Experience the beautiful city of Budapest with Institute for Culture Travel (IFC). IFC holidays offer you the chance to see magnificant Budapest as well as enjoying opera and ballet performances in the sumptuous Hungarian State Opera House, the Erkel Theatre and MUPA (The Palace of the Arts).
Budapest is located in northern Hungary on both banks of the Danube River. Budapest is the country’s cultural and industrial centre. Three towns — Pest, Buda, and Óbuda—combined in 1873 to form the capital of newly autonomous Hungary. Hungarians use the nickname “Pest” to refer to the city. The grand monuments that distinguish Buda are concentrated on Castle Hill, in central Buda, and on Gellért Hill, to the south. The Royal Palace atop Castle Hill, restored as a museum complex after World War II (1939-1945), still has fortifications that date to the 13th century, Over the centuries a series of palaces were built and destroyed on the site. The much-admired neo-Gothic Matthias Church, also on Castle Hill, was constructed at the end of the 19th century, based on a much simpler original dating to the 15th century. The Citadel was built on top of Gellért Hill in 1851 by the Austrians, who then ruled Hungary, but it was never used for military purposes.
Budapest has a great tradition in hosting special events and prestigious festivals: each of the four seasons has its own festival in Budapest. The Hungarian capital is also the centre of the country's theatrical and music life. Two amphitheatres are the earliest reminders of an acting tradition. The first theatre of Pest opened in 1719. The first official theatre ensemble made its appearance in the Castle Theatre in 1790. Today there are over 40 theatres in Budapest. The State Opera House, the Parliament building, Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, the Academy of Music and the Synagogue offer an exclusive location and remarkable atmosphere for classical music concerts.
Budapest is an enchanting city with beautiful palaces and castles. Look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. Visit the Castle District and enjoy the amazing views from the Fisherman’s Bastion over the exquisite Parliament building, one of the largest in Europe. During your free time, perhaps take time to spend the afternoon at the popular pedestrian shopping street of Váci utca where the city’s fine museums and monuments, churches and synagogues, historic squares and buildings are within easy reach or enjoy a relaxing visit to one of Budapest's famous thermal baths, literally an institution in Budapest!
We offer the option of independent travel or the option of travelling on one of our guided group tours, with departures from Ireland.
Budapest Opera, Ballet and Music | Group Travel
We offer a selection of group tours to Budapest throughout the year. From Andre Rieu to opera and music holidays. Travel on one of our group tours with like-minded people and enjoy all that Budapest has to offer.
Budapest Opera, Ballet and Music for Individuals
For those interested in travelling independently to Budapest, we will tailor-make your opera or music holiday based on your requested travel dates and requirements including flights, accomnmodation, transfers and performace tickets. Please contact us on 01 888 7840 or email [email protected] to request a tailor-made Budapest Holiday.
Performance Venues
Hungarian State Opera House
Budapest is proud of possessing one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The opening performance of the Opera House was held in the neo-Renaissance building, the jewel of the avenue, in 1884 after nine years of construction. The staircase and the auditorium of the palace, designed by one of the best architects of those days Miklós Ybl, are decorated with frescos of eminent Hungarian painters such as Bertalan Székely, Mór Thán and Károly Lotz. The first director was Ferenc Erkel, Gustav Mahler held this post for several years. Puccini directed the premiere of two of his operas here.
Erkel Theatre
The Erkel Theatre has been the Hungarian State Opera’s second performance venue since 1951. It is currently the country’s largest auditorium and seats up to 1819 people.
MUPA (The Palace of the Arts)
The Palace of Arts is located within the Millennium Quarter and is home to the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, the Ludwig Museum and the Festival Theatre. Each yeag the Budapest Wagner Festival is held here. The Palace of the Arts offers outstanding acoustics and is one of the premier concert halls in Europe.
