Like in the movies.

HUNGARY. It literally is in the movies.

Our Story

Hungary's stunning natural environment, built heritage and thousand-year history make it a real bucket list destination. However, these unique features have always attracted not only world travellers, but also film professionals since the dawn of film production. The magnificent natural landscapes, the exciting synthesis of Art Nouveau and modern architecture and

the traditions of movie production together make our capital, Budapest THE MOST POPULAR LOCATION IN INTERNATIONAL FILM PRODUCTION OF CONTINENTAL EUROPE. Here we give the reader a picture of the 120-year history of Hungarian film art, the well-renowned industry professionals, the world-class infrastructure, the most popular filming locations and the services that make Hungary unique.

120 Years of Hungarian Cinema

120 years of hungarian cinema

Hungary as an international filming location

Film, one of the youngest branches of art, was born at an age that offered Hungary one of the greatest opportunities for development in centuries.

The political reconciliation with Austria in 1867 gave a huge boost to the economy and the arts, including the spread and development of the newest form of entertainment: film. Half a year after the first screening in Paris, films were being shown in Budapest, with the Hungar ian premiere of the new technology held in April 1896. The birth of Hungarian film was in 1901,when dance recordings were made as an illustration of a performance. By the time the First World War broke out, dozens of short and long films had been made, and by that time the number of film studios was already significant. The first films were made by journalists and photographers, the best known of whom were perhaps Sir Alexander Korda, Michael Curtiz, Lajos Bíró, and Ferenc Molnár, who later took an active part in world film production.

The aftermath of the First World War resulted in a massive economic and artistic depres sion that led to an exodus of our filmmakers. Besides Europe, America attracted the most Hungarian talent, and since then, Hungarian names have regularly appeared in the head lines of foreign films. The Second World War was followed by an era in which communist propaganda feature films became increasingly eclipsed by valuable creative film.

Picture from the first directed Hungarian movie, The Dance, 1901 ⓒ National Széchenyi Library

�Zoltán Fábri, who started making films in the late fifties, created the Hungarian art film with his films Merry-Go-Round (Hun garian: Körhinta), Édes Anna, and Professor Hannibal (Hannibál tanár úr), the traditions of which were passed on by Miklós Jancsó creator of The Round-Up (Szegénylegények, literally “Poor Young Men”) and Winter Wind (Sirokkó) and the new generation, who drew from the French new wave.

Working in parallel with Jancsó were filmmakers using traditional dramaturgy: András Kovács, Péter Bacsó, and Hungary’s first Oscar-winning director, István Szabó. Walls (Falak), The Witness (A tanú), and Mephisto are social critiques from specific per spectives and tone, all of which are important milestones in the history of Hungarian film.

Since the regime change of 1989-90, Hungarian film has been about finding its path, the desire to create, and the accurate representa tion of Hungary’s history, which re-experienced the taste of freedom in this era. The creators who are still active today have found their own voices primarily through arthouse movies, some of which have been so successful that they have made their direc tors’ names popular beyond our borders.

Klaus Maria Brandauer & István Szabó on the set of Mephisto, 1980 ⓒ B. Müller Magda / NFI – Film Archive

Filming in Hungary

A retrospective

During the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1867-1918), the German language played a prominent role in the life of the country, so German crews often made their films in Hungary.

Moreover, during the First World War, a separate Hungarian-Austrian Film Company operated in Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania. In the 1920s, thanks to the large-scale technical develop - ments of the Hunnia Film Studio, several German films were shot in Hungary, but the international popularity of the Hungarian film industry reached its peak in the early 1930s. Dozens of films were made in Budapest at the time, which, in addition to Hungarian, were made simultaneously in French, German, and Romanian.

In 1941, with the help of Hungary, the first Bulgarian sound film was made in a studio in Budapest, and cooperation between nations did not stop during the years of communism either. After the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, co-production activity revived, so in the coming decades several films were made with the participation of French, Romanian, Czechoslovakian, West German, and American partners. Purely foreign productions working in Hungarian studios and external venues appeared in Hungary in the 1980s, before the change of regime.

The number of such contract works jumped significantly in the 1990s, and the Hungarian film industry consciously set about serving a full

range of foreign productions, making Budapest one of the most popular foreign venues for the world's major film producers.

Evita, which was partly shot here, Victory (Menekülés a győzelembe), Die Hard 5 and Red Heat (Vörös zsaru) show that in addition to low costs, Budapest’s architecture is also attractive to foreign crews. Its well-preserved buildings from different ages are suitable for portraying any European city

The Alienist, 2018 ⓒ Kata Vermes/Netflix

Versatile Shooting Locations in Hungary

1. FISHERMAN’S BASTION

I Spy, The Borgias, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Maigret

One of the most characteristic sights of the Buda Castle. The luminous white limestone monument, which can be seen from many parts of the city, owes its magical atmosphere to the ornamentation evoking the conquering Hungarians, the elegant staircases, and the view offering a magnificent panorama. The stairs to the Fisherman’s Bastion can often be seen as Paris in movies.

2. VAJDAHUNYAD CASTLE

The Borgias, Spy Who Dumped Me, Gemini Man, The Witcher

A building complex erected in 1896 for the millennium of Hungarian statehood, which merges the details of dozens of structures into a beautiful unit.

The mix of Romanian, Gothic, and Renaissance styles gives the place a uniquely romantic atmosphere, in the middle of the most popular park in Budapest, Városliget. Historic, built magic in urban nature. Originally an exhibition built as an attraction, it is also a perfect historical backlot for filmmakers.

3. ANDRÁSSY AVENUE

Munich, Bel Ami, Houdini, Genius: Picasso

The most spectacular urban road in the country, an excellent match for the boulevards of Paris, Rome, or Vienna. Hundreds of ornate palaces and villas along the avenue give Budapest the status of a metropolis.

Here you will find the Hungarian State Opera House, and the first underground railway in continental Europe operates below its surface. A recurring location for car scenes

4. SOPRON

Crossed Swords, The Borgias, The Crown, Berlin Station

Sopron, located near the Hungarian-Austrian border, boasts an almost untouched old town of medieval origin. The ancient streets and several monuments of the Castle District give a fabulous atmosphere not only to the whole settlement, but also the area full of cultural and natural peculiarities.

The special atmosphere has irresistibly lured filmmakers to the city for decades. We are letting you know now that if you shoot a historical film, Sopron will be a very strong venue option

5. SZÉCHENYI THERMAL BATH

Mata Hari, Evita, The Luzhin Defense, Gemini Man

It is one of the largest and most popular spas in Budapest's world-famous spa culture. Water for its outdoor and indoor pools is supplied by several wells. The dome hall decorated with frescoes and mosaics and the spacious, elegant corridors enhance the beauty of the building. The most spectacular part is perhaps the large outdoor pools. The spa is one of the crew members’ favorite leisure destinations on filming holidays. The motif of bathers playing chess in the outdoor pools has been featured in several films.

6. TATA CASTLE

The Pillars of the Earth, Good, The Borgias, The Witcher

The former royal castle is located in a beautiful natural environment, 65 kilometers from Budapest, on the shores of the Old Lake of Tata. The history of the fortress dates back to the fourteenth century. The monument, which bears a mixture of different ages and styles, is a fascinating example of the harmony of built heritage and nature. Komárom-Esztergom county boasts one of the highest numbers of filming locations in Hungary. Located in the heart of the region, the magical castle is the cinematic center of the area.

7. KELETI RAILWAY STATION

The Luzhin Defense, Einstein and Eddington, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Inferno

Built in the most beautiful era of the railway construction fever, the classic main railway station is the largest one in the country. It is an excellent center of the Hungarian railway infrastructure with its huge central hall, monumental façade, and ornate waiting rooms.

