If you’re looking to get your creative fix in Budapest next year, the Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria) is the top destination. Situated in the historic Castle District right on 2 St. George Square (Szent György tér 2), the gallery is the country’s largest public collection dedicated to Hungarian fine arts—covering everything from the earliest masterpieces to the modern day. The gallery routinely organizes guided tours in both Hungarian and English, opening up its permanent and temporary exhibitions to locals, expats, and tourists alike.
Highlights You Can’t Miss: What’s On in Autumn 2025
October is brimming with events. On Saturday, October 18th, explore “The Greatest Hungarian Painters”—a deep dive into Hungary’s legendary artists. The next day, add some personal flavor with “Homely Exoticism,” a unique tour led by Nóra Winkler, who puts her own subjective spin on the displayed works. That same Sunday, “Silence/Life” offers an introduction to the quiet spaces and dazzling color palette in the retrospective of Gyula Czimra—an artist with an esoteric edge.
October 21st sees the return of “Without Shadow: The Art of Gyula Czimra,” curated by Marianna Kolozsváry, for those looking for a curator’s perspective on one of Hungary’s more enigmatic artists. The 25th gives you two highlights: another in-depth “Without Shadow” guided tour and the stirring “Our History on Canvas,” which brings Hungary’s journey to life through paint.
Jump ahead to November and discover “Constant Change: Fashion History on Canvas” (November 8th), tracing the evolution of Hungarian style and dress through art, or get whimsical with “The Great Moustache Panorama” (November 9th)—a quirky exhibition dedicated to the facial hair of Hungary’s cultural icons. Rounding out the month, November 15th is dedicated to “Adolf Fényes and the Artists’ Colony of Szolnok,” highlighting the influential painter and his circle on the banks of the Tisza River.
More Gallery Experiences: Spring and Summer Awakenings
The programming doesn’t stop in fall. From May to late October, the monumental “Without Shadow: The Life and Works of Gyula Czimra (1901–1966)” stretches across the seasons, shining a sustained spotlight on his intricate, often overlooked contributions to Hungarian art.
Throughout August, “Distant Beauty: Orientalism and Exoticism in the 19th Century” invites you to journey through time and continents through the eyes of Hungarian artists enchanted by foreign cultures—works shimmering with the influence of Asia and the Middle East.
Sunday, October 19th, features a special choral concert, adding a musical dimension to the visual feast. On the same day, “Silence/Life” and “Homely Exoticism” return, maximizing the opportunity for interpretation and discussion.
Family Days and Colorful Workshops
The gallery isn’t just for adult art connoisseurs. October and November bring a colorful lineup of family-friendly activities: “Toddlers – Golden Autumn” (October 21st), “Recolor! – Museum Workshop for Kids” (October 22nd and November 5th), and “Breaktime – Cheery Artworks” (October 28th), plus “Storytelling Altars” (October 29th). On November 4th, “Toddlers – Little Ladies and Gentlemen” continues the theme for the youngest art enthusiasts.
November 13th offers “Mom, Look! – Sunny Weekdays” and, on November 20th, “Look at that, Mom! – Sunny Days,” giving parents and kids time to explore creativity together. Hands-on experiences reach a peak with “Create! – From Canvas to Canvas” and the autumn festival “Adventure in the Gallery – St. Martin’s Day Celebration” on November 15th.
Explore Budapest While You’re Here
While the gallery is a cultural powerhouse, Budapest’s Castle District and surroundings offer even more. Visitors can choose from four-star boutique hotels nestled right by the Danube, offering panoramic city views. The Buda Castle Hotel (Budavári Palota Hotel) sits on a tranquil side street within the UNESCO-listed Castle District, boasting close proximity to the city’s hotspots alongside gastronomic surprises and an abundance of cultural sights.
If you prefer something more intimate, Budavár Pension (Budavár Panzió) puts you literally next to Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya) and Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom), right at the heart of the World Heritage area. For those seeking stress-free business or leisure stays, Exe Carlton Budapest offers comfortable, peaceful accommodation in the capital’s center.
Looking for value without sacrificing quality? Gold Hotel Budapest provides modern amenities: air conditioning, LCD TVs, minibars, hairdryers, and free WiFi as standard.
The famed Hilton Budapest sets a high bar with first-class services and a striking mix of modern interiors and 13th-century Dominican monastery details. Its historic courtyard is the scene for open-air events, and the rooms offer breathtaking panoramas over the Danube, Margaret Island (Margitsziget), the Parliament, and the city’s elegant skyline.
Last but not least, Hotel Castle Garden guarantees both relaxation and adventure, perfectly positioned at the gate of the Castle District and right by some of Budapest’s most stunning landmarks—the Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Castle (Budavári Palota).
When you’re planning your art-inspired getaway next year, the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest’s historic district offer a feast for the senses, with guided tours, creative workshops, and unforgettable places to stay.
