Constructed beginning in 1875 by the famous Miklós Ybl, the Opera House offers what is by far one of the best tours in Budapest. Not only can you see the magnificent gold interior of the building, but you will hear truly interesting facts and stories about the building and its historical visitors. Even if you don’t have time to take the tour, stop by and take a look at it while strolling on Andrássy because the Neo-Renaissance building has a lovely facade reflecting its purpose.

On the front facade the four muses of representational art and the statues of the great figures of incidental music already indicate the function of the building from the outside. Inside, the marble stairs which lead to the boxes are one of Ybl’s most brilliant internal Architectural solutions. The interior is ornamented with frescos and paintings by the best Hungarian painters of the 19th century. Above the acoustically excelent auditorium one of the most beautiful creations of Hungarian painting, a fresco by Károly Lotz representating Olympus, can be seen.

Tickets are remarkably inexpensive and you will have the chance to enjoy the excellent acoustics and splendor of artistic details while feeling like you have stepped back to the 19th century. For musical performances, the best and least expensive seats are at the top of the auditorium, where although the stage is difficult to see, one can admire the audience like the socialites of the past.

Address: 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 15:00; 16:00 pm