The House of Houdini — Attraction in Budapest

The House of Houdini, in the birth city of Erik Weisz, aka "Houdini". This little gem is tucked away from the main road into the Castle District. I'm sure you've read many of the reviews here or will so after reading this. Let me first tell you what this place is not. It is not Las Vegas. If you are expecting Siegfried & Roy, Criss Angel or David Copperfield, you will be disappointed - this ain't the place. However, if you have a bit of an interest from a historical perspective of one of Magic's greatest showman and self-promoter from the golden age of magic, this could be the place for you.

Within this compact venue, you will be treated to a bit of background, several displays of props – probably one of the largest collections of handcuff types Houdini used I’ve seen to-date, a milk can in one corner and several “spiritualist”/séance devices, various other bits of ephemera and a competent bit of a parlour/close-up magic performance. The pictures other reviewers have posted will give you a pretty good idea of what you will see. The well informed staff was very friendly and did their best to answer questions.

I can surmise that the founders of this venue have gone out of their way to put on a display that is usually only seen in private collections or to members of clubs and/or associates. You may not truly grasp what is before you. Sometimes you stumble into something not knowing where you were, but only realising it later.

A few things to note if you are considering a visit...

The venue is also window into another time. Aside from the “magic show”, there may be a disconnect with younger visitors between what is presented and trying to reconcile it within the world today without sufficient context. I would “prep” them sometime before your trip with some Houdini movies/shows, depending on their age, Houdini (2014) may be appropriate if you can find it but there are many to choose from. At least they’ll have a reference point go from and the venue can be appreciated more.

Make a reservation through their website. If you just show-up at the entrance, you may not get in immediately or not at all. I just happened to stumble upon this place – amazing actually; I didn’t even know it existed - and was lucky to not have waited. After I finished my tour, I noticed others had to wait for the next group and others were turned away as they were running a full house thereafter.

Thank you for the great time and great...

The House Of Houdini: A Truly Magical Experience In Budapest

Houdini is perhaps the greatest showman and escape artist that ever lived: my apologies to David Copperfield, David Blaine, and Thomas Merlini, but they might agree…. By happenstance on TripAdvisor I came across the The House Of Houdini museum in Budapest and I thank the heavens and stars for such a treat and my good fortune. It is truly a rare gem of a place. With a wonderful guide in tow, I was transported back in time to the world of Houdini: his life and times, the historical context, his incredible feats which tested the limits of the human mind and body, the instruments he used to both bind and then free himself, and even more. At the end there was even a live demonstration of some impressive magic tricks done by a live magician. Such a fantastic treat and experience made possible by David Merlini the owner and extremely accomplished magician snd escape artist himself, up there with the very best. To top it off, at the exit I actually met and talked to David in the flesh. He was so kind, intelligent, interesting,informative , and generous - in short, a wonderful host. He gave me, for I am a neurosurgeon, a signed copy of a wonderful biography (Magic And Medicine) - which I read over the next several days - of a world renown Hungarian born world class vascular surgeon, Dr. Peter Gloviczki, who chaired the department at the Mayo Clinic in the USA and had also been a world champion magician in a prior stage of his life. Truly amazing to say the least. I even had the great pleasure and honor to have dinner with David Merlini that evening. David is also planning an event in 2026 in Budapest to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death (tragic and weird) which I plan to attend. So if you want a truly magical experience in Budapest, then visit The House Of Houdini and if you are very lucky, David Merlini might even...

Bad organization. I tried to go 3 times The first one, they tell me they are open every day from 10 to 7pm every 30 minutes, and but it was close to 7 and I missed the last show The Second time I arrived at 6:04pm and they tell me I missed the last show because it was at 6pm. So it is not every 30minutes. They didnt mention this the first time The Third time I arrived at 5:40pm they say cash only (in 2024, the only place in all Hungary with cash only). I ask if I can but online, they tell me No, they have only for tomorrow. I checked the website and it does not have a booking date. You just buy the ticket, I come back because maybe it was a misunderstanding, they say they needed time to validate the purchase (what do you mean? It is an online purchase, it goes instantly) Zero effort to take guesses, it is obvious they dont want to work at all, so that gives me very low expectations from the whole experience. No wonder I didnt see anybpdy going there If you really want to take the effort remember to obey all their rules, and not what they advertiae There is no shows every 30mins Only cash Book online with 90 days in advance because they validate the purchase qith a computer from Houdini's time Dont wear shorts It is forbidden to curse inside You will have to escape from your own Houdini was the greatest escapist ever, but his museum is impossible to get in, not even a...