3-hour Tour of Buda Castle with a Historian

Language: English

Duration: Flexible

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Buda Castle, an ancient royal residence.
  • Admire Matthias Church's magnificent architecture.
  • Take a stroll through Castle Hill's charming streets.
  • See the ruins of a synagogue from the Middle Ages.
  • Investigate the residence of an 18th-century pharmacist.

Tour Overview

On this walking tour, you will see Budapest's oldest neighborhood, Castle Hill. The area features narrow lanes, cobblestone roadways, and baroque and gothic architecture. Your journey will begin at the palace, which is located at the southernmost point of the area. It was established as a fort against the Mongolian invasions in 1250, but Renaissance Kings, Turkish pashas, and even Hapsburg emperors have repaired, extended, demolished, rebuilt, and remodelled it throughout the years.

Before entering the residential zone, your trip will pass through the Presidential Palace and the National Dance Theatre. This particular location has had a difficult time. It was demolished twice: once in 1686 when Hapsburg-led armies retook the city from the Turks, and again in 1945 when the Russians retook it from Nazi Germany. Everything, including the famed Matthias Church, was reconstructed in the 1950s and 1960s. While the building appears to be old, it is an outstanding neo-gothic replica with a well-decorated roof and a sophisticated interior. The neighborhood has always been a melting pot of Germans, Serbs, Hungarians, Turks, and Jews, thus the ruins of a Middle Age synagogue, as well as a monument honoring Buda's last Turkish pasha, are unsurprising.

You'll also get to see various other town palaces. Your tour will stop to explore the house of an 18th century pharmacist. The stop aims to show you both the typical life of the area, but also the massive damage from the 1945 siege of Buda. You'll also see a hidden garden on the tour with statues dedicated to famous Hungarian hussars. Your guide will talk about the mythical Turul bird, the chess machine of a brilliant baron, and the history behind the midday churchbell chimes. Finally, you'll stop at the Vienna Gate where you'll be able to see Obuda (Old Buda), the original location of the Roman city Aquincum.

Included

  • 3-hour guided walk
  • Historian tour guide

Not Included

  • Entrance to the castle and castle museum (Adults: 2000 Ft, /Students & Seniors: 1000Ft)
  • Entrance to Matthias Church (Adults: 1500FT/Students & Seniors: 1000Ft)
  • Entrance to Fisherman Bastion (Adults: 800 Ft/Students & Seniors: 400Ft)

Where

Budapest, Színház u. 9, 1014 Hungary

Meeting Point

Bálthazár, a hotel with a café, address is Országház u. 31, fifty meters from the first bus stop on Castle hill (which is on the square Bécsi kapu tér)

When

Everyday at 10 AM and 2 PM

Booking Fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation Policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour begins.