Budapest is a city I love but one that I didn’t get to spend enough time in. The atmosphere is popping with creativity and there’s a contemporary art gallery around every corner. I’d love to go back and explore more of the art scene there but, for now, I’ve curated a list of the best galleries in the city for you. If you think of any more, let me know and I’ll sneak them on the end! Click here for art guides to other cities.
Koller Gallery
As the oldest private gallery in Hungary, the Koller Gallery has a vast legacy behind it. With a special focus on contemporary art from Hungarian artists, the gallery is a haven for discovering new talents and soaking up the creative dynamics of the city. Plus, it’s set in the former home of Amerigo Tot, a Hungarian-Italian sculpture, so the building is interesting in itself.
Opening times: Every day 10am-6pm
Koller Gallery from Wikimedia Commons
Kogart Gallery
Like the Koller Gallery, the Kogart Gallery places a heavy emphasis on Hungarian artists. In particular, young contemporary artists looking to find their way in the creative world.
Opening times: Every day 10am-6pm
Prices: Adult – HUF 1500, Student & OAP – HUF 750, under 6’s – free
Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art
Situated within the Palace of Arts, the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art offers a space for local artists, as well as international contemporary creatives. Throughout the year, the gallery runs temporary exhibitions centering on different, important issues and trends.
Opening times: Tue-Sun 10am-8pm
Prices: Adult – HUF 8000, Students & OAPs – HUF 4000
Ludwig Museum from Wikimedia Commons
X6 Gallery
Celebrating photography and original prints, the X6 Gallery showcases the work of world-famous photographers, as well as newer, contemporary creatives. It is the first Lumas partner gallery in Hungary, and is the perfect attraction for photography enthusiasts.
Opening times: Every day 10am-6pm
Capa Center
Another photography-based gallery, the Capa Center was founded by Robert Capa, who aims to promote photography as an art genre all of its own. Throughout the year you can expect to see a number of local exhibitions, as well as bigger, international displays of some of the best photography in the world.
Opening times: Every day 11am-7pm
Prices: Adult – HUF 1500, Student & OAP – HUF 800
Imre Varga Collection
The Imre Varga Collection is dedicated to the art of its namesake – Imre Varga, a contemporary Hungarian sculptor who reveled in the limelight of the 70s. Once you’re familiar with Varga’s work, you’ll no doubt see it popping up all over the city –the Holocaust Memorial and the Raoul Wallenberg Monument, for example.
Opening times: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Mon – Closed
Prices: Adult – HUF 500
Image Source: Flickr
VAM Design Center
If you’re a fan of interior design and architecture, then the VAM Design Center is the place to go. With exhibitions showcasing contemporary art and creative designs, as well as quirky furniture samples and snippets from famous architectural movements, this is the perfect hub for design and interior inspiration.
Opening times: Every day 10am-6pm
Chimera-Project Gallery
The Chimera-Project Gallery runs on a thematic exhibition calendar, whereby each show tackles a different subject with works by both local contemporary artists and international creatives.
Opening times: Tue-Sat 3pm-6pm (or on appointment)
Kieselbach Gallery
Kieselbach Gallery’s owner, Tamás Kieselbach, uses the space to showcase his artistic preferences with a particular focus on Hungarian art. As well as being a gallery, the space is also used as an auction house.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-1pm
Image source: Flickr
Trafo Gallery
The Trafo Gallery is used as a multifunctional arts center with a heavy focus on contemporary art and current trends within the creative world. Here, you can view works by local artists as well as international artists that touch on important current themes and ideas.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 2pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 5pm-8pm
Godot Gallery
The Godot Gallery centres predominantly around graphic work and painting with the contemporary art world. Throughout the year, the gallery puts on thematic exhibitions showcasing work by young emerging artists and internationally praised creatives.
Opening times: Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-1pm
Kisterem Gallery
Although the Kisterem Gallery features all different kinds of contemporary art by a range of local and international artists, it is especially interested in the Hungarian avant-garde underground art scene and is well-known around the world for showcasing the work of young talent within this area.
Opening times: Tue-Fri 2pm-6pm
Telep
The Telep Gallery, an homage to the local underground culture, sprawls out across three arty floors, each of which offer visitors a different experience. Take the cellar, for example, which is home to a maze of studios, or the top floor where you can see the current exhibitions. In the middle, there’s a café for relaxing in. Throughout the year, Telep holds a range of interesting events and shows, from film screenings and traditional exhibitions to live concerts and interactive workshops.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 12pm-12am, Sat 4pm-12am
Image source: Flickr
Virag Judit Gallery
The Virag Judit Gallery also doubles up as an auction house with an emphasis on 19th and 20th Century Hungarian paintings, as well as the intricate and interesting Zsolnay ceramics, of which the gallery owns one of the most important collections in the world.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-1pm
Molnar Ani Gallery
Specialising in the work of young, talented artists, the Molnar Ani Gallery runs thematic exhibitions throughout the year to showcase their work, as well as the work of better-known international contemporary artists.
Opening times: Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm
Varfok Gallery
The Varfok Gallery is another space that specialises in contemporary Hungarian art and regularly showcases the work of young, local talent in group exhibitions, as well as the work of contemporary artists from outside of Hungary. Interestingly, the pieces on display here form the second generation of Hungarian neo-avantgarde, presenting new themes, trends, and ideas within this segment of the art world.
Opening times: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm
Have you been to Budapest? What was your favourite gallery? Join the conversation below!
Finally… Musement, a site offering museum tickets, art tours, and cultural activities has kindly let Wanderarti readers get €5 off purchases. Just use the code WANDERARTI and you can get discounted offers all over Europe!
