Main attractions in Kossuth Square

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Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament dominates Kossuth Square with its Neo-Gothic design and towering dome. The building contains the Holy Crown of Hungary, a grand staircase lined with a red carpet and gilded columns, stained-glass windows, and chambers decorated with statues and carved oak furnishings.

Lajos Kossuth Statue

This large bronze memorial honors Lajos Kossuth, leader of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution. The monument features Kossuth mid-speech, flanked by eight life-sized figures representing political allies. The limestone base includes symbolic carvings that reflect Hungary’s fight for independence and democratic values.

Museum of Ethnography

The Museum of Ethnography stands in a modern, curved building next to the square. It displays traditional Hungarian clothing, agricultural tools, religious artifacts, and handmade crafts. A digital wall provides interactive stories, and the rooftop walkway offers wide views of central Budapest.

Attila József Memorial

The memorial shows the poet Attila József seated on a granite step, facing the Danube with a thoughtful expression.A granite wall nearby displays lines from his poem By the Danube, tying the artwork to the landscape and his legacy.

1956 Uprising Memorial

This memorial lies beneath a glass panel in the square. The underground space contains a preserved bullet-riddled wall, photographs, and a chronological timeline of the revolution. Above ground, a Hungarian flag with a hole stands beside a stone slab engraved with the names of victims.

Plan your visit to Kossuth Square

Opening hours

Kossuth Square is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are no fences or restricted areas, so you can visit anytime, day or night—completely free of charge.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Kossuth Square is between 7am and 9am or after 5pm, when lighting is best for photos and the area is less crowded. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) offer pleasant weather and clearer views of the Parliament without the heavy tourist rush.

The Parliament is dramatically lit after dark—grab a coffee at a nearby café (like Café Gerbeaud) and return for night photos.

Time it right: Catch the ceremonial changing of the guard in front of the Parliament daily at noon. It’s less crowded than similar ceremonies in other European cities but just as impressive.

Location

Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér, 1055 Hungary

Find on maps

Kossuth Square sits on Budapest’s Pest side, right by the Danube, in front of the Hungarian Parliament’s grand riverside facade.

Nearest landmark: Chain Bridge, located about 900 meters away (roughly a 10-minute walk) along the Danube.

Visitor information

Getting There: Kossuth Square is easily reached by Metro Line 2, with the Kossuth Lajos tér station opening directly onto the plaza. Trams 2, 23, and several buses also stop within walking distance.
Accessibility: The square is fully wheelchair accessible, with smooth paths, ramps, and elevators near metro exits. Benches and shaded areas offer rest spots, making it comfortable for visitors of all ages.
Security and Rules: Uniformed guards patrol the area, especially near the Parliament. Photography is allowed, but drones, large protests, or entering restricted zones without a permit are not.
Nearby Facilities: Public restrooms are located near the Parliament Visitor Centre, just off the square. Cafés, ATMs, and souvenir shops are on nearby streets like Alkotmany utca and Falk Miksa utca.

Cultural significance of Kossuth Square

Kossuth Square is a central civic space tied closely to Hungary’s political and historical identity. It has been the site of state ceremonies, protests, and national commemorations, including key moments during the 1956 revolution. The square reflects Hungary’s democratic values through its statues, memorials, and direct link to the Parliament. It regularly appears in Hungarian news coverage and political documentaries, and was featured in Cold War, the Oscar-nominated film by Paweł Pawlikowski.

The design and use of the square mirror its function as a space where government and public life visibly intersect. Its layout and symbolism make it comparable to other high-profile political spaces like Berlin’s Platz der Republik or Paris’s Place de la Concorde.

History of Hungarian Parliament