Visiting the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest
Budapest's Hungarian State Opera House is absolutely stunning, and we can't recommend it enough. This gorgeous Neo-Renaissance building sits right on fancy Andrássy Avenue and is way more than just a place to watch shows. It's like stepping into Hungary's musical history.
We've visited many times, and trust us, this place is special. You can come for amazing performances, admire the incredible architecture, or just learn about this cultural treasure. After being closed for almost five years for renovations, it reopened in March 2022 looking better than ever. We were there for one of the first performances back, and the difference was amazing.
Amazing Architecture and Cultural Heart
This Opera House is so much more than just pretty buildings. It's basically the heart of Hungary's music scene. Architect Miklós Ybl designed it, and when it opened in 1884, Emperor Franz Joseph I was there. Pretty big deal. It's still Hungary's only real opera house.
The Neo-Renaissance style with some Baroque touches will blow you away. Outside, you'll see statues of music legends like Mozart, Verdi, Ferenc Liszt, and Ferenc Erkel (who wrote Hungary's national anthem and was the first music director). These guys basically welcome you to something special.
When you walk inside, it's like entering a palace. We always tell people to look up first thing. Marble columns everywhere, gold ceilings that go on forever, and chandeliers that Ybl himself designed. The ceiling fresco by Károly Lotz called "The Apotheosis of Music" is incredible. We spent our first visit just staring at it.
The main theater is shaped like a horseshoe and has perfect acoustics. We've sat in different spots over the years, and the sound is great everywhere. The Royal Box sits right in the center where important people used to watch shows. Even if you're not royalty, you can book it for special occasions.
Watching World-Class Shows
The Opera House puts on tons of different shows throughout the year. We've seen everything from classic operas to modern pieces, beautiful ballets with the Hungarian National Ballet, concerts by the Opera Orchestra, and special events with famous international singers.
The schedule changes with the seasons. You might catch classics like La Traviata and Swan Lake, or something totally new. They also have programs for kids, which is pretty cool. We've been lucky enough to see some big names here. Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Renée Fleming have all performed on this stage. Hungarian stars like Éva Marton and Andrea Rost are amazing too.
Getting Your Tickets
You need to plan ahead for popular shows. We always book online at opera.hu or opera.jegy.hu. It's so much easier than standing in line. They take all the major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPass.
If you want to buy tickets in person, there are two places. The main box office is right at Andrássy út 22, or you can go to the Simándy Customer Service office at Hajós utca 11. Just remember, the main box office only helps people going to that day's show for 30 minutes before it starts.
Ticket Purchase Options
| Purchase Method | Where | Payment Options | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | opera.hu or opera.jegy.hu | Major credit cards | Most convenient; book in advance for best selection |
| Box Office | Andrássy út 22 or Hajós u. 11 | Cash, cards, SZÉP vouchers | Check opening hours; inquire about specific seats |
| Standing Room | Opera House Box Office | Cash, cards | Buy 2 hours before evening shows; very budget-friendly |
Ticket prices really depend on what show you're seeing, how popular it is, and where you want to sit. The theater has different levels: stalls on the ground floor, various box levels, and balcony seats. Boxes are more private but usually you have to buy the whole box, not just one seat.
Saving Money on Tickets
There are some great ways to spend less. Students get 50% off tickets for center third-floor balcony seats if they show their student ID. Families can save too - kids under 18 get 50% off when you buy two full-price adult tickets for stalls or box seats.
We love the standing room tickets. You can buy them two hours before evening shows and one hour before afternoon shows. They're super cheap and you still get the full opera experience. The view might not be perfect, but the sound is still great.
Picking the Best Seats
Where you sit depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. We always recommend center orchestra seats, especially the first 20 rows, if you can afford them. First-floor center boxes and the Royal Box give you great views and make you feel pretty special.
Here's the thing about this place - the acoustics are so good that you'll hear everything clearly no matter where you sit. We've been in cheap seats and expensive ones, and both were great. Third-floor balcony boxes are a good middle ground. You get good sound and decent views without spending a fortune.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
If you can't make it to a show or just want to see more of the building, the OperaTour is perfect. These tours last about an hour and show you all the most beautiful parts.
English tours happen every day, usually at 13:30, 15:00, and 16:30. They also have tours in Italian, French, Spanish, German, Greek, and Hungarian sometimes. You can arrange private tours in different languages if you ask ahead of time.
The tour takes you through grand foyers, the amazing main staircase, and usually the main theater. Sometimes they can't show you the theater because of rehearsals, but they'll take you to other cool areas instead. The best part is a mini-concert by Opera singers, often right on the main staircase where the acoustics are incredible.
Tours cost about 10,500 HUF for English tours and 5,800 HUF for Hungarian tours. Kids under 3 are free. We recommend booking online because you can do it up to a week ahead. If you want a private tour or have questions, email tour@opera.hu or call +36 30 781 2630.
Getting There and Practical Stuff
How to Get There
The Opera House sits right at Andrássy út 22, so it's really easy to reach. We always take the M1 Yellow Line metro - the "Opera" station is literally right in front of the building. You can't miss it.
Several buses stop nearby: routes 105, 210, and 210B stop at "Opera M." Trolleybus lines 70 and 78 stop at "Andrássy út (Opera M)." If you're taking trams 4 or 6, get off at Oktogon and walk about 7 minutes down Andrássy Avenue. It's a nice walk.
Hours and Services
The Opera House and OperaShop are usually open Monday through Sunday from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. On show days, they stay open until the first intermission. The ticket office opens from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, but remember they only help people going to that day's show for 30 minutes before it starts.
You have to check bigger bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and coats at the cloakroom. It's free if you have a ticket. The OperaShop has souvenirs, recordings, and opera stuff. The Feszty Bar is gorgeous and perfect for drinks during intermission.
What to Wear and How to Act
Officially, they want you to dress up - dark suits for men and evening dresses for women, especially if you have expensive seats. But honestly, we've seen all kinds of outfits, especially tourists and people at afternoon shows. Just wear something nice and elegant. Skip the shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers.
We always get there at least 30 minutes early. This gives you time to check your coat, find your seat, and just soak in the atmosphere. You can take photos in the public areas before the show and during intermission, but absolutely no photos during the performance.
What's Around the Opera House
The Opera House is on Andrássy Avenue, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You're right in the middle of Budapest's cultural area. St. Stephen's Basilica is only 400 meters away. You can go inside and even climb to the dome for amazing city views.
The House of Terror museum is nearby if you want to learn about Hungary's tough 20th-century history. Oktogon intersection has lots of shops and restaurants. The Budapest Operetta Theatre on Nagymező utca (they call it "Budapest's Broadway") has different kinds of shows and is easy to walk to.
There are tons of places to eat around here. Callas Café & Restaurant is literally next door at Andrássy út 20. It's elegant and perfect for dinner before a show. Cafe Brunch Budapest on Hajós utca is more casual for breakfast or lunch. If you want something really special, New York Café is famous but you'll need to travel a bit to get there.
