Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz)
Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz)
Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz)
4.5
About
This magnificent new-Renaissance style structure, completed in 1884 and modeled after the Vienna Opera House, is home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Terézváros
How to get there
- Opera • 1 min walk
- Arany János utca • 4 min walk
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3,242 within 3 miles
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686 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
7,722 reviews
Excellent
4,678
Very good
2,230
Average
594
Poor
135
Terrible
86
JasmineD
California360 contributions
Oct 2022
I bought a ticket for the English tour online through the official website of the Opera and was able to show the PDF file on my phone to gain entry to the tour. Tickets can also be purchased on site at the box office (enter the building through the main doors and look to the right). Tip: The English tour at the Parliament building (starting at 1:30 pm) and the English tour at the Opera House (starting at 3 pm) line up very nicely with a quick taxi ride (using Bolt) between the two buildings.
The tour started right on time and the English guide was excellent! She provided a lot of information in an entertaining and interesting manner. A tour in Spanish started simultaneously and headed out in a different direction. There was a convention happening at the Opera House that day so kudos to all the tour guides for navigating around the convention to ensure the tourists still got to see everything without causing any disruptions or traffic congestion.
The grand staircase, the chandeliers, and the main opera hall are simply stunning! As others have mentioned, the tour ends with a short performance on the grand staircase, which is a nice addition. For any lovers of art, music, opera, and/or architecture, a guided visit to the Hungarian State Opera House would be an hour well spent.
The tour started right on time and the English guide was excellent! She provided a lot of information in an entertaining and interesting manner. A tour in Spanish started simultaneously and headed out in a different direction. There was a convention happening at the Opera House that day so kudos to all the tour guides for navigating around the convention to ensure the tourists still got to see everything without causing any disruptions or traffic congestion.
The grand staircase, the chandeliers, and the main opera hall are simply stunning! As others have mentioned, the tour ends with a short performance on the grand staircase, which is a nice addition. For any lovers of art, music, opera, and/or architecture, a guided visit to the Hungarian State Opera House would be an hour well spent.
Written October 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NDMEdinburgh
Edinburgh, UK368 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
A splendid building - oozing opulence and a great place to visit. Tickets not cheap at c .15 each for an hour - but the tour finishes with a short performance by two opera singers and you can’t help but be impressed. Ps in a city where public toilets are rare these are also a quality find!!!!
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shelley M
8 contributions
Sep 2022
The guidebook we had said that reservations were not necessary. Wrong! For the English-language tour, we arrived to find it completely booked, so we reserved a spot for the next day. Emperor Franz Josef decreed that this Opera House could not be as big as the one in Vienna, but, according to our tour guide, he forgot to say it could not be as splendid. I haven't seen the other one, but I can't imagine any more splendor. And at the end of the tour, we were invited to have a seat on the Grand Staircase and watch a scene from La Traviata, performed by a wonderful soprano and tenor. We were blown away!
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julianna D
Toronto, Canada20 contributions
Oct 2022
They could stop discriminating against people buying less expensive tickets.
I figured that by buying a ticket to the ballet, I would kill 2 birds, etc. I bought a ticket to the 3rd floor thinking I could tour the place. But oh no! Heavens above, I felt like a little beggar girl asking - and being unceremoniously denied. - to please be allowed to visit the place. What a huge disappointment. Very unfriendly. Quite honestly, if you see the entrance hallway, don’t bother with the rest and save your money. It is just more of the same, gilt, frescoes, columns.
I figured that by buying a ticket to the ballet, I would kill 2 birds, etc. I bought a ticket to the 3rd floor thinking I could tour the place. But oh no! Heavens above, I felt like a little beggar girl asking - and being unceremoniously denied. - to please be allowed to visit the place. What a huge disappointment. Very unfriendly. Quite honestly, if you see the entrance hallway, don’t bother with the rest and save your money. It is just more of the same, gilt, frescoes, columns.
Written October 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yehuda k
40 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The building is beautiful. Worth visiting for a tour or a show (better yet).
