1. The Gödöllő Royal Palace, located approximately 30 km east of Budapest, is the largest baroque castle in Hungary. It was originally built in the 18th century as a summer residence for the Habsburgs, and later became the favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sisi) and King Franz Joseph I. Interesting facts about the palace include:
- The palace has over 300 rooms, including a theater, chapel, and even a bowling alley.
- Queen Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, was particularly fond of the palace and spent a lot of time there. Visitors can see her private apartments, which have been preserved as they were during her lifetime.
- Franz Joseph I would often use the palace as a hunting lodge, and there is still a large collection of hunting trophies on display.
- During World War II, the palace was used as the headquarters of the German army and suffered damage from bombings.
2. The Gödöllő Royal Palace is open to visitors every day except Monday, from 10am to 6pm. The phone number for the information desk is +36 28 410-100.
3. Tickets to the palace can be purchased on site or online in advance. Prices vary depending on age and whether or not you want a guided tour. As of 2021, adult tickets start at 3,000 HUF (around 10 USD) for a self-guided tour, and go up to 4,500 HUF (around 15 USD) for a guided tour. Students and seniors receive a discount, and children under 6 are free. The palace can be reached by car or train from Budapest, with the journey taking around 30-40 minutes.


