Vasarely 120 Exhibition in Budapest

Hey, art enthusiasts visiting Budapest! If optical illusions and mind-bending geometric art spark your interest, the Vasarely 120 exhibition at the Museum of fine Arts is your perfect stop during a City Park adventure. Celebrating Victor Vasarely’s 120th birthday alongside the museum’s own 120-year milestone, this retrospective draws huge crowds to Heroes’ Square – just like the 1.2 million visitors who flocked here last year.

Why Check Out Vasarely 120 as a Tourist

Imagine stepping into a world where colors shift, shapes pulse, and your eyes play tricks – that’s Vasarely’s op art magic, born right from his Hungarian roots before he conquered Paris. Running May 14 to August 16, it’s a summer highlight for Budapest travelers blending modern art with the city’s thermal baths and ruin pub scene. As the world’s largest public Vasarely collection calls Budapest home, this show feels personal and unmissable for anyone exploring Hungarian cultural gems.

Exhibition Highlights and What to Expect

Dive into over 140 works across five immersive sections, tracing Vasarely’s evolution from early figurative sketches to pioneering kinetic masterpieces that foreshadow digital art. Expect rare loans from the Fondation Vasarely in Aix-en-Provence, Pécs Vasarely Museum, and private collections – pieces never seen before in Hungary. Pair it with the companion Kinetic Visions show featuring Nicolas Schöffer at the Hungarian National Gallery from March 19 to August 23, for a full kinetic art dialogue right in Budapest.

Key Event Details

• Dates: May 14 – August 16, 2026
• Location: Museum of fine Arts, Dózsa György út 41, City Park (Városliget), Budapest
• Highlights: 140+ works in 5 sections; world’s largest Vasarely public collection; rare international loans
• Companion Show: Kinetic Visions – Nicolas Schöffer and Vasarely (Hungarian National Gallery, March 19 – August 23)
• Tickets: Book online via museum website; combo passes available

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Nestled at Dózsa György út 41 in vibrant City Park, hop on Metro M1 to Hősök tere or trams 2/24 from downtown hotels – it’s a breeze. Book tickets online early via the museum website as this Vasarely Budapest exhibition sells out fast; combo passes with permanent collections save you time and money. Arrive at opening to beat lines, linger in the museum café for coffee with a view, and follow up with Vajdahunyad Castle strolls or a paddleboat on the lake for the ultimate Budapest art day.