In the Footsteps of Explorers and Arctic Researchers – A Must-See Exhibition in Budapest
If you’re visiting Budapest and looking for an experience that goes far beyond the typical tourist trail, the Hungarian Natural History Museum has something extraordinary waiting for you. The interactive exhibition In the Footsteps of Explorers and Arctic Researchers opened on April 23, 2026, and it’s the kind of place where science feels like pure adventure — perfect for curious travelers, families, and anyone captivated by the world’s most extreme frontiers.
What Is the Exhibition About?
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to work in a place where the sun doesn’t rise for months? This immersive exhibition answers that question with honesty, beauty, and a touch of wonder. Created in collaboration with the Capa Centre Budapest, it brings together stunning photography, historical artifacts, and hands-on interactive elements to paint a vivid portrait of life at the Arctic — one of the planet’s most remote and rapidly changing environments.
At the heart of the exhibition is the photographic series Stars of the Arctic Night by internationally acclaimed photographer Esther Horvath. Her images follow real Arctic researchers working in Ny-Ålesund, capturing the raw emotion, dedication, and quiet resilience of scientists who spend months in near-total darkness for the sake of human knowledge. Through their personal testimonies, you get a rare and deeply moving glimpse into a world most of us will never visit.
A Journey Through Polar History
One of the exhibition’s most compelling sections takes visitors on a journey back to the golden age of polar exploration. The 19th-century Tegetthoff Expedition, led by Karl Weyprecht and Julius von Payer, serves as a historical anchor — transporting you to an era when reaching the North Pole was one of humanity’s greatest and most dangerous ambitions. Hungarian literary giant Mór Jókai’s adventure novel All the Way to the North Pole! is woven into this section, adding a wonderfully imaginative dimension to the real-life heroics on display.
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An Interactive Experience the Whole Family Will Love
This isn’t a stand-back-and-read kind of exhibition. It actively pulls you in. The game-based interactive zone is a highlight for visitors of all ages:
- Step inside the Polar Researchers’ House and try out equipment actually used in freezing Arctic conditions
- Climb into a child-sized airplane and approach an isolated research base as a pilot
- Strike a pose at the researcher portrait wall and snap your own Arctic-style photo
- Be awed by the Northern Lights projection and sound installation — and keep an eye out for a polar bear making an appearance
It’s the kind of space where kids won’t want to leave and adults will feel just as swept up in the magic.
Voices from the Arctic
What makes this exhibition especially powerful are the personal stories woven throughout. Researchers and scientists from around the world share why they keep returning to the Arctic, despite — or perhaps because of — its extreme conditions. Their words remind visitors that the Arctic isn’t just a remote wilderness: it’s a living climate barometer for the entire planet, and the people who study it are among the most committed scientists of our time.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Hungarian Natural History Museum – Dome Hall (Kupolacsarnok), Ludovika tér 2-6, Budapest, District VIII
- Open until: July 31, 2026
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9 AM-5PM
Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a photography lover, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler looking for something meaningful to do in Budapest, this exhibition delivers on all fronts. It’s not just informative — it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
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