State Opera House
The Hungarian State Opera House is the country's most well-known and largest opera house. It is also commonly referred to as the Budapest Operetta. Your Budapest sightseeing bus will drop you off at the Opera House stop on the green line, which is located on the imposing Andrássy Avenue.
This magnificent example of neo-Renaissance architecture was formerly referred to as the Royal Opera House of Budapest when it was constructed in the year 1884. This is culture at its most elevated level, as seen by the opulently adorned interior, pretentious style, and consistently lavish mood, all of which spell out the same thing. Its enormous auditorium has seating for more than 1200 people, and it is there that everybody and everyone can watch the most recent concerts and operettas.
You will have the ability, as part of your hop on hop off trip, to investigate the neighborhood surrounding the Operetta House. Even when viewed from the street, the Opera House displays a level of architectural brilliance that befits its location on the equally prestigious Andrássy Avenue. During its lengthy existence, the opera theater, which was designed by the renowned architect Miklós Ybl, played host to a number of different heads of state. It has endured the upheavals of history, and as a result, it is frequently referred to as the most magnificent opera theater in the world!
However, if you are merely interested in the history of the structure, guided tours are also available if you would prefer not to attend any of the performances that are regularly scheduled at the opera house. The price of a ticket for a concert typically starts around 30 Euros, but you should be prepared because the most popular features demand extensive advance preparation. Regarding the guided tours, they are accessible each and every day beginning at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and they provide tours in the following languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French! The Hungarian State Opera House has a long and illustrious history, which may be learned about on a tour that costs approximately 10 Euros or 2900 HUF.
The State Opera House is also a Hop On Hop Off bus stop (7th stop), so you can hop off to look around and then hop back on to the sightseeing buses.
FAQ
Performance prices typically range from 6,000 HUF to 35,900 HUF. For high-profile 2026 events, such as Verdi’s Macbeth featuring Anna Netrebko in June 2026, tickets are in high demand with advance sales starting in February 2026. It is highly recommended to book 2–3 weeks in advance for popular shows like The Nutcracker or Aida.
Daily 60-minute guided tours in English are held at 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. The 2026 price for an English tour is 10,500 HUF (approx. €26), while Hungarian tours cost 5,800 HUF. Most tours now include a short mini-concert featuring soloists at the end of the walk.
While there is no "punitive" official code, the Opera House strongly encourages elegant attire. For stalls and boxes, men typically wear a dark suit and tie, and women wear evening dresses or cocktail attire. Casual wear like sneakers, hoodies, or frayed jeans is discouraged and can result in entry being denied for premium seats.
The historic Ybl Palace underwent a 5-year modernization that concluded recently. Key updates included a reduction in seating from 1,200 to 1,000 to improve comfort and visibility, the installation of a state-of-the-art silent stage engineering system, and a complete restoration of the Neo-Renaissance frescoes and the massive chandelier.
Yes, the State Opera House is a designated Stop 7 on the official Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing route. It is perfectly positioned on Andrássy Avenue for visitors to hop off, take a tour, and continue their journey.
Yes, a 50% student discount is available for Level 3 center seats at the Opera House and for performances at the Eiffel Art Studios. Group tours are typically limited to a maximum of 30 people to ensure acoustic quality.
Where is it located?
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