6 Best Attractions in Budapest's Jewish Quarter
You can't leave Budapest without visiting the city's Jewish quarter. Here I'll tell you about all the different types of tours available, which I'm sure will be more than you could have imagined at first.
Corner of the Jewish Quarter | ©Istvan
Erzsébetváros, in District VII, is better known in popular slang as Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Although it is the smallest district, it is undoubtedly the liveliest.
However, the fact that it is a small district should not discourage you in the slightest—quite the contrary! Its size is perfect for exploring it thoroughly, dedicating a maximum of half a day of your time. This means that whether you are in Budapest for one day or two, below you will find the tours you should consider to see the most important sights in this historic part of the city. Let's get started!
1. Classic tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter.
Among the basic things to see and do on a first visit to Budapest is the classic tour to learn about the city's Jewish history and heritage, and this is that kind of tour. You can find alternatives that include guides in English, but keep in mind that spots fill up quickly, so it's best to book as far in advance as possible.
What do these tours include?
This is an activity for small groups. An expert guide will take you on a walking tour of the most important and significant sites of Jewish heritage in this Hungarian city.
The itinerary may vary depending on the company you book with, but some of the visits you can expect to include are: exploring the Great Synagogue (the second largest in the world), visiting the Jewish Museum, visiting the Holocaust cemetery, and passing through the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park. The tour usually includes admission to the museums and synagogues on the itinerary.
Useful information
- Price: The cheapest options are available from £32 per person.
- Tour duration: This is a half-day tour that usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete, depending on the itinerary and the stops included.
- Recommended if... You want a quick and inexpensive way to learn about the most important aspects of Jewish culture.
2. Private tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter
The history of Budapest has been marked by its status as one of the European cities with the largest Jewish communities. That's why taking a completely private tour that takes you through the city's Jewish heritage, including its neighbourhoods, monuments and historical sites, is a truly enriching experience.
The private tour experience goes far beyond avoiding uncomfortable crowds, as you will also have an open bar to ask all the questions you want and suggest your own stops at places of interest; you just need to talk to the company before paying.
What do these tours include?
One of the distinctive features of this tour is the private guide in your language who will take you on a historical tour that usually includes several of the following stops: visit the city's two main Jewish ghettos; see the most important synagogues, such as the Great Synagogue, the Óbuda Synagogue and the Dohán Synagogue; a visit to other sites such as the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Cemetery may also be included.
Useful information
- Price: Private tours cost around £190 on average. Groups of up to 4 or 5 people are usually allowed, making it ideal when visiting with friends.
- Tour duration: You should allow 3 to 4 full hours for this type of tour.
- Recommended if... You are a true history buff and want to learn interesting details first-hand that a generic tour will not be able to offer you.
3. Food tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter
It is impossible to leave Budapest without experiencing the gastronomic delights of the city's Jewish Quarter, well known in Hungary and neighbouring countries for its ability to reinvent itself.
After the turn of the century, the traditional Jewish-Hungarian cuisine of this area of the country sought to renew itself by blending with modern concepts to create a fresh offering that has captured the attention of locals and tourists alike. But to really understand what I'm talking about, it's not enough to read about it—you have to try it for yourself!
What do these tours include?
The food and culture experience in the Jewish Quarter is led by an expert guide who specialises in gastronomy. This person takes a small group of tourists through the main ghettos, telling them about the history of the neighbourhoods but focusing mainly on the culinary offerings.
Tastings are included in the price, so don't eat before the tour!
As an added bonus, you will be able to see the four important synagogues from the outside, as well as the fantastic street art murals that permeate the area.
Useful information
- Price: The price for this experience is approximately £88 per person.
- Tour duration: Tours of this type usually last around 4 hours on average.
- Recommended if... you are one of those super curious travellers who plan their excursions based on the gastronomic offerings of the destinations you visit. You will love this experience from start to finish!
4. Tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter with a cruise on the Danube
When you have a limited travel itinerary, the best way to save time is to combine experiences. With this type of tour, you can combine the classic tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter with the classic cruise on the Danube and do it all in the same amount of time.
How does it work? The guides reduce the walking around the city to the essentials and most important sights so that you can get to know the general aspects and most interesting features. On this type of excursion, don't expect to explore the interior of synagogues or museums, for example.
What do these tours include?
Companies offering this type of service generally divide the experience into two main parts:
First, a walking tour of Erzsébetváros where you can explore the most important monuments of Jewish culture in Hungary. This includes a visit to the Raul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park and the most notable synagogues. Along the way, you will learn about the main ghettos.
This is followed by a 1.5-hour cruise on the Danube, whose breathtaking views are among the best in Europe. Depending on the company, a buffet lunch with drinks may be included on board the boat.
Useful information
- Price: The cheapest price for this type of experience is around £80 per person.
- Tour duration: The tour of the Jewish Quarter usually takes at least 2.5 hours and the cruise 1.5 hours. In total, you should reserve half a day for this experience.
- Recommended if... You want to save time and money on your tour of Budapest. By combining experiences, you can see the best of the city in half a day without spending too much money. It is ideal for travellers who are in Budapest for just one or two days.
5. Short tour of the Jewish Quarter to see the Great Synagogue
On your tour of Budapest, you have the opportunity to visit the Jewish quarter of Erzsébetváros to see the Dohány Synagogue complex, nicknamed the Great Synagogue as it is the largest Jewish temple in Europe and the second largest in the world. It is an impressive work of Moorish architecture, with clear influences from French Gothic style evident on its façade.
What do these tours include?
The most interesting aspect of this excursion is the skip-the-line entry to the Great Synagogue, as well as the company of a guide in your language. It is important to know that the Dohány Synagogue is a complex of buildings, so inside you will not only see a religious temple, but in the surrounding area you can also visit the Jewish-Hungarian Cemetery and the famous Tree of Life by Emmanuel.
Useful information
- Price: approximately £18
- Tour duration: Approximately 1 hour or less.
- Recommended if... You have taken other tours on the list and are interested in learning more about this monument.
6. Night tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter and its ruin pubs
This tour explores the darker side of the Jewish Quarter's post-war history. The tour is made even more enjoyable by combining the historical experience with an adventure to discover Budapest's famous ruin pubs. It is ideal for anyone visiting Budapest for the first time and wanting to soak up the energy and nightlife of this part of the city.
What do these tours include?
A local guide takes a small group of tourists through the best Ruin Pubs in District VII. In the bars you visit, you will be welcomed with a drink to start enjoying the nightlife surrounded by locals. The tour usually includes visits to 3 or 4 different bars, while you learn about the history of the ghettos.
In addition to learning about the most important historical aspects of post-war Budapest, on the way between bars, the tour guide will probably show you the public squares where the locals hang out; they will also take you to see the most outstanding street art galleries.
Useful information
- Price: This type of experience is usually available from £75 per participant.
- Tour duration: You should set aside about 4 hours of your evening for the tour.
- Recommended if... You are visiting the city for the first time and want to learn more about the ruin pubs, how they came about and what makes them so special. Everything is explained by a local who has experienced the evolution of this area of the city first-hand.