Budapest Historical Sightseeing Walking Tour

10 minutes · Admission not included

The history of Hungary and its people through the ages is covered in many magnificent exhibits and works of art. Count Ferenc Széchényi, one of Hungary’s most eminent aristocrats, offered his collection of books, maps and medals for the benefit of his beloved country in 1802.

His example had been followed by many – the Palatine himself, aristocrats, citizens, fellow Hungarians and even some counties! What we call today the Hungarian National Museum had evolved from these donations.

The construction of one of the most beautiful classicist palaces of Hungary began in 1837 based on the plans of Mihály Pollack. By 1846, exhibitions had been set up in the building.

On 15th March 1848, the revolutionary youth of the era declared their ideas of freedom from the stairs of the museum. These ideas then formed the basis of societal reforms and modernization taking place in Hungary.

5 minutes · Free admission

The university

Founded in 1635.

Eötvös Loránd University (also known as ELTE University of Budapest) is a public research university based in Budapest, Hungary. Founded in 1635, it is the longest continuously operating university in Hungary.

Latin: Universitas Scientiarum Budapestinensis De Rolando Eötvös Nominata

The almost 30 thousand students at ELTE are organised into nine faculties, and into research institutes located throughout Budapest.

ELTE is affiliated with 7 Nobel laureates, as well as winners of the Wolf Prize, Fulkerson Prize and Abel Prize, the latest of which was Nobel Prize in Literature winner László Krasznahorkai in 2025.

Zsolnay ceramics

This ELTE university building is externally decorated with world-famous Hungarian Zsolnay ceramics.

The Zsolnay brand was established in 1853 by Ignác Zsolnay.

Miklós Zsolnay founded the factory in Pécs, Hungary, in 1853. Vilmos Zsolnay led the factory to world fame, presenting its innovative products at world fairs and international exhibitions.

To the credit of Hungarian industrialist and entrepreneur Vilmos Zsolnay, the company is still celebrated today for its dazzling designs and innovative use of materials.

This ceramic building decoration was widely used in architecture throughout the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its artworks on buildings can now be found in the former territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's crownlands.

These include:

• Hungary
• Austria
• Transylvania (Romania)
• Krakow (Poland)
• Italy
• Croatia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Vojvodina (Serbia)
• Ukraine
• Czech Republic
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Bosnia

These ornamental ceramics were extremely popular during the Austro-Hungarian Art Nouveau movement, which had a strong hold on European architecture at the time.

Several Hungarian landmark buildings, including the Parliament building and the Museum of Applied Arts, demonstrate the exceptional achievements of the Zsolnay factory in the production of architectural ceramics.

5 minutes · Free admission

Stand in the courtyard of Miklós Ybl's unique creation, mixing many styles: Byzantine, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, and Romantic elements, all of which make up the glory of this fading palace built in 1853.

The Architect

Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl (1814–1891) is one of the greatest masters of the 19th century and a representative of Historicism of European relevance. When walking around in Budapest, one might notice that almost every building of historical significance shows signs of Ybl’s work.

Pass by

The tour travels through the Jewish quarter and allows participants to learn about the history of the district.

From the home to a vibrant Jewish community to a ghetto in the Second World War, in more recent years it has become home to artists and students, and to bustling tourist areas filled with independent shops, designers, and bars.

5 minutes · Admission not included

The Dohány Street Synagogue (also known as the Great Synagogue) was built between 1854 and 1859 in the Moorish Revival and Romantic Historicist styles, with the decoration based chiefly on Islamic models from North Africa and medieval Spain (the Alhambra).

The synagogue's Viennese architect, Ludwig Förster, believed that no distinctively Jewish architecture could be identified, and thus chose "architectural forms that have been used by oriental ethnic groups that are related to the Israelite people, and in particular the Arabs". The interior design is partly by Frigyes Feszl.

3 minutes · Free admission

Learn about the Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist and lawyer born in Pest, Hungary.

Though he died decades before the State of Israel’s establishment, he is considered the country’s founding father.

5 minutes · Free admission

Learn about Empress Elisabeth of Austria, widely known by her nickname Sisi, who was the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from 1854 until her assassination in 1898.

Crowned Queen of Hungary on June 8, 1867, following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise.

Renowned for her exceptional beauty, unconventional behaviour, and intense interest in Hungarian politics and culture.

Despite her glamorous public image, Sisi struggled with the constraints of court etiquette and clashed frequently with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie.

She was instrumental in securing the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, and she lived at the Hungarian palace in Gödöllő.

She remains an iconic figure in European history, popularised by films and literature depicting her as a tragic, beauty-obsessed rebel.

5 minutes · Free admission

Built in 1896 for the Millennial Celebration of Hungary.

