The Hungarian National Gallery, Hungary’s largest public collection documenting the rise and evolution of national fine arts, is rolling out a packed calendar of guided tours in Hungarian and English across its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Set at Szent György Square (Szent György tér) 2, within Buda Castle, the institution invites visitors to dive into modernism, portraiture, abstraction, and turn-of-the-century sculpture with fresh curatorial perspectives and special guest guides. Photo credits are protected by the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery. For details and booking, call the numbers listed on the gallery’s site.
Highlights in January 2026
Lázadó formák, merész színek – Tihanyi Lajos művészete (Rebellious Forms, Bold Colors – The Art of Lajos Tihanyi) anchors much of January, with guided tours on January 9, 11, 17, 23, 29, and 31 in Budapest. The series tracks Tihanyi’s daring color language and expressive structure, a cornerstone of early 20th-century Hungarian modernism.
On January 10 and February 7, Fényes Adolf művészete (The Art of Adolf Fényes) puts quiet realism and radiant stillness under the microscope, dovetailing with the major memorial exhibition A csend képei. Fényes Adolf (1867–1945), running through January 11, 2026.
January 15 spotlights TIHANYI 140, a guided tour by curator Mariann Gergely tied to the sweeping monographic show Tihanyi Lajos (1885–1938), open through February 15, 2026. The next day, January 16, Gergely Barki leads Az ember a paletta mögött (The Person Behind the Palette), probing the artist’s biography, technique, and networks.
January 17 couples Tihanyi’s tour with Betonba hímezve (Embroidered in Concrete), a subjective, writer-led walkthrough by Rita Halász, returning again on January 31. On January 18, Aktszobrok a századfordulóról (Nude Sculptures from the Turn of the Century) takes visitors through fin‑de‑siècle form and sensuality.
February: Abstraction and Architecture
February 6 brings Budapest–Berlin–Párizs. Tihanyi Lajos útja az absztrakcióig (Budapest–Berlin–Paris: Lajos Tihanyi’s Road to Abstraction), a tour by writer and art historian Rita Halász that maps Tihanyi’s leap from expressionist figuration to abstraction via European avant‑garde circuits. Tihanyi’s core guided program also lands on February 8.
Rounding out the weekend of February 7–8: Fényes Adolf művészete returns on February 7, while Épületséta – Kriptától a kupoláig (Building Walk – From the Crypt to the Dome) on February 8 explores the gallery’s architectural layers, offering a vertical journey through its monumental spaces.
Family Days, Workshops, and Special Access
The gallery’s education calendar keeps all ages busy. For toddlers, Tipegők – Hópihe tánc (Toddlers – Snowflake Dance) runs on January 13 and 27. Family-friendly Mama, nézd! (Look, Mom!) sessions include A csend beszél (Silence Speaks) on January 15 and 29, and A test szépsége (The Beauty of the Body) on February 5. Look, Mom! – Sunny Days appears on January 8.
Hands-on creation takes center stage with Színezd újra! – múzeumi műhely gyerekeknek (Recolor It! – Museum Workshop for Kids) on January 14, 21, and 28, and Alkoss! (Create!) workshops: Absztrakt élményfestés (Abstract Experience Painting) on January 17 and Meztelen valóság (Naked Reality) on February 7. For curious explorers, Kaland a Galériában – Különös arcok (Adventure in the Gallery – Strange Faces) lands on January 24.
On January 25, Tihanyi’s tour is accessible with sign language interpretation, ensuring inclusive engagement with the collection. There’s also Visita guidata in italiano on January 16, expanding the multilingual offering, and an Online tárlatvezetés a Tihanyi kiállításban (Online Guided Tour) on January 22 for remote audiences.
Talks and Deep Dives
January 24 hosts Gergely Barki’s lecture Kettő vagy egy sem. Duplázások és hiátusok Tihanyi Lajos életművében (Two or None: Doublings and Gaps in Tihanyi’s Oeuvre), unpacking variant versions, missing links, and artistic evolution across decades. On February 1, Nyolcak – Előre meghirdetett tárlatvezetés (The Eight – Scheduled Guided Tour) highlights the radical group The Eight (Nyolcak), who repositioned Hungarian art within European modernist currents.
Exhibitions You Can’t Miss
Three blockbusters set the tone for the season. A csend képei. Fényes Adolf (1867–1945) emlékkiállítás (Images of Silence: Adolf Fényes Memorial Exhibition) runs from October 10, 2025 to January 11, 2026, bringing serenity and light to the fore. Tót Endre: Éjszakai látogatás a múzeumban (Endre Tót: Night Visit to the Museum) spans November 6, 2025 to March 1, 2026, pairing conceptual wit with a nocturnal mood. TIHANYI 140. Tihanyi Lajos (1885–1938) életmű-kiállítása (Retrospective) anchors November 21, 2025 to February 15, 2026, framing a full‑scale survey from Budapest to Berlin and Paris.
Where It All Happens
Every tour is staged at the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest, within the Buda Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The address is Szent György Square (Szent György tér) 2, with sweeping views over the Danube and the city’s historic core. Nearby landmarks like the Chain Bridge connect the Buda side to Pest’s lively business quarter, shopping streets, cafés, and wine bars—perfect for rounding off a gallery day with a stroll and a glass.
Plan Your Visit
Tours are available in Hungarian and English, with occasional sessions in Italian and in sign language. Check dates carefully: key January events include Tihanyi tours on the 9th, 11th, 17th, 23rd, 29th, and 31st; Fényes tours on the 10th; curator- and author-led programs on the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 31st; sculpture and family sessions on the 18th and throughout the month; and online access on the 22nd. February brings architecture, abstraction, and The Eight on the 1st, 6th, 7th, and 8th. For time slots, languages, and booking, call the gallery’s published contacts and secure your spot early.
