Museum of Applied Arts

Established in 1872, the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest is on par with those found in Vienna and London. The fanciful Art Nouveau building alone warrants a visit for its roof, which is decorated with green and golden tiles (made by local Zsolnay manufactory), and the soaring Glass Hall, which looks like the inside of a delicately tiered wedding cake. It was designed by pioneering architect Ödön Lechner, who had a preference for combining typical Secession motifs with elements of Hungarian and Turkish folk art. The museum’s permanent collection features furniture, metalwork, ceramics, textiles and glassware, and there are also great temporary exhibits.