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On September 20–21, Budapest’s Heritage Days invite you to explore hidden landmarks for free. Discover grand halls, secret libraries, and historic schools usually closed to the public.
Once a year, Budapest opens doors that are normally closed to the public. The European Heritage Days, launched in France in 1984 and now celebrated across more than 50 countries, let visitors step into government buildings, aristocratic mansions, and hidden institutions. Most visits require pre-registration, but the reward is a rare look behind façades you would otherwise only pass by on the street.
We made a collection of the places you can only visit on these two special days, so register now, or you'll miss out.
Ministry of the Interior building
📍1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér 6.
Explore the opulent Ministry of the Interior building, a prime example of late Hungarian historicism and the former Ministry of Finance palace, situated in the historic Buda Castle district at Szentháromság tér 6. The recently renovated palace now includes a contemporary office building in its courtyard. While there, you can also see the adjacent Fortuna House, built on medieval foundations. The building is open to the public on September 20-21, 2025, with tours of its representative spaces. Please note that participation is by pre-registration only via email at kon.bm.regisztracio@gmail.com. You will be required to provide your name, ID card number, and preferred time slot, and must bring a valid ID for entry. For security purposes, bags will be inspected. All tours and informational materials are in Hungarian.
Pilisi Parkerdő Zrt. Budakeszi útI building and historical library
📍1021 Budapest, Budakeszi út 91.
Explore the modern, functionalist headquarters of Pilisi Parkerdő Zrt, where you can find a unique monument library. This special library houses valuable books and documents salvaged and brought to Hungary from the historic Mining and Forestry Academy of Selmecbánya (Now Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia). The building is open for the Cultural Heritage Days on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with a guided tour in Hungarian starting at 10:00 AM. Prior registration is required by emailing subainev@gmail.com or by calling +36 30 2692217.
Central Statistical Office
📍1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly utca 5–7.
Visit the historic headquarters of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), an impressive building that has been in continuous use for its original purpose since its completion in 1897. The building, designed by Győző Czigler, also houses one of Hungary's first public libraries. During the Cultural Heritage Days on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2025, you can explore the building through guided tours. Pre-registration is required and can be completed by filling out the online form at https://www.ksh.hu/kerdoivek/kon/urlap.html. Guided tours are available in Hungarian at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, with an English tour offered at 2:00 PM on both days. The tours will provide insights into the building's architecture, the office's operations, and the history of its library.
BMSZC Újpest Bilingual Technical Technical School
📍1041 Budapest, Görgey Artúr utca 26.
Head to the BMSZC Újpesti Két Tanítási Nyelvű Műszaki Technikum to explore a piece of architectural history. This building was designed by Foerk Ernő as the Wood and Metal Industry Vocational School, with teaching starting in 1927. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, during the Cultural Heritage Days, the school will offer guided tours of the building and its museum from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Tours and informational materials are in Hungarian.
Újpest Könyves Kálmán Grammar School
📍1043 Budapest, Tanoda tér 1.
Experience the history of Hungarian education at the Újpesti Könyves Kálmán Gimnázium. The current building, a masterpiece of design by Tőry Emil and Pogány Móric, has been open since 1914. The institution itself is celebrating its 140th academic year. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the school will be open to visitors for an architectural tour, a presentation on the school's history, and a visit to the collections and observatory. The tours and materials are in Hungarian. No registration is required to attend.
Curia
📍1055 Budapest, Markó utca 16.
Hungary’s Supreme Court is both a working institution and an architectural showpiece. Its grand chambers, normally reserved for the country’s top judges, open for two days only. This grand building, designed by Sándor Fellner and completed in 1918, originally housed the Ministry of Justice and now serves as the home of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General's Office. The institution itself has a history dating back to the beginning of Hungarian statehood. For the Cultural Heritage Days on September 20-21, 2025, the Kúria will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
To attend, prior registration is mandatory via an online form at https://kuria-birosag.hu/hu/form/kulturalis-orokseg-napjai-2025. Each person must register individually. Unregistered visitors will not be granted entry. Be prepared to show a valid ID for entry, as police will conduct security checks of clothing and bags. The program includes guided tours in Hungarian at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM on both days. Additionally, you can participate in a court simulation game at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The tour will take you through the Ceremonial Hall and courtrooms, with thematic exhibitions and a quiz also available.
Palace of the Imperial and Royal Carpenter József Liebner of Kakucs
📍1088 Budapest, Lőrinc pap tér 3.
Built in 1894, the Kakucsi Liebner József Palace is a four-story, historicist-eclectic corner building located at Lőrinc pap tér 3 in Budapest. It was originally built as rental apartments, with a restaurant on the ground floor. During the Cultural Heritage Days on Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, 2025, the palace will be open from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Visitors can take continuous guided tours in Hungarian. You can also explore the basement-level KAPTÁR at your own risk, which features a house history exhibition. Additionally, there will be a ceramic sculpture exhibition by Zsuzsanna Szűcs in the courtyard. The page does not mention any required registration for tourists. Please be mindful not to disturb the residents during your visit.
Hild Villa
📍1121 Budapest, Budakeszi út 38.
Experience a piece of architectural history at the Hild Villa, a classicist masterpiece designed in 1844 by renowned architect József Hild as his own summer residence. The villa and its adjacent Swiss-house have been meticulously restored by the Hungarian Academy of Arts. Now home to the Institute for Art Theory and Methodology, the villa is open for guided tours during the Cultural Heritage Days on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The tours, conducted in Hungarian, will take you through the garden, the villa, the Swiss-house, and preserved interior rooms. Tours are scheduled from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. No registration information was found on the page, so it is likely not required.
Museum of the History of Measurement
📍1124 Budapest, Németvölgyi út 37–39.
Dive into the fascinating world of measurement at a unique exhibition in Budapest, opened six years ago by the Hungarian Metrology Association "1874." Located in a historic building complex that once housed the Royal Hungarian Institute of Metrology, this museum shines a spotlight on the hidden yet crucial role of measurement in our daily lives. Take a guided tour to explore the history of measurement, from its origins to modern-day challenges. You'll discover why we use meters and kilograms, learn about the work of metrologists, and find out the difference between verification and calibration. The collection features hundreds of objects and documents, including a special focus this year on the 150th anniversary of the metric system in Hungary. To ensure a spot on the hourly, 45-50 minute tour, which accommodates 10-15 people, please register in advance by calling +36 20 326 30 17.
ELTE Radnóti Miklós Practical School
📍1146 Budapest, Cházár András utca 10.
Step into the history of Hungarian education at the ELTE Miklós Radnóti Teacher Training Elementary and Secondary School. This beautiful, over 100-year-old building was once the high school of the Budapest Jewish community. It has a rich history intertwined with Hungarian architecture and the story of Jewish education. The school is opening its doors for the Cultural Heritage Days on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Guided tours are available. Tours are in Hungarian, with an English tour available at 12:30 PM if there's enough demand. To secure your spot, you must register by September 18 by emailing radnoti.jubileum@gmail.com. The building is only accessible to the public during this event.
+1 Buda Castle's recently rebuilt Saint Stephen's Hall will be one of the highlights of the weekend. Read more about it in our previous article: European Heritage Days: Explore Saint Stephen Hall in Buda Castle for Free
There are many more participating institutions, schools, museums and places that will be open to the public on September 20-21, see the full list on the official website.
