The 7 Best Jewish Walking Tours in Budapest [2024]
Understanding the Budapest Jewish Heritage in Budapest
- things to do
- August 16, 2024
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While a typical Budapest tour will probably touch on the city’s Jewish district and its Jewish heritage, the truth is that there’s a lot more to explore. If you’re seeking a deeper understanding of Budapest’s Jewish history, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will guide you through the best Jewish tours in Budapest. From synagogue visits to in-depth explorations of the Budapest Jewish Quarter, there’s a wide range of options to suit every interest. Have a look, compare them, check their time and prices, and feel free to book your favorite.
Going to Budapest? Do it smart.
• Get a miniBUD transfer between the airport and the city center
• Stay in Budapest with Booking.com
• Find the cheapest flights with Kiwi.com
• Get an Airalo eSim to use your smartphone abroad
• Find the best tours with GetYourGuide and Viator
1. Guided Tour to The Great Synagogue of Budapest
Highlights: Guided tour to the Great Synagogue of Budapest and its Jewish memorials
Starting times: From 10 AM to 8 PM, depending on the date
Book it on: GetYourGuide
The Great Synagogue in Budapest, the largest synagogue in Europe and second-largest in the world, is the most iconic Jewish landmark in Budapest. Period. So, whether you want to learn about the Jewish heritage in Hungary or just learn more about Budapest, a visit to this synagogue is kind of a must.
Yes, there are other tours taking people to the Great Synagogue (we’ll get to them later). But for a visit to this big and beautiful monument in Dohány Street, with a caring guide who will put detail , then this one’s for you. You’ll learn about its history,
But that’s not all. With this skip-the-line ticket, you get full access to the complex, which includes the memorials to the suffering of the Jewish people, especially during WWII.
Included:
✅ The Budapest Great Synagogue
✅ Heroes’ Temple
✅ Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park
✅ Hungarian Jewish Museum
✅ Temporary exhibitions in the Cellar
✅ The Graveyard
2. Jewish Heritage Tour Budapest & Synagogue Ticket
Highlights: Synagogue and other Jewish sites; two tour options
Starting time: 10 AM
Duration: 2-4 hours, depending on the option you choose
Book it on: Viator
We just said that other tours would cover the Dohány Street Synagogue, so here we go. If you’re up for exploring the historic Jewish Quarter of Budapest on foot and want to dive into the living history of this vibrant community, then the Jewish heritage tour in Budapest is your ticket.
You’ll wander through the streets with a guide who knows every nook and cranny, bringing the Jewish heritage of Budapest to life. From the Great Synagogue’ complex to Kazinczy Street Synagogue (included in the grand tour only), you’ll see the key landmarks and hear the stories behind them.
But it’s not just about the past. This tour also highlights the ongoing influence of Jewish culture in today’s Budapest. Depending on the route you choose, you can get to try some cake from a local kosher bakery.
Whether you have an hour or a few to spare, there’s a tour that fits your schedule, all led by an expert who’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Included:
✅ Budapest Jewish Heritage Tours
✅ The Budapest Great Synagogue
✅ Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives
✅ Gozsdu Udvar Passage (Grand-tour only)
✅ Carl Lutz Memorial (Grand-tour only)
✅ Kazinczy Street Synagogue (Grand-tour only)
✅ Cake at a local kosher bakery (Grand-tour only)
3. Jewish Quarter Tour in Budapest with a Historian
Highlights: Covers the whole Jewish District, for small groups
Starting time: 10 AM
Duration: 2.5 hours
Book it on: GetYourGuide
This tour is a little different from the first two. Made for smaller groups of up to 10 people, you’ll start at the historic Rumbach or Kazinczy Street Synagogue, where centuries of tradition meet stunning architecture. From there, you’ll walk through Budapest’s Jewish Quarter in the 7th district—a really pleasant area where Jewish culture has thrived for over 200 years.
As you explore the former Ghetto, you’ll pass by synagogues, monuments, kosher eateries, and shops, each with its own story to tell. Your guide will share local tales about this neighborhood, including the heroic efforts of Carl Lutz, Hungary’s own Schindler, whose memorial you’ll visit. You’ll also get a glimpse of Budapest’s street art and the lively Gozsdu Passage, famous for its nightlife and ruin pubs.
And, of course, you’ll marvel at the impressive exterior of the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe. This tour offers a mix of history, culture, and local tips that will give you a true taste of the Jewish hidden gems in Budapest. Whether you’re going for the history or the street art, this tour has got you covered.
Included:
✅ Learn about Hungary’s turbulent Jewish history
✅ Learn about the heroes that saved Jewish people during WII
✅ Step inside the Rumbach or Kazinczy Street Synagogue
✅ Explore Budapest’s diverse street art in the Jewish District
✅ Admire the beautiful exterior of the Dohány Street Synagogue
✅ Learn about the heroes who saved Jewish lives during WWII
4. Jewish Budapest Private City Walk
Highlights: Small and big group options, with pick-up included
Starting time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Duration: 4 hours
Book it on: Viator
If you’re looking to truly connect with Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, this private city walk is the way to go. Wandering the Seventh District on your own might give you a glimpse, but with a knowledgeable guide by your side, you’ll dive deep into the area’s rich history and culture. This half-day tour is all about you—tailored to your interests, so you won’t miss a thing.
