Hungarian Culture Day is a great opportunity to take stock of the places where historical heritage, contemporary thinking, and tangible knowledge come together. The compilation by Csodásmagyarország.hu includes World Heritage sites, urban cultural institutions, and centers of applied arts that can be visited throughout the year. Most of them are also suitable for children.

World Heritage sites

Tokaj-Hegyalja

The historic wine region of Tokaj-Hegyalja has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, thanks to its unique microclimate and centuries-old tradition of viticulture. Visitors can explore wineries, cellar labyrinths, historic settlements, and educational trails, all in one area.

Tip: Several wineries are open to visitors all year round by appointment, offering tastings of not only aszú but also dry furmint, among others.

Hortobágy

Hungary’s first national park has been a World Heritage Site since 1999, where traditional pastoral culture and nature conservation coexist. The Nine-Hole Bridge, the puszta animal husbandry, and the bird migration can all be visited, even in an organized form.

Tip: It is definitely worth visiting in spring or autumn, as during the crane migration, tens of thousands of birds can be observed on guided tours.

Hollókő

Hollókő is the only Hungarian village that is entirely protected as a World Heritage Site, as a living example of Palóc folk architecture. The village is still inhabited today, with some of the houses serving as museums and others as guesthouses. The Doll Museum is a must-see for girls, while Hollókő Castle is an unmissable destination for castle lovers.

Tip: The village is much quieter on weekdays, when several houses can be visited in person with the help of local residents.

Urban culture and contemporary institutions

House of Hungarian Music

Opened in 2022, this institution was designed by Sou Fujimoto and presents the history of Hungarian and universal music through interactive exhibitions. Its concert halls host classical, jazz, and pop music programs throughout the year.

Tip: The outdoor sound installations and the passageways under the roof can be visited without an admission ticket and are also popular with children.

Ethnographic Museum

The new building opened in 2022 in the City Park and houses more than 250,000 objects from its Hungarian and international ethnographic collection. Its permanent exhibition presents the material heritage of peasant and urban culture from a modern perspective. It’s exciting to get lost in the details.

Tip: The roof garden and visitor center are free to visit. Among other things, you can see a model of the entire City Park and take an interactive photo with the statue of Archangel Gabriel (which is actually located in Heroes’ Square), currently undergoing restoration.

Ervin Szabó Library

The central library in the Wenckheim Palace is one of Budapest’s most visited cultural spaces. The historic reading rooms are open to the public, in addition to their library function.

Tip: With a day ticket, you can sit down to read or work even if you are not a library member.

Craftsmanship and applied arts

Herend Porcelain Manufactory

The Herend Porcelain Manufactory has been in operation since 1826, and its products are still handmade today. Visitors can follow the entire process of porcelain making on a factory tour.

Tip: Smaller, second-class pieces are often available at lower prices in the factory shop.

Hollóháza Porcelain Museum

Hollóháza is home to Hungary’s oldest porcelain factory, which has been in operation since the 18th century. The museum displays both classic and contemporary Hollóháza porcelain.

Tip: The visit can be easily combined with a trip to Zemplén, as there are several hiking trails in the immediate vicinity of the town.

Zsolnay Quarter

The Zsolnay Quarter in Pécs was created on the site of a former porcelain factory and now houses museums, exhibition spaces, and university institutions.

Visitors can learn about the industrial heritage of the Zsolnay family and the contemporary cultural life of Pécs at the same time.

Tip: It is worth seeing the eosin-glazed building decorations in natural light, as the colors change dramatically depending on the time of day.