Budapest Castle Walk
Budapest’s Castle District is a 1.5 kilometer-long neighborhood perched at the top of a hill rising from the Danube riverbank. It’s a neighborhood with a timeless atmosphere, surrounded by walls, and with plenty of places to stop and admire the spectacular views of the city below. This tour is an exploration of one of the oldest sections of the city, which is full of history, fascinating stories, and charming architecture, as well as the scars from dozens of sieges and battles. Once you pass the tour buses clustered in a few spots, this is a quiet car-free neighborhood of winding cobblestoned streets, baroque and gothic facades, colorful old stucco houses, and a few of Budapest’s most prominent buildings and monuments. This tour will showcase not only the important sites—such as the eclectic Matthias Church with its colorful tiled roof and brightly colored interior, the Royal Palace complex, and the Fisherman’s Bastion—but also the secret spots hidden in the side streets.
Options
Private Tour
What's included in Budapest Castle Walk
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Fisherman's Bastion
The streets follow the shape of the hill, and have seen plenty of action since the mid-13th century when the first royal residence was built here. Your guide will discuss the periods of history which influenced this neighborhood, with a special emphasis on the Jewish population which once lived here, the Hungarian royalty, and the Habsburg empire.
Matthias Church
You’ll learn about the heroes and villains of World War Two who left their mark here, and the brutal siege of Budapest in which the neighborhood was demolished when the German and Russian armies met on these streets. Buda became an important European city in the 15th century, a melting pot of nations.
National Szechenyi Library
You’ll hear about how the establishment of the Royal Court sparked the beginning of a long golden age—even though no royals ever resided here. The palace and the neighborhood have been destroyed and rebuilt many times over during the course of their history, with each period, particularly the re-building after World War Two (when there was such extensive damage), leaving a different mark on the current appearance of the place.
Inclusions
- Coffee break during the tour (one coffee/drink included)
- Many stops for photos and questions
- English-speaking, experienced local guide
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Gratuities
- Entrance to the museums
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is available year-round
- This is a small-group tour (minimum of 2 guests and maximum of 8 guests)
- For larger groups please choose the "Group Tour (min. 8 pers.)" option when booking
- If you would like a private tour (which can be customized), please choose the "Private Tour" option when booking
- Three-hour tour (if you have someplace to be afterwards, please let your guide know at the beginning of the tour as it can stretch on for more than three hours if you are not in a rush...)
- This is a walking tour, so be prepared (with comfortable shoes) to spend lots of time on your feet! Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.
- Minimum numbers of 2 apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet your guide on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) at Clark Ádám tér (square), next to the "Zero Kilometer Statue." Look for this giant stone statue of a zero (this is the point from where all distances in Hungary are measured) across the street from the entrance to the funicular.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Please arrive 10 minutes early so the tour can begin on time. If you'll be late call +36 1 701 1886 so we can notify your guide. Dress according to the weather, and wear comfortable shoes! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions!
