When I was in Budapest, my friend recommended me to visit Szabó Ervin Library- a gorgeous INSTAGRAM-ABLE library in the heart of the city. Seriously, if you’re looking for off the beaten track places in Budapest, visit this breathtaking old library.
Szabó Ervin Library
The Metropolitan Szabó Ervin Library was actually a find from Instagram. Situated in the heart of the city, Szabó Ervin is a 10 minutes walk from the tram stop and has no admission charge. (Go there before you have to pay forints to see it!!) Named after a Hungarian librarian and social scientist, this library is a welcome change away from the city rush and is a baroque treat.
Szabó Ervin Library
There are two sections to the library but all you have to visit is the baroque section called the Wenckheim Palace. This part is antique and consists of countless array of books in Hungarian and other languages with breathtaking interiors. Excuse me for my pictures but I hope you get the drift of what I am intending to show!
The interiors of the library
Old world
Love the colors
As you can see, the library of Budapest has rooms with ornate furniture and perfect upholstery! It almost seems as if you have entered a castle. There are chandeliers and fireplaces that give an inkling to get a warm cup of cocoa and sit by the fire. It reminded me of a scene from the Harry Potter movies. I observed several students taking notes and studying, going about their day as normally as possible (just like in Hogwarts) without realizing where they are!!
I, on the other hand, was gawking!
Beauty!
For the queen?
Another stunning section
Corners of the library
Maybe that’s Madam Pinch??
It was surreal! Imagine this place in the wee hours or probably on a rainy day.
Wouldn’t you love sitting here and reading to your heart’s content??
If you are a book lover, this library in Budapest should be high up on your list!
Timings:
Weekdays: 10:00 to 20:00
Saturday: 10:00 to 16:00.
Closed Sundays
Szabó Ervin tér 1, 1088, Budapest
44 Comments
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canadianforeigner
July 21, 2017 at 11:41 pmAhhhh, I was just there! Planning on spending lots of the winter sitting in there! Great post!
Ishita
July 22, 2017 at 9:43 amIn the Winter it must be so beautiful to be in there 😍
the harmony in our clothes
May 31, 2017 at 1:00 pmThat is one hell of a beautiful library ! I wish we could still make amazing places like that, makes you nostalgic of another time 🙂
Ishita
May 31, 2017 at 6:06 pmI wish too. But we need to preserve the ones we already have..xx
Do’s and don’ts when you are alone in Budapest – the shortest long list – The Unlikely Diva
May 4, 2017 at 1:16 am[…] some time in Szabó Ervin library if ever without company in Budapest. I first read about it on Italophilia, was mesmerized by the pictures and really wanted to visit. But when you travel in groups is a bit […]
HelsinkiBudapest
April 13, 2017 at 6:00 pmWe are alternately proud of and disgusted by our Habsburg past over here. Proud, because we can show it off (and it brought us culture), disgusted because – once again – we were conquered. Most of us are still trying to reconcile our Mongolian warrior roots with a more sedentary European lifestyle. Is also why we will either treat you like royalty, or make you feel like scum. 😀 And complain about doing it. 😉
Seriously though. Really happy you liked it here. I consider both Budapest and Paris to be Home, which says a lot about the magic and beauty of Budapest.
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 12:20 amI understand your sentiments. My nation was ruled too and I know that feeling. It stays. But can’t complain about what’s done. I love your city and you should be proud to be there and in Paris.
HelsinkiBudapest
April 14, 2017 at 3:56 amNow I have to ask where you’re from. 😀 Answer optional, or in pm. It’s kind of weird to be part of both ruler and subject, so I guess it gives me the license to be as unbalanced as can be. 😀 Most of my friends here hate Austria and Turkey equally. I’m ok with Austrians, except they’d always stop me at the border, and I only carry a French passport, same story, no matter where I came from or traveled to. Turkey is a place I still haven’t visited, despite having friends from there, but I’d love to go. Always bonded with the people from there. Ditto most Brits. And Italians.