You’ll explore synagogues, memorials, and hidden corners of the district that you might overlook on your own or that other tours might not have so much time to explore. Your guide will share stories and details that bring the past to life, making sure you get the full picture. And along the way you’ll also get to sample Jewish delicacies.
It includes hotel pickup and food tastings, and it can be booked for 1-2 people (one price option), or for 3-15 people (a different price option).
Included:
✅ Remnants of the Jewish Guetto wall and the yellow-star houses
✅ The Great Synagogue largest functioning synagogue in Europe (optional entry)
✅ Kazinczy Street Synagogue and its Art Nouveau exterior (optional entry)
✅ Rumbach Street Synagogue (optional entry)
✅ Carl Lutz Memorial, the Swiss diplomat who saved thousands of Jews
✅ Szimpla Kert, the most famous ruin bar in Budapest
✅ Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to the Holocaust victims
✅ Király Street’s segment of the largest WWII. ghetto of the World
5. "Free" Walking Tour to The Jewish District in Budapest
Highlights: Low-cost tour: 2 EUR to book + tip to guide
Starting time: 3:30 PM
Duration: 1.5 hours
Book it on: GetYourGuide
If you’re looking for something shorter, just enough to learn the essential about the local Jewish heritage, this “free” walking to the Jewish Quarter in Budapest can be the best option for you.
As you wander through the Jewish District, you’ll uncover hidden symbols and hear lesser-known stories that bring the area’s past to life. But this tour isn’t just about the past. You’ll also dive learn about the city’s contemporary culture, from its nightlife to its urban art scene.
Just bear in mind that this tour, operated by triptobudapest.hu, isn’t exactly free (despite the name). There’s an initial 2 EUR booking fee, to which you should add a tip to the guide, expected to be paid at the end of the tour. According to the tour operator, triptobudapest, their guides depend entirely on your donations, and you choose the amount you want to pay.
Included:
✅ 3 synagogues that make up the Jewish Triangle (no entry)
✅ Learn about the Hungarian Jews and the Righteous Gentiles
✅ End the tour at a local pub
6. Best of Downtown and Jewish Quarter Tour
Highlights: Combination of a Budapest Downtown walking tour with Jewish District (English and German options)
Starting time: 10 AM
Duration: 2.5 hours
Book it on: GetYourGuide
This tour won’t focus that much on the Jewish heritage in Budapest. Roughly half of it will be done in the Jewish Quarter, which is still pretty good, and the other half is about other important sites of the city. But the tour has the best reviews on GetYourGuide, so we have just had to add it to this list.
And what does it cover, you may be wondering? Well, the last 50 minutes will be in the Jewish corner. You’ll learn not only about synagogues and Jewish monuments, but also about modern street art and ruin pubs (be ready for restaurants and bars tips). Just before that, you’ll get to see the exterior of other iconic landmarks, like the Hungarian Parliament, Szabadság Square, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Included:
✅ Budapest Parliament
✅ Liberty Square (Szabadság tér)
✅ St. Stephen’s Basilica
✅ End the tour at Szimpla Kert
7. Budapest Jewish Cuisine & Culture Walk
Highlights: Food & drink tasting with walking tour; 6-8 people max.
Starting time: 11 AM
Duration: 4 hours
Book it on: Viator
For those eager to dive deeper into the Jewish heritage in Budapest, this tour offers a perfect blend of food, wine, history and culture. For small groups of just 6.
Guided by a local expert, you’ll discover the vibrant Jewish District, formerly the WWII Jewish Ghetto. Highlights include visits to the Dohány Street Synagogue, WWII memorials, and various shops and eateries that capture the area’s rich past and present.
As you explore, you’ll sample traditional Jewish delicacies like flodni, an apple, walnut, and poppy seed pastry, and savor a glass of pálinka. But the great moment is the stop at one of Budapest’s famed ruin pubs, where you’ll enjoy a classic Jewish lunch. Expect a delicious goose soup and solet (bean stew), accompanied by local wine.
Included:
✅ Budapest Jewish District exploration
✅ Stops at eateries to try Jewish specialities
✅ Budapest Great Synagogue (only pass by)
✅ Tasting Table Budapest (traditional Jewish lunch)
Going to Budapest? Do it smart.
• Get a miniBUD transfer between the airport and the city center
• Stay in Budapest with Booking.com
• Find the cheapest flights with Kiwi.com
• Get an Airalo eSim to use your smartphone abroad
• Find the best tours with GetYourGuide and Viator
More tours & activities in Budapest with our partners
We’ve just showed you a selection of the best walking tours in Budapest by rating and number of reviews. But if you’re interested, there’s a lot more to do in Budapest. Find more below.