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Offered languages
- English
While you will see the main attractions of downtown Budapest, the tour focuses on their connection to 20th-century history and the events that unfolded there.
You will start your walk at a lively city square then move to the historical Jewish Quarter, once a vibrant trade center. You will tour the site of the Jewish ghetto, visit memorial locations, see synagogues, learn about the life in Budapest before and under the war and see the quarter's current modern side.
At the end of WWII, Stalin “liberated” Hungary, so under Soviet occupation Hungary was compelled to build communism for 45 years. You’ll visit the last Soviet Memorial and a small exhibition at the Parliament, walk along the river passing the Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial.
Communism ended in 1989, transitioning to capitalism. You'll discuss this journey with your guide as the tour concludes in a coffee shop in Pest downtown. The tour is enriched with archived photos, personal and family memories, and a hint of sarcasm.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide, Eszter at the reception of your hotel or in case of a private accommodation, in front of the house.
Meet Eszter, the tour guide, in front of Danubius Hotel Astoria at the arcades. If you would like a pick-up, please provide your centrally located accommodation details 24 hours before the tour.
The tour will conclude near the Chain Bridge on Pest side, in the heart of the town.
Itinerary
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1District V / Inner City
The walk begins in downtown, near Astoria. As you stroll through a small downtown garden, you can discuss Hungary and Budapest's history up to the 20th century with the guide and see the medieval city wall.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Budapest's Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter was once a bustling commercial center. By walking through the district's narrow streets and squares, visiting courtyards, you can learn about the political changes that have occurred before WWII
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Great / Central Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagoga)
While the guide provides the historical background, you can admire the world's second-largest synagogue, the Heroes' Temple behind it, and the memorial park. Outside visit only.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
Rumbach Street Synagogue (Pass by)
Enjoy a quick photo stop and learn about the beautiful synagogue, a hidden gem in the heart of the Jewish District.
Admission ticket free -
4Kiraly Street
Formerly the busiest main street of downtown Pest, you will walk these streets and learn about the life of the Jewish community in the early 1900s.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Hungarian State Opera House - Magyar Allami Operahaz
Here you can learn about how politics affected the country's cultural life, how the Opera's singers and musicians lived through WWII, and later its role during communist times. When open, visitors can peek into the entrance hall but no interior visit is included.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
Travelers will learn how churches responded during WWII and the Holocaust, and how they operated under communist rule—including the compromises they had to make.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
7
In 1944, Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz saved thousands of Jewish lives. Travelers will learn about his extraordinary story.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
8Szabadsag ter
Liberty Square is rich with 20th-century history. Visitors will learn about the Soviet War Memorial, the 1945 siege of Budapest, and the fate of statues and memorials that once glorified the "liberating" Red Army and communist leaders.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Budapest Parliament
The magnificent Parliament building holds many hidden stories, and visitors can learn about the square's significance in the 1956 revolution. The square features a small exhibition commemorating these events.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
10Shoes on the Danube Bank
60 pairs of iron shoes commemorate the tragic events of winter 1944–1945
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11District V / Inner City
Enjoy a coffee break during or at the end of the tour.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended to children under age of 14
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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