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Experience the best of Hungarian State Opera

Opened in 1884, the Hungarian State Opera House is a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece designed by Miklós Ybl, celebrated for its richly gilded interiors, grand staircase, and ornate chandeliers. As one of Europe’s most prestigious opera venues, it has hosted legendary composers, iconic premieres, and continues to showcase Hungary’s enduring musical heritage.
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Slide 1 of 12, Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary with Millennium Monument and statues.
Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary with Millennium Monument and statues.
Tour guide pointing while holding a map during a guided bus tour in Budapest.
Bus on highway during transfer from Budapest to Szentendre.
Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion during a guided bus tour in Budapest.
Fisherman's Bastion towers and courtyard in Budapest, Hungary.
Margaret Bridge in Budapest with ornate stone sculptures and yellow arches over the Danube River.
Tourists walking towards St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest during a guided bus tour.
Aerial view of Buda Castle and Chain Bridge along the Danube River in Budapest.
Fisherman's Bastion towers in Budapest with cityscape in the background.
Chain Bridge over the Danube River in Budapest during a guided bus tour.
St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest on a guided bus tour.
Budapest funicular railway descending from Buda Castle.

Budapest: 3-Hour Grand City Tour and Castle Walk

3 hrs
1 more

  • Opt for a live-guided city tour of Budapest with multilingual expert commentary, making it easy to follow stories and insights in your chosen language.

  • Travel in comfort with air-conditioned bus transport, ensuring a smooth and well-organized sightseeing experience from start to finish.

  • Discover Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, including Castle Hill, Heroes’ Square, and the Danube riverbanks, all thoughtfully included in one comprehensive route.

  • Stroll through the historic Castle District, enjoying photo stops at Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellért Hill overlooking the city.

  • Gain fascinating insights into Budapest’s history, culture, and architecture as your guide brings each landmark and neighborhood to life.

More details

  • Opt for a live-guided city tour of Budapest with multilingual expert commentary, making it easy to follow stories and insights in your chosen language.

  • Travel in comfort with air-conditioned bus transport, ensuring a smooth and well-organized sightseeing experience from start to finish.

  • Discover Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, including Castle Hill, Heroes’ Square, and the Danube riverbanks, all thoughtfully included in one comprehensive route.

  • Stroll through the historic Castle District, enjoying photo stops at Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellért Hill overlooking the city.

  • Gain fascinating insights into Budapest’s history, culture, and architecture as your guide brings each landmark and neighborhood to life.

from
€40
Slide 1 of 7, Hungarian State Opera exterior with ornate columns and statues, Budapest.
Hungarian State Opera exterior with ornate columns and statues, Budapest.
Tour guide with guests inside the Hungarian State Opera, admiring the ornate interior.
Red marble columns and ornate ceiling in the Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest.
Hungarian State Opera House interior with ornate ceiling fresco and chandelier.
Grand staircase and ornate hallway inside the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Wide angle view of ornate ceiling and chandeliers in the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Facade of the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest with ornate architecture and statues.

Hungarian State Opera House Guided Tour

1 hr

  • Join a guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera House with access to its grand public interiors, including the auditorium, staircase, and foyers.

  • Discover Miklós Ybl’s Neo-Renaissance Opera House, a defining Budapest landmark since its opening in 1884.

  • Admire 'The Apotheosis of Music', Hungary’s largest secco by Károly Lotz, crowning the Opera House’s ornate ceiling.

  • Hear stories of historic premieres and legendary artists, from Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle to performances by Enrico Caruso.

  • Explore the Opera House with a live guide available in multiple languages, making the experience easy to follow and more immersive.

More details

  • Join a guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera House with access to its grand public interiors, including the auditorium, staircase, and foyers.

  • Discover Miklós Ybl’s Neo-Renaissance Opera House, a defining Budapest landmark since its opening in 1884.

  • Admire 'The Apotheosis of Music', Hungary’s largest secco by Károly Lotz, crowning the Opera House’s ornate ceiling.

  • Hear stories of historic premieres and legendary artists, from Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle to performances by Enrico Caruso.

