We are back with another set of free activities in Budapest! Who would have known that there are so many things to do on the Pest side of the Danube, and all of them are free of charge! We still suggest you schedule these for sunny days, since a lot of them are outdoor programs, but we’ve collected some indoor activities too. Whether you’re a culture-lover or just a curious visitor, these programs are just thrilling!
#4 Galleries
Some of the smaller galleries and showrooms are free in Budapest, where you can see contemporary Hungarian art. You can find all of these galleries in downtown Budapest, and of course the entry is free. Remember to check the website of these venues before you go, because they operate with different opening hours.
First, Deák Erika Gallery, which is just a stones throw away from Andrássy avenue, so it’s precisely in Downtown Budapest. It’s open from Wednesday to Friday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. You can gaze at all kinds of contemporary Hungarian artists here from fashion designers to young painters and photographers. A couple of exhibitions are born from interesting collaborations, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
The second one is the acb Gallery is on Király street, so before you head out to discover the secrets of ruin bars, you can easily treat yourself to some free culture! This gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and you can see exhibitions from local artists, supported by this gallery. Other than painters and photographers, you can discover artists working with silk and other materials as well!
Last, but definitely not least Virág Judit Gallery, which specializes in 19th and 20th century, high quality Hungarian paintings and Art Nouveau Zsolnay ceramics. Here you have auctions and private sales too, so you can support Budapest’s artists! This gallery is near Jászai Mari square, which is just a short walk away from the Parliament, and it has pretty standard opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
#5 Inner courtyards around Budapest
Visiting the inner courtyard of apartment houses is a very interesting program in Budapest, however it requires a certain level of respect and understanding since some of these courtyards are private properties.
The Pest side of the city is more urban, therefore the classic Hungarian apartment houses are considered to be standard here. Some of them have open courtyards with shops, little gardens, cafés or just a couple of benches for you to sit on. We’ve collected three that you can visit.
Non-residents can visit wood-panelled Unger House (Múzeum körút 7.), between busy Museum körút and Magyar utca, where you can find an antique bookstore and a vintage clothing store.
In the same neighbourhood you can see the 19th-century Paloma Palace (Kossuth Lajos utca 14-16), which fuses architecture and fashion, a popular shopping destination and common space. For more information visit their website!
Just a few minutes’ walk away, you can sit in the ivy-clad courtyard of the Építész Pince in the Palace Quarter at Ötpacsirta utca 2. We sure recommend the atrium-equipped inner courtyard of the former Fészek Művészklub or the beautiful inner courtyards of Szent István körút too.
#6 Mural paintings
If you walk the streets of Budapest for a day, you’ll notice these colorful mural paintings all around the city. It’s part of the city rehabilitation program, but in 2019 it definitely become a symbol of Budapest. Especially in the Jewish District, in Downtown Budapest, where a lot of houses were torn down, and therefore several walls remain uncovered.
If you walk around Király utca, Rumbach Sebestyén utca or Klauzál square, you’ll discover these special paintings. They decorate the city, and add a certain charm to the vibe of the inner districts of Pest. For more information, go and check this short collection!