Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
Being packed with military memorabilia, loaded with weaponry and bringing battle scenes to life an exciting and fun family day for all is guaranteed in the Institute and Museum of Military History.
Update – September 2026: The Museum of Military History is returning to its historic home on Kapisztrán Square in Buda Castle. The museum reopened the building for a special programme in June 2026, but full reopening is still in progress: parts of the building require renovation, and temporary exhibitions will operate in suitable areas in the meantime.
The museum contains collections relating to Hungary’s military history from the medieval times to the world wars and beyond and also displays impressive series of weaponry, uniforms, armour, flags, and coins.
In addition to the story of Hungary’s history of warfare, there are some cannons by the entrance in the beautiful courtyard along with a few cannonballs in the wall (dating back to the Revolutions of 1848-49) and there is an outdoor statue and memory park providing a magnificent view on the River Danube.
The institution is also a research centre with a library and archives, housing national and international conferences, events.
History
Although originally built as an army barrack in the 1830s, the museum itself was established in the early 1920s with the aim to research, organise, systematise and exhibit the artefacts of both universal and Hungarian military history and to house military items.
Not surprisingly, the building itself was damaged during WWII and, unfortunately, much of its contents was destroyed.
The exhibits focus particularly on the 1848–49 War of Independence and the Hungarian Royal Army under the command of Admiral Miklos Horthy (1918–43).
One of the most grievous collection describes and displays the events of the Revolution of 1956, a nationwide uprising against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet friendly policies, lasting for less than a month and bloodily suppressed by the Soviet troops.
Opening hours
Update – September 2026: The Museum of Military History is returning to its historic home on Kapisztrán Square in Buda Castle. The museum reopened the building for a special programme in June 2026, but full reopening is still in progress, tentatively planned in November 2026: parts of the building require renovation, and temporary exhibitions will operate in suitable areas in the meantime.
Tue – Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
Closed on Mondays
Tickets –
Full price: TBC
Students/seniors: TBC
Family ticket: TBC
Address: 2-4 Kapisztran Square, Budapest 1014
Phone: +36 (1) 325-1600
Recommended from age 6+
The Museum of Military History is returning to its historic home on Kapisztrán Square in Buda Castle, after leaving the building in 2023. The site has a fascinating military past: barracks stood here following the recapture of Buda from the Ottomans in 1686, while the present complex developed from a Classical-style barracks built between 1844 and 1847 and later enlarged.
The museum itself was founded in 1918 and was given the Kapisztrán Square building in 1926. Following extensive conversion, its collections moved here in 1929, with the museum opening its exhibition to the public in 1937. Over the following decades, it built an important collection of Hungarian military heritage, including historic weapons, military equipment, flags, maps, documents and other artefacts.
The museum was required to leave its historic home in 2023, but its return to Kapisztrán Square was announced in May 2026. The relocation and reopening process is expected to take place gradually.
Last updated Sep 20, 2026
bonjour
En visite à Budapest nous souhaiterions visiter le musée de la guerre pourriez vous m’indiquer où il se situe aujourd’hui et s’il est ouvert
Merci
Chère Evelyne,
Merci pour votre intérêt. Le Musée d’Histoire Militaire du château de Buda est actuellement fermé pendant l’aménagement de son nouveau site sur la place Dísz. En attendant, les principales expositions militaires sont présentées au Bálna Honvédelmi Központ (Centre militaire Bálna), côté Pest, près du Grand Marché couvert. L’entrée est gratuite, mais une inscription préalable est obligatoire ; les horaires peuvent varier en fonction des événements organisés dans le bâtiment. Nous vous souhaitons un excellent séjour à Budapest !
Hello,
What is the current adress for the military museum?
Thanks in advance
Dear Luiz,
Thank you for your interest!
The Military History Museum in Buda Castle is currently closed while its new home on Dísz Square is being completed (opening planned for 2026 according to the Hauszmann programme).
In the meantime, you can visit military exhibitions at the Whale Building – aka Bálna Honvédelmi Központ – on the Pest side of BudaPest, next to the Great Market Hall. There are also temporary exhibitions in a small town called Székesfehérvár away from Budapest at the Szent István Király Museum, showcasing highlights from Hungary’s military past.
Whale Building – Bálna Military Centre Budapest
The Defence Centre at the Bálna hosts the current military exhibitions of the Hungarian Military History Museum.
Have a great time is Budapest!
I’m trying to find information on a P mod 37 Pistol. It has a C prefix serial number, which seems to indicate it was made with leftover parts from the German contract with FFG. Can you provide me any information?
Dear Brandon,
Thank you for contacting us. For inquiries related to your message, we kindly suggest reaching out directly to the relevant institution via their official website:
Budapest History Museum: http://www.btm.hu
are you open?
we’re visiting from Canada and would like to visit the military museum
Dear Dan,
Thank you for contacting us.
The Museum of Military History has moved to Szekesfehervar.
We recommend visiting the Budapest History Museum in the castle area.
Have a nice holiday in Budapest!
Would be good to indicate on the website!
Can a Hungarian military uniform expert tell me whether the Viennese fur company Josef Toch in the late 19th and early 20th century provided fur for Hungsrian military uniforms?. He was my great great grandfather and the family story is that he processed fur soft enough to line uniforms This is supposedly how he became rich. However, I have not found evidence of that. Can someone help?
Thank you
Dear Dotty,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your family’s fascinating story.
For a professional and well-researched answer to your question regarding whether Josef Toch’s fur was used in Hungarian military uniforms, I recommend contacting the Hungarian National Military Museum. They have extensive expertise on military history and may have the records you’re looking for.
The museum website says that the museum has moved to a new location. Where is this new location as there seems to be no up to date information beyond stating that it is no longer at Buda Castle?
thank you
Geoff
Dear Geoff,
Thank you for contacting us.
The Museum of Military History has moved to Szekesfehervar.
We recommend visiting the Budapest History Museum in the castle area.
Have a nice holiday in Budapest!
My father was shot down in WW2 and his plane crashed in Western Hungary. Before Covid I was in contact with someone, who I beleive was from your museum, that put me in contact with someone in Western Hungary who said he knew the exact location of the crash.
I was hoping I could find these gentlemen again in an attempt to take my sons over to find part of the plane, and of course, tour Hungary.
Dan you help?
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your comment.
We have contacted you via email.