Budapest's Parliament Building - A Must See!

Whenever you see photos of Budapest, it's most likely scenes from Fisherman's Bastion (n.d.) or of the Hungarian Parliament Building along the Danube River. The Parliament isn't easily missed in photographs; its golden-hued dome is clearly visible from many points along the river, as is its beautiful façade which is lit up in the evenings. 

Let's look at why you should visit -- and more importantly tour inside -- this beautiful building. 

About the Hungarian Parliament Building

The official name is the Hungarian House of the Parliament (Visit Hungary.com, 2021). Architect and designer Imre Steindl, stipulated construction materials to be locally sourced from within the country, as were the craft persons tasked to work on the project  (Visit Hungary.com, 2021).

Built between 1885 and 1902, several architectural styles can be seen in the design: Baroque (interior layout), Gothic (exterior) and Renaissance (ceiling)  (Visit Hungary.com, 2021). What's most interesting is the floor plan; all aspects of the interior have political and historical meaning. For example, the official tourism guide, visithungary.com (2021) states the middle "cupola...refers to the unity of the legislature...and was also the site of the joint sittings of the lower house and upper house" (paragraph 3). 

Where is the Hungarian House of the Parliament? 

Source: Google Maps (2021) - Hungarian Parliament Building

There are several ways to access this area: 

1. Take the bus. Kossuth Lajos ter Bus No. 15, 70, 78 or 115 
2. Take a tram. Kossuth Lajos ter Tram line 2.
3. Take the Metro. Line M2 and get off at Kossuth Lajos ter. 
   (All transport methods sourced from: Civitatis Budapest, n.d.)

How to Tour Inside the Parliament

English-language guided tours are offered at multiple times during business hours:

• 10 a.m.
• 12 p.m. (noon)
• 1 p.m.
• 2 p.m.
• 3 p.m. 

Tours are approximately 50 minutes (times and tour length source: Civitatis Budapest, n.d.). 

It's advisable to book in advance, which can be done at the Hungarian Parliament Visitor Centre (n.d.a.) which is located next door to the Parliament itself. 

! Please note the linked site listed above is the official government site. A quick Google search finds many fake and false Hungarian Parliament Visitor Centre sites which sell tours. Be careful not to purchase tickets through these fake sites. 

Tour costs range from $6.10 USD up to $21.40 USD (Civitatis Budapest, n.d.). The government's official site to purchase tickets is here (jegymester.hu, 2021). Other safe travel sites to book tours include: Civitatis and Viator. 

Scenes from My Tour Inside the Parliament

The guided tour I took was included in the 10-day Eastern EU itinerary in which I was traveling. As a fan of both architecture and politics, I was excited to join.

First, we arrived early morning to observe the military guards hoisting the Hungarian flag outside (series of three photos):  

Procession 

Preparation

Hoisting the Hungarian flag

The flag ceremony was strict; silence was observed with only a trumpeter (if I recall?) playing, or the occasional yell from the leader enforcing directional orders. Our tour guide allowed us to linger outside a bit more to take in the Gothic architecture of the exterior. 

View outside the House of the Parliament

Once inside, I was offered two options: take an elevator, or follow a Parliamentary guide up some red carpeted stairs. I chose the stairs. This stairwell is called the City Side Staircase XVII:

That ceiling!

The stairs are draped in red carpet flanked by gold walls.

Unfortunately, I am not a great photographer and didn't capture this particular aspect of the building - The Lounge of the Chamber of Peers (photo below). I was too busy marveling at the ceiling artwork of Karoly Lotz (Visit Hungary.com, 2021) which lays above the stairway. Slightly to the left of the photo (below), you can also make out some of the stained glass windows by Miksa Roth (Visit Hungary.com, 2021).

The next stop was the Chamber of Peers, which certainly sounds like it could be a future Harry Potter novel title, perhaps? Seven rows of seats can hold 453 members of parliament (Hungarian National Assembly, n.d.b). 

Inside the Chamber...

Looking slightly right in the Chamber

Military guards were seen patrolling the next tour stop: the Dome Hall. During our tour, I remember the guide requesting us to give them plenty of room as they completed their ceremonial duties which includes guarding the Hungarian Holy Crown and Coronation Isignia (Hungarian National Assembly, n.d.b.). I had to admit, the swords were a little scary. 

Before ending the tour, all visitors get treated to a view of the beautiful Grand Staircase (below): 

Apologies that my photos don't really match to the extravagance inside the building. It truly is a well worth seeing in person as videos, nor photos, can appropriately showcase all the art, textured carpets, and adornments inside. 

All photos by Cutenekko unless otherwise stated/cited. The tour was completed in July, 2018.

Travel Information

There is a wonderful gallery of photos of the Hungarian House of the Parliament via the official site, here:

Gallery - Visitors - Országgyűlés (parlament.hu)

The tour route, as listed on the official site: Visitor route - Visitors - Országgyűlés (parlament.hu)

The official Hungarian National Assembly site for visitors who wish to tour the Parliament is here: Home - Visitors - Országgyűlés (parlament.hu)

It's ideal to visit the House of the Parliament on a rainy or cold day as the tour is completely indoors. 

One caution for those with accessibility issues:
I did not see many elevators, ramps and the like while there. Before arriving for a tour, the official Assembly site recommends those with wheelchair or other accessibility needs to email them at: tourist.office(at)parlament.hu. 

References cited: 

Civitatis Budapest. (n.d.). Budapest Parliament. Retrieved Oct. 31. 2021 from URL. 

Google Maps. (2021). Hungarian Parliament building. Retrieved Oct. 31, 2021 from URL. 

Fisherman's Bastion.com (n.d.). Fisherman's Bastion Budapest. Retrieved Oct. 31, 2021 from URL. 

Hungarian National Assembly. (n.d.a). Welcome! Retrieved Oct. 31. 2021 from URL. 

Hungarian National Assembly. (n.d.b). Visitor route: a walk through the house of parliament. Retrieved Oct. 31, 2021 from URL. 

Jegymester.hu. (2021). Hungarian Parliament building. Retrieved Oct. 31. 2021 from URL. 

Visit Hungary.com (2021). Hungary's most iconic building: the Parliament. Retrieved Oct. 31, 2021 from URL.  

Been to the Hungarian House of the Parliament and want to share your travel tips? Have a question? Looking for more information? Tell us in the comments below.