Buda Castle District Small-Group Walking Tour in Budapest
Buda Castle District Small-Group Walking Tour in Budapest
Embark on a 3-hour, small group tour of Castle Hill, the oldest part of Budapest. In the company of a historian, explore Buda’s Castle and the surrounding district of narrow and cobbled streets full of baroque and Gothic facades of historic villas and churches as well as the remains of a synagogue from the middle ages.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Buda Castle
Two buildings stand out on Castle Hill, the oldest part of Budapest, known for its narrow and cobbled streets and its baroque and Gothic facades: the massive and imposing palace on the southern tip of the hill and the colored roof of Matthias Church in the middle, with its rank steeple pointing towards the heavens.
2 hoursBuda Castle
We start our tour at the palace, the ancient seat of royal power. It was rebuilt, extended, changed, burned down and rebuilt again several times over and it got its current eclectic appearances only after World War II. The first to build on Castle Hill was King Béla IV. He erected a fortress on this spot around 1250 after a devastating invasion by Mongolian hordes. In the Renaissance period, King Matthias made it into the most famous court in Europe at the end of the 15th century. Then came the Turkish pashas who ruled the country for over 150 years, followed by a succession of Hapsburg emperors.
15 minutesNational Dance Theatre
Discuss the changing function of the building throughout its history.
Sandor Palace
The Sándor Palace is the official residence of the President of Hungary, and the seat of the Office of the President. It has served as both since 2003. The original palace was build in Neoclassical style in 1806. It was commissioned by Count Vincent Sándor, an aristocrat and a philosopher of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
5 minutesMatthias Church
A highlight of the tour is Matthias Church with its abundantly decorated roof and amazing interior. The church is a very finely executed Neogothic reconstruction fantasy from the end of the 19th century and it is a strikingly beautiful building.
20 minutesFisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is an architectural fantasy in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles designed and built between 1895 and 1902. Its seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin at the end of the 9th c. The terrace provides one of the most famous panoramic views of the Danube, Margaret Island, Pest and the Gellért Hill.
20 minutesVienna Gate
Our tour ends at the Vienna Gate, from where you can see all the way to Obuda (Old Buda), where the Romans founded the city then called Aquincum.
10 minutesIncluded
- 3-hour guided walk
- Professional guide
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Buda Castle tickets (2000Ft for adults and 1000Ft. for students and seniors); Matthias Church (approx. 1500Ft. for adults and 1000Ft. for students and seniors); Fisherman's Bastion: (800Ft. for adults and 400Ft. for students and seniors (fees are subject to change)
Good to Know
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.