House of Terror Museum (Terror Háza Múzeum)

The Basics

The four floors of exhibits at the House of Terror Museum offer an exhaustive review of the worst parts of Hungary's 20th century political history. Exhibitions cover everything from the history of the Nazi-aligned Arrow Cross Party to stories about gulag prisoners and resistance fighters. Keep an eye out for macabre artifacts, like a preserved torture chamber, period propaganda, and a T-54 tank.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The museum may not be appropriate for young visitors.

• Plan ahead if you’d like to book an English-language guided tour (they must be arranged in advance of your visit); you can also opt to rent a multilingual audio guide.

• Entry to the museum is sometimes free for citizens of the European Economic Area; check the calendar for dates.

• Though the gallery text is in Hungarian, there are English-language materials in each room.

How to Get There

The House of Terror Museum is located in the heart of Budapest, on bustling Andrassy Avenue (Andrássy Út). The most convenient way to visit the museum is by public transit: Take the M1 metro line to Vörösmarty, or the 4 or 6 tram Oktogon. The museum is a quick walk from either stop.

When to Get There

The museum is open from Tuesday–Sunday, from late morning until early evening. The museum is closed for maintenance in early January and may be closed during national holidays, religious holidays, and New Years celebrations.

How to See Budapest with Limited Time

Since the Terror Museum is centrally-located in the heart of the city, it's easy to pair a museum visit with a sightseeing tour of other parts of central Budapest. Join a bicycle, scooter, or Segway tour to move quickly between sights. Both half- and full-day tours include stops at the city’s most popular sights, such as Heroes' Square, the Hungarian State Opera House, and the parliament building.