Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Inner Parish Church
- St. Stephen's Basilica
- Parliament exterior
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 belief 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.
Check out our handy guide to navigating Budapest.
FAQ
Does this walk include the interior of the Parliament building?
As an active government building, the Parliament 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 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.
Experts
Where You'll Start
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202 Reviews
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We loved our tour with Szonja! Her deep historical knowledge and love of Budapest shines through in her storytelling. We learned so much from our time with her. Highly recommended!
Elaine
Aug. 27, 2024
Daniel was an excellent guide for our Getting to know Pest tour. His explanations were thorough and clear. He has an extensive knowledge of history and was able to even comment on current events in a thoughtful way. He will be with us for our next tour to the Jewish Quarter and we look forward to it.
Eva
Aug. 24, 2024
Daniel was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and also enthusiastic. He covered both the history and gave a perspective on the current situation of Hungary. We learned a great deal in a short 3 hours. Extremely worthwhile!
Katherine
Aug. 14, 2024