The House of Houdini

The House of Houdini, located at 11 Dísz Square beneath Buda Castle, is Europe’s only permanent museum dedicated to the legendary escape artist, Harry Houdini. Founded by Hungarian escape artist David Merlini, it opened in 2016 to preserve Houdini’s magic legacy and his Hungarian roots.

Within the historic neobaroque building, visitors must first solve the “Entrance Arcane” puzzle printed on their ticket to enter the main exhibition. Once inside, they’ll discover Houdini’s original handcuffs, personal letters, his Hungarian birth certificate, and props from the recent Houdini film starring Adrien Brody.

The museum includes a small “Orpheum” theatre where live performances by top magicians—rotating acts in English and Hungarian—bring Houdini's daring escapes to life. Displays are housed in a cabinet-of-curiosities format, with water torture visuals, safes, posters, and wax figures creating an immersive, atmospheric experience.

Visitors praise the blend of history, theatre, and interactive mystery. One reviewer noted “the guides are awesome,” while others say solving the entry puzzle and watching the magic show made it a highlight of their Budapest trip.