of more than 15 people must register at least three days in advance, and group guided tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. |