We didn't stay for the entire show as the kids (teens) weren't loving the show but it was worth it to see the building and experience a bit of the opera
We didn't stay for the entire show as the kids (teens) weren't loving the show but it was worth it to see the building and experience a bit of the opera
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer W
Glasgow, UK31 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We attended this magnificent building on Saturday 7 January to see the National Hungarian Ballet performance of The Nutcracker. The whole experience was amazing.
We were blown away by the ballet: the performance, the dancing, stage set, costumes, huge talented cast, the junior and younger ballet associates, the orchestra…we have seen many other national ballet performances around the world (including The Nutcracker) and this performance clearly topped them all. It was fabulous.
The Opera House is stunning. This added another level to what we experienced. As English speakers, we found signage of where to go difficult to follow, but the staff were friendly and helpful. The arrangement of seating in the boxes gave the audience a fantastic view of the stage, and acoustics were great.
Highly recommend attending a performance here….and especially a ballet!
We were blown away by the ballet: the performance, the dancing, stage set, costumes, huge talented cast, the junior and younger ballet associates, the orchestra…we have seen many other national ballet performances around the world (including The Nutcracker) and this performance clearly topped them all. It was fabulous.
The Opera House is stunning. This added another level to what we experienced. As English speakers, we found signage of where to go difficult to follow, but the staff were friendly and helpful. The arrangement of seating in the boxes gave the audience a fantastic view of the stage, and acoustics were great.
Highly recommend attending a performance here….and especially a ballet!
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tommo
Melbourne, Australia48,464 contributions
Oct 2022
The Hungarian State Opera House is located on the famous Andrassy Av.
The contruction is in neo-Renaissance style, with some Baroque features.
Construction started in 1875, and was opened on the 27 September 1884.
This building is known for its brilliant acoustic properties and holds many opera performances throughout the year as well as Hungarian National Ballet with a capacity of 1261 peoplke.
The contruction is in neo-Renaissance style, with some Baroque features.
Construction started in 1875, and was opened on the 27 September 1884.
This building is known for its brilliant acoustic properties and holds many opera performances throughout the year as well as Hungarian National Ballet with a capacity of 1261 peoplke.
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD11,976 contributions
Nov 2022
Located on Andrássy Avenue, the Hungarian State Opera House is a Neo-Renaissance opera house designed by the architect Miklós Ybl. The structure was built between 1875 and 1884 and the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary funded the construction with one condition, that it should not be larger than the Vienna State Opera House. The Budapest Opera House currently seats 1,261 people. The building’s façade is decorated with striking sculptures of famous musicians and composers. Home to the Hungarian State Opera and Hungarian National Ballet, it is an architecturally stunning building and open to visitors. They do offer tours.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wael khalifa
Cairo, Egypt190 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
There are 3 tours a day with different languages. The tour is around 40 minuets it takes you around the opera with explanations about the history of the opera. You also visit the king opera box. At the end there is a scene from an opera sang by 2 singers which was very good
Written February 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martine S
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands50 contributions
Feb 2023
The opera house has finished the full renovation and is in full glory. I would advise you to book a ticket to a performance. If you book in advance the prices are not so high (from 15.000 Huf) and the experience of the night out is much better than just tour!
Written February 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Llum B
38 contributions
Alguien sabe si dejan entrar a menores a ver una ópera? Viajaremos en breve a Budapest y mi hija de 13 años quiere ver un espectáculo de ópera con nosotros. Podrían decirme a partir de que edad pueden entrar niños? Gracias
Angie Z
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Hi! If I purchase tickets on an earlier day, how early do I need to arrive on the day of tour? Are there bag checks? Do I need to arrive earlier than the indicated 3/4pm?
Thank you!
I S-O
Birmingham, UK121 contributions
When I went in April 2019 There are no bag checks and best to arrive 10 minutes before your time slot. You are normally split into groups by languages you speak as they have a guide that speaks the main languages for example Italian, french, German, English etc
226Hia226
4 contributions
For the guided tours of the opera house, is it possible to book tickets online in advance?