  • Explore the Opera House with a live guide available in multiple languages, making the experience easy to follow and more immersive.

from
€59
Slide 1 of 7, St. Stephen's Basilica with Budapest skyline during walking tour.
St. Stephen's Basilica with Budapest skyline during walking tour.
Tour guide directing guests during a Budapest walking tour with Buda Castle in the background.
St. Stephen's Basilica facade with tourists during Budapest walking tour.
Soviet War Memorial in Liberty Square, Budapest, surrounded by historic buildings.
Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest with green lawn and benches in foreground.
Equestrian statue of Count Gyula Andrássy in Kossuth Square, Budapest, with cityscape in background.
Ferris Wheel of Budapest with nearby fountain and park setting.

Budapest: Guided Walking Tour of Pest

2 hrs

  • Stroll through Pest’s lively streets with a professional guide, discovering a mix of celebrated landmarks and lesser-known corners along the route.

  • Admire St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest cathedral, while learning the history and symbolism behind its impressive exterior.

  • Walk past the Chain Bridge and along the Danube Bank, enjoying sweeping views of the Hungarian Parliament, one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world.

  • Explore Liberty Square and visit a local street market, experiencing everyday Budapest beyond the usual tourist paths.

  • Enjoy engaging commentary and historical insights that bring Pest’s elegant 19th-century architecture and urban life into focus.

More details

  • Stroll through Pest’s lively streets with a professional guide, discovering a mix of celebrated landmarks and lesser-known corners along the route.

  • Admire St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest cathedral, while learning the history and symbolism behind its impressive exterior.

  • Walk past the Chain Bridge and along the Danube Bank, enjoying sweeping views of the Hungarian Parliament, one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world.

  • Explore Liberty Square and visit a local street market, experiencing everyday Budapest beyond the usual tourist paths.

  • Enjoy engaging commentary and historical insights that bring Pest’s elegant 19th-century architecture and urban life into focus.

from
€15
Slide 1 of 11, Red City Sightseeing bus in Budapest with tourists walking nearby, Ferris wheel in background.
Red City Sightseeing bus in Budapest with tourists walking nearby, Ferris wheel in background.
Red double-decker bus in front of St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest.
Red double-decker bus in front of Budapest's Great Market Hall on a hop-on hop-off tour.
Red Budapest sightseeing bus in front of the Museum of Fine Arts.
Tourists enjoying a city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour with views of a bridge and cityscape.
Open-top bus tour crossing Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest.
Open-top sightseeing bus in front of Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts.
Tourists on a hop-on hop-off bus in front of a historic building in Budapest.
Aerial view of a sightseeing cruise on the Danube River with Budapest cityscape.
Cruise boat on Danube River at sunset with Budapest skyline in background.
River cruise on the Danube with view of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest.

City Sightseeing: Budapest Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Extended validity
2 more

  • Discover Budapest with this flexible 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour.

  • Travel across 2 routes with over 25 stops on a bus departing every 10 to 15 mins.

  • Take a relaxing cruise along the Danube River with 30% off if you show the bus ticket and a walking tour, included with your bus pass.

  • Allow the fleeting panorama of Budapest’s treasured sights to unfold from the open-air decks and pick up interesting quirks using the multilingual audio guide.

  • Cover key attractions such as Castle Garden, Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes' Square, and more.

More details

  • Discover Budapest with this flexible 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour.

  • Travel across 2 routes with over 25 stops on a bus departing every 10 to 15 mins.

  • Take a relaxing cruise along the Danube River with 30% off if you show the bus ticket and a walking tour, included with your bus pass.

  • Allow the fleeting panorama of Budapest’s treasured sights to unfold from the open-air decks and pick up interesting quirks using the multilingual audio guide.

