Introduction to Budapest Tour: The Pest Side

Get acquainted with Budapest and its history
From US$205 privately
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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 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.


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. 
Experts
Eniko Eniko
Art Historian
Anna Anna
Historian
Dóra Dóra
Art Historian
Agi Agi
Local Guide
Nada Nada
Medievalist
Daniel Daniel
Media & theatre producer
Szabolcs Szabolcs
art historian
Levente Levente
Musician
Edina Edina
Historian
Iren Iren
Local Guide
Gabor Gabor
Local Guide
Greta Greta
Local Guide
Szonja Szonja
Theologian
Eszter Eszter
Art Historian
William
Local Guide
Zsofia Zsofia
Local Guide
Where You'll Start
(4.83) 230 Reviews

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Edina was great. She reviewed the history of Budapest and Hungary on a fast paced tour, putting it all in an understandable context. She focused not on the major tourist sites, but on buildings and areas of the city that reflected on its history, culture and mindset.
Edina was fantastic. Our best guide yet. Knowledgeable, interesting and help us view Budapest with “context” and perspective. A true gem!!
Delightful! So informative, personable and interesting. Szabolcs was a great tour guide. He provided an erudite but consumable presentation. Wonderful tour!