Rannynm
Santa Fe, NM97 contributions
As per the previous answers, it appears to be the case that you can purchase tickets online. We didn't and it wasn't crowded at all. You see the entire Opera House except the concert hall, which is being renovated. However, in my opinion, it is well worth seeing still. And, there is a mini performance after the tour, which in itself is worth the price of admission. The Opera House is on the Hop On/Hop Off (Citytours) bus route, so it's very easy to get there if you have a ticket with them. And their tour is worth the price of admission. But note, get started early in the day as the buses stop running at 5 p.m. Although there is a night bus that starts running at 7 I believe. Plus Hop on/off includes a boat ride up around Margaret Island and back.
rsvpanne
englewood, fl25 contributions
Can I see the tour and mini concert on Monday June 24th? or will it be closed then?
AnandNayal
Mumbai, India117 contributions
Mostly mondays are closed for museums
Global72332
1 contribution
Will the Opera House be open for visitors on September 9-19, 2019?
Sheltiemomma
38 contributions
The main opera house will not be open until spring or summer 2020. We were there in May abd our guide said construction is behind schedule. You can tour the main stairs, the buffet lounge, the smoking room, and another hallway now. At the end of the tour, 2 singers will sing short arias and duets. This tour takes about 45 minutes
שאלה: מהו האתר דרכו ניתן לרכוש כרטיסים לסיור (+מיני קונצרט) בבית האופרה בבודפשט? - הגעתי לאתרים שמוכרים הופעות אופרה....
green eden
Budapest, Hungary50 contributions
למיטב ידיעתי רק באולם עצמו. התרשמתי שאין לחץ מיוחד וכנראה ניתן לרכוש ביום ההופעה. אבל אם תרצו על בטוח אז כדאי לעבור יום, יומיים לפני ולרכוש כרטיסים. לא יכול להמליץ על האופרה עצמה מאחר והמקום בשיפוצים, לא עשה חשק להכנס לאופרה.
В мае 2019 года ещё будет РЕСТОВРАЦИЯ ?????
Ekaterina M
Moscow, Russia575 contributions
Да, будет. Реставрация до 2020 или до 2021 года (точно не помню). Поэтому посмотреть интерьеры (кроме зала) можно только на экскурсии. Труппа оперы выступает в театре Erkel.
Dymani
Los Angeles, CA74 contributions
Dear fellow travelers,
Thank you for your information that is is under renovation.
Though it is under renovation, it appears it is still open for tour.
(1) Do you think it still worth taking the tour?
(2) It appears there is no advance reservation. Do they accept as many visitors as the show up on a given time?
(3) Do they accept credit card?
(4) Is the main staircase open during the renovation?
(5) Is any part of the opera house free and worth seeing?
Best regards,
D
MitchMitch52
Melbourne, Australia1,310 contributions
You could tour the complex, but not the main concert hall.
It was still a good tour and you do get a great performance on the grand stairway.
We just showed up, bought tickets and joined the very next tour, we didn't have to wait long.
cwany40
Gdynia, Poland21 contributions
Czy są udogodnienia dla osób niepełnosprawnych, chodzi mi o windy czy poręcze ułatwiające pokonywanie schodów?
Sonia P
Cadiz, Spain18 contributions
Y porque enlace comprasteis las entradas online para acudir a una ópera? Estoy mirando en varias páginas pero me salen entradas de otros teatros. Y yo quiero ir al edificio de la ópera
Lourdes De barros
74 contributions
La ópera esta cerrada hasta el 2020, sólo una exhibición de 10 minutos hay y compramos en el lugar.
Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) (Budapest) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz)
- We recommend booking Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 87 Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) tours on Tripadvisor
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- Hotels near Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz):
- (0.00 mi) Leanback Hostel
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- Restaurants near Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz):
- (0.02 mi) Callas Café & Restaurant
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