The Hungarian Parliament Building runs 268 meters along the Pest bank of the Danube in Budapest’s District V. It is Hungary’s working legislature and its most recognizable landmark. Imre Steindl designed this Gothic Revival structure, which was completed in 1904. It draws roughly seven hundred thousand official tour visitors a year.
The 45-minute guided tour is offered with a live guide or an audioguide in Hungarian, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. It climbs the gilded main staircase, lined with frescoes and stained glass, to the sixteen-sided Dome Hall, 96 meters high. Armed guards there watch over the Holy Crown of Hungary, which has been displayed in the building since 2000. The route continues past the former Upper House chamber, where brass cigar holders still line the corridor windows, a reminder of lawmakers’ old breaks.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Tours depart from the underground Visitor Centre on the north side of Kossuth Square, which is step-free. Through October 31, it is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. From November 1, closing time moves to 16:00. English-language slots sell out quickly, so book online several days ahead and aim for early-morning departures. State events can cancel tours at short notice, so check official updates before you go. Take Metro M2 to Kossuth Lajos tér. Afterward, walk south to the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, or cross to Batthyány tér for the classic sunset view of the façade.