  • Cover key attractions such as Castle Garden, Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes' Square, and more.

from
€35.10
Slide 1 of 9, Kunsthalle Budapest with sightseeing bus in front.
Kunsthalle Budapest with sightseeing bus in front.
Open-top bus tour in Budapest with view of the Danube River and city landmarks.
Budapest Big Bus tour near the funicular, with passengers enjoying the view.
Tourists enjoying Budapest Big Bus tour near Hungarian Parliament and Danube River.
Open-top bus with tourists on a Hop-On Hop-Off tour in Budapest.
Hop-On Hop-Off bus in front of Millennium Monument, Budapest.
Tourists interacting with guide on Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour.
Hop-On Hop-Off bus in front of the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Budapest Big Bus passing by colorful flower beds near Elizabeth Bridge.

Big Bus: Budapest Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Explore at your pace
1 more

  • Explore Budapest with the 1/2/3-day hop-on hop-off bus pass and plan your itinerary with ease.

  • With 18 stops along the Red Route, board the buses arriving every 10 to 20 mins.

  • Set off on a 1-hour walking tour of Budapest with a local guide, enjoy free Wi-Fi and fleeting views of adored sights from the open-air decks.

  • Purchase a Danube River Cruise ticket onsite by displaying your Big Bus pass and enjoy 30% off prices!

  • The bus crosses revered landmarks like the Parliament, Margaret Island, Heroe’s Square, and Chain Bridge.

More details

  • Explore Budapest with the 1/2/3-day hop-on hop-off bus pass and plan your itinerary with ease.

  • With 18 stops along the Red Route, board the buses arriving every 10 to 20 mins.

  • Set off on a 1-hour walking tour of Budapest with a local guide, enjoy free Wi-Fi and fleeting views of adored sights from the open-air decks.

  • Purchase a Danube River Cruise ticket onsite by displaying your Big Bus pass and enjoy 30% off prices!

  • The bus crosses revered landmarks like the Parliament, Margaret Island, Heroe’s Square, and Chain Bridge.

from Original price€39
€33

15% off

Slide 1 of 11, Hungarian Parliament and State Opera House in Budapest, Hungary.
Hungarian Parliament and State Opera House in Budapest, Hungary.
Hungarian Parliament interior with ornate seating in Budapest.
Woman using audio guide inside Hungarian Parliament.
Hungarian State Opera House interior with ornate ceiling fresco and chandelier.
Tour guide with guests inside the Hungarian State Opera, admiring the ornate interior.
Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest with Danube River in foreground.
Hungarian Parliament grand staircase with ornate ceiling and red carpet in Budapest.
Hungarian Parliament interior with ornate ceiling and open book, Budapest audio tour.
Hungarian State Opera exterior with ornate columns and statues, Budapest.
Grand staircase and ornate hallway inside the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Red marble columns and ornate ceiling in the Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest.

Combo (Save 5%): Hungarian State Opera & Hungarian Parliament Tour

45 mins - 4 hrs
Transfers available
  • Enjoy guided access to both the Hungarian Parliament and the State Opera House, with entry to their most celebrated public interiors.
  • Explore the Hungarian Parliament’s grand spaces, including the Main Staircase, Dome Hall, and Chamber of Peers, on a guided or audio-guided route.
  • Step inside the Neo-Renaissance State Opera House to see the Grand Auditorium, ornate foyers, and iconic Grand Staircase in a small-group setting.
  • Follow engaging commentary throughout both visits, with multilingual options available to ensure a clear and immersive experience.
More details
  • Enjoy guided access to both the Hungarian Parliament and the State Opera House, with entry to their most celebrated public interiors.
  • Explore the Hungarian Parliament’s grand spaces, including the Main Staircase, Dome Hall, and Chamber of Peers, on a guided or audio-guided route.
  • Step inside the Neo-Renaissance State Opera House to see the Grand Auditorium, ornate foyers, and iconic Grand Staircase in a small-group setting.
  • Follow engaging commentary throughout both visits, with multilingual options available to ensure a clear and immersive experience.
from Original price€96.90
€92.05

5% off

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for guided tours to admire the marble staircases without the usual crowd, giving you a chance to notice small details like carved balustrades and gilded motifs.

Pay attention to the hidden inscriptions and plaques in the lobby, which commemorate famous performers and patrons from the Opera’s 19th-century opening.

During tours, pause at the royal box even if you can’t enter it fully; its design reveals how the aristocracy’s viewing experience was prioritized without obstructing the stage for others.

