Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism

Visit the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism with a Budapest Card, which is a prestigious national museum. Its scope covers the cultural goods of the history of domestic trade (retail and wholesale trade, commodity fairs, international trade, financial trade, insurance and gambling), the hospitality industry (hotel industry, other catering industries), as well as the history of tourism. An unusual exhibition with an unusual collection and unusual values, which is a must if you come to Budapest.

The national institution, which was established in 1966 and is still unique in the world, started its operation in the former Fortuna Street building in the Buda Castle District, which is part of the world heritage, and was open until the summer of 2005.

As the Castle District also has some hospitality units dating back several decades, this old building has proved to be a great place for the museum.

From September 2006 to June 2011, the institution operated in the building of the former Hungarian Foreign Trade Bank in the 5th district, next to St. Stephen's Basilica, from where they had to move again to Korona tér.
Permanent exhibitions include a significant collection of billboards and commercial boards and posters, as well as a Warehouse exhibition, which consists of a myriad of rare or no longer used objects from the world of trade and tourism, such as store aids, old goods, promotional items, and special boxes that are rarely or no longer used at all.

One of our personal favorites is the exhibition built around Emil Gerbeaud. On November 8, 2019, it was about a hundred years since the famous confectioner, the owner of the chocolate factory, Emil Gerbeaud (1854–1919), passed away. Gerbeaud gained international fame and recognition for the Hungarian confectionery and industry with his timeless merits. The chamber of the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism wanted to commemorate its venerable figure with an exhibition; at the same time the museum shows the visitors the memories of Gerbeaud preserved in the institution.

Admission to the museum is free upon presentation of the Budapest Card.