Steam locomotives and contemporary wagons often run into the giant train station from the nearby train museum due to filming. It is a bustling Babel that filmmakers can turn into a huge live railroad studio.

8. LIBERTY SQUARE

Last Run, Fleming, Strike Back, Blade Runner 2049

The irregular oval square is one of the most spectacular parts of Budapest. In addition to its huge trees reminiscent of a park, the space is dominated by grandiose palaces.

The monumental, scenic atmosphere is enhanced by a series of historical sculptures and monuments erected on the square. The elegant neighborhood is one of the favorite venues for American filmmakers.

9. LISZT FERENC AIRPORT TERMINAL 1

Inferno, Atomic Blonde, Spy, Terminator: Dark Fate

Built in the middle of the twentieth century, it was the first airport in the country to meet all needs. The proportionate exterior shape and spectacular interiors of the modernist building stand the test of time to this day. Nowadays, Budapest's international air gate is Terminal 2 of the Liszt Ferenc Airport nearby, but the atmosphere of the renovated, former Terminal 1 building has not lost anything of the unique romance of aviation. We could say that it has been used as a location from the basement to the attic, but the phrase “from the parking lot to the runway” makes more sense. An action filmmakers’ favorite.

10. BÁLNA (WHALE)

The Martian, Berlin Station, Six Underground, Black Widow

Once upon a time, the markets of the capital were supplied with all kinds of goods from the Public Warehouses on the banks of the Danube. After the turn of the millennium, when the Bálna was built, it became one of the new attractions of the city.

Modern parts were added to the former, classic buildings. The building exemplifies not only in its name but also in its form that Budapest is the city of waters. A building with an interesting view and graphic symmetry. Its futuristic forms and spaces are so unique that it has already been featured here as a space center

10+1. CHAIN BRIDGE

I Spy, In Secret, 12 Monkeys, Gemini Man

The bridge is a central element of the Danube panorama and a symbol of Budapest. It is the most photographed structure in the city. It attracts the eye approached from any direction, at all times of the day. The northern step of the Pest bridgehead, which leads to the Danube, is a particularly romantic place.

Chain Bridge ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

Hidden Gems

FACTORIES
From the outside, the clinker brick buildings of the Óbuda Stocking Factory give the impression of a completely deserted area, but these could be the factories of a Hanseatic city or a medieval fortress, just like the brick build- ing of the Globus factory in Kőbánya looks like an old, inaccessible castle. The Csepel Works, on the other hand, is a huge industrial estate with halls, factory chimneys, neon lighting, vast ironworks and a Socialist heritage, but you can also find a classic, fin-de-siècle red-brick building and a sawmill. Moreover, the greatest wonder here is the futuristic industrial water-treatment plant, which might even be in Chernobyl. The thick striped, domed towers of the Óbuda Gas Factory also feel out of a fairy-tale world.

HOUSING ESTATES, COMMUNITIES
A Socialist or fin-de-siècle atmosphere is superbly rendered by various estates. The Százados Road Art Colony is hidden amid

shady trees, its sculptures and easels scattered throughout the Art Nouveau buildings of the garden suburbs. The MÁVAG Colony evokes a closed and abandoned world from a bygone era, the Kerepesi Road housing estate is Socialist-Realism itself, while the Óbuda experimental housing estate is the home of various explorations into form and concrete. The suburban Wekerle estate, with its folksy Art-Nouveau houses, is an example of a cute fairy-tale town.

ABANDONED, DYSTOPIAN SITES
A city that is constantly on the move should not want for sites that are temporarily or permanently abandoned. The Art Nouveau and Modern buildings of the North Pest Hospital are rendered quite mystical by the light filtering through the broken windows, while standing under the glass dome of the main building feels just like a post-war world.

Today, it is pretty creepy to wander between the crumbling walls and empty autopsy tables of the Lipótmezei sanatorium, abandoned for years. In corridors with ceilings five metres high, pipes protrude from the walls and childish graffiti greets any wanderer. One of the most special places in the capital is the frame of the Hungarian Szentföld Church in Hűvösvölgy, whose semi-finished concrete wreath rises strangely above the woodland villas. Originally, the space between the reinforced concrete columns would have been a sacred building uniting copies of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land. Today, it is filled with crumbling walls, ruined furniture and factory machines, a winding staircase and a smell much closer to a post-apocalyptic world than the Holy Land.

Kelenföld Power Plant ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

ADRIA PALACE
The Adria Palace was one of the most magnificent buildings of the turn of the century but is now falling to pieces. This neo-Baroque palace, designed by the star architect of the era, Artúr Meinig, was unveiled in 1902 and operated as a naval building before becoming a ghostly castle on Szabadság Square. The icy atmosphere is interrupted in some places by memories of its old splendour: the main staircase carved in marble, the fresco depicting the goddess of the Adriatic, Venetian mirrors and huge carved wooden doors.

KELENFÖLD POWER PLANT
The masterpiece of Hungarian Art Deco is clearly an industrial complex built in the late 59 1930s, the Kelenföld Power Plant, which is meant to symbolise man’s victory in every detail. Here, space seems endless in every direction, with clean shapes, switches and glass everywhere. Floors of glass squares, spiral staircases, fading lamps, tired green colours and a translucent glass roof make this building iconic, its interior overpoweringly daunting.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STAIRCASES
Budapest is full of hidden treasures, often to be discovered behind closed doors. These in- clude mysterious spiral staircases, such as the one decorated with frescos and an illuminated dome at the Várkert Bazaar, while those at the Gerlóczy Café, 8 Dalszínház Street and 13 Kossuth Lajos Square exude the atmosphere of the apartment buildings of Paris. The spiral staircases of the Ybl Palace display the elegant bourgeois world of the late 19th century.�

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL RUINS

AQUINCUM
You only need to head out to Óbuda to sense the atmosphere of Ancient Rome, as here you may discover a whole part of the city where soldiers and citizens once strolled around the 1st century AD.

MONASTIC REMAINS
Scenes from chivalric novels and romantic horror stories may well have been set in the dawn mist around the remains of Franciscan and Dominican monasteries on Margaret Island. The remnants of a Gothic church façade, a monastery cemetery and a graveyard chapel are attractively obscured amid the foliage of the trees.

GOTHIC
Matthias Church – The Castle District has one of the most famous churches in Budapest, whose construction began in 1015 after Hungary adopted Christianity. It was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 14th century and still provides one of the finest examples, with its stone-traced windows, buttresses, sculptures and reliefs. Beneath the pointed arches are gold leaf and 600 square metres of murals and oak doors, while Zsolnay tiling creates the colourful cavalcade of the roof. Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth were crowned here.

Matthias Church ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

BAROQUE
Buda Castle – The iconic landmark of Budapest cityscape is the huge green domed palace rising on Castle Hill, rebuilt in Baroque style when Buda was recaptured in 1686. Around the interiors, instead of the atmosphere of Versailles, you see examples of Hungarian Socialist-Realism, but every detail of the façade shows the elegance of Baroque.

�TURKISH
One positive aspect of 150 years of Turkish occupation is the Ottoman architecture that has remained here in the city, enriching Budapest’s built heritage. The Király, Rudas, Rác and Veli bej Baths are particularly outstanding, their cupola-domed, coral-coloured pool areas illuminated by shafts of light passing through the skylights. Equally notable is Gül Baba türbe, a Turkish chapel tomb atop a cascading rose garden.