Look closely at the chandeliers—they’re not just decorative; their placement and shape were carefully planned to distribute light evenly across the auditorium before electricity.

If you visit during a quiet period, linger near the stage wings; you can see how the stage machinery and set tracks are integrated seamlessly without disrupting the historic interiors.

Similar things to do in Budapest

About Hungarian State Opera

The Hungarian State Opera is one of Budapest’s most important cultural institutions, pairing a 19th-century neo-Renaissance interior with an active program of opera and ballet. Beyond performances, its guided tours take you through the auditorium, grand staircase, and select backstage areas, explaining how the building was engineered for sound as much as spectacle.

AddressBudapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061 Hungary
Also known asOpera House Budapest
Year opened1884
Founded byMiklós Ybl
Visitors per year600000
Expected wait time - Standard0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

The Hungarian State Opera’s auditorium is famed for its acoustics, ranked third-best in Europe after Milan’s La Scala and Paris’s Palais Garnier.

The central chandelier originally weighed 3 tons and was illuminated by 500 gas lamps; today, it holds 200 electric bulbs and weighs about 2 tons.

The ceiling fresco, 'The Apotheosis of Music' by Károly Lotz, is the largest secco painting in Hungary and crowns the auditorium.

Statues of Hungarian musical icons Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt stand at the main entrance, symbolizing the nation’s musical pride.

After a five-year renovation, the Opera House reopened in 2022 with modern upgrades, including new hydraulics, lifts, and climate control.

Why visit Hungarian State Opera?

Architectural masterpiece

Admire the neo-Renaissance design by Miklós Ybl, with its grand marble staircase, gold-gilt balconies, and mythological frescoes that make every visit a visual delight.

World-class acoustics

Hear opera and ballet exactly as intended, in an auditorium long admired for its exceptional acoustics and intimate sound design.

The stage in focus

The Opera offers a clear view into the practical side of performance spaces—how sightlines, seating tiers, and stage layout were designed to support large-scale productions—adding context that goes beyond surface-level beauty or historical facts.

Rich musical heritage

Discover the legacy of Hungarian composers like Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt, whose statues grace the façade, and learn about legendary premieres and artists.

Accessible & family-friendly

Enjoy modern amenities including wheelchair access, free cloakroom, and tours suitable for all ages, making the Opera House welcoming for everyone.

Plan your visit

Main entrance (Andrássy Avenue)

Located at 22 Andrássy Avenue, the Main Entrance is directly opposite the Opera metro station (M1 line) and flanked by statues of Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. This is the primary access point for all visitors, including those attending performances and guided tours. The entrance is fully wheelchair accessible, with step-free access, ramps, and modern lifts installed during the 2022 renovation. Accessible ticket counters and cloakroom are available just inside the foyer.

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What our guests say

Silvio P

Italy
Family
3 weeks ago
The cruise was beautiful and charming. The boat was spacious and comfortable, with an onboard bar and a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Unfortunately, due to a power outage, the Parliament building wasn’t lit up as usual, but it was still a wonderful experience.

Combo: Hungarian State Opera & Hungarian Parliament Tour

Laura T

Italy
Couple
3 weeks ago

+1 more

A lovely experience on the Danube! The cruise departed right on time at 9:30 pm, and we were able to see all the main landmarks beautifully illuminated at night. The atmosphere on board was very pleasant and relaxing. Definitely a great way to enjoy Budapest from a different perspective!

Combo: Hungarian State Opera & Hungarian Parliament Tour

Marina N

Bulgaria
Family
Apr 2026

+5 more

We really enjoyed the tour; it helped us get a feel for the city and its history. The walking tour of the city center was especially fascinating. The guide, Claudia, was very witty and humorous. I would highly recommend you to my friends.

Big Bus: Budapest Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Rüdiger P

Couple
Jul 2026
The Citadel, with a wonderful panoramic view of all of Budapest. A visit to the most beautiful café in the world. There are many places to stop along the way, perfect for taking a stroll.

City Sightseeing: Budapest Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

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