Tourists admiring the city from above
Tourists admiring the city from above

Walking Tours in Budapest

Budapest is a beautiful, interesting city full of contrasts and contradictions.  Every tourist shoud admire the streets, districts and individual buildings that stand as reminders to the rich history of Hungary.

TOC
T
O
C

There are many online travel-guide sites that will help you find all of the different available walking tours in Budapest. Using such sites, it should be easy for you to measure their suitability to your needs via previous customer reviews.  This is all good news for any visitor.  But what kind of Walking Tours should you consider?  In this article we will not recommend any individual tour guides, but provide you with ideas for what kind of Walking Tours in Budapest are typically very popular.

All-One Tours

It may sound overwhelming, but such walking tours generate positive feedback from many satisfied visitors to the city.  Relying on great public transport links, such tours typically take you to most of the major sites including the Buda Castle, Szechenyi Thermal Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes Square, St Stephen’s Basilica, Gellert Hill and the Citadel with its magnificent views of the city below.  As a day goes, it’s probably one that will live long in the memory.

A guided tour group in front of St. Stephen's Basilica
A guided tour group in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica

Buda Castle Walking Tours

The Caste District of Budapest has so much to offer. The history here is so complex, so dramatic, and often very tragic, and yet it is all set in such beautiful surroundings.  But with such a vast amount of detail to take, and bearing in mind that not all of it is to be found on the main streets of the district, it really does make sense to spend a few hours here, walking with an experienced guide.

Budapest Weather - Spring

Excavations in the Buda Castle revealed ruins of three long-lost synagogues

The castle of Buda and its surroundings under Ottoman rule

An artistic rendition of the Castle of Buda in the 15th century 

Budapest Parliament Walking Tours

There are not many more iconic buildings of Budapest than that of the Parliament Building.  It is instantly recognizable and seriously impressive no matter where it is viewed from.  Just about everyone agrees on this.  You may be surprised to discover then, that impressive as the exterior is, there are those who actually prefer the interior.  Here you’ll find wonderful decorations, stairways and halls, along with the Holy Hungarian Crown.  A walking tour that can explain both the exterior and interior details is definitely worth considering.

Exterior shot of the Parliament
Exterior shot of the Parliament

Jewish Budapest Walking Tours

Jewish culture has played a major part in the development of Budapest, and it remains a vibrant part of the city’s life today.  The Dohány Street Great Synagogue Budapest is prominent among the Synagogues of Budapest and world-famous as well.  However, it’s worth noting that the intricate, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter of Budapest may not reveal a lot of its detail to the first-time visitor. A tour guide here may come in extremely useful, and of course, they will be able to help in ensuring that you also get to experience some genuine Jewish refreshments throughout the tour.  Indeed, it is possible to find a walking tour that makes Jewish Cuisine a major element of the tour itself.

Exterior shot of a synagogue in Budapest
Exterior shot of a synagogue in Budapest

Budapest by Night Walking Tours

As much a Budapest appears stunning in the daytime, it has to be acknowledged that often it looks more impressive by night.  Clearly a nighttime walking tour of the Citadel, the Buda Castle or the Bank of the Danube or walking on the bridges of Budapest has to be memorable, just as a riverboat cruise at night is never forgotten.

The stunning beauty of Budapest by night.
The stunning beauty of Budapest by night.

Buda Castle by Night: Dark History – Vampire Walking Tours

For those that enjoy a dark story, well-told, (and a bit of excitement mixed in with the shining spires and lit-up bastions of the Buda Castle), it is possible to partake in a Dark History-Vampire Walking Tour.  (Certainly, such a walking tour appears to generate a lot of enthusiasm from past participants.)

Smoke and light filled labyrinth under Buda Castle
Smoke and light filled labyrinth under Buda Castle

Budapest Communist Walking Tours

As time passes, so much seems to be forgotten.  In the years since Hungary freed itself from communist control, the city has rejuvenated itself in so many wonderful ways.  But still, if you know where to look, it is possible to find elements of that past, and if you want to try to contemplate what life was like during the communist era, you might need somebody to help you. Such walking tours exploring the communist era of the city continue to be popular with visitors.

Communist-era architecture in Budapest
Communist-era architecture in Budapest

Budapest Great Market Hall Walking Tours

It’s not necessary to partake in sampling all of the culinary delights on offer, but of course, you can if you want.  A walking tour here will offer you the opportunity to learn about the Central Market Hall itself, and also about Hungary’s famous cuisine.

Interior shot of the Great Market Hall
Interior shot of the Great Market Hall

Budapest Café Society Walking Tours

It is perhaps a little-known secret: Hungarians love cakes, pastries and coffee.  Not surprisingly, as with Vienna, Budapest developed its own café culture, and with it, some famous cakes, desserts and cafés.  The result is good news for anyone who adores an afternoon with a coffee and a slice of something, while sitting watching the world go by. A guide on such a tour can ensure that, not only do you get to hear some of the interesting history connected to each café and each cake, but also that you get to experience both.

Interior shot of Central Café
Interior shot of Central Café

Culinary Walking Tours

If you really want to experience genuine Hungarian cuisine, this may be the option for you.  There is a school of thought amongst many who’ve travelled extensively that Hungarian soup is probably the best in the world.  Indeed, Goulash, served here in Hungary, arrives at your table as a type of thick, rich soup.   With all of this in mind, it has to be worth finding a local guide who can recommend where you may try an authentic version.  But there is more to Hungarian cuisine than its most famous dish: there are so many other options seasoned with paprika, made succulent with sour cream and sided with wonderful pickled salads or rich game sauces, and then perhaps followed with a subtle dessert.

Interior shot of a restaurant in Budapest
Interior shot of a restaurant in Budapest

Budapest Ruin Pub Walking Tours

Within the Jewish Quarter of Budapest are located some of the world’s most unique bars.  A good guide should not only be able to explain the history of the district, and that of each pub, but will also be able to lead you to the best Ruin Pubs of Budapest.

Exterior shot of Szimpla
Exterior shot of Szimpla

Budapest is a beautiful, interesting city full of contrasts and contradictions.  The streets, districts and individual buildings stand as reminders to the rich history of Hungary, and also to the rich history Europe itself.  Within all of this however, like within all cities, Budapest also holds the ‘smaller’, individual histories of the people who have lived here.  (And those who continue to live here.)  These are the people who have helped build and define what this city is.  Out of this, there are so many wonderful and tragic events to contemplate.  So much to learn and home take with you. 

Q&A

Can I purchase a guidebook for the tours?
Of course, you can, and should, buy a guidebook.  But if you want the fine detail pointed out and revealed to you, and if you want anecdote and a deeper understanding of what has happened here, then a personal guide and a walking tour of Budapest have to be the best options.
Your experience is important.
Anything you have not found?

Ask a Question

    Please log in to write a review.

    There is no review yet.