CLASSICIST
In the 19th century, clear and simple floor plans, strict proportions, horizontal layouts, columns and tympanums were the most important architectural features, with several attractive examples to be found in Budapest. The Hungarian National Museum is one of the most beautiful Classicist buildings in the capital, the walls and ceilings of its staircase decorated with frescos by Károly Lotz. The monumental snow-white building of the Ludovika Academy and the Sándor Palace not only preserve the atmosphere of the 1800s on their façade but also within, amid gilded ornamentation and damask-clad walls.

ROMANTICISM
One of the most attractive buildings in Budapest is Unger House, which embodies Romanticism, but also Byzantine, Neo-Gothic and Moorish styles, where the inner courtyard, guarded by stone dragons, is still paved with original wooden block flooring. The most beautiful building along the Danube Promenade on the Pest side is the Pesti Vigadó, alsobuilt in Romanticist style, with its interior of shining marble, sparkling gilded chandeliers and amazing wood-coffered ceiling.

HISTORICIST
The atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city awash with cultural, economic and technological development, is reflected in the Historicist style, providing the most defining image of Budapest. Stretching sublimely along the banks of the Danube, the stone-laced, vaulted, neo-Gothic Parliament is one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital. The symbols of neo-Renaissance are easily found, too. The recently renovated Opera House was first modelled on Italian Renaissance palaces, its frescos, putti, marble

columns, arches and gold ornamentation a favoured setting for balls. On the left bank of the Danube, the colonnades of the Várkert Bazaar and its wonderful rose garden are the epitome of fin-de-siècle ambience, women preferring to stroll with their companions beneath embroidered parasols and hats. The age of the emperors, on the other hand, is best reflected in the gilded ballrooms and salons of the Wenckheim Palace or the Károlyi-Csekonics Palace, with their ceramic stoves and huge Venetian glass mirrors.�

Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

ART NOUVEAU
Turquoise Zsolnay tiling, majolica and stained glass lend the Gellért Baths, built at the foot of Gellért Hill, the atmosphere of a magical water world, while the crenellated façade of the Royal Postal Savings Bank, dotted with motifs of folk art and diligent bees, provides another beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture in the capital. On the other hand, the Kőrössy Villa, resplendent with windows created by stainedglass master Miksa Róth, lush ornamentation, peacocks and allegorical figures, is one of the finest examples of frothier French Art Nouveau. Designed by Ödön Lechner, the grand master of Art Nouveau, the Museum of Applied Arts is another of the capital’s most beautiful buildings,

its ceramic Zsolnay tiles, colourful majolica, florals, tendrils and serpentine patterns offering a special blend of Hindu, Islamic and Hungarian architecture. The elegant Gresham Palace near the Chain Bridge is an ornate example of Central-European Art Nouveau, designed by the finest craftsmen in Hungary, whose handiwork is preserved by countless examples of stained glass, colourful mosaics and imposing wrought iron. With its turquoise domes, eosin-glazed depictions of animals, the Elephant House at Budapest Zoo, bearing the hallmarks of Indian and African art, is another important Art Nouveau building in town, while the Institute for the Blind also combines Far-Eastern influences with Hungarian motifs. Its Nador Hall still preserves its original furniture and decoration, together with the largest stained-glass window in Hungary.

MOORISH NOTES
Art Nouveau loved to use Oriental motifs, and the synagogue architecture of Budapest is full of Moorish notes. Gold, red and blue colours, columns, domes, wooden coffering, laced rose windows and many more details typify the city’s synagogues, which in themselves exude something quite elusive, a mystical atmosphere. The largest synagogue in Europe is the one on Dohány Street which, with its iconic towers, somewhat resembles a medieval Arab fortress. Above the octagonal interior of the Rumbach Sebestyén Street Synagogue is a tall and ornate dome supported by slender iron columns and Alhambra-like capitals. The most closed-off, however, is Kazinczy Street Synagogue which, with its sandy façade and relative unadornment, alludes to a community that lives by strict rules. This austerity is only interrupted by the crenellations reminiscent of the Torah and the azure tone of the interior.

ART DECO
The masterpiece of Hungarian Art Deco is clearly an industrial complex built in the late 1930s, the Kelenföld Power Plant, which is meant to symbolise man’s victory in every detail. Here, space seems endless in every direction, with clean shapes, switches and glass everywhere. Floors of glass squares, spiral staircases, fading lamps, 55 tired green colours and a translucent glass roof make this building iconic, its interior overpoweringly daunting. A dystopian atmosphere of tension, chaos and power can equally be felt at the former ELMŰ transformer house of clinker brick on Markó Street, which is not without a certain geometry, and, alongside, the pink, tower-like apartment building on Honvéd Street. Both are beautiful examples of Art Deco in Budapest.

EARLY MODERN
The Ganz-MÁVAG housing estate on Vajda Péter Street, known as the Colony, was originally built for workers and it still retains this atmosphere. The courtyard complex of streets, prison-like in nature, enclosed as if it were a castle, and the nostalgic feel of a bygone era, have already provided location ideas for countless films. This block of clinker brick was once the epitome of modernity and embodiment of advanced spirituality�

Dunapark ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

BAUHAUS
The finest Hungarian Bauhaus architecture is located in a narrow street in the Pasarét district of Buda. At the Napraforgó Street Estate, new, groundbreaking single-storey villas are lined in a row, all clean and functional, each embodying quality and finesse in their use and choice of materials. Between the wars, the best Hungarian architectural design was used for this estate, and walking down the street is both a breath of fresh air and a journey back in time to the everydaylife of Buda citizens in the 1930s. The legendary, celestial Bauhaus houses on Pozsonyi Road known as Dunapark not only contain impressive staircases but with their pleasant proportions, simple design and elegant use of materials, 56 are examples of modern apartment-building construction. Rounded arches, spiral staircases, marble and glass slats abound. The famous Piston House on Margit Boulevard was also built as a luxury apartment building in the late 1930s,

its special feature being its lift with moving glass cylinders. Budapest’s first open-air lido, the Palatinus on Margaret Island, is also the world’s only lido built in Bauhaus style. This sleek, minimalist, snow-white building, with its subtle alternation of solid and pierced surfaces, curved railings and columns, evokes contemporary luxury.

LATE MODERN, BRUTALIST
Huge concrete monsters, strange shapes, rugged walls and glass fragments, all the hallmarks of Brutalist architecture, can be found all over Budapest. The reinforced concrete OKISZ headquarters in the depths of the Zugló villa district shows the exciting play of Late-Modern architecture with its lively, retracted façade. It also has a working paternoster. The two intertwined parts of the Southern Railway Station are also playful, and the t�inted glass, copper railings, marbled spaces and concrete decorative elements running through this travel palace whisk you straight back to the Socialist era.

The number of concrete constructions in Budapest is also enriched by the Late Modern Buda Arboretum building, which is already crumbling here and there, though the walls overgrown with ivy have a special charm. You only need look at the grey concrete block of the Farkasréti All Saints’ Parish Church for the sharp peaks of this skyscraper to send shivers down your spine.

SOCIALIST-REALIST
The obligatory trend of the fifties is Socialist in content, and the National or Socialist style in form, which strangely mixes the features of Classicist architecture, in arcades, colonnades and tympanums, with popular motifs such as a mother bathing her child, a farmer scything wheat or a worker in a factory. The best examples of this in Budapest are the Kerepesi Road housing estate, the Gubacsi Road housing estate, the main building of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art & Design (MOME), with its thick columns, and the Pannónia Film Studio.

