Few buildings in Europe make as striking of an impression as the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest. Its soaring spires, intricate Neo-Gothic details, and dramatic position along the Danube River make it an icon of the city. While the exterior is jaw-dropping and overly ornate (especially when illuminated at night), stepping inside the Hungarian Parliament building reveals a level of grandeur and artistry that photos can barely capture.
In this guide, we will explore the most impressive spaces inside the Hungarian Parliament building, share tour tips to help you get the most out of your visit, and highlight a few nearby attractions to add to your Budapest itinerary.
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Completed in 1904 after nearly two decades of construction, the Hungarian Parliament building was designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in the Neo-Gothic style with Renaissance Revival influences. It is the largest building in Hungary, with 691 rooms, 29 staircases, and a symmetrical façade adorned with spires, arches, and hundreds of statues.
The building's towering dome, the most obvious Renaissance Revival feature on the building, is 96 meters (314.9 feet) tall which is no coincidence. Not only does that make the Hungarian Parliament building one of the tallest buildings in Budapest, but it also serves a reference to the Magyars' arrival in the Carpathian Basin in 896 AD, laying the foundation for a Hungarian state.
While the exterior of the Hungarian Parliament building is exquisite, the interiors do not disappoint! The building's lavish interiors reflect the wealth and ambition of turn-of-the-century Hungary. The marble-clad staircases, hand-painted frescos, stained-glass windows, and gold leaf embellishing the halls are all tangible examples of Hungary's status within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the early 1870s, Hungary was riding a wave of national pride. The newly united city of Budapest needed more than just a functional government building, it needed a showpiece to reflect the nation’s rising status within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The result was the Hungarian Parliament Building, created to house the National Assembly and designed to stand as a bold statement of Hungary’s identity and political ambition.
Today, the Hungarian Parliament Building still serves as the seat of the National Assembly, but it’s far more than a working house of government. It welcomes visitors inside on guided tours, an experience many first-time travelers to Budapest do not realize is possible. Stepping through its doors gives you rare access to the soaring Dome Hall, the sweeping main staircase, and the richly decorated legislative chambers, each brimming with history and ornate detail. It is also a museum, a symbol of national pride, and the guardian of one of Hungary’s most treasured relics: the Holy Crown of St. Stephen.
While the Hungarian Parliament building is incredible from the outside, especially at night, its equally impressive once you step through its doors. Every hallway, chamber, and staircase were designed to impress. From glittering gold accents to exquisite stained glass and intricate woodwork, experiencing the Hungarian Parliament building in person absolutely deserves a top spot on your list of things to do in Budapest because photos simply cannot capture its detail and splendor.
The 45-minute guided tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building also includes the City Side Staircase XVII, the Lounge of the Chamber Peers, and the Béla Neÿ Hall. However, for the purposes of this guide, I am going to focus on the three most incredible parts of the tour, below.
The Grand Staircase is one of the most spectacular sights inside the Hungarian Parliament, even if visitors cannot actually walk up its steps. Spanning an impressive width and framed by soaring granite columns, the staircase was designed to make an unforgettable first impression on dignitaries and heads of state. It rises for 96 steps, a number chosen to again commemorate the arrival of the Magrys in the Carpathian Basin in 896 AD, and leads directly into the building’s architectural centerpiece, the Dome Hall.
The vaulted ceiling above the staircase glitters with gold leaf and features three large frescos. The frescoes are symbolic of Hungarian history and were painted by Károly Lotz, a 19th-century Hungarian artist who also painted the ceiling of the Hungarian State Opera.
The Dome Hall is the centerpiece of the Hungarian Parliament building and the highlight of any tour. Here, Neo-Gothic artistry reaches its zenith beneath the Renaissance Revival dome, creating a breathtaking fusion of architectural styles in the heart of the building. Sixteen massive, ribbed columns rise towards the vaulted ceiling. The ceiling panels are painted in deep reds, greens, and golds, with delicate patterns that draw your eye upward, while stained-glass windows filter soft light into the hall. Around the perimeter of the hall, life-sized statues of Hungarian rulers adorn each of the massive columns under decorative canopies that mimic the Hungarian Parliament building's exterior spires. The rich colors and gilded ornamentation create a sense of both warmth and grandeur, making the space feel ceremonial and intimate despite its scale.
At the very center of the magnificent Dome Hall is where some of Hungary's most important treasures are kept. The most famous of these is, of course, the Holy Crown of St. Stephen. Additionally, you will see the royal sceptre, orb, and coronation sword, which collectively are known as the Hungarian Crown Jewels. These objects date back centuries and are considered sacred symbols of Hungarian statehood.
