Kossuth Square sits right in the heart of Budapest and has been revamped countless times over the past century. Today, it remains a hotspot for major events, drawing crowds to this vibrant spot in the 5th district’s Belváros-Lipótváros area, zip code 1055. From March 23 to 29, 2026, and stretching into spring, get ready for a packed schedule of tours, talks, and deep dives into Hungary’s past, all centered around the iconic Parliament building nearby. Whether you’re a history buff or just visiting, these free and ticketed experiences make Kossuth Square the place to be.
“Rákóczi 350” History Conference
Mark your calendars for March 27, 2026—this one’s a biggie. The “Rákóczi 350” conference celebrates the 350th anniversary of Prince Ferenc II Rákóczi’s birth with top historians unpacking his legacy. It kicks off at 10:00 AM in the Parliament’s upper house chamber (Főrendiházi ülésterem). Chairing it is Gábor Fodor, a historian from ELTE’s History Research Institute.
The lineup packs a punch: At 10:35, László Diószegi, director of Borsi Rákóczi Castle, talks on “The Hungarian Bethlehem – History and Present of Borsi Rákóczi Castle.” Coffee break at 10:50, then at 11:30, Kálmán Mészáros from the Ministry of Defense’s Military History Institute and Museum presents “Ruthenians, Slovaks, Romanians in Ferenc II Rákóczi’s War of Independence.” At 11:45, Nóra G. Etényi, associate professor at ELTE, discusses “Ferenc II Rákóczi’s Fame in Contemporary International Printed Press.”
At 12:00, László Takács, professor and department head at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, dives into “Rákóczi’s Self-Image in the Confessions.” At 12:15, Ferenc Tóth from ELTE covers “An Exiled Prince Between East and West.” At 12:30, Csaba Katona of the Hungarian National Archives compares “Two Wars of Independence, Two Cults: Rákóczi’s War and the 1848-49 Revolution.” Gábor Fodor wraps the morning at 12:45 with “At Home in Homelessness: Rodosto and the Hungarian Exiles.” Closing remarks at 13:00, end at 13:15. Register by March 25 to snag a spot—all in Budapest.
Free Saturday Tours: A Thousand Years of Hungarian Legislation
Every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, dive into history with free 45-minute guided tours of the Parliament Museum’s exhibit “A Thousand Years of Hungarian Legislation (A magyar törvényhozás ezer éve).” These ever-updating displays start from the Parliament Visitor Center. Specific dates include March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2026. Spots are limited to 30 per group—register the day before by 10:00 AM via email and show your confirmation to join. Perfect for uncovering a millennium of Hungarian lawmaking right in Budapest.
Ongoing Parliament Tours
Parliament tours run weekly throughout spring 2026, each a brisk 45 minutes with either an audio guide or expert-led walkthrough. Live guides speak Hungarian, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. For Russian, Polish, Slovak, Croatian, Hebrew, Romanian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Korean, Portuguese, Arabic, Slovenian, Czech, Chinese, Japanese, Bulgarian, Dutch, Greek, Turkish, and Vietnamese, it’s audio guide only.
Sessions cover March 23-29; March 30-April 5; April 6-12; April 13-19; April 20-26; April 27-May 3; May 4-10; May 11-17; and May 18-24, 2026. All launch from the Parliament Visitor Center near Kossuth Square, making it easy to pair with square events. These tours give you stunning views and insider stories on Hungary’s grandest building—all in Budapest’s bustling core. Head there early, as demand will be high for these slices of political history.