CONTEMPORARY
One of the coolest investments in contemporary architecture, its non plus ultra, are the ten stations of Metro line 4, where you see spiralling coloured mosaics, concrete webbing and striking industrial forms weaving through the huge hall areas. At the Zugliget campus of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art & Design (MOME), they erected super-modern buildings which, with their immaculate whiteness, exposed concrete walls, spacious and bright spaces, seem like high-tech centres for American research laboratories. The dazzling interior of the MÜPA cultural complex is accompanied by a simple and timeless façade,

a bright and airy space, and elegant shapes, while the solid wall of light grey is broken by slender columns and huge glass windows. The Piarist Centre on Március 15 Square is a special building in every way, as it mixes neo-Baroque strength with the layers of the 21st century. Here, a coloured concrete box divided into strips has been placed in the hall, hiding a theatre hall. The House of Hungarian Music in City Park is one of the most outstanding buildings of recent years. Its spaces are overgrown with deciduous trees, its glass walls render it translucent, and its perforated roof is held in place by slender columns.�

Top 10 Productions

HALO (TV SERIES)

2018-2022

Microsoft Studios, 343 Industries, Showtime Networks, Amblin Television

BLADE RUNNER 2049

2015-2017

Columbia Pictures, Alcon Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, Thunderbird Entertainment

TOM CLANCY: JACK RYAN (TV SERIES)

2020-2022

Paramount Television, Amazon Studios

THE CONTONENTAL (TV MINI SERIES)

2020-2022

Lionsgate

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE

2018-2019

Skydance Media, 20th Century Studios, Paramount Pictures

BORDERLANDS

2020-2022

Lionsgate

THE ALIENIST (TV SERIES)

2016-2018

TNT

MOON KNIGHT (TV SERIES)

2020-2022

Marvel Studios

FBI INTERNATIONAL (TV SERIES)

2020-2022

Universal Television, CBS Studios, Wolf Entertainment

DUNE

2018-2021

Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros.

If you are looking for new ways to promote your movie, search no more. Budapest can be a picture-perfect location for film premieres.�

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

A city where you can hold unique red carpet events at a castle, have publicity shoots with the spectacu - lar view of the river Danube in the background, and bring the international spotlight to your project.

Budapest is in the heart of Europe, easy to reach from London or Paris in under two and a half hours, with multiple daily flights to most European capitals.

European premiere of Gemini Man in Budapest ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

�When it comes to venues, instead of crowded multiplex cinemas, Budapest can offer you picturesque classical and movie theatres like the art nouveau Uránia. MÜPA, the Palace of the Arts, is one of the most modern Hungarian cultural institutions, special because it is a venue that is equally suited to several branches of art at the same time.

Budapest is not only famous for amazing architecture, immensely rich cultural life and buzzing gastronomy: movies also play a very important role in the life of the city. Stars tend to love Budapest beyond work and prefer to extend their stay after the wrap as well.

Palace of Arts, Budapest ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

HUNGARY'S PLACE ON THE WORLD FILM MAP

**CSABA KÁEL**
*Government Commissioner for the development of the Hungarian motion picture industry*�

The Hungarian motion picture industry has undergone a spectacular development process in recent decades. Film production has been continuous in Hungary for 120 years, expertise is growing, filmmakers pass on their knowledge and experience from generation to generation, their enthusiasm is relentless, and nothing can stop them.

Since 2016, the amount spent on film production in Hungary has exceeded USD 400 million every year, mostly from the international market. Thanks to the supportive attitude of the government, our excellent producers and the trust of our foreign partners, even the pandemic could not break the upward trend.

In connection with Hungarian motion picture, we usually talk about directors, actors and, at best, cinematographers, while there are about twenty thousand experienced professionals, enthusiastic people working in the field who represent the highest quality. Over the past ten years, the Hungarian film industry has developed enormously; Budapest is currently the most popular filming location in continental Europe.

The most exciting stars and creators work together with Hungarian professionals, they are happy to shoot in Hungary, discover the country's sights and treasures, and build our reputation worldwide.

To maintain Hungary’s leading position, we offer significant tax benefits, are continuously developing local studios in a film-friendly environment with Hungary’s largest state-funded studio expansion at the historical soundstage complex at Fót currently in the works, and place great emphasis on the professional training of the future generation of filmmakers.

EUROPE’S LEADING FILM PRODUCTION HUB

By establishing the necessary conditions and ensuring the smooth running of administration, the team of the National Film Institute will do their best in the various fields to promote film production in Hungary.

The deposit account managed by the NFI is a secure and predictable source of tax benefits; and thanks to the efficient administration and a great working relationship with the National Film Office, we contribute to the conclusion of several grant agreements every year.

Our national Location Office offers filmmakers assistance in managing the use of public spaces and state-owned real estate for filming purposes. We process hundreds of applications each year and, to the best of our ability, help with authorizations for filming, bringing significant revenue to local governments; not to mention making parts of our beautiful built environment world-famous in as many film roles as possible.

�

**ÁKOS PÁL**
*CEO*
*National Film Institute Hungary*�

Our Filmlab is the post-production studio with the longest history in Hungary. It has been providing a full range of post-production services for over 60 years, harmoniously combining traditional film development with digital technology. Thanks to continuous improvements, it provides services with the most modern tools.

The success of the Hungarian film industry is evidenced by the recent shortage of studio capacity, to which we were able to respond with an expansion with the largest state involvement ever, thanks to the support of the government. As a result of the development, the NFI Studios in Fót, which almost all filmmakers have visited since the 1970s, is expanding fivefold and awaits filmmakers from all over the world with the usual expertise and fresh enthusiasm.

The basic goal of our training department is to secure the pipeline of experts in the entire sector. We consult regularly with the players of the film industry to evaluate their needs.

Based on this we support training institutions, organize our own trainings and introduce career orientation initiatives.

European premiere of Gemini Man in Budapest ⓒ Hungarian Tourism Agency

Studios

There is no better proof of the world-class quality of our studios than the fact that they serve real international blockbusters. We are proud that the largest outdoor�filming tank in continental Europe can be found in Fót, and we are happy to announce that further important investments will take place in the near future.

ⓒ NFI Studios

NFI Studios

Recent productions – The Last Kingdom S4, The Witcher S1, Terminator: Dark Fate, The King, Gemini Man

https://nfi.hu/en/nfi-studios

Planned investment: 4 new sound stages (each 2500 sqm / 27,000 sq ft, 2-2 interlockabe) in Fót, altogether 10 000 sqm / 108,000 sq ft, new offices, and storages to open in the end of 2023
Studio complex with 2 sound stages (1000 sqm / 11,000 sq ft, 1600 sqm / 18,000 sq ft)
Diverse, more than 15 000 sqm / 162,000 sq ft backlots
The largest outdoor water tank in continental Europe (4700 m3, L: 46m x W: 39m x D: 6.5m / L: 151ft x W: 128ft x D: 21,3 ft) especially designed for large and deep sets

Two independent set construction and SFX companies on the lot
Over 100,000 wardrobe items and accessories
A large inventory of weapons, specialized weapons for international productions, licensing international weapons, managing export and import transactions
The Budapest studios are 35-minute drive from Liszt Ferenc Airport. Fót Studios can be reached in 30 minutes by car from the Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre.

