Itinerary
Join our exclusive 5-hour driving tour to discover Budapest’s exquisite Secession architecture. We take you directly to the most interesting buildings—the stunning exteriors and rarely-seen interiors that are usually off the beaten track. Accompanied by our licensed, expert guide, these architectural jewels are more than just well worth the visit; they are an unforgettable deep dive into Hungary’s golden age of design.
Our guide will show you the most fashionable boulevard of fin-de-siecle Budapest, the Andrassy Avenue. Along the way you can admire homes of aristocratic families and visit also the splendid villa of an industrial tycoon from the end of the 19th Century. We will visit interior of this Art Nouveau villa with interesting stained-glass windows, beautiful ceramics and nice wood carvings.
From this elegant residential district of the rich and famous we drive on where such distinguished people earned their wealth, the old financial center of Budapest. Among great many other Art Nouveau apartment buildings there is a hiding a private interior with an exhibition on a first floor filled with exquisite furniture, pottery and paintings. Graceful lines and refined taste characterizing these wonders of local craftsmanship and downstairs we may stop to have some snacks or local pastries in its cosy cafe.
Having had some refreshment we are on the way to a real Art Nouveau temple of the Hungarian music. Lushly decorated with mosaics and carvings, Music Academy, the institute named by the piano virtuoso Franz Liszt is perhaps the best preserved concert hall and school of Art Nouveau style in Budapest.
It is a temple of music, arts and Art Nouveau mythology. The perfectly preserved concert hall and school is a treasure box of Hungarian architecture and has been the birth place of talents ever since it opened its gates in 1907. Lushly decorated with mosaics and carvings, the institute named by the piano virtuoso Franz Liszt is perhaps the best preserved concert hall and school of Art Nouveau style in Budapest. In this building your group will join the general tour because private guides are not allowed to go alone.
Miksa Roth Memorial House was the home of a Jewish artist from Budapest who rivalled Tiffany and Co. before Second World War. Reinventing stained glass windows, lamps and mosaics as part of modern architecture, Miksa Roth left a lasting imprint on the face of the Hungarian metropolis.
The Art Nouveau style building is decorated with frescoes, Zsolnay ceramics, and several statues (among them that of Béla Bartók and Frédéric Chopin). Originally the building also had stained glass windows, made by Miksa Róth. We may visit the architectural highlights of the building joining the general visit (because private guides are not allowed to go alone).
If there is some time left, during the morning you will also visit an amazing Calvinist church with glass windows from Miksa Róth. Its special dome, which is 14 meters in diameter, give the monumental shrine a unique appearance.
The buildings included in this private tour are far from each other and difficult to reach by public transport, that’s why we run this private tour entirely by car/minibus/bus, but if you want the private tour can also be done by taxi.
Depending on the day and time of your tour, we will aim to visit some or all of the following buildings: Róth Miksa Stained Glass Museum, the Schiffer Villa, and Ráth György Villa.
This is the ultimate tour for an art nouveau lover traveling to Budapest.
Tailored to your interests
If you have specific requirements—such as mobility needs, traveling with children, or other special considerations—just let us know. We strive to grant you access to local treasures and experiences you might not discover on your own.
We will remain flexible on the day of the tour, adjusting the schedule and itinerary to suit your group’s pace and interests. Whether walking or choosing other activities, we’ll ensure the day unfolds comfortably and enjoyably, regardless of weather or circumstances.
Please note that tours of the Music Academy are available only on select days of the week, primarily Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, though availability can be unpredictable. Similarly, visits to the Geological Institute are only possible on Wednesdays, and the tour is conducted in Hungarian with a focus on geology.
Our passionate local expert guide will craft a personalized and captivating experience, tailoring storytelling and the itinerary to your group’s unique interests. Once your private tour is booked, we’ll gather details about your preferences to ensure a memorable and engaging adventure in Budapest.
You will spend most of the time inside the interiors of very interesting buildings, real art nouveau hidden gems, places not easy to visit if you go on your own. Your private guide flexibility will let you spend as much time as you wish in any of the houses and museums and at the same time have some sights of the city of Budapest.
Every day of the week and time of the day the route may change because of timetables of the places to be visited, so use the following itinerary as an approximation of what you will discover.
A visit to the Museum of Applied Arts is not in the itinerary because it is a bit far and cannot be visit in its interior – is still closed for restoration in September 2017 (a renovation that will last for five years! CLICK HERE), but will be included in the itinerary in the near future. Bedő House closed and will not reopen.
Doing the private tour by car, you can enjoy the views of The Buda Castle District and Its Surroundings.
Where the private tour Begins and Ends
Your private tour begins where it’s most convenient for you, whether in the city center, at your accommodation, or in front of the Opera House on Andrássy Avenue. Our driver-guide will meet your group in a modern car or minivan at the agreed location. The tour concludes at a location of your choice, ensuring a smooth and personalized experience.
For cruise passengers, we offer seamless pick-up and drop-off at your ship’s terminal. Simply share your cruise line, ship name, and pier number, and we’ll handle the rest.
Exclusions
Entrance fees to the museums or houses that may be visited during the tour. Food and drinks.
Additional Information
Guest preferences, changes in opening hours for specific buildings, ongoing renovations will allow us to include additional sites in your tour, such as the Ráth György Villa, the Music Academy, the Geological Institute, the Schiffer Villa, the Róth Miksa Stained Glass Museum, and other noteworthy locations.
Our expert local guides are deeply knowledgeable about the city and its history, and provide fascinating insights into cultural and historical contexts. We encourage early bookings to secure the guide best suited to your interests.
While our private Art Nouveau tours have been a cornerstone of our offerings for over a decade, we have expanded based on guest interest. Today, we also provide general city tours, arts and culture experiences, Jewish Budapest tours, and our classical Great Plains one-day private tour, which showcases charming villages with hidden Art Nouveau gems.
To further enhance your visit, we offer chauffeur services, hotel recommendations, and airport pickups. Unique services, such as organizing business lunches, locating filming sites, and home-hunting assistance, are also available on request.
Our top pick for a stay in Budapest is the stunning Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. While we don’t offer exclusive booking rates, we’d love for you to mention to their team that you discovered them through our site. It’s a fantastic way to help them learn more about our niche project and the community of art and architecture lovers we’re building.
Art Nouveau – Secession Style
