The beautiful building of the Museum of Applied Arts is currently under renovation. The museum will not welcome visitors in 2024 and likely in 2025.
To see similarly stunning architecture of Art Nouveau style in Budapest, you can visit some beautiful buildings like Gellert Spa (to be renovated in 2025), Gresham Palace by the river Danube in Budapest and the Chain Bridge (do take a look inside the luxury hotel, it’s fascinating – the lift, the chandelier, the motifs!
The Art Nouveau building of the Museum of Applied Arts is well worth a visit, even if you are not that into museums. Inside there are many beautiful design items (both temporary and permanent exhibitions).
The Museum of Applied Arts even has its own Christmas market, a design fair in Budapest for a short weekend during the Advent period.
More info about the Christmas market at the Museum of Applied Arts and further Christmas events
Opening Hours of the Museum of Applied Arts
Will the Museum of Applied Arts (Iparmuveszeti Muzeum) be open at Christmas in Budapest? How about the days during the Christmas holidays?
In 2012, the museum will only be open before and between the holidays, but not on the the days of holidays themselves
- December 24, Christmas Eve: Closed
- December 25, Christmas Day: Closed
- December 26, Boxing Day: Closed
- December 31, New Year’s Eve: Closed
- January 1, New Year’s Day: Closed
Budapest boasts some of the most exquisite examples of Art Nouveau architecture, with buildings that showcase intricate ornamentation, flowing lines, and natural motifs. One of the finest examples is the Gresham Palace, located on the banks of the Danube River. Originally built as an office and luxury apartment building, it now houses the Four Seasons Hotel. Its elegant façade features floral motifs, wrought iron details, and stained glass, while the interior is equally breathtaking, with mosaics, grand staircases, and beautiful glass ceilings. Gresham Palace is widely celebrated as one of the best Art Nouveau buildings in Hungary and a must-see landmark for visitors.
Another highlight is the Museum of Applied Arts, designed by Odon Lechner, who is often referred to as the “Gaudí of Hungary.” Completed in 1896, the building blends traditional Hungarian design elements with Art Nouveau, featuring a striking green and yellow Zsolnay-tile roof and intricate ceramic details. The interior is equally captivating, with high ceilings, arched windows, and an airy, ornate central hall. Other noteworthy Art Nouveau structures in Budapest include the Paris Department Store on Andrássy Avenue, the former Post Savings Bank with its colorful façade, and the Hungarian Geological Institute, also designed by Lechner, all of which showcase the city’s rich heritage in this unique architectural style.
In addition to the iconic Gresham Palace and the beautiful Gellért Baths, another remarkable example of Art Nouveau architecture in Budapest is the Hotel Gellért. Built in 1918 alongside the thermal baths, the hotel is renowned for its opulent interiors, stained glass windows, mosaics, and Zsolnay tiles that reflect traditional Hungarian motifs. Its grand architecture and interior details make it a significant example of Budapest’s Art Nouveau heritage, blending elegance with vibrant design elements. Visitors can experience the Art Nouveau atmosphere in the common areas, which offer glimpses into the hotel’s historical charm.
A third notable Art Nouveau building is the Thonet House (Thonet-ház) on Váci Street, designed by architect Ödön Lechner. This building features a floral façade with delicate ceramic details inspired by Hungarian folk motifs. Constructed in 1892, it was originally a furniture store, and its vibrant colors, intricate tiles, and decorative details exemplify Lechner’s approach to Art Nouveau, which sought to create a distinctively Hungarian style.
Last updated for Budapest Christmas September 25, 2024