ⓒ Astra Studios

ASTRA STUDIOS

Recent productions – The Witcher, The Rite, Tyrant, Strike Back, The North Water, Season of the Witch

https://www.astrafilmstudio.com/

Over 8,000 sqm / 87,000 sq ft across 6 stages
The biggest indoor water tank in Hungary: L: 18m x W: 9m x D: 6m / L: 59ft x W: 29.5ft x D: 19.7ft
Development in 2022/2023: 11,000 sqm / 118,400 sq ft studio space across 6 stages and 6,000 sqm / 64,600 sq ft storage
Over 8,900 sqm / 95 000 sq ft of production accommodation, including fully serviced offices and extensive storage space

Over 57,000 sqm / 618,000 sq ft of empty lot for exterior sets
Amenities: from Q2 2022 six independently owned media companies will provide a range of services on the lot
20-25 minutes from downtown Budapest

ⓒ Korda Studios

KORDA STUDIOS

Recent productions – Hellboy 2, The Borgias, World Without End, Marco Polo S2, The Last Kingdom S1-5, Emerald City, The Martian, Inferno, Blade Runner 2049, Gemini man, Romeo and Juliet: Beyond words, Midsommar, Song of Names, Treadstone, Halo

https://kordastudio.hu/

7 state-of-the-art air-conditioned, heated, ventilated, soundproofed sound stages with attached dimmer and local storage rooms including paint storage room and gold rooms, ranging from 1 000 to 6 000 m2, totalling 16500m2
400 m3 water tank with bay windows
2000 m2 of office buildings with direct access to stages and workshops
1000 m2 dressing rooms with private bathrooms, makeup and hair facilities
5500 m2 workshops & storage
Built-in lighting and scenic bridges with rigging points are able to hold 500 kg per intersection point, and 200 kg per section

Silent ventilation and full climate control
Independent and redundant high voltage power network
Redundant fibre optic network (up to 10GB/s) and Wi-Fi
ADR sound facilities
39 seat screening room
15 hectares of secured area with all types of terrain for exterior construction
3 backlots: Medieval backlot 13500m2, Renaissance backlot 14000m2, New York street backlot 8500m2
Full film production services

ⓒ Origo Film Group

ORIGO FILM GROUP

Recent productions – Dune, Blade Runner: 2049, Terminator: Dark Fate, Shadow and Bone, The Alienist, 47 Ronin, Gemini Man, Spy, Barbarians, Hercules, Inferno, Atomic Blonde, A Good Day to Die Hard, Vtorzhenie (Invasion / Attraction 2), Liza, the Fox Fairy, Virtuosos V4+

https://origostudios.com/

9 soundstages, green stage, TV and multimedia stage, totalling 18,000 sqm and 6 hectares of backlot
LED Virtual Set Stage and virtual production workflow
High quality soundproofing and acoustics
Digital colour grading and screening with Baselight, OnSet Dailies, avid MFX and LUT creation

High speed dedicated network with expendable bandwidth 70% of BTL costs can be provided directly
The largest selection of Artist Trailers and Facility Vehicles
Extensive inventory of lighting and grip
Production offices
Catering and craft services

ⓒ Stern Studio

STERN FILM STUDIO

Recent productions – Borderlands, Distant, The Alienist, Berlin Station, The Terror, The Queen of Spain, Don't Breathe, Dracula, The Lady Vanishes, Titanic (BBC), Season of the Witch, The Nutcracker

https://www.sternfilm.com/

In partnership with NETFLIX Worldwide since 2020
Productions have full run of the entire studio facility, simplifying Covid-19 protocols
4 Soundstages ranging in size from 200 sqm to 2200 sqm.

700 sqm Office Space
2600 sqm Workshop and Storage Space
Productions are welcome to use their own vendors
A 25 minute drive from downtown Budapest

ⓒ Hungexpo Studio

HUNGEXPO STUDIO

Recent productions – The Martian, Susotázs, Red Sparrow, Karate Combat, Russian Doll, Dune 2, FBI Internationals

https://myalbum.com/folder/A9mpZNFrPKYV/

�Total studio capacity: 30,000 sqm, of which 6500 sqm can also be used as a warehouse
In addition: 25,000 sqm of another pavilion area
4 stages, total 28,700 sqm, some hectares for basecamp and backlot
Since the renovation of Hungexpo (2021), we have been operating our pillar-free buildings as studios, and in recent years several A-category international productions have visited our area
Locations: various locations from the 60s until nowadays– outstanding keywords: car elevator, airport, escalator, retro, mall, technical room, catwalk, large glass surfaces, private road, modern offices and spaces, congress center (airport, meeting rooms, conferences, 72 sqm LED wall, roof), ‘70s, '90s (police, airport, offices), exterior areas, industrial kitchen, train station, bus station, catwalks, roofs, tunnels

Other: huge amount of furniture capacity available from stock on site
Total parking capacity: 3000 cars
Total production office capacity: 3300 sqm
Catering and craft services

Production companies

Due to the excellent natural resources and diverse architecture of Hungary and Budapest, this area is the filming location of many international blockbusters. However, that alone would not be enough. The trust of large international studios in Hungary was based on the dedicated, hardworking and loyal team of professionals who have been doing their work to the highest standards for decades.

MID ATLANTIC FILMS

The formation of Mid Atlantic Films in 2005 was based on the vision that Hungary would return to prominence in the international film arena. The group has developed & co-produced over 100 film & television productions based out of Hungary in the past 17 years. The three partners, Howard El- lis, Adam Goodman & Gergo Balika form a dynamic powerhouse that paved the way for developing the Hungarian film industry by setting acclaimed standards in quality and innovation with a keen eye for detail. Over the course of the years the projects have shot on 5 continents in over 20 coun- tries for studios and companies like Paramount, Disney, Netflix, Sony, NBCUniversal, Showtime, Lionsgate, Amblin, Legendary, Amazon, Scott Free & Fox.

Black Widow (2021) and Moon Knight (2022) – The first movie based on an iconic Marvel comics superhero to be filmed in Hungary followed by the first television series of the same kind which production was based and mainly shot in Hungary.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – It was the first ever production with a budget of over 200 million USD to be filmed in Hungary followed by Dune (2021) the epic science fiction film featuring an all-star cast, operated with a similarly impressive budget. Following its theatrical success all over the world Dune 2 has been announced and will return to Hungary.

The Alienist (2018) and The Alienist: The Angel of Dark- ness (2020) – The original limited series and its eventual sequel were the first A-list television series filmed in Hungary

showcasing an impressive period-era set design and the high levels of professional craftsmanship.

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) – As part of the Termi�nator franchise, this was a movie long-awaited by the audience, as well as the Hungarian film making commu- nity, many members of which have considered working on the project a dream come true.

The Martian (2015) – After an abundance of period pieces, fantasy movies and contemporary films, the opportunity to make The Martian set the first precedent of an authen- tic science fiction blockbuster set in space.

PROTON CINEMA

Proton Cinema is a Budapest-based independent film production company, founded by producer Viktória Petrányi and director Kornél Mundruczó, who have been friends and co-creators since university. The company was launched after the founders’ first feature successes, which brought together a well-working team and have gained several international prizes ever since. Over the years, numerous works of the company have been premiered and showcased at A-category international film festivals.

Beside their own works, as of 2008, Proton also provides production services. Committed to deliver various production stages that best meet clients’ expectations, Proton carefully select crew members for each project. They respect artistic freedom to the greatest extent while creating the ideal professional environment for filmmaking.

Vliegende Hollanders / Turbulent Skies (2020 – present) Budaörs Airport – one of the main locations of Turbulent Skies – is Hungary’s oldest, still existing small-scale international airport. Its central building was built in 1937 and declared an industrial monument. MABÉOSZ, the head- quarters of the Hungarian Stamp Collectors’ Association was another important location of Turbulent Skies. The building, with its large-scale spaces and timeless atmosphere is a location in which many film creators can immediately imagine their visions taking shape.

The Good Traitor (2020) – During the production of The Good Traitor, Proton Cinema had the chance to re-create the White House in Hungary.

Hidden: Förstfödd (2019 – 2020) – Hidden had several interesting and spectacular locations, special Hungarian features, including the former Dreher brewery. One of the most beautiful industrial buildings of Hungary, this has served as many locations including an industrial estate and an underground tunnel. The main warehouse in the film was shot at Hajógyári Island (site of a former shipyard), while the legendary building of the National Radio featured as the Police HQ.

