Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Inner Parish Church
- St. Stephen's Basilica
- Parliament exterior
Photos & Highlights
- Trace Budapest’s history, from ancient Celts to contemporary politics
- Led by a local historian or scholar
Select a date
Tour Description
Using the main sightseeing attractions of downtown Pest as waypoints, this 3-hour introduction to Budapest walking tour is designed to give a solid overview of the city and its history. Joining a local scholar from our network, we'll cover the central zone of Pest and learn how to read the city. An eclectic mix of ancient and modern, the city is saturated with complex history, a nation that has constantly emerged from under foreign rule to assert its own identity.
Budapest Walking Tour
Separated by the Danube, the settlements of Pest and Buda form one of the most intriguing cities in Europe: Budapest. Our time together goes all the way back to the beginning, when the area was first settled by ancient Celts and Romans. Ruins of old Roman fortifications, known as the Contra-Aquincum, give us visual evidence of these early settlements. The nearby Inner Parish Church, the oldest building in Pest, is not only an example of Gothic construction, but a testament to how modern urban planning has been used to respect the past.
On the Shores of the Danube
After digging into the origins of Pest, the group has endless possibilities to explore. A trail along the Danube river provides not only spectacular views, but options to discuss the development of arts and literature, Art Nouveau aesthetics, or Baroque building techniques. As we wind our way north, we have the opportunity to pass through millennia of Pest's history.
Post-communism, contemporary life will not be ignored, as Pest's urban fabric is continually changing to meet the changing political and cultural beliefs of the time. For instance, the recent renaming of Roosevelt tér, a square close to the Chain Bridge, and the ever-changing monuments in Freedom Square act as strong examples of how public spaces are shaping and being shaped by Hungarian identity. (We go into more detail about this on our Budapest Politics Tour.)
Takeaways
We will end our time in the vicinity of St. Stephen's Basilica, whose location near the Central European University, a symbol of new learning in post-Soviet Hungary, only reinforces the changing landscape of Pest. Continually moving toward modernization while still retaining the history of the past, this journey through the streets of Pest allows us to come away with a timeline of Budapest's history and a vision for the city's future potential.
FAQ
Does this walk include the interior of the Parliament building?
As an active government building, the Parliament's interior is only accessible on their own guided visits, provided internally. Our walk takes an in-depth look at the exterior.
Are there any out-of-pocket costs? There may be nominal site entrance costs or other fees that are not included in the price of the tour. It is a good idea to have some local currency on hand for these.
As an active government building, the Parliament's interior is only accessible on their own guided visits, provided internally. Our walk takes an in-depth look at the exterior.
Are there any out-of-pocket costs? There may be nominal site entrance costs or other fees that are not included in the price of the tour. It is a good idea to have some local currency on hand for these.
Where You'll Start
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274 Reviews
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Daniel was extremely knowledgeable, jolly, and delightful to tour with. He catered to our interests and was a fantastic guide! Our tour flew by, we loved it!
Lisa
Reviewed on:
Jul 13, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our Introduction to Pest with Greta. She was incredibly knowledgeable and warmly conversational; we had a great time chatting with her. She came equipped with an iPad to show us photos and maps that illuminated her talk. She graciously adjusted our tour to include a stop at a historic cafe, which we asked for, and she did not rush us through any location. We learned so much about the city and Hungarian culture through her knowledge and expertise. Thank you! This was an outstanding experience. Greta even followed up with a text sharing more recommendations, restaurants, and sites. Fantastic!
L monique
Reviewed on:
Jul 4, 2023
It was great hearing about the sites, the history and the changes Hungary has gone though.
Russ
Reviewed on:
May 29, 2023
