Budapest Jewish Quarter Tour: Synagogues and History
Jewish history in Budapest—from its medieval roots through WWII and the Holocaust to today’s vibrant community—on a walk through the Jewish district of Pest. We visit the Dohány Street Grand Synagogue, the Tree of Life memorial, Kazinczy Street Orthodox Synagogue, and the Rumbach Street Synagogue, and note the cafés and ruin bars that shape life here today.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Elisabeth Square (Erzsébet tér), near Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel next to the fountain, in the park Nearest public transport: Deák tér - M1 metró metro station; Metrólejáró - M1 metró metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Trip to Budapest guides. Look for the guide with the blue free tour flag.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Once, Central-Eastern Europe was home to the biggest Jewish community in the world. Today, it is here, in Hungary, where the largest Jewish population in this part of Europe lives. Our tour will give you a chance to learn about the multithreaded history of the Jewish people in Hungary and Budapest, the Holocaust, and the present-day life of the community.
Despite the presence of Jews in Budapest dating back to medieval ages, their original district does not exist anymore. It was destroyed during the great clash between the Ottomans and allied European forces that finally led to the city being taken over by the Habsburgs in the 17th century. The rebuild and rapid development of the coming years offered numerous opportunities, and the Jewish community was reestablished here, in the district of Pest in the 18th century. The growing number of Jewish entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, and scientists, who had finally gained equal citizens' rights, contributed greatly to the development of Budapest.
Before the Second World War, Jews constituted 23% of the population of the city, and the Jewish quarter was bustling with life. Some left Budapest facing growing antisemitism and made their way to the USA, making great careers, including in Hollywood. Life and progress came to a halt during the war years. Although Jews in Hungary were relatively safe for a time, in 1944 mass killings and deportations to the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp began. After the war, those who survived lived mostly here, in Budapest. Today the city is home to some 80 thousand Jewish people of different walks of life: Hasidic, conservative, reform, and non-religious.
During our tour, we will explore the Jewish district, sharing insights into its traditions, culture, and hidden symbols. We will also introduce you to the vibrant and colorful atmosphere that makes the area the epicenter of Budapest’s nightlife and creativity.
Highlights
- 1
Dohány Street Synagogue
The largest synagogue in Europe and a monumental landmark of the city's historic Jewish Quarter.
- 2
Tree of Life Memorial
A poignant sculpture dedicated to the Hungarian Jewish victims of the Holocaust, located behind the Great Synagogue.
- 3
Kazinczy Street Synagogue
An impressive Art Nouveau building which is the main centre of the Orthodox Jewish community in Budapest.
- 4
Rumbach Street Synagogue
A beautiful Moorish Revival synagogue that once served the more traditional Status Quo Ante community.
- 5
Jewish History
Learn about the rich culture, traditions, and multithreaded history of the Jewish people in Hungary.
- 6
The Holocaust in Hungary
Discover the story of the Jewish community during World War II, including mass deportations and survival.
7Ruin Bars
Explore the district's modern side, famous for its unique nightlife and iconic bars in abandoned buildings.
Map
Elisabeth Square (Erzsébet tér), near Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel next to the fountain, in the park Nearest public transport: Deák tér - M1 metró metro station; Metrólejáró - M1 metró metro station
Our customers said about us
Budapest
5.0Naava
Excellent tour of the Jewish District with Dora
We very much enjoyed our tour with Dora. She was very knowledgeable and personable. She also gave us tips of where to go back to visit more in depth. We followed her advice and had a great experience. Thank you Dora!
Budapest
5.0Mariel from Argentina
Jewish District Tour with Judith
Judith was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job handling the sensitive topics involved, suitably interspersing uplifting stories to change the mood. An absolute must!
Budapest
5.0Sara Fuchs
Excellent Tour With Bullash
Excellent Tour with Bulash I joined the Buda Castle Hill Tour with Walkative, and our guide, Bulash, was fantastic. He led us from the bottom of the hill to the castle with great energy and deep knowledge. His ability to connect Hungary’s history to current events made the tour both insightful and memorable. Highly recommended If you’re visiting Budapest and want to truly appreciate the story behind the city, I highly recommend this tour—and especially Bulash as your guide!
Budapest
5.0Jos Zomer
Very interesting and important
Our tour, led by Judit, was very interesting, we learned a lot about the history of the Jewish population in Hungary and Budapest as well as the current presence of several important landmarks in the Jewish quarter. Absolutely recommended!
Budapest
5.0Emma
Very interesting tour with Ester
Ester had a great knowledge and told us a lot of interesting facts about the jewish quarter. The tour focused on the history, which was exactly what we wished for. We saw 3 synagogues and some impressive street art. We had a great time. Thank you!
Budapest
5.0Eli
Very interesting tour
Oshi was very knowledgeable and fluent. She managed to keep us interested although it was raining.
Budapest
5.0Julia
Don't hesitate!
Great discovery of the Jewish quarter with Edi. The tour was very complete, very interesting. We had a good time discovering Budapest differently. Definitely recommended!
Budapest
5.0Tessa
Very interesting walk with Anne
Last Sunday I had the Budapest Jewish District Tour with Anne. She was lovely, she made us feel welcome and had a lot of knowledge about the Jewish district. It was very interesting to learn about the history of this District. I recommend this tour if you want to know more about this district and the history of the Jewish District
Budapest
5.0Kt
Fabulous insights
This is a great tour with so much information. Gary was a great tour guide. We saw three synagogues and some great street art and a old part of the ghetto wall
Budapest
5.0Tom Holand
Good Experience
Had quilty of Time Thanks 👍🏻