Midsommar (2019) – By 2014, almost 4000 km2 of Hungary’s lands were declared as National Parks. In this climate belt we have 4 seasons, the natural and geographical features of the country allow filmmakers to find locations with various

visions: middle mountains with evergreen and deciduous forests, lakesides – Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Europe – and riversides, field lands or sheers. The legendary set of Midsommar was shot in Hungary’s field lands.

Song of Names (2019) – One of the locations of Song of Names was the Arboretum of Alcsút, 50 km from Budapest. The arboretum settles in a park of over 40 hectares, with a large Neoclassical castle in the middle. The park has more than 300 rare species of plant. Another special location used for this film was the main building of Franz Liszt Academy of Music, a music conservatory with an imposing concert hall.

Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words – service production (2019) – Romeo and Juliet was shot in the renaissance backlot of Korda Studio, Etyek. The stunning set portrays numerous regions of historical Italy, from The Vatican to Florence. The more than 1-hectare renaissance city has various styled buildings and gates, courtyards, alleys, interiors, a prison cell, a piazza, and Vatican façade.

Jupiter’s Moon (2017) – One of the most spectacular scenes of Jupiter’s Moon is when Ayran rises above the city. It was shot in cooperation of the best stunt and rig- ging professionals of Hungary, at Keleti Pályaudvar (Budapest East railway station), an eclectic style, iconic building of Budapest constructed between 1881 and 1884.�

HERO SQUARED

Driven by a love of heroes, storytelling, and a passion for filmmaking, American-Hungarian owned Hero Squared offers producing, financing, and production service solutions across the CEE region (and beyond) to film, television, and commercials of all shapes and sizes. With on the ground produc- tion services in Hungary and Croatia, not only do we bring some of the most skilled and tireless crew in town, but also senior creative HoD roles from Hungary's pool of amazing talent, as well as a strong relationship with the National Film Institute for official co-productions. The heroes of Hero Squared, Jonathan Halperyn and Daniel Kresmery, bring a collective 40 years of industry experience, having worked from across the indie sphere to the Hollywood studio system.

Knights of the Zodiac (2023) – KOTZ is a live action feature adaptation of the TOEI ANIMATION anime series, showcasing locally forged suits of armor in this sweeping sci fi/fantasy to be distributed by Sony in the US. Directed by visionary Tomek Baginski and starring Sean Bean, Famke Janssen and a host of young stars from across the world, with action design and stunt/fight choreography from much of the team behind Marvel's Shang-Chi.

Mrs Harris goes to Paris (2022) – This UK-Hungary co-production transforms Budapest into 1950's Paris and is set in the heart of Dior's fashion empire. Two-time Oscar winner Jenny Beaven designed the costumes for this stirring drama, which also recreated Dior at Origo Studios. Starring Lesley Manville and Isabelle Huppert, the project was generously supported by the National Film Institute and was acquired by Universal's Focus Features for worldwide distribution.

Infinity Pool (2022) – This Canada-Hungary-Croatia co-production was shot between Budapest and Sibenik, Croatia, and received the support of Eurimages and Croatian HAVC. Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg and starring Alexander Skarsgard, this resort horror/thriller will be distributed by arthouse/smarthouse distributor NEON in the US and will have worldwide distribution.

The Munsters (2022) – Rob Zombie's The Munsters is a modern reimagining of the beloved 1960's tv series. To recreate Mockingbird Lane, a new LA suburban backlot was built at Mafilm Studio, which also provided the Medieval backlot to help create the Munsters' world. Produced for Universal's 1440 Entertainment, this Hollywood studio project utilized nearly all local HoD's, including production, costume, and make-up design.

Archive (2020) – This sci-fi feature was produced on a shoestring budget and became one of the most talked about indie films of 2020. Set in the mountains of Japan at a mothballed robotics facility, the stunning set was constructed in a warehouse just outside of Budapest. From Gavin Rothery, the conceptual designer of MOON, with score by Oscar winner Steven Price the film stars Theo James, Stacy Martin, and Toby Jones, and is widely available on Apple and Amazon.�

PIONEER GROUP

The Pioneer group is one of the biggest and most experienced production companies in Hungary.
It was originally founded in 1995 by Ilona Antal, Eleonóra Peták, and Jennifer Webster as a Commercial Production Service company that continued to grow into becoming one of the leaders in its field. In 2005, Ildikó Kemény joined Ilona and Eleonóra to establish Pioneer Pictures, which focuses and spe- cialises in feature films as international co-productions and local film and TV productions.

As the company was growing and establishing the feature film division, Pioneer Pictures de- cided to partner and create a joint venture with Stillking Films, which is the leading production company in the Czech Republic and several other European countries. And so Pioneer Stillking Films Ltd was established. The strength of this joint venture has been combining experience, knowledge and network in order to further expand the global presence and work on internation- al service projects with the biggest studios and production companies around the world (Netflix, Legendary, Disney, Universal, Amazon, Paramount, Fox etc.).

Some of the most recent films and TV series Pioneer Stillking has worked on highlight the all- round experience and different challenges the company had to solve as the local partner.

Radioactive (2019) – Radioactive, starring Rosamund Pike, and Colette (2018), starring Keira Knightley, were both locations shoots enjoying the wealth of period fea�tures of Budapest standing in for Paris.

The King (2019) – Netflix's production The King was a masterpiece of replicating fifteenth-century England and France, recreating a battlefield with hundreds of stunt performers and extras fighting against each other. This was all filmed in the countryside of Hungary and at Mafilm (backlot). Timothée Chalamet played the leading role alongside Robert Pattinson.

The Witcher (2019) – A different production challenge was Netflix's The Witcher, which was mainly filmed on location, with several stages requiring the highest level of production design in order to create a fantasy world. Henry Cavill played the leading role.

Red Sparrow (2018) – 20th Century Fox's Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence was filmed on location and highlighted the diversity of Budapest being able to replicate different European cities and Russia. These productions are just a handful of productions 31 Pioneer Stillking has worked on over the years, but they highlight the different production challenges they have successfully tackled, from studio building, to location replicas, to gathering the most talented local crews and cast, while also integrating the highest and newest standards of technology. Pioneer has also integrated a new green policy to make production more sustainable and set an example for the industry.

LAOKOON FILMGROUP

Laokoon Filmgroup were founded in 2002 by producers Judit Stalter, Gabor Sipos and Gabor Rajna. It is a Hungarian independent film production company mostly known for its ground- breaking holocaust-drama, Son of Saul that won major awards internationally including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the Golden Globe, and the Cannes Grand Prix. The focus of the producers has always been on the development and production of high-quality auteur feature films, creative documentaries, TV series and on the service production of films and commercials. With 20 years of experience, Laokoon Filmgroup have completed 100+ internationally acclaimed productions as a servicing company or as a minority co-producer. Some names to mention: the Academy Award winner directors Fernando Trueba and Gabriele Salvatores, and stars like Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Isabella Rossellini, Henry Caville, Sandrine Kiberlain, Vincent Lacoste, Rüdiger Vogler, among others.

The Green Perfume (2021) French filmmaker Nicolas Pariser tackles the spy come- dy, a genre that is rarely seen in the cinema nowadays, he propels his characters into a deeply European story that takes the protagonists from France to Belgium and finally Hungary. Starring Sandrine Kiberlain, Vincent Lacoste and Rüdiger Vogler.

Black Spider (2020) – This Swiss-Hungarian co-produc- tion was filmed in the middle of the pandemic in Hungary. During the pre-production and shooting period we worked with our very strict Covid guide, covering every little detail, and since many things changed day by day (e.g. border entry process, curfew, etc.) we had to be constantly on stand- by and updated so that everything could go smoothly.
In addition to the large crew and cast, we had a lot of shooting days with a vast number of extras and stunts, which meant a lot of testing and extra efforts in the production’s Covid management, which was already a pri- ority. Luckily, and thanks to the discipline of the crew and cast, we didn’t have to stop for a day.

