Godollo Palace: all you need to know to enjoy it

The experience of visiting the Gödöllo Palace is not an ordinary experience. Located in Pest County, specifically in the town of Gödöllo, this site is famous for having been the favorite place of Empress Sissi of Austria.

The architecture of Gödöllo Palace makes it one of the most fascinating monuments in Hungary, and is the source of countless legends and myths. Tickets to Gödöllo Palace are easy to purchase, and I promise you won't regret taking this imposing attraction into account during your trip.

The best proposal

Budapest Princess Sissi Godollo Palace Guided Tour

Book a guided tour of the Gödöllo Palace

Perfect if you want to learn the stories about Queen Isabella and Franz Joseph in the place where they were lived thanks to the work of a professional guide without having to worry about travel.

From $48 at Hellotickets

The guided tour to Gödöllo Palace is one of the best tours and excursions from Budapest, it lasts one hour and fifteen minutes, and includes a professional guide, transfer to the palace in an air-conditioned vehicle and entrance to the palace.

Recommended if... you want to know more about the history of Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph and also get to know inside the baroque palace that was the summer residence of the House of Habsburg.

There are guided tours of Gödöllo Palace, and they are definitely worth it, much more than a simple unguided tour, which will make you feel that there is part of history that you miss.

The most interesting thing about taking this guided tour is that you can get right into the dark stories that are woven between the floors of the great Royal palace. It is a fascinating experience, for it is not only the unmistakable architectural style that ties the Gödöllo to the past of these European sites.

On guided tours, you will learn about secrets, hidden passages, private stories, love. It's not about visiting the palace alone and waiting for the walls to talk to you, because they won't. In this case, you must rely on a guide. In this case, you must rely on a person to guide you, and there you will really feel that history itself is dying to escape from oblivion.

Most visitors to Gödöllő Palace recommend visiting it with a guide. As I explained, it's not as spectacular a building as some other European palaces, and while visiting it can be appealing, without the guided tour component, you're going to feel like you're missing out on something fundamental.

While you think about what I say and decide that you definitely want to go to the palace in a comfortable guided tour, take advantage and read everything you need to know about the Budapest Card.

The price of tickets to the Gödöllo Palace is around 8 euros.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a guided tour or a specific excursion, prices may vary depending on the service offered.

Although it will be more expensive than simply taking the ticket, it is my most recommended option, because the grace of this tourist attraction lies, more than anything else, in all the history behind it that the guide in charge of your experience will tell you.

Gödöllo Palace is located approximately 40 minutes from Budapest city center. You have a few options to get there, from a train, bus or car ride or, my favorite, on a guided tour that takes you there.

Excursion to the Gödöllo Palace with a guide

My favorite option: they take you in an air-conditioned car, you don't have to worry about the tour, and when you arrive, you are ready to see the great baroque palace.

It has many advantages, starting with the fact that you don't have to take out a thousand tickets or walk back and forth, but simply hire a package that solves most of your plans for the day.

Getting to Gödöllo Palace by train

If you want to get to Gödöllo Palace by train, you can do so by taking it from Keleti Station. You will arrive at Gödöllo station and, from there, you will have to walk through the Alsópark. This is a great option if you are looking to go on your own, as it is an economical and fairly fast alternative.

The train departs every half hour or so, and it will take you between 26 and 38 minutes to reach your destination. The price of the trip is 1 or 2 euros, and the company in charge is Hungarian Railways.

Getting to Gödöllo Palace by Bus

To get to the Gödöllo Palace by bus, you must go to the Budapest bus terminal Kacsóh Pongrác út. There, you will find a bus that leaves directly to Gödöllo. The trip takes about half an hour, but you have to walk to get there and the departure times are not as accurate as in the other cases. If your budget is starting to tighten, this is a good option because it is a cheap trip. However, it will be the alternative that will take you the longest to get to your destination.

The ticket ranges between 1 and 2 euros, and the company in charge is Volanbusz. The line you should take is 2199.

Getting to Gödöllo Palace by car

If you want to reach the Gödöllo Palace by car, you can do so by taking the M3 road. Of course, you will have to take into account the costs of fuel and car rental. But it is always a nice option to move this way, because you can even stop on the way if you see something that catches your attention and that no tour guide has told you, as it will be if you choose one of the best bike tours in Budapest.

If you are thinking of traveling to Budapest and you usually rent a car to move at your own pace, keep in mind that you should probably buy the Hungarian vignette, which will serve to move on highways.

The Gödöllo Palace opens its doors for visitors at 10:00 and closes at 16:00. However, depending on the time of your trip to Budapest, you should look specifically at the opening hours, because sometimes they vary according to the season. Above all, the closing time, which, in peak tourist seasons, is usually a little later.

A visit to Gödöllo Palace is not a visit that cannot be made with children. However, you should decide whether you think it will be comfortable or not. It can be an interesting occasion, especially if you are traveling with children who are curious and respectful of spaces like this.

In addition, Gödöllo Palace offers guided tours for mothers, under the name "Look, Mom". These are tours specially designed for mothers with babies, which last an hour and could be an excellent alternative if you are embarrassed to do this kind of activities with your children, and they make noise or get bored.

If you are traveling with children, I recommend this article with 10 tips to follow on your trip to Budapest, which may be useful to organize yourself as best as possible. If you are not traveling with children, also, but mothers should take some extra precautions.

There are many things you can't miss at Gödöllo Palace, as it is a huge site, full of rooms and nods to history. Likewise, I recommend some rooms that you should not miss:

• Sissi's bedroom: Who would not want to know the place where the empress lived?
• The chapel: It is a beautiful rococo style construction, ideal for believers and architecture fans.
• The gardens: The space surrounding the palace is as huge as the building itself. Its gardens are very beautiful, and the walk is allowed for tourists.
• Paintings and photographs: You can enjoy numerous portraits of Sissi.

Gödöllo Palace hosts numerous events throughout the year. Some of them are of a private nature, as it has several halls for these purposes. However, others are open to the public and are great occasions to visit this imposing palace.

Some of these events are:

• Chamber Music Festival: An incredible occasion to enjoy the best composers of the European continent. Ideal if you travel in July.
• Baroque days at the palace: Like traveling back in time, you can attend a period fair, with concerts and dance shows. Ideal for August travelers. In that case, find out what else you can do in August in Budapest.
• International Harp Festival: Want to hear the best harpists from all over the continent? They are showcased here at the Gödöllő. Ideal for those in October. In addition, in October in Budapest you will have other alternatives.
• Advent at the palace: the best folk crafts, just before the Christmas vacations. Ideal for those who want to make gifts and are looking for things to do in Budapest at Christmas.

If you are going to visit the Gödöllő Palace, there are a number of recommendations that I think you should keep in mind.

For starters, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, as the indoor and outdoor tour will be done on foot, and it can be strenuous. Also, take a pair of sunglasses with you, to protect you from the intense light when you are walking through the gardens.

Finally, you should know that smoking is prohibited in the palace.