travel tips: hungarian parliament building, budapest
The Hungarian Parliament Building stands as a breathtaking emblem of Budapest's rich history and architectural grandeur. Situated on the banks of the Danube River, this neo-Gothic masterpiece is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Its intricate details, from the soaring domes to the delicate spires, tell a story of a nation's pride and resilience. Whether viewed from a distance, sparkling over the river at night, or up close on a guided tour, the building is a powerful and awe-inspiring sight that captures the essence of Hungary.
history of the hungarian parliament building
The Hungarian Parliament Building was constructed between 1885 and 1904, a period of rapid growth for the newly unified city of Budapest. Designed by architect Imre Steindl in a stunning neo-Gothic style, the building was created to symbolise the sovereignty of the Hungarian nation and its commitment to Western Europe. Its height of 96 meters is a nod to the year 896, the supposed 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian state's founding. The building has been home to the National Assembly of Hungary since its completion and has survived two World Wars, with its intricate details and grand design still inspiring awe today.
Guided Tour tips
The only way to see the interior is on a guided tour, which typically lasts about 45 minutes-1 hour. I would highly recommend taking the guided tour. It's a fantastic experience and offers a fascinating look inside this historic and iconic building. For your guided tour of the Parliament Building, you have a lot of options! A live guide is available in Hungarian, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. If you prefer, there are also audio guides available in those languages, as well as in Russian, Polish, Slovakian, Croatian, Hebrew, Romanian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Korean, Portuguese, Arabic, Slovenian, Czech, Chinese, Japanese, Bulgarian, Turkish, Dutch, Greek, and Vietnamese. You can pick your audio guide language on the spot after you enter.
Tickets & admission
- Book in Advance (This is the most crucial tip!): Tours for the Parliament Building are extremely popular and often sell out. To avoid disappointment and ensure you can visit on your preferred day and time, book your tickets online as far in advance as possible.
- Print Your Ticket (Or Get it at the Desk): While it's recommended to print your ticket in advance, you can also have it printed at the information desk in the Visitor Centre. This allows you to skip the long ticket-buying line and get your hard copy.
- Check for Discounts: European Economic Area (EEA) citizens and students are eligible for discounts. Be sure to bring a valid ID or passport for verification.
- Arrive Early: Arrive at the Visitor Centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time to allow for the security check.
during your visit
- Locating the Visitor Centre: The visitor entrance is known as the Visitor Centre (Gate XII), located in the northern part of Kossuth Lajos Square.
- Security: You will go through a security check similar to an airport, which is mandatory. Do not bring large bags, packages, or objects that could cause injury (e.g. knives). Only a colourless, non-alcoholic drink, liquid medication, or special food (like baby food) in an unbreakable plastic bottle up to 0.5 litres is allowed.
- Photography: You are allowed to take photos and videos in most areas, but it is strictly prohibited in the Dome Hall where the Hungarian Crown Jewels are kept.
- Dress Code & Conduct: Dress appropriately out of respect for the dignity of the Parliament. Do not wear symbols of dictatorship or engage in disrespectful behaviour. It is forbidden to bring flags or protest instruments, raise your voice, sing, demonstrate, eat, drink, or smoke inside. There are armed guards protecting the crown jewels in the Dome Hall. You will see them during the tour, so be prepared for their presence.
Hungarian Parliament building tour highlights
- The City Side Staircase XVII: This is the starting point of the tour. It's a grand, gold-plated staircase that leads to the main floor of the building and offers a view of Kossuth Square.
- The Grand Stairway: This features 96 red-carpeted stairs and eight rare, four-tonne granite columns. The ceiling is decorated with frescoes by Károly Lotz and the space is framed by stained-glass windows from Miksa Róth's workshop.
- The Dome Hall: The geometric and symbolic centre of the building. This is where the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia are kept and protected 24/7 by the Crown Guard.
- The Lounge of the Chamber of Peers: This room is notable for its pyrogranite sculptures, which depict old Hungarian national groups and crafts, and for having the largest hand-knotted carpet in Europe. (As shown in photo one (left) above).
- The Chamber of Peers: The former hall for the Chamber of Peers, now used for conferences. It's adorned with Slavonian oak panels and gold-plated decorations and has a horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement. (As shown in photo three (right) above).
- The Béla Neÿ Hall: This hall features an exhibition of curiosities, including a former red star from the cupola, a 1:100 scale model of the Parliament, and modern technology that provides a virtual tour of the building's construction.
Getting to the Hungarian Parliament Building
- By Metro: Take the M2 (red line) to the Kossuth Lajos tér station. The Parliament building and its visitor centre are a short walk from there.
- By Tram: Take tram line 2 to the Parliament Visitor Centre stop, which is located right in front of the visitor entrance.
- By Bus: Bus lines 15, 70, and 78 also stop at Kossuth Lajos tér.
- Walk Along the Danube: Consider walking along the river for a beautiful approach and to see the building from the outside. The building is stunning when lit up at night, so it's worth visiting the area again in the evening.
Photography tips
- Photography is restricted in the Dome Hall to protect the Holy Crown. However, you can take pictures and use video cameras in other parts of the building during the tour.
- Go at night or during the "blue hour" (the time right after sunset). The building is beautifully illuminated, creating a spectacular scene with reflections in the Danube River.
- Consider a long exposure shot at night to capture the lights and create a blurred effect on the water or moving trams and boats.
- For interior shots, a guided tour is required, and the tour is quite fast, so you'll have limited time to take photos.
- The Number 2 tram runs right in front of the building on the Pest side, providing an opportunity to include it in your photos for a dynamic shot.
Best Photography spots
- From the Buda side of the Danube River: This is the most popular location to get a full view of the Parliament building.
- Batthyány tér: Located directly across the river, this spot provides a classic, head-on view.
- Fisherman's Bastion: Offers a great vantage point, especially for a wide-angle shot that includes the Parliament in the background.
- Buda Castle: Provides a fantastic overview of the city, with the Parliament and Chain Bridge in the frame.
- Gellért Hill: Offers a higher-up, panoramic view of the city, including the Parliament, Chain Bridge, and the Danube River.
- From the Danube River itself: Consider a boat tour to get unique perspectives from the water, especially during a night cruise.
- From the Pest side: While the Buda side is better for full views, walking along the Pest bank of the river allows for close-up shots of the building's intricate Gothic Revival architecture.
Accessibility @ the Hungarian parliament building
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The entire building is wheelchair accessible with elevators available to avoid stairs. There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
- Booking: It's recommended to book tickets online at least two weeks in advance, as guided tours have limited spots.
- Special Assistance: If you have mobility issues, it is recommended to email before your visit. An employee can then guide you to an accessible entrance and the nearest elevator for a smoother experience.
- Public Transport: The closest metro and tram stops, Kossuth Lajos tér, are not yet accessible, so you may need to arrange for private, adapted transportation.
- Wheelchair Rental: The Parliament offers a wheelchair rental service if needed.
Last Updated: 12 August '25