Ether (2018) – Directed by the internationally-acclaimed, Polish maestro, Krzysztof Zanussi, co-produced between 5 countires. Many notable Hungarian creatives and artists participated in the production, such as Zsolt László who played one of the leading roles. It was a showcase of illus�trius locations of Budapest and Esztergom.

Queen of Spain (2016) – This large-scale historical comedy-drama takes place in Spain during the 1950s. In Hungary it was filmed at Stern Film Studio with hundreds of extras, grandiose sets and breathtaking costumes. Star- ring Penélope Cruz, the film written and directed by the Academy Award-winning director, Fernando Trueba.

Kills on Wheels (2016) – In this action-comedy we worked with many actors and amateurs with disabilities. The casting process and rehearsals lasted more than
1,5 years. It was a wonderful experience, shooting a few scenes requested extra attention and extraordinary physical endurance though.

Easy Living (2015-2018) – The worldwide acclaimed Hungarian crime drama series represents a milestone among the Hungarian productions. With 24 episodes in 3 seasons, we had to deal with countless challenges, since we filmed at more than 500 locations and 300 actors and with more than 150 crew members in each seasons. It was produced by HBO Europe, broadcasting in many European countires and in the United States.

Son of Saul (2015) – The Academy Award-winner Holo- caust drama was shot on 35mm, using long takes, every shot had to be prepared very meticulously. Cast and crew spent most of each day on rehearsals, to orchestrate each shot. Toward the end of the day, the camera started to roll. It had a very long process of preparation.

Regulations

HUNGARIAN TAX REBATE

Films (for cinema and television) produced in Hungary are eligible for a 30% rebate based on their expenditure (all the direct film production costs) spent in the country. The scheme is part of the film support program approved by the European Commission

The incentive is available through local business companies who receive tax relief after their support of films. The support is guaranteed by the Hungarian State through the Collection Account managed by the NFI.

The financial support is provided in the form of a cash refund (post-financing). The 30% incentive is extendable to 37.5% of the eligible production expense by adding 7.5% non-Hungarian costs. (The non-Hungarian eligible spend is capped at 25% of the rebate.)

	Hungarian spend	Non-Hungarian spend	Basis of the tax rebate	30% tax rebate
Budget	1,000,000	0	1,000,000	300,000
Budget	800,000	200,000	1,000,000	300,000
Budget	800,000	200,000	1,000,000	300,000
Budget	800,000	200,000	1,000,000	300,000

HEALTH & SAFETY

�The NFI cannot specify for employers how to ensure a safe and healthy work environment: it is up to each employer to specify this individually, but as a top institution in the domestic motion picture industry and in a difficult situation due to Covid-19, we feel obliged to help employers in the film industry in the development of applicable standards. To this end, the NFI felt the need to conduct

a general risk assessment of the Covid-19 virus to safely restart domestic filming. Our goal is to protect the health of those involved in filming and to comply with government regulations. This document was prepared by the consulting expert taking into account the current government recommendations and applies only to the territory of Hungary

Covid Guide

Green Light

Treasures of Hungary

In the heart of Europe lies a country famed for its exquisite wines and thermal waters. This is the land of Tokaji Aszú, one of the finest sweet wines on Earth; a nation with more thermal springs than any other on the continent. One that is landlocked yet can still be called ’Land of Waters’, containing the world’s largest biologically active thermal lake suitable for bathers. A land where tradition, history and a glamorous modern lifestyle go hand in hand, reflected in a Michelin-starred gastronomy that embraces new trends while honouring its stellar past.

In Hungary, there’s usually something historic or contemporary to attract you, the atmosphere vibrant and relaxing at the same time. It could be the strong folk culture, the spas and baths, the cowboys of the Great Plain, Budapest’s beautiful Parliament building, the spicy, hearty cuisine based on seasonal produce, the

fine wines – your experiences here will be authentic, carefree and profound, leaving long-lasting memories. They will probably involve water in some shape, way or form. You’ll soak in the beautiful thermal baths, spas
and Lake Balaton and Lake Tisza (Tisza-tó), gaze at the Danube as it elegantly divides the capital into Buda and Pest, local sportsmen kayaking past arenas where major sports events take place. In all, Hungary has more than 1,400 springs, more than 200 thermal baths and 40 spa hotels. This is also a land of creative cuisine, high-quality ingredients and genuinely friendly service, all combining to provide a unique dining experience. New restaurants, bistros and street-food outlets dot all corners of the capital. Fine-dining enthusiasts have the choice of several Michelin-starred restaurants in Budapest, all within the city centre. Discover the wonders of Hungary and make memories you will remember for the rest of your life.�

In Hungary you can always find something historic or modern that touches your soul, and the atmosphere is vibrant and relaxing at the same time.

BALATON

Active recreation around Central Europe's largest lake

Imagine a sea where the horizon does not fade into the infinite distance, where the sunset paints a glowing golden bridge onto the water. Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake, is exactly that. The rolling hills of the Káli Basin, also called the Provence of Hungary, with its enchanting tiny villages, must be discovered on bike or by horse. Sailing also has a long tradition at Balaton, supported by a well-equipped and modern yacht-port network. Speeding along on a sailboat on a lake that constantly changes colour withthe light and air or taking part in a romantic sunset cruise are essential parts of the Balaton experience.

1 h 50 min from BP�

FÜZÉR CASTLE

The Middle Ages reloaded

��Visit the citadel in one of the most beautiful places in Hungary. In terms of surroundings, this is just as spectacular as the rightly famous Gothic Revival Neuschwanstein Castle but was built on a volcanic cone 650 years before its Bavarian counterpart.

�3 h from BP

Tokaj

Where extraordinary wines and history meet

Discover the majestic flavours and history of a wild and romantic landscape! If you enjoy good wine and creative cuisine, you simply must visit this region! Apart from explor-ing the century-old wineries and wine cellars, you can also go hiking in the rugged wilderness of the nearby Zemplén Mountains.

2 h 30 min from BP

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FESTETICS PALACE

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All of us have imagined what it would be like to live an aristocratic life in Keszthely to wander among the labyrinthine, lavishly decorated rooms of castle, to stroll around the garden with its giant palmery between grand soirées, to select transport from dozens of horsedrawn carriages.

You can experience this magnificent lifestyle near Lake Balaton in Keszthely's Festetics Palace.

2h 10 min� from BP

BENEDICTINE ABBEY OF PANNONHALMA

Spiritual recreation at the World Heritage Site

�A historical memorial place, and at the same time a vibrant religious centre that still operates today, where it is hard to forget which age we live in. The fascinating building complex attracts the eye from afar. Hungary’s largest and oldest religious centre has deservedly earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

1 h 40 min from BP�

THE GREAT PLAIN

Home of the Hungarian cowboys

�

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hortobágy is the most characteristic region of the Great Hungarian Plains and the largest alkaline grassland in Europe. It is located near Hungary’s second largest city, Debrecen. The na- tional park boasts unrivalled natural treasures and traditions. The sight of the unbroken horizon, mirages called to life by the sweltering summer heat, the iconic shadoofs, herds of horses racing freely, Hungarian Grey cattle and flocks of sheep grazing peaceful- ly - these are all part of the scenery in the area giving you feeling of bound- less freedom and idyllic peace.�

2h 10 min from BP

Landmarks of Budapest

Budapest is one of Europe’s great capitals, innovative, cosmopolitan and vibrant. Its built and natural environment, its grandiose architecture and thermal spas, together form a rare beauty, historic yet authentic. Modernity flourishes in the city’s newly diverse and inventive gastronomy, fashion and design scenes, and rich cultural activities from street art to classical music of the highest calibre. Main squares relandscaped, key streets made more cycle-friendly yet still served by frequent trams and buses, a contemporary riverside millennial arts complex and a superb hotel stock, Budapest has embraced the 21st century without losing its timeless elegance.