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 9:19 amI’m from India and there is nothing to hide about it. It’s written on my About page too. The bondings happen with me too across cultures. I loved Slovenians too as a friendly group. Italians are the friendliest that I’ve met so far
HelsinkiBudapest
April 14, 2017 at 9:42 amMy phone is possessed and either won’t let me find what I’m looking for, or decides not to show me half the things I should be seeing. Your about page didn’t even show up. 🙄
I have a feeling I was in Slovenia when I was really little, so all I remember is this path we were in with these little figures on the side, as though someone had decided to recreate Grimm’s fairy tales. Every time I see pictures from there it looks like a fairy tale. India is another place I would love to visit, since I have friends from there, and visiting your friends always makes it better. Though I love just going on my own, too. And I absolutely agree with you, Italian hospitality is out of this world.
The Unlikely Diva
April 13, 2017 at 3:05 pmOh, my God! That looks amazing! I will just put it on my list for the next visit!
Ishita
April 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmThanks 🙂 You should visit someday for sure
anyone4curryandotherthings
April 13, 2017 at 1:56 pmBeautiful – just beautiful. If we ever visited Budapest this is the right place for JS – I just leave him there, go out and do what I want to do etc., come back in the evening and, yes, you guest it, he would still be there, in his kind of “heaven” – and now I would join him, too. This has always happened in every city around the world…and hopefully it will continue. Thanks for showing all this to us.
Ishita
April 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmAww you are so sweet. Most welcome 🙂 I hope you can visit
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 12:20 amYou might enjoy my latest post too 🙂
Anabel Marsh
April 11, 2017 at 3:07 amAargh – wish we had gone there! I saw it on the map but we were heading elsewhere and didn’t go back that way. Next time…….
Ishita
April 11, 2017 at 5:39 pmAlways a reason to return 🙂
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 12:21 amDo check the latest post too 🙂 and add it to your kitty
Anabel Marsh
April 14, 2017 at 12:37 amJust did!
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 12:40 amThanks and happy traveling 🙂
Kickin' It With Rae
April 10, 2017 at 9:05 pmBeautiful Ishita! Just gorgeous. I felt that way when I walked into the library at Yale University.. thought I was entering a church.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 10:54 pmI just saw pictures of that library, Rae. ! HUGE! And thanks 🙂 I had a great time here
Dippy-Dotty Girl
April 10, 2017 at 8:02 pmYet another miss! :-/ Gosh, I have to go back! I would not leave that library for hours. Thanks for the tip.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 10:55 pmGood reason to return? 🙂 Stay tuned for more posts. You might add a few more things to your kitty
Dippy-Dotty Girl
April 10, 2017 at 10:55 pmI hope not! 😀 I mean I would be aghast if I have missed more but I have a sneaking suspicion I might have. Sigh.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 10:59 pmHaha I meant it in the nicest way coz now you can plot your return 😉
Dippy-Dotty Girl
April 10, 2017 at 11:02 pmI confess to knowing that already 😀 I shall place a block of stone upon me heart and promise not to protest anymore.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 11:18 pmHaha 🙂 You are so sweet! 😛
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 12:22 amCheck the new post ….FYI.. 😉
Dippy-Dotty Girl
April 14, 2017 at 2:40 amRight on 😀
The Wayfarer
April 10, 2017 at 7:38 pmThat looks amazing!
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 10:55 pmThanks dear 🙂
mytimetotravel
April 10, 2017 at 6:18 pmGorgeous! Can’t think how I missed it.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 7:28 pmThank you! It was a gem but who knows you might be there again ..someday.
Tanja
April 10, 2017 at 6:03 pmsuch a gorgeous library!
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 7:29 pmI know! Loved it
Christina's Cucina
April 10, 2017 at 4:56 pmLibraries and book stores around the world are usually worthy of a visit. The one you feature here is certainly one of them.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 7:29 pmAbsolutely. I always end up going to places with lots of bookstores 😛
Lyn
April 10, 2017 at 2:54 pmIt is exquisite. Even the street to get to it is gorgeous. That would be a beautiful stressfree day from our usual busy travel days
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 7:30 pmThanks Lyn. The street had a quaint cafe at the corner. Lovely memories..xx
Darlene
April 10, 2017 at 1:37 pmOh, my! What a fabulous library. I would love it there too. Good choice to visit it.
Ishita
April 10, 2017 at 1:39 pmThanks Darlene 🙂