The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of Europe’s most spectacular legislative buildings and an unmistakable icon of Budapest’s skyline. Completed in 1904 in a lavish Neo-Gothic style, it stretches along the banks of the Danube for 268 meters, features 365 decorative turrets, and contains nearly 700 elaborately decorated rooms. The interior is every bit as breathtaking as the exterior, with 40 kilograms of gold used in the decoration, sweeping marble staircases, and stained glass windows by Miksa Róth.

The building’s most treasured artifact is the Holy Crown of Hungary, the nation’s most significant historical relic, displayed beneath the magnificent central dome. Guided tours lasting approximately 45 minutes take visitors through the grand staircase, the old House of Lords, and the Crown Jewels exhibition.

Pro tip: Book your tour tickets online at least a day in advance, as slots fill up quickly. For the most iconic photographs, head to the opposite bank of the Danube at Batthyány Square in the evening when the entire building is illuminated in golden light — or take a river cruise at sunset for an unforgettable perspective.