This is a metropolis you can cross with ease while admiring the sights on the way – by boat if you so choose. Even so, the best way to discover the city is by walking around it. Layers of history unfold before your very eyes as you admire the façades and exquisite architectural detail.

Streets are clearly signposted, distances easy to cover, grandiose bridges providing graceful passage over the Danube between the former separate towns of Buda and Pest. The embankment, too, is very much part of the urban fabric, a tramroute and informal sightseeing tour in one.

Hungarians themselves are continually reinventing their capital, using its unique spaces to create and showcase, whether it’s the Wine Festival in the historic surroundings of Buda Castle or the communal summer picnics on Liberty Bridge. The settings may change but the backdrop should never fail to fascinate or inspire. This is a city that liberates, stimulates and captivates, past and present combining to create Budapest’s unique spice.

GELLÉRT SPA BATH

Gellért Spa Bath is one of the best examples of Budapest’s lively 19th century bathing culture. The Art Nouveau building and hotel at the Buda end of Liberty Bridge were built in 1911, providing an insight into bath life and early 20th century architecture.

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PARLIAMENT

What pops into your mind first when hearing the words iconic Hungarian building? We will bet you anything it is the House of Parliament on the banks of the Danube. The building has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 as part of the Banks of the Danube.

HEROES’ SQUARE

Take a journey through Hungarian history. An outdoor World Heritage site, lined with monumental statues. What is it? Heroes' Square, of course. It is worth getting to know a bit about Hungarian history beforehand so that you can absorb it better at the site itself.

SZÉCHENYI SPA BATHS

Whether in summer or winter, rain, or shine, we have a great programme to recommend. Visit one
of Europe’s largest bath complexes, the enormous Széchenyi thermal bath in City Park, to combine treatment and relaxation: enjoy the heavenly environment while the gentlehealing water revitalises your body.

BUDA CASTLE

Part of the Castle District and a medieval royal residence, Buda Castle has also served as an important cultural and scientific hub. Today it houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the National Széchényi Library.

FISHERMAN’S BASTION

The 140 m facade of the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle District offers splendid views of the city and is a great spot for photos of another key attraction, the Parliament.

ST STEPHEN'S BASILICA

The basilica is one of the most frequently photographed Hungarian tourist attractions and hides thousands of secrets. It took 54 years to build; three famous architects left their mark on the building.

Exclusive Hotel & Culinary Experience

5 STAR HOTEL EXPERIENCES

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL GRESHAM PALACE
The most striking example, as magnificent as its location overlooking the Chain Bridge, is the Art-Nouveau styled Gresham Palace.

THE RITZ-CARLTON BUDAPEST
In the very heart of Hungary’s capital, this Budapest hotel blends elements of tradition with modern touches.

CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST
Opened as the Grand Hotel Royal in 1896, a century or so later, the five-star Corinthia group took over and carried out a massive reconstruction, installing a pool in Art-Deco style.

MATILD PALACE
Matild Palace boasts a distinctive ambience representative of its Hungarian heritage, which runs beautifully through its core and is unmistakable from the moment guests step in through the front doors. Built during the Belle Epoque era, in 1902, Matild Palace was developed under the patronage of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Maria Klotild of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to serve as the social hub of the city. She dreamed of the twin palaces to greet those who enter the bridge as a graceful lady. Renowned architects Korb and Giergl, named after projects like Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, envisioned of neo-baroque palaces that would

serve as the gateway to the Elisabeth bridge.

The palace is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and is under monumental protection. Today, the hotel is committed to inspiring guests with its rich history, culture and epicurean excellence. Combining luxurious surroundings with authentic experiences, it serves as the most spectacular gateway to exploring the magic of Budapest.

KEMPINSKI HOTEL CORVINUS BUDAPEST
Located in Downtown Budapest, the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is just a short walk away from the Danube River and the city’s main attractions.

�ARIA HOTEL BUDAPEST BY LIBRARY HOTEL COLLECTION
Divided into four wings Classical, Jazz, Opera and Contemporary the award-winning Aria Hotel by the Basilica takes its musical theme to the nth degree.

PÁRISI UDVAR HOTEL BUDAPEST
Built as a bank headquarters, the Párisi Udvar was almost completely demolished in the rapid urban development of the 1890s. The former Art Nouveau shopping arcade has been revived as a palatial hotel where you can admire an architectural gem.

THE NEW YORK PALACE
New York Palace is another magnificent conversion of a fin-de-siècle landmark. It is home of the famed New York Café, the finest of Budapest’s grand coffee houses. It was reconfigured into a luxury hotel in the early 2000s.

MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS

ESSÊNCIA
Portuguese chef-owner Tiago and his Hungarian wife Éva have created a bright, warmly run and deliciously different restaurant. You can choose a Portuguese or Hungarian menu – or, the best, a Tasting menu which combines the two in a series of poised, elegant dishes. Sit at the front to watch the chefs in action.

COSTES DOWNTOWN
Set on the ground floor of the Prestige Hotel, this strikingly decorated restaurant brings nature inside with a living wall and ceiling; ask for one of the booths or sit at the chef’s table for a view of the kitchen. Menus showcase Hungarian ingredients and flavours are gutsy and well-defined.

BORKONYHA WINEKITCHEN
A bustling wine-orientated restaurant close to the Basilica; over 200 wines are available, and around a quarter of them by the glass. Skilfully executed, eye-catching dishes have subtle Hungarian influences; the kitchen keeps things simple by sourcing top-class ingredients and allowing them to shine.

STAND
A glass-fronted kitchen is the focus at this eye-catching modern restaurant. The chefs are proud of their Hungarian roots and the cooking centres around refining classic dishes through the use of modern techniques. Opt for a Hungarian wine – there are some great sweet Tokajis on the list.

BABEL
Babel is a place which blends tradition with modernity. Its walls still show marks from the 1838 Great Flood of Pest, but it’s also a stylish place, courtesy of its chic design by passionate owner Hubert and interior designer Annamaria Dekany. Cooking is innovative and packed with flavour.

SALT
Within a boutique hotel sits this sophisticated restaurant, whose open kitchen forms an integral part of the stylishly lit room. The set menu is made up of intricate, exquisitely constructed dishes, which make good use of fermenting and curing techniques; many are updated versions of classic Hungarian recipes.

COSTES
A sophisticated restaurant on a lively street. The menu blends Hungarian classics with some Portuguese touches and is presented as a pack of playing cards: choose 4, 5, 6 or 7 of the dishes offered – or play the joker and let the kitchen surprise you. Wine and beer pairings are available to accompany your meal.�

ROOFTOP BARS & HISTORICAL COFFEE HOUSES

HIGH NOTE SKYBAR
At the top of Aria Hotel, at eye level with the Basilica dome, the High Note SkyBar serves �seasonal cocktails.

GERBEAUD CAFÉ
Gerbeaud is an iconic Budapest location and is at the same time the most famous café in the city. The refined design and outstanding service all date back to the historic days when Hungary's legendary writers spent all their days at the Gerbeaud.

NEW YORK CAFÉ
The New York Café is more than a coffee house: it is in an institution. It is a scene of Hungarian literary life, the meeting point of tourists and art enthusiasts, and the stronghold of refined gastronomy.

LEO BUDAPEST
Leo rooftop bar awaits guests with magnificent panorama of the city in the heart of Budapest.