From carvings honoring Marx and Lenin, to a 19.6-foot (6-meter) statue of a Soviet soldier, few attractions address Communism through art more effectively than Memento Park. Highlights include sitting in a vintage Trabant, viewing a secret police training film, and standing beside Stalin's oversized boots—modeled after a statue destroyed when Hungarians fought back against Soviet rule.
Though it's relatively easy to hop on public transit and visit Memento Park, because of its somewhat remote location, travelers save time by booking a private tour. Communist-themed history tours typically visit Memento Park, and some even whisk you around in a vintage Trabant.
Memento Park is located in Southern Buda, about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) from the city center. The most convenient way to visit is by public transit. You should take the 4 metro line to the Kelenföld vasútállomá stop. From there, take the 101 or 150 bus to Memento Park—the stop is situated just outside the gates. For a bird's-eye view, consider a sightseeing flight that passes over the park.
The park is open year-round, and English-language tours are typically offered daily, from May to October. Since Memento Park is a popular tourist destination, and its main attractions are situated outside, you can expect more crowds during peak summer tourist season. Plan to visit in autumn to enjoy the mild, dry weather, and fewer crowds.
To uncover the Hungarian experience of Communism, visitors shouldn't miss Memento Park's Barrack Exhibition. In this space, you can find detailed information about the two turning points that shaped Hungary's 20th-century politics: the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and the collapse of Communism in 1989. Through historic photos, films, and sculptures, you can learn about these troubled times.
