Gödöllő 2026: Royal Palace, Máriabesnyő and Parking

Gödöllő lies in the Budapest metropolitan area, in the Gödöllő Hills. Many people come here because of the Royal Palace, but the pilgrimage site in Máriabesnyő, Erzsébet Park and the town museum also have plenty to see. It is a great destination whether you are interested in historic buildings or would simply like to take a walk in a park.

You can also reach the town by car via the main road that runs through the town center. It is worth checking the parking arrangements before you arrive so that you can focus on the sights once you get there.

Gödöllő Royal Palace: the town’s best-known building

The Grassalkovich Palace, also known as the Gödöllő Royal Palace, is Gödöllő’s best-known landmark. Master builder András Mayerhoffer was commissioned to construct it, and the building was later expanded several times. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, it was designated a royal retreat; Emperor Franz Joseph I and Queen Elisabeth’s family spent several summers here. If you want to start exploring the town’s history at a single site, the palace is a great choice.

The building’s fate changed significantly over time: it was used for military and social purposes, and its restoration as a historic monument later began. Today, you can explore restored interiors in the palace museum. The palace also includes a church, built on the site of the former Reformed church. Together, the museum rooms and the church reveal the history of the complex from several perspectives.

Erzsébet Park and the Statue of Queen Elisabeth

Erzsébet Park was established after Queen Elisabeth’s death, when groves were created across the country in her memory. The park in Gödöllő was among the first to be completed. The Statue of Queen Elisabeth, a work by sculptor József Róna, stands at the end of a promenade lined with rows of trees. Here, you can encounter the town’s royal heritage outside the palace rooms, too, while taking a walk.

It is worth exploring the park on foot: that way, the tree-lined paths and promenade become part of your visit, and you do more than simply walk up to the statue. Queen Elisabeth’s name is also important in the history of the palace, so the two sites complement each other well as part of a day out in Gödöllő. If you plan to visit several attractions, the park offers a pleasant opportunity to spend some time outdoors between indoor sights.

Máriabesnyő pilgrimage site: pilgrimage church and sacred statue

The main attraction in Máriabesnyő is its pilgrimage church, the second most visited Marian pilgrimage site in Hungary. The sacred site was founded by Antal Grassalkovich. The church was built on the site of the village’s old church; Besnyő became a pilgrimage site after a small statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered while the ruins were being cleared. This story alone is a good reason to visit this part of town after the palace.

After the chapel was built, another statue of the Virgin Mary was brought from Loreto, Italy. The sacred statue, made of Lebanese cedar, can still be seen behind the main altar, and the pilgrimage church was later granted the status of a minor basilica. If you are driving between several places in Gödöllő, you can also include Máriabesnyő as a separate stop on your route.

Hamvay Mansion: a museum and cinema in one building

Today, Hamvay Mansion houses the Gödöllő Town Museum and the Gödöllő Town Cinema. It was built by landowner Ferenc Hamvay, originally as a single-storey building. Antal Grassalkovich later had an additional floor added and converted it into an inn. The mansion’s history is therefore not tied to a single era: the building’s function changed several times over the centuries.

Film screenings began at the cinema in the first half of the last century, and the building later also housed an elementary school. The local history collection became a museum, while the cinema remained open. The town market operates in the mansion’s courtyard. If you are interested in Gödöllő’s history, it is worth adding the museum to your itinerary; the mansion building and its courtyard are also part of the visit in their own right.

Gödöllő Arboretum: a walk among the trees

The Gödöllő Arboretum was established for forestry purposes and expanded over the decades. Most of its area still serves forestry research, while a smaller section has the character of a park. Before the Second World War, it was considered Hungary’s most significant arboretum. If you are looking for an outdoor destination after the palace and museum, the arboretum offers a different kind of Gödöllő experience.

It is worth visiting and exploring the arboretum on foot, so you have time to stroll through the park-like section. There are also artificial lakes nearby. Don’t expect the entire area to function as a park open to visitors: a significant part of it is used for research. You can round out a day in Gödöllő with the park-like section of the arboretum, alongside the historic buildings.

Parking in Gödöllő

There are several paid parking zones in Gödöllő. The hourly rate is the same in every zone, but the zone boundaries and operating hours may differ. After parking, check which zone you are in and when you need to pay; the parking zone finder can help.

With mobile parking, you can start paying on site from your phone. If you would also like to check local parking information, visit the Gödöllő parking page.

• 2101 – Gödöllő town center: HUF 550/hour (weekdays 08:00–18:00, weekends 08:00–12:00)
• 2102 – Gödöllő cultural center: HUF 550/hour (weekdays 08:00–18:00, weekends 08:00–12:00)
• 2103 – Gödöllő Palace: HUF 550/hour (daily 09:00–18:00)
• 2104 – Gödöllő Christ Chapel: HUF 550/hour (weekdays and weekends 09:00–18:00, public holidays 12:00–18:00)

The rates are based on data from Nemzeti Mobilfizetési Zrt. and were valid when this article was published.

Tip: Allow time for a walk when visiting the palace and Erzsébet Park, and include Máriabesnyő in your itinerary as a separate stop. When parking, always check the zone for the parking space you have chosen.

Once you have arrived and parked, you can start your parking session online from your phone in just a few clicks, without a meter, cash or installing an app.