Historic Cats Museum - FREE ENTRY — Attraction in Budapest

The Historic Cats Museum is easily one of the most thoughtfully curated and genuinely fascinating museums I’ve visited—not just in Budapest, but anywhere. And somehow, entry is completely free.

Spread across two full floors, the museum traces the representation of cats across global media and culture—from early newspapers, war-era photography, and literature, to cartoons, board games, advertisements, feminist art, and more. The collection is incredibly broad, but it’s not chaotic—it’s clearly been assembled with deep care, knowledge, and intention. There’s a strong focus on ephemera (in the best sense of the word): objects and media that were never meant to last, but together form a powerful cultural archive.

What’s especially impressive is how the museum manages to be playful without ever feeling superficial. It’s a serious collection that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that balance is rare. You’ll find humor, history, nostalgia, and genuine insight into the way cats have been portrayed across different times and societies.

The gift shop is small but well-selected and reasonably priced—perfect for picking up something thoughtful without feeling like you're walking into a tourist trap. As the museum grows (it’s still relatively new), I imagine this part will continue to expand in interesting ways.

The owner is incredibly kind and clearly passionate. That passion comes through in every part of the museum—from the layout and pacing to the specific choices of what’s displayed. It’s rare to find something so personal and so well-executed.

If you’re in Budapest, this is absolutely worth going out of your way to see. Highly...

The Cats Museum in Budapest, located at Magyar u. 5, is a place that every cat lover, like me, should visit. I had the pleasure of exploring this museum during my recent trip and I was extremely satisfied with the experience. Upon entering, I was greeted by the owner, an incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable person, who made my visit even more enjoyable. He provided me with useful and interesting informations about many of the exhibited objects, enriching my knowledge about cats and the museum's history. The wide selection of high-quality items in the museum is truly incredible. Paintings, medals, posters, photographs, stamps, and vintage objects, all dedicated to cats, are carefully and precisely displayed. Each piece seems to tell a unique story, conveying the elegance and grace of these fascinating animals. I cannot fail to mention the extensive range of excellent-priced gadgets and souvenirs available in the museum. I had the opportunity to purchase some unique and interesting items that reflect my love for cats, without breaking the bank. The atmosphere of the museum is welcoming and captivating, making it truly worth a visit. The Cats Museum in Budapest is a place that I highly recommend to cat...

This place is a quirky little gem, and I’m really glad I visited. It’s a double-storey building packed with all kinds of cat memorabilia—stamps, pictures, old adverts, you name it.

Most of the writing was in Magyar (and maybe other languages), with no descriptions, but that’s totally fine. It’s really just a spot to soak in the cat magic—perfect for cat lovers or anyone who loves animals in general.

I loved the witty notice at the front about how the museum is actually a museum and not a cat café—it really caught my attention.

It took me about 40 minutes to wander through all the exhibits, and that was with me dawdling.

The visitors’ book? Honestly, it felt like an exhibit itself—such a delight to leaf through!

They also have some really cool souvenirs, especially the magnets and notebooks, so definitely check those out.

Best part? Entry is free! So kindly do support this establishment by buying their aforementioned cat themed souvenirs.

The lady working there was super polite and friendly, too.

All in all, a perfect way to while away a hot...