If you’re wandering through Budapest and want to soak up some culture, look no further than the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) on Heroes’ Square. It’s one of the most impressive museums in Europe, and not just because of the masterpieces inside. The building itself is a work of art.

Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just curious, this place has a way of pulling you in. It’s a little like time travel. One minute you’re admiring Egyptian relics, the next you’re face-to-face with a masterpiece by Raphael or gazing at centuries-old frescoes that feel like they could whisper stories if you stood close enough.

A national treasure since 1906

Built between 1900 and 1906, the museum was created as part of Hungary’s grand plans to celebrate its 1,000-year anniversary. Its designers, Albert Schickedanz and Fülöp Herzog, were also responsible for nearby landmarks like the Műcsarnok (Kunsthalle) and the Millennium Monument. That’s why the whole square feels so majestic – everything fits together like a giant architectural puzzle.

The museum itself looks like an ancient temple, with tall Corinthian columns, wide stairs and a decorative front that makes it clear: this place is dedicated to the fine arts. When Emperor Franz Joseph I inaugurated the building in 1906, he probably knew he was opening something extraordinary.

Three halls, three eras

Once you step inside, you’ll pass through the Marble Hall and arrive in the Renaissance Hall, a space that feels like an Italian palace. Arched windows, classical columns and painted walls make it easy to forget you’re in 21st-century Budapest.

From here head left to the Romanesque Hall, one of the museum’s crown jewels. This huge space (nearly 900 square meters) was closed for 70 years after being damaged in WWII and used as a storage room. But after an epic renovation finished in 2018, it’s been brought back to life. The walls are covered in intricate frescoes featuring mythical creatures, zodiac symbols and figures from Hungarian history. It’s like walking into a medieval cathedral, only brighter and more vivid.

On the right side you’ll find the Baroque Hall, filled with grand works from the 17th and 18th centuries. Think dramatic lighting, expressive faces, and epic stories told in paint and stone. It’s here you’ll find the museum’s impressive selection of old masters, displayed in a way that feels fresh and approachable.

A collection that spans civilizations

The museum holds more than 120,000 artworks, covering a wide range of cultures and time periods. You’ll find:

• Egyptian mummies and sarcophagi, part of Hungary’s oldest and largest Egyptian collection.
• Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, from gods and heroes to everyday items from long-lost cities.
• Paintings by giants like Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Goya.
• Renaissance and Baroque bronzes, including a rare horse sculpture attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
• Medieval carvings, tombstones, and Gothic Madonnas from Hungary and beyond.

And that’s not even counting the Graphic Collection, which has almost 100,000 prints and drawings by artists like Dürer, Da Vinci, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso. The museum is also home to a library with more than 250,000 books on art history and archaeology.

A home for Hungarian art, too

One of the museum’s strengths is how it balances international masterpieces with Hungarian heritage. For decades Hungarian works were separated and sent to the National Gallery at Buda Castle. But after the museum’s renovation, many pre-1800 Hungarian artworks returned to the building – just like when it first opened.

Now you can see how Hungarian art fits into the bigger European picture. The Old Hungarian Collection covers everything from medieval church altars to stone carvings and early Renaissance painting, offering a wide-angle view of the country’s artistic roots.

Past and present in one place

Between 2015 and 2018 the museum went through its biggest renovation ever. Not only were the halls and galleries restored to their original beauty, but modern lighting, climate control and security systems were added. It’s now fully up to international museum standards – meaning the art is safer and your visit is smoother.

They even found a time capsule hidden inside the Romanesque Hall during the renovation. It had a note from 1904 listing the names of the original decorators. They added a new note with the current team’s names and sealed both back in place for future generations to find.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest isn’t just about the past – it’s a vital part of the city’s cultural life today. It regularly hosts world-class exhibitions, bringing major names like Michelangelo, Cezanne, Renoir, Bosch, Van Gogh and Matisse to Hungarian audiences. These blockbuster shows draw visitors from all over the world and prove that the museum isn’t resting on its historic reputation—it’s constantly evolving and engaging new generations of art lovers.

It’s also a cornerstone of the Liget Budapest Project, a city-wide initiative to revitalize City Park and make art and culture more accessible to everyone. With better facilities, restored galleries and a renewed focus on both Hungarian and international art, the museum has become more inviting than ever.

Whether you come for the ancient treasures, the grand architecture, the Renaissance paintings, or the stunning Romanesque Hall – you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the power of art to connect us across time.

Address: 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György út 41.
Official website: mfab.hu
How to get the there:
– Take Metro Line 1 (M1) and get off at Hősök tere station.
– You can also reach the museum by bus lines 20E, 30, 30A, 105 or 230. Get off at Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square) or nearby stops along Dózsa György Road.
– Tram line 1 stops nearby at Lehel utca/Róbert Károly körút, from there it’s about a 15-minute walk through the park or a quick transfer to M1.
– There is limited parking around Heroes’ Square and City Park, so driving is not the most convenient option – especially during events or weekends. If you do drive, look for public parking along Dózsa György Road or in the underground lot at Műcsarnok (Kunsthalle), across the square.