Buda Castle Opening Hours

The outdoor parts of Buda Castle — the Lion Courtyard, the ramparts, the Turul statue, the cobbled lanes of the Castle District — are open day and night, every day, free of charge. The Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum are open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays, with shorter winter hours. See our best time to visit page for quieter slots and the visitors guide for what to do once you arrive.

Outdoor Castle District & Courtyards

Every day, all year

Open 24 hours — free, no ticket

Hungarian National Gallery

Tuesday – Sunday (summer Apr–Oct)	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday – Sunday (winter Nov–Mar)	10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monday	Closed all day

Budapest History Museum

Tuesday – Sunday (summer)	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday – Sunday (winter)	10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monday	Closed all day

Last Admission

Summer (Apr–Oct)	5:00 PM
Winter (Nov–Mar)	3:00 PM

Castle Hill Funicular

Every day	8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Maintenance Mondays (odd weeks)	Closed
1 January 2026	Opens at 2:30 PM

Annual Closures

Every Monday	Museums closed (courtyards open)
24–26 December	Museums closed
1 January	Museums closed

Important: Winter hours run from November to March and end at 16:00. The funicular closes roughly every other Monday for scheduled maintenance — 2026 dates include 12 & 26 January, 9 & 23 February, 9 & 23 March, 7 April, 20–24 April, and similar fortnightly closures across the year. Plan around them, or use bus 16 instead.

Opening Hours FAQ

Hours, holidays, and last admission

Is Buda Castle open on Mondays?

The museums are closed every Monday — both the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The outdoor courtyards, the Turul statue and the rampart walks are open as usual, free, and the cafés on Tárnok utca and Úri utca are also open. If you're visiting only for the views, Monday is actually one of the quieter days.

What time is the last admission?

Last admission to the museums is one hour before closing — 17:00 in summer (Apr–Oct) and 15:00 in winter (Nov–Mar). St Stephen's Hall tours have specific timed slots; the last one runs about 90 minutes before closing.

When do winter hours start and end?

Winter hours run from 1 November to 31 March — museums close at 16:00 instead of 18:00. Worth knowing in November and February when daylight ends early and the closing time can sneak up on you.

Does the funicular run every day?

Almost — 8:00 to 22:00 daily, with scheduled maintenance every other Monday. Check the 2026 maintenance calendar on our visitors guide if your visit falls on a Monday in odd weeks.

What about Christmas and New Year's Day?

Museums close on 24, 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. The outdoor Castle District remains accessible and is genuinely magical with Christmas lights and very few tourists. Open with standard hours on 27 December and from 2 January.

Can I visit the gift shop without a museum ticket?

Yes — the museum shops in the central lobby of the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum are accessible without a ticket. Same hours as the galleries.

How long can I stay inside once I've entered?

As long as you like, up to closing time. The timed slot governs entry only, not how long you can stay. St Stephen's Hall is the only exception — the guided tour is fixed at about 30 minutes.