Budapest Jewish Heritage: Synagogues, Shoes, Secrets & Flódni
Active
2h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Mobile or paper ticket accepted
About this experience
Budapest Jewish Heritage: Synagogues, Shoes, Secrets & Flódni — Private Walking Tour (2.5 hours)
Take a personalized walking tour with a historian guide to uncover Budapest’s rich Jewish heritage. Explore the historic Jewish Quarter and key memorials while tracing the community’s 19th-century integration, the rise of 20th-century antisemitism, and the devastation of the Holocaust. Learn about everyday customs, life in the ghetto after the 1944–45 German occupation, and why many survivors regarded the Red Army’s 1945 arrival as liberation. Along the way, discover landmark synagogues, hidden courtyards and stories behind the “Shoes on the Danube,” and see how Jewish contributions still shape the city’s architecture, culture and food today.
Optional treat: we’ll stop for a flódni tasting (own expense) — flódni is a classic Hungarian-Jewish layered pastry with poppy seed, walnut, apple, and plum jam between thin pastry sheets (contains nuts and gluten).
Available options
With synagogue visit ✅
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes<br/>Flódni: Snacks
We’ll end the walk with an authentic Jewish dessert – how about a heavenly flódni?
<br/>Walking tour <br/>Synagogue entrance: The booking fee also includes the entrance ticket to the Great Synagogue
Without synagogue visit
Shoes by the Danube Memorial <br/>Duration: 2 hours<br/>Walking tour
What's included
The tour is conducted by a genuine Jewish guide.
We’ll end the walk with an authentic Jewish dessert – how about a heavenly flódni?
Hotel pickup
Historian guide
Detailed itinerary
1
From Herzl Square and the Great Synagogue we begin the guided walk in the Jewish Quarter, including major landmarks of the city’s World War II ghetto of 1944.
2
Stop 2
Stop at the Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue is a historical building in Erzsébetváros, the 7th district of Budapest, Hungary. It is the largest synagogue in Europe, seating 3,000 people and is a centre of Neolog Judaism.
You will discover not only why this synagogue is unique architecturally, but also find out about the fate of Hungarian Jewry at the time of the Second World War, as well as learning how many internationally famous personages were Hungarian Jews.
3
Stop 3
Stop at the Moorish Rumbach Sebestyén utca Synagogue was built in 1872 by Austrian Secessionist architect Otto Wagner for the "moderate Conservative" community. The interior decorations shine in their old, graceful light after the long-overdue facelift.
Come with us and see this unusual and beautiful synagogue and find out how it differs from the others in the area.
4
During the war, Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz helped save tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest from persecution and deportation. Located in the area of the former Budapest ghetto is a monument dedicated to his memory.
5
Stop 5
In a small side-street you can find Budapest's Orthodox synagogue.
The Orthodox Synagogue was built in 1913 in what was at the time a very modern design. It has late art nouveau touches and is decorated in bright colours throughout. The stained-glass windows in the ceiling were designed by Miksa Róth.
6
Stop 6
We pay our respects at the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, which was unveiled on April 16, 2005, in memory of the Jewish victims who were murdered at this site during World War II. They were forced to remove their shoes before being shot at the riverbank, their bodies carried away by the Danube. The sculpture, depicting the shoes left behind, stands as a poignant symbol of loss and remembrance.
7
Stop 7
Towards the end of WWII, the Jews of Budapest were herded into a ghetto, and a small section of the ghetto’s wall still stands in the heart of Budapest.
Come with us and find out the secrets of the ghetto, the life of its inmates and their eventual fate.
8
End the tour with a bite of history – flódni, a heritage of flavors.
What's not included
Entrance tickets
Public transportation ticket
Available languages
Guide guide
DE
EN
Reviews breakdown
Viator
4.9
21 reviews
5★
19
4★
1
3★
1
2★
0
1★
0
Tripadvisor
4.8
25 reviews
5★
24
4★
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3★
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2★
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1★
1
Important information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meeting point
Each time, it's the kind tourist who decides where the most convenient meeting point would be – whether it's a café or their hotel.
About Budapest
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and thermal baths. Straddling the Danube River, it offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western European cultures, making it a captivating destination for travelers.
Top Attractions
Budapest Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture and a symbol of Hungary.
Architecture
1-2 hours
€20-30
Buda Castle
Buda Castle is a historical castle and palace complex that offers panoramic views of the city.
Historical
2-3 hours
Free to explore, €3-5 for museums
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the largest thermal baths in Europe, offering a relaxing experience in historic surroundings.
Relaxation
2-3 hours
€15-20
Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is a neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque structure offering panoramic views of the Danube and Pest.
Architecture
1 hour
Free (€3 for the tower)
Heroes' Square
Heroes' Square is a significant monument and a major landmark in Budapest, commemorating the heroes of Hungary's history.
Historical
1 hour
Free
Must-Try Local Dishes
Goulash
A traditional Hungarian soup made with beef, vegetables, and paprika.
Dinner
Contains beef, gluten (from bread or flour)
Lángos
A deep-fried dough topped with sour cream, cheese, and garlic.
Snack
Contains dairy, can be