The castle district and the area around it have some hidden gems worth discovering if you know where to search. One of those is the Kollér art gallery, named after its founder, György Kollér. This is the oldest fine art gallery in Budapest that has been operating uninterruptedly since the 1950s, and it moved to its current location in Buda in the 1980s.

The 3 level gallery exhibits, auctions, and sells artworks of famous contemporary Hungarian artists, including Amerigo Tot, a Hungarian-Italian sculptor who was quite often seen with Salvador Dali, and Imre Varga who created the ‘waiting women’, an umbrella sculpture placed in Óbuda dedicated to sex workers. You can also find pieces of art by other international artists at the gallery.

The coolest part of the gallery is the secret garden that I cherish for its peace and possibility to experience arts and nature simultaneously. Covered in lush green ivy, it is used as an exhibition space for contemporary sculptures. It has a special atmosphere as it aims to create harmonious and meditative vibes for reflections and mindful observation, and a small fountain in the middle helps set the mood. Moreover, you can have a great panoramic view of the Pest side over the garden’s fence. If you are looking for a peaceful experience far from the touristy crowds of the Castle district, Kollér gallery’s garden is a perfect choice.