See the greatness of Hungarian cultural architecture. This avenue is often shown in Hollywood movies such as Bel Ami.

Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út) is a prestigious 2.3 to 2.5-kilometre boulevard in Budapest, Hungary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. It is renowned for its Neo-Renaissance mansions, elegant facades, and status as Budapest’s primary luxury shopping district, often compared to the Champs-Élysées.

History: Construction began in 1872, and it was inaugurated in 1876, named after Prime Minister Count Gyula Andrássy.

Architecture: The Avenue features spectacular palaces, embassies, and cultural landmarks like the Hungarian State Opera House and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music.

Transport: The M1 Metro line, the first underground railway line on the European continent (opened in 1896), runs beneath the avenue.

This avenue is often shown in Hollywood movies and Western European movies.

Free admission

The M1 Metro line was the first electrified underground railway line on the European continent (opened in 1896) in Budapest and runs beneath the avenue.

See the great metallic applied artwork of this station and its metro line, built in the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire.

10 minutes · Admission not included

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika) is a Roman Catholic basilica and co-cathedral located in Budapest, Hungary.

It is the largest church in the city and one of its most significant historical landmarks, situated within the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site Buffer Zone.

It is the third-largest church building in present-day Hungary and a co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest.

The structure stands 96 meters (315 ft) tall, equal to the Hungarian Parliament Building, with a length of 87.4 meters and a width of 55 meters.

It can accommodate approximately 8,000 to 8,500 people in case of a national emergency such as a huge flood.

The basilica houses the mummified right hand of King Stephen I, the first King of Hungary, known as the "Holy Right."

Built in the neoclassical/neorenaissance style, construction began in 1851 (based on plans by József Hild) and was completed by Miklós Ybl and Joseph Krauser in 1905.

5 minutes · Free admission

Learn about world-famous Hungarian actors, actresses, magicians, classical music composers, and world-famous footballers.

Such as:

• Peter Falk – Detective Columbo
• Zsa Zsa Gabor
• Harry Houdini (Weisz Erik in Hungarian)
• Franz Liszt
• Béla Bartók
• Zoltán Kodály
• Ferenc Puskás

15 minutes · Free admission

Nazi invasion monument of 1944.

Learn about how Hungary was invaded by the Nazis and the devastation the country went through.

Spend some time at Szabadság tér / Liberty Square and see the communist memorial.

5 minutes · Admission not included

See this beautiful landmark palace which was completed in 1905 by a Hungarian architect, Ignác Alpár, in an Art Nouveau style which actually was invented in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1890. Originally called the Secession style in Austria-Hungary.

This large palace nowadays serves as a movie shooting location and was often shown in Hollywood productions such as:

• Red Heat
• Blade Runner 2049
• Die Hard 5
• Red Sparrow (2018)
• Black Widow (2021)
• Alien: Romulus (2024)
• Gemini Man
• and 20 other world-famous productions

5 minutes · Admission not included

The front of this wonderful palace was completed in 1902 by a Hungarian architect, Artúr Meinig.

This palace once was the headquarters of the Royal Hungarian sailing company, which operated in the port of Fiume, Hungary – nowadays called Rijeka in Croatia.

Learn about how the Carpathia ship from the story of Titanic was connected to the Kingdom of Hungary.

That ship was serving on a regular basis between New York City and Fiume, Hungary / Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hungarians were renting that ship from the British Empire.

2 minutes · Free entry

Find out why Reagan is walking away from the parliament looking so happy, and also discover why Bush (statue) is standing waiting for him.

10 minutes · Admission not included

This landmark building was completed in 1905 in a wonderful neo-Gothic style, which at the time of completion was the world’s biggest parliament.

The world's first air-conditioning unit was also installed here in 1905. This building's roof was shown in Batman movies.

5 minutes · Free admission

Reconstructed by Frigyes Schulek in 1902. See the castle built in 1251 and the Fisherman’s Bastion from the Pest side of the river. Learn about the area’s history.

See Matthias Church, where Queen Elizabeth, aka Sisi, was crowned Queen of Hungary in 1867, with its stunning coloured tiled roof, and the Hungarian National Palace from afar on the Pest side of the river. See St. Margaret’s Island and Gellért Hill from afar on the Pest side and discover their history.

5 minutes · Free admission

See this incredibly simple and haunting monument of 60 pairs of shoes dedicated to the Holocaust victims who were lined up and shot on the banks.

5 minutes · Free admission

See and learn about the history of the bridge and its reconstruction.

The Chain Bridge was completed in 1849, which at the time of completion was the biggest and longest chain suspension bridge in the world, built by two of the best bridge builders of the British Empire, William Tierney Clark and Adam Clark.