Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest: What to See for Free

The Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as Országház, is one of the main landmarks in Budapest. It sits beside the River Danube on Kossuth Lajos Square and is worth seeing even if you only visit the outside.

The building has plenty of exterior details to look for, including statues, monuments and Neo-Gothic features around the main square. Visiting the outdoor area is free, making it a useful stop for anyone visiting Budapest on a budget. A great time to see the buildings is at sunset.

How to Get to the Hungarian Parliament Building

Many trams and buses stop near Országház. However, I found the easiest way to visit is on the underground, alighting at Kossuth Lajos tér on the M2 line. It’s also a pleasant walk from the city centre or along the River Danube in Budapest.

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Is the Hungarian Parliament Building Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Hungarian Parliament Building is worth visiting, even if you only see it from the outside. The building is one of Budapest’s most recognisable landmarks, and the area around Kossuth Lajos Square is free to walk around. It is also one of the best places in the city for photos.

You can see the outside of the Hungarian Parliament Building and walk around Kossuth Lajos Square for free. To see the interior, you need to book an official guided tour or join an organised tour that includes entry. You can find out more on their website.

You can also arrange tours and cruises past the building via the Viator website.

Hungarian Parliament Building Facts

• This is one of the biggest parliament buildings in the world.
• The building was designed in the Gothic Revival, or Neo-Gothic, style.
• It is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary.
• Since its completion, it has become the largest building in Hungary.
• Imre Steindl designed the Parliament Building. He won a design competition with his plans.
• They did not waste the two runner-up designs; they were used as plans for the neighbouring buildings. This included the Ethnographic Museum and the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture buildings.
• Its Hungarian name, Országház, means House of the Country.
• The building opened in 1902.
• Construction began in 1885 and was completed in 1904.

Walking Around the Hungarian Parliament Building for Free

It is a fantastic place to go for a mooch around and see the beautiful Gothic Revival-style building. You can wander around the area freely and see the many aspects of the site. The building and its grounds are also a nice place to go for a dog walk. You can see the area while on walkies; however, beware of the parts of the square where dogs are not permitted.

Also, the grounds are popular with walking tours; thus, you could opt for a guided tour of the area. These tours are available in a variety of languages and are informative. A cruise on the River Danube is also a popular way to see the building. These take place both in the daytime and in the evening, offering splendid views of the site. The night-time cruises give you an opportunity to see the parliament lit up.

What to See Around the Hungarian Parliament Building for Free

There is much to see when exploring the Hungarian Parliament site in Budapest. The outside areas are free to visit, and it’s an enjoyable experience. If you want to avoid crowds, early morning is the best time to walk around the square.

The Main Neo-Gothic Building

The main building is one of the most recognisable buildings in Hungary. You can easily walk the perimeter of the building, sticking to the walkways. However, if you are dog walking, you might want to avoid the areas with ‘no dogs’ signs. If taking photographs, ensure you walk near the edges of the square to get some special views.

Kossuth Lajos Square

Kossuth Lajos Square is next to the Hungarian Parliament Building. It’s a great place to take photos of the building and surrounding area. It has many features to see, including monuments. Kossuth Lajos Square was named in 1927 in honour of its namesake, Lajos Kossuth. Its first recorded name in 1820 was ‘Stadtischer Auswind Platz’, meaning ‘Unloading Square for the Ships’. Early mornings are best to see the square, as there are fewer people and tour groups.

Gróf Andrássy Gyula szobra

This monument commemorates Gyula Andrássy, a former prime minister. The statue is near the building’s south facade and features many interesting details.

Rákóczi Ferenc Equestrian Statue

The Rákóczi Ferenc equestrian statue is centre stage in Kossuth Lajos Square. It was created in 1937 to commemorate Ferenc II Rákóczi. Rákóczi, who lived from 1676 to 1735, was the leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburg Empire.

István Tisza Monument

The István Tisza Monument is impressive and near the Danube, north of the Parliament Building. István Tisza was prime minister of Hungary twice in the early 20th century.

Kossuth Monument

The Kossuth Memorial is one of three monuments dedicated to former Hungarian Regent-President Lajos Kossuth. The statue is in front of the main building on Lajos Kossuth Square. The Kossuth Memorial is an important Hungarian national symbol and often the scene of official celebrations.

Library of the Hungarian Parliament

The Library of the Hungarian Parliament has a decorative facade and is at the southern end of the main building. The library has the biggest public collection of Hungarian parliamentary documents. They also have a collection of books on Hungarian history and modern world history.

Buildings Around Kossuth Lajos Square

There are some grand buildings surrounding Kossuth Lajos Square. They were two of the most prominent among the runner-up plans for the parliament building. These include the Ethnographic Museum and the Ministry of Agriculture buildings.

River Danube Views

On the banks of the Danube, you can see the building’s main facade, which is absolutely gorgeous. The details of this part are phenomenal but difficult to photograph.

If you want to photograph this side, zooming from the far bank or taking a river cruise might be the perfect solution.

Sunrise and Sunset Views

The Pest bank on the River Danube, next to the parliament buildings, is a good place to watch the sunset in Budapest. The sunset over the castle is beautiful.

Early morning at sunrise is a good time to visit too; it’s pretty quiet, and the red skies enhance the views of the area. Note that it’s not the ideal area to get early-morning sit-down drinks.

Attila József Statue

Overlooking the River Danube nearby is the Attila József Statue. The monument is well integrated into the steps leading to the river. The bronze statue was unveiled in 1980. Attila József was one of Hungary’s most famous poets.