Aquincum Museum

Aquincum, whose ruins are now within Budapest’s borders, was a city located on the northeastern border of the Roman Empire and remained under Roman rule for nearly 400 years. With its strategic location, it was an important military base along the Pannonian Limes, a key part of the Roman Empire’s Danubian Limes. The ruins and historical artifacts uncovered by 19th-century excavations in the area are now exhibited in the Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park. We visited the site just before the rain, on a day when the colors of nature caught my eye, and had a long, enjoyable walk. Like many archaeological sites, although there wasn’t enough information, the museum was a noteworthy place in terms of museology. The museum complex, which consists of various buildings at different points, was meticulously prepared. There is no such beautiful narration and museology at the Forum Romanum. One of the most notable things I seen in the museum was the display of a 19th-century Hungarian’s reinterpretation of the Tabula Peutingeriana, making it more comprehensible. The way the map was presented allowed for easy exploration, and we spent an enjoyable time examining it closely.

Definitely worth doing if you're a museum person who reads Hungarian or English. You can spend several hours here. The descriptive texts are very interesting, and the ruins themselves make a lot more sense if you slow down and match the rooms to their functions on the posted maps. Very well written and explained.

Underrated museum. I spent over six hours at the site. Acquincum was centre of Pannonia Roman province for nearly four centuries, a town of 40 000 when Paris was of 10 000. I had two guided tours with Orsolya Láng, former director – she is a uniquely insightful person with character and humour. About 2/3 of remains still uncovered – Ms Láng surprised me saying it is better this way: 1. few decades of polluted city air already partly destroyed inscriptions on many artefacts (!), and 2. they don’t have the (human/fiscal) capacity to uncover more. Sadly, there were few visitors – maybe the American-style shallow but sensationalist guidebooks (been there, ticked it) omit the place? The area, Óbuda is really the core of Budapest up to about 15th century mostly ignored by foreign tourists, and was place of first Hungarian settlements in the area, the queen held a her court there till Turks destroyed it in 16th c. – till end 19th century most important Jewish presence in Hungary. Buda castle area gained prominence only after 14th century, till then Óbuda area around Roman remains was the core. A tour with Orsolya Láng is highly recommended. Hopefully the politically motivated free-for-all will cease soon and Ms Láng and the museum can focus on their work instead. Free visits and guided tours (in Hungarian) on prime Hungarian national holidays (15th March, 23rd Oct, 20th Aug + open days of cultural heritage usually in Sept.).

It is found away from central Budapest, on the Buda side, north from the Margaret island, accessible by bus and HEV (light railway). The museum was quiet but very informative, plenty to see inside the museum building as well as the ruins outside. Don't forget to admire the reconstructed Roman "water" organ... Bilingual labels, English and Hungarian are a great help. A visit is highly recommended to this hidden Roman age.

This is a very impressive historical site, literally an entire Roman settlement with large parts excavated. The exhibits and signage are all in Hungarian and English, and do a good job of explaining how life was like in those times. Many unusual artefacts are on display including remains of a Roman water organ. There are even a few activities for younger children (dressing up as a Roman, play area, arts and crafts). If you enjoy history, this place is a must visit.

I love learning about the Roman empire but I didn't love this place. Woman who we showed our online tickets to was rude. People working inside were fine but they follow your every move. I'm sure its because they don't have cameras and that's how they protect the exhibits but its pretty stressful to be watched so closely. There were a lot of info plaques and it seemed like they were getting ready to celebrate a festival that looked cool.... Maybe come for that or at least when its MORE crowded so you don't feel so watched. It was very easy to get to from the center of Budapest (1 metro and 1 bus - you'll need a separate ticket for each leg of your journey - 40min). If you are a Roman nerd you gotta see the capital of Pannonia Inferior! But if you are only a little interested in history skip it. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for young kids.

Not too far from the city centre by bus or by H5 line. In addition to the archaeological park, it has a little museum and an exhibition celebrating the 130 years of the beginning of archaeological activities in place. A tiny and interesting pavillon on mosaics and marbles.

Visited on a quiet and sunny day. The Dènes Györgyi exhibition building is the first building we visited at the entrance and the most advanced. Good facilities are included with both Hungarian and English translation. Very interesting and detailed exhibits. The house of the painter and the Symphorus Mithraeum are also both decent recreations of Roman life in the settlement. What lets the museum down though is the rest of the site. The ruins themselves are not sign posted very well other than on the map, some parts also seem like you could easily fall. The old museum building which I have pictured is falling apart and looks really dilapidated. There appears to be work ongoing but it is sad to see it in such a state of disrepair. Some of the gardens look lovely but there were also a lot of grass cuttings just left around the place which made it look a bit shabby. There wasn't much in the way of a gift shop although there is a play park for children. As some others have mentioned there are staff watching you in various areas. This is understandable to keep the exhibits safe however I think an opportunity was missed here to dress these staff up to make the park more living and playful. On a quiet day it hardly looks open and isn't particularly inviting to visit. If you are really interested in Roman history it is worth a look round but if not there is not much extra here to make it worth recommending. In saying that though the new building certainly looks to be much improved on the old with it being more accessible to global tourists rather than Hungarians.