Buda Castle History Museum

The exhibitions in the Budapest History Museum focus on the turbulent history of the 2000 years of the city now known as Budapest: what the once separate towns of Buda, Pest and Obuda were like.

Opening Times

Mondays: 10 am- 6pm (St Stephen’s Hall is open)
Tuesdays: 10 am- 6pm
Wednesdays: 10 am- 6pm
Thursday: 10 am- 6pm
Friday: 10 am- 6pm
Saturday: 10 am- 6pm
Sunday: 10 am- 6pm

The Castle Museum is typically closed on certain festive holidays, such as Christmas (Nov 1 or Dec 24-26). On Dec 31 and Jan 1 the opening hours are shorter,  10:00-14:00 and 12:00-18:00 (which may change over the year).

Historical Budapest

Step back in time to discover life before 1873, when Buda and Pest stood as separate cities, and experience the changing tides of history—from the rule of Austrian noblemen during the Habsburg Monarchy to the newfound balance of power brought by the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. Though many exhibits were lost in World War II, the remaining treasures still offer a glimpse into the grandeur and opulence of the Castle’s past, allowing you to immerse yourself in its fascinating legacy.

The exhibits range from photographs, furniture, everyday tools, clothing, books, and artwork, each offering a unique window into the evolving life and styles of Buda and Pest—now Budapest—through the ages.

If you’re a history enthusiast or simply love Budapest, the Budapest History Museum (Budapest Történeti Múzeum) is a must-visit in Buda Castle on Castle Hill, where the past comes to life in an unforgettable setting.

The museum is now open every day, including Mondays, though some older sources may still mention a previous Monday closure. On festival days—such as the Hungarian Crafts Festival or Budapest Wine Festival—a special festival ticket is required for entry. This ticket may or may not include access to the museum, with prices typically aligning with standard museum admission. Please check the festival admission and museum entry policy for the given festival.

A tablet-based audio guide is available in multiple languages for the Royal Hall of St. Stephen’s Hall, located within the recently restored, interactive museum wings of the Buda Castle Museum, but requiring its own special entry. Unlike the regular Castle History Museum wing, the older exhibitions, the Royal St Stephen’s Hall requires pre-registration for a timed entry slot, with a maximum of 20 guests per session—so advance booking is highly recommended to secure your spot in the newer wing.
Opening Hours

Mon – Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
(all year round)

Christmas Opening Hours
Recommended from 6+
Free admission on national holidays
(15 March, 20 Aug, 23 Oct)
and for ICOM card holders

While the museum allows flexible
entry during opening hours with
a valid ticket, access to
St. Stephen’s Hall is strictly
by pre-scheduled admission.
Weekends and holidays are fully booked up normally.

Tickets Museum only

Old Castle Museum only, without St Stephen’s Hall

Adults: HUF 3,800 HUF
Students 6-26: HUF 1900
Seniors 65-70: HUF 1900

Tickets Museum 2 in 1

Incl. St Stephen’s Hall Royal Palace

Adults: HUF 5,900
Students 6-26: HUF 2,950
Seniors 65-70: HUF 2,950

Please note that admission prices may be adjusted throughout the year due to inflation. Entry fees, by default, do not cover access to St. Stephen’s Hall or the National Gallery, which is housed in another wing of the Buda Castle.

Address: 2 Szent Gyorgy Square Budapest 1014
Phone: +36-1-487-8854

A new entrance was opened to the Budapest History Museum leading the way in the Royal Cellar in 2014. The new entrance allows access to visitors coming  from the Castle Garden Bazaar (Varkert Bazar) via the moving staircase or elevator from the riverside gardens of the historical Castle Bazaar, and from the Savoy terrace in front of the National Gallery through the palace garden.

Medieval Buda Castle Exhibition

Some of the fine displays from the Middle Ages are the coats of arms of medieval ruling and aristocratic families on carved stones and stove tiles. Detailed information of each period of the Buda Castle is provided on touch-screen displays. You can learn about the various ruling families of the Buda Palace, including portraits, seals, coins, coasts of arms in pictures and through interesting anecdotes and legends.

Visitors can see the fine books of the royal libraries, like Matthias Corvinus’ library from the Renaissance period, the medieval latrine, the accommodation of the castle guards or a stone carving workshop, and artistically painted constellations (King Matthias loved astrology).

 

Budapest History Museum – Exhibitions

This is a nice ad teaser for an exhibition which showed the life of citizens in Buda in the 19th century:

Special Festival Events – Opening Hours

The opening hours of the Budapest History Museum are affected by some of the greatest national festivals taking place in the Buda Castle, such as the Festival of Crafts and the Wine Festival around Aug 20 and early September (typically between Sept 6-10, depending on which days are on the weekend).
Ticket holders of the Wine Festival can normally visit the permanent exhibitions of the History Museum free of charge.

Last updated: Jan, 2025