The Holy Crown of St. Stephen, also called the Holy Crown of Hungary, is more than just a piece of royal regalia. It is a symbol of Hungary's identity and sovereignty, dating back to the 11th century and traditionally used in the coronation of Hungarian kings. Its tilted cross, a distinctive feature, is the result of centuries of wear and historical mishaps, adding to its unique character.
Towards the end of World War II, the Hungarian Crown Jewels took an unexpected journey far from home. Fearing they might be seized or destroyed during Soviet rule, they were smuggled out of Hungary in 1945 and safeguarded in the United States for more than three decades. They remained at Fort Knox until 1978, when then-President Jimmy Carter decided to formally return the jewels to Hungary in a gesture of goodwill.
For security and preservation reasons, photography is strictly prohibited inside of the Dome Hall. You will have plenty of opportunities to take photos in other parts of the Hungarian Parliament building, but here you will need to simply take in the view and commit it to memory. The photo shown here depicts replicas of the Hungarian Crown Jewels, which you can see on display at Buda Castle. While the replicas are impressive in their own right, nothing compares to standing before the originals in the quiet, golden light of the Dome Hall, flanked by ceremonial guards in full regalia.
The Hungarian Parliament houses two grand assembly halls, one for the National Assembly (Lower House) and another for the House of Magnates (Upper House). During your tour of the building, you will get to see the Chamber of Peers, also known as the Upper House. This space was previously home to the House of Magnates, the aristocratic branch of Hungary's former bicameral parliament. Today, this chamber no longer serves a legislative purpose, but because it closely matches the Lower House in size and layout, it offers visitors an authentic sense of what the actual parliamentary chamber looks like.
The chamber is exceptionally ornate. The room is clad with oak and features dramatic, gold-plated decorations that catch the light. The seating is arranged in a horseshoe shape with enough seats for 453 members. Above the large podium in the center, the wall displays the coats of arms of Hungary's royal families, accompanied by murals depicting the nobility. A gallery level wraps around the upper level. The Chamber of Peers is exquisite and showcases the grandeur of 19th-century Hungarian politics.
Before you book a tour of the Hungarian Parliament building, here are some things to keep in mind.
I will admit this up front: I am someone who adores history, art, and architecture. For me, the Hungarian Parliament building, also sometimes referred to as the Hungarian National Assembly, ticked every box. From the moment I stepped inside, I was impressed with how grand the interior was and how it truly rivals the exterior in beauty. The gilded staircases, frescos, and impressive stained glass windows made the Parliament building feel more like a palace than a government building.
The highlight, of course, was seeing the Holy Crown of St. Stephen and the other Hungarian Crown Jewels. Their story, from medieval coronations to their decades-long exile in the United States during Soviet rule is fascinating (all things I learned on the tour)! The Dome Hall, itself, is just as impressive as the heavily guarded jewels standing in its center. Even if you are not interested in architecture, history, or Hungarian politics, the Hungarian Crown Jewels alone make this visit worthwhile.
I was also impressed by just how revolutionary this building was for its time. For a structure completed in 1904, its engineering innovations, like a sophisticated heating system, were ahead of their time.
A small tip from my own experience: do not forget to look up! Some of the most spectacular details were high above eye level, in the frescoed ceilings and stained-glass windows that fill the enormous space with color and light.
All in all, visiting the Hungarian Parliament was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Budapest. Whether you, like me, are passionate about history and architecture, or simply want to witness one of Hungary's most significant national treasures, this tour is well worth your time.
The Hungarian Parliament tour is easily one of the top 10 things to do in Budapest. Beautiful interiors, fascinating history, and the chance to see the Hungarian Crown Jewels make it an unforgettable experience.
Even if architecture is not your passion, this tour offers something for everyone and the Crown Jewels alone make it worth the visit.
The Hungarian Parliament building is not just one of Budapest's most photographed landmarks; it is a place where history, politics, and art come together under one roof. Touring the interior offers a deeper appreciate for the country's past and its national symbols, from the ornate halls to the Crown Jewels themselves. Even if architecture or government buildings are not normally your focus when traveling, this is one stop taht is well worth including on your Budapest itinerary.
For more ideas to round out your visit to Budapest, take a look at our Budapest Travel Guide and browse our Essential Budapest Travel Tips to help you plan your time in the city.
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