Light Art Museum

In the heart of Budapest, within the historic covered market of Hold utca, the Light Art Museum (LAM), one of the world’s first museums dedicated entirely to the art of light, will be located from 2022. This 2,000-square-metre exhibition space represents a pioneering institution that explores the boundary between imagination and reality through light installations, digital projections and works that fuse art, science and technology. Unlike traditional Budapest museums, the LAM offers an immersive and interactive experience where visitors become part of the exhibits.

The building that houses the museum is the former Centre Covered Market, built in 1896 by architect Győző Czigler during the Austro-Hungarian era. Founders László Laki, Viola Lukács, Márton Orosz and László Zsolt Bordos transformed the old vendor stalls into exhibition spaces for technological and progressive art. In the centre of the main hall towers an airship (zeppelin), the largest projection structure in Europe, inviting visitors to enter and immerse themselves in the museum’s most spectacular projections.

The LAM exhibits works by more than 40 international artists, including the legendary Hungarians László Moholy-Nagy and Victor Vasarely, pioneers of light as an artistic medium. The installations range from representations of the aurora borealis encased in crystals to black holes and supernovas, from programmed neural networks to luminous glass sculptures. Many works react to visitors’ movements, creating a personalised experience that is never the same.

Things to do at the Light Art Museum

The experience begins at the entrance, where the historic architecture of the covered marketplace contrasts with futuristic installations. The exhibition is spread over two floors and comprises a dozen themed rooms, each dedicated to a specific aspect of light art. The main hall houses the central blimp, a huge inflatable structure where you can enter and lie back on cushions while 360-degree projections envelop you completely. The images range from cosmic landscapes to hypnotic geometric patterns, synchronised with ambient music that amplifies the immersive effect.

Among the most photographed installations is the Infinite Mirror Room, where light reflects infinitely, creating the illusion of being suspended in space. The work dedicated to Einstein’s equation transforms E=mc² into a pulsating light sculpture that changes colour and intensity. The Phantom Vision room represents the most experimental exhibition: it uses artificial intelligence, brain waves and brain-computer interface technology to visualise the artists’ dreams and unconscious thoughts. This installation, which is restricted to those over the age of 18, lasts 90 minutes and is projected on a loop throughout the day.

Interactive installations form the heart of the experience. In the root room you can observe a tree root system that lights up and reacts to your movements. The giant orange eye follows visitors with its gaze thanks to motion sensors. Other works include walls that listen and turn your words into light displays, dancing pixels that change pattern when you approach, and a corridor where sentences written in light appear only in the finest shadows. Photography is allowed throughout the museum, making it perfect for fans of Instagram and creative photography.

Admission tickets

Tickets for the Light Art Museum can be purchased online: the adult ticket (13-64 years) grants access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions for a whole day. Seniors over 65, students with ID and children between 5 and 12 are entitled to a discount. Children under 4 have free admission but must always be accompanied by an adult.

The museum also offers combined tickets with other Budapest attractions, in particular with the Hungarian Parliament, saving money compared to buying separately. During peak season and at weekends, tickets sell out quickly, so it is worth booking at least a week in advance. The average duration of the visit is 1-1.5 hours, but you can stay as long as you wish during the day.

Opening Hours

The Light Art Museum is open all year round with extended opening hours, particularly on weekends when it is open from 10:00 to 22:00. During the week the hours may vary, so always check the official website before your visit to confirm. The museum does not close on Hungarian holidays, making it a good option even during the Christmas or New Year period when many other attractions have reduced hours.

The best time to visit the museum is in the evening hours, when the light experience reaches its peak and the darkness outside amplifies the effect of the installations. The months of May to September offer the most pleasant weather for exploring Budapest, but being an indoor attraction makes the LAM ideal even on the coldest or rainiest days of the Hungarian winter. During the summer, book evening slots to avoid the daytime heat and then enjoy an evening stroll along the illuminated Danube after your visit.

How to get to the Light Art Museum

The Light Art Museum is located at Hold utca 13 in district V of Budapest, a short walk from the Hungarian Parliament and St Stephen’s Basilica. Its central location makes it easily accessible by any means of public transport. Buses 15 and 115 stop at Hold utca (Belvárosi piac), right in front of the museum entrance, being the most convenient option with only a one-minute walk.

By metro, take the M3 (blue) line and get off at Arany János utca, from which the museum is about a 5-7 minute walk north. Alternatively, trams 2, 2B and 2M stop at Kossuth Lajos tér M, the station located directly in front of the Parliament, from where you can reach the museum in a 6-minute walk through the picturesque Old Town area. These trams also offer beautiful views of the Danube on the way.