The Hungarian Parliament building is definitely one of the most beautiful and impressive parliament buildings in the world and is a clear landmark of Budapest and a symbol of Hungary.
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An impressive building on the banks of the Danube
The Parliament Building, called Országház in Hungarian, is a monumental structure 268 metres long, 123 metres wide and with a dome 96 metres high, it is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
In addition to the Parliament, the Hungarian President and the Government have their official chambers here.
The building was begun in 1885 and completed 19 years later in 1904. The building has almost 700 rooms, making it the largest building in the whole of Hungary. It currently houses the National Assembly and houses the crown jewels of King Stephen.
The Parliament is a truly remarkable building in a special neo-Gothic style and can be admired both from the outside and from the inside during guided tours. At night it is impressively lit and the best night-time views of Parliament can be had from the Fisherman's Bastion, which rises across the river directly opposite Parliament.
Hungarian Crown Jewels
In the grandest Dome Hall, right in the middle of the Parliament building, you can admire the Hungarian crown jewels and insignia open to the public.
TheSt. Stephen's Crown is one of the most valuable European crown jewels. Noteworthy is the bent cross on top of the crown, which was allegedly damaged during the secret removal from the royal palace and was never straightened.
The Hungarian crown jewels were first thought to have been used in the year 1000, when the Crown of St Stephen was reportedly sent by Pope Sylvester II to King Stephen I of Hungary for his coronation, making it one of the oldest in Europe.
The crown jewels are complemented by an apple, a scepter and a sword.
Parliament tour and entrance fee
It would be a great pity to see the magnificent Parliament building only from the outside. The sometimes unbelievably opulent and magnificent rooms of the Parliament, including the room with the Hungarian Crown Jewels, are open to the public, even daily from 8:00-16:00.
Tickets are available in limited quantities at the door, but we strongly recommend buying tickets online in advance to ensure availability. Ticket prices are as follows.
| Adults - EU citizens (+ Norway, Iceland) | 6 000 huf |
| Students (6-24 years) - EU citizens (+ Norway, Iceland) | 3 000 huf |
| Adults - non-EEA | 12 000 huf |
| Students (6-24 years) - outside EEA | 6 000 huf |
Official website of the Hungarian Parliament: parliament.hu/visiting
Location and transport
The Parliament building stands right in the centre of Budapest on the banks of the Danube and can be easily reached on foot from any of the major sights in the centre. Of course, you can also use public transport:
- Kossuth Lajos tér station - metro M2; trams 2, 2M; buses 15, 115; trolleybuses 70, 78
Accommodation
If you're looking for a hotel that overlooks Hungary's most iconic building, then look for accommodation on the other side of the Danube.
The best place in this respect is definitely Novotel Budapest Danube directly opposite the Parliament.
The original riverside botel also offers original accommodation OnRiver Hotels - MS Cézanne.
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