Budapest Jewish Quarter

Erzsébetváros in District VII is better known in popular parlance as the Jewish Quarter of Budapest; 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 least - on the contrary! Its size is perfect for exploring the whole of it in half a day at most. This means that, whether you are in Budapest for one day or two, here are the tours you should consider to get to know the most important parts of this historic part of the city. Let's get started!

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 just such a tour. You can find alternatives that include English-speaking guides but be aware that places fill up quickly so it's wise to book as far in advance as possible.

What do these tours include?

This is a small-group activity, where an expert guide takes you on a walking tour of the most important and significant Jewish heritage sites in this Hungarian city.

The itinerary may vary depending on the company you hire, however some of the visits you can expect to see include: Exploring the Great Synagogue (the second largest in the world), visiting the Jewish Museum, visiting the Holocaust Cemetery, visiting the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park. Generally the tour includes entrance fees to the museums and synagogues on the itinerary.

Useful information

• Price: The cheapest options are available from €32 per person.
• Duration of tour: This is a half-day tour that usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete depending on the itinerary and stops included.
• Recommended if... You want a quick and inexpensive way to get to know the most important aspects of Jewish culture.

The history of the city of Budapest has been marked by being one of the European cities with one of the largest Jewish communities, so 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 experience of a private tour goes far beyond the possibility of avoiding uncomfortable crowds, as you will also have a free 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 aspects of this tour is the private guide in your own language who will take you on a historical tour that usually includes several of the following stops: visiting the city's two main Jewish ghuettos; seeing 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 average around €215. Groups of up to 4 or 5 people are usually allowed so it is ideal when visiting with friends.
• Duration of tour: You will need to book 3 to 4 full hours for this type of tour.
• Recommended if... You're a real history buff and want to get a first-hand look at interesting details that a generic tour won't be able to give you.

It is impossible to leave Budapest without experiencing the gastronomic experience of the city's Jewish Quarter, well known in Hungary and nearby countries for its capacity for reinvention.

After the turn of the century, the traditional Hungarian-Jewish cuisine of this part of the country sought to renew itself by blending with modern concepts to create a fresh approach that has caught 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 uses a guide who is mainly a foodie; he or she 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'll be able to see the four major synagogues from the outside, as well as the fantastic street art murals that permeate the area.

Useful information about the Jewish Quarter

• Price: The price to pay for this experience is approximately €88 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: Excursions of this type usually last about 4 hours on average.
• Recommended if... you are one of those super curious travellers who plan their excursions prioritising the gastronomic offer of the destinations you visit. You will love this experience from start to finish!

When you have a tight travel itinerary the best way to save time is to combine experiences; with this type of tour you can combine the classic Budapest Jewish Quarter walking tour with the classic Danube River cruise and do it in the same time period.

How does this work? The guides reduce the city walks to the essential and most important parts of the city so that you can get to know the general and most interesting aspects of the city. On this type of tour you do not expect, for example, to explore the interior of the synagogues and museums.

What do these tours include?

Companies offering this type of service generally divide the experience into two main blocks:
First a walking tour of Erzsébetváros where you can explore the most important monuments of Jewish culture in Hungary. This includes visiting the Raul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park; and the most prominent synagogues. In the process you will pick up and get to know the main ghettos.

This is followed by a cruise adventure of approximately 1.5 hours on the waters of the Danube, whose breathtaking views are among the best in Europe. Depending on the company, a buffet lunch with drinks can be included on board the boat.

Useful information

• Price: The cheapest price for this type of experience is around €90 per person.
• Duration of the tour: The tour of the Jewish Quarter usually takes at least 2.5 hours and the cruise takes 1.5 hours. In total you should set aside half a day for this experience.
• Recommended if... You're looking to save time and money on your tour of Budapest by combining the experience to get the best of the city in half a day without spending too much money. It is ideal for the rushed traveller who will be in Budapest for one or two days.

On your tour of Budapest, you have the opportunity to head to the Jewish quarter of Erzsébetváros just to see the Dohány Synagogue complex, nicknamed the Great Synagogue because it is the largest Jewish temple in Europe and the second largest in the world. It is an impressive work of Moorish architecture, where the façade is clearly influenced by French Gothic.

What do these tours include?

The most interesting aspect of this tour is the skip-the-line entrance to the Great Synagogue, as well as being accompanied by a guide in your own language. It is important to know that the Dohány Synagogue is a complex of elements, so inside you can see not only a religious temple but also the Jewish-Hungarian Cemetery and the famous Emmanuel Tree of Life.

Useful information about the Jewish Quarter

• Price: approximately €20
• Duration of tour: Approximately 1 hour or less.
• Recommended if... You have taken any of the other tours on the list and are interested in getting to know this monument in depth.

This is a tour to explore the darker side of the Jewish Quarter's post-war history; exploring the area is made enjoyable by combining the experience with an adventure to Budapest's famous Ruin Pubs. It is ideal for first-time visitors to Budapest who want to soak up the dynamism and nightlife that this part of the city has to offer.

What do these tours include?

A local guide takes a small group of tourists through the best Ruin Pubs of District VII; at the bars you visit you will be greeted with a welcome drink to start enjoying the nightlife surrounded by locals. The tour usually involves visiting 3-4 different bars, while learning 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 guide in charge of the tour will most likely show you the public squares where the locals live; he will also take you to the most prominent street art galleries.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is usually available from €75 per participant.
• Duration of tour: You will need to set aside about 4 hours of your evening for this tour.
• Recommended if... You are visiting the city for the first time and want to find out more about the Ruin Pubs, how they came to be and what makes them so special. All told by a local who has experienced the evolution of this area of the city first hand.