"I would like to get you acquainted with the City", wrote the Hungarian writer, Antal Szerb in his book, A Martian's Guide to Budapest, first published in 1935. Though almost a century old, I could hardly choose any better if I would like to summarize my walking tours in one sentence. In one word, it would be serendipty. Looking for hidden gems in a city or someplace else and presenting them to others is definitely a drive for my walking tours as well as for my travels in many countries: Hungary and Central Europe in general, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Italy, China, and so on. With my walking tours in Budapest, I would like to show you not only the highlights and the 'must-see' places, but also the unbeaten paths, the hidden gems, the untold stories, the less-known or nearly forgotten. All of those are under the many layers of history.
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What to expect? My walking tours aren't private but open to everyone — still, you might feel yourself more comfortable than on many company-owned, 'big' tours, as I usually take maximum 10 people per tour. The usual number of participants are below that so there won't be a crowd. We can talk to each other, discuss, ask and answer, it's not only me talking all the time but we can exchange our stories and experiences. I also prefer to let you observe the details and grab the atmosphere, if you wish, not simply rushing from one sight to another. The duration per tour is about 2–2,5 hours. The main language is English, though I am about to make Italian available, too. Also, I am a solo enterpreneur, which means there is no company or large infrastructure behind me. I do it entirely on my own, simply because I prefer it this way.
❖ About: I am Dániel Kálmán, a certified tour guide and a historian, currently finishing my PhD theses in Budapest. Beside my research and having a part-time job in one of the oldest auction houses of Budapest as a manuscript and old documents expert, I work as a tour guide, operating walking tours in the city I live and I know: Budapest.
❖ City walks available:
I am happy to receive out-of-schedule tour requests or alternative proposals too! If the schedule below doesn't fit into yours, don't worry: contact me at daniel@walkwithahistorian.com so we can discuss our options. E. g. I am usually busy at weekends but I might be as well available for a tour on that specific Saturday or Sunday when you happen to be in town.
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❖ Discover the Jewish Heritage of Budapest
The Pest side of Budapest could boost with one of the most flourishing Jewish communities in the region from the 18th century until the Holocaust. Despite the hardships, many traces of this rich past remain and can be discovered. During the tour we will visit two historical synagogues: the Rumbach Street Synagogue and the Kazinczy Street Synagogue, both being excellent historical and art historical examples and mementos of their own time. We will also pay tribute to the memory of the deceased: visit a remnant of the ghetto wall built in 1944 and two Holocaust memorials. Between the main sights we will explore some less-known interesting sights and hidden gems. What a ghost sign still stands for in one of the less-frequented streets? How people lived here? Where did two other synagogues stand until they were demolished in the 1930s?
Starts at:
❖ 11:00 (11 am) from Monday to Friday
Occasional changes may occur in the schedule, please consult the availability when booking
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Maximum 10 people
More details on
Do you have a question?
Contact me at daniel@walkwithahistorian.com
Travelers said about this tour:
Amazing tour with a great guide who provides comprehensive knowledge on the subject. Highly recommended!
❖ Buda Castle District: The Many Layers of History
The Buda Castle district is definitely one of the most important must-see places in Budapest. You can stroll through it and if you listen carefully, the many layers of its history open up, telling you stories from the medieval and Ottoman times until the 20th century and beyond as every era left its mark on the district. During the tour we will visit a small synagogue-museum which stands as the only memento of the now-lost Jewish communities of Buda Castle. Of course we wouldn't miss the Matthias Church with its beautiful Art Nouveau-esque interior decoration. We will also explore the remnants of the Mary Magdalene Church, the Castle itself, discover the Ottoman names of the bastions and even meet a Red Hedgehog on the way. How the latter happen to be there? Come and find out!
Starts at:
❖ 14:00 (2 pm) from Monday to Thursday
Occasional changes may occur in the schedule, please consult the availability when booking
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Maximum 10 people
More details on
Do you have a question?
Contact me at daniel@walkwithahistorian.com
Travelers said about this tour:
Great tour! Daniel was very informative and covered many interesting topics
❖ Hike & History: From Normafa to the Elisabeth Lookout Tower (and Back)
This one is a bit odd one out, as we will leave the city centre (though not Budapest) for a while and go to the Normafa, a popular outdoor meeting point for many locals for more than a hundred and fifty years. From here we will walk to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower, a century-old building, from the top of which we will have a nice panorama to Budapest and the surrounding area.
So more nature and a bit less history than usual, but we won’t leave the latter entirely behind: while enjoying being in the forest, we will discover the history of the surrounding area with its German place names and the somewhat peculiar name, ‘Normafa’.
The hike is easy, rather lightweight, a walk of about 4.5 km in total.
Starts at:
❖ 17:00 (late spring/summer) or earlier (autumn/winter/early spring) from Tuesday to Thursday
Occasional changes may occur in the schedule, please consult the availability when booking
Duration: approx. 2.5—3 hours
Maximum 10 people
More details on
Do you have a question?
Contact me at daniel@walkwithahistorian.com
Travelers said about this tour:
Tour was really enjoyable. Great to see another side to Budapest if you like nature and a bit of relaxed hiking. Our guide Daniel was really lovely. Had so much knowledge and really helped us understand the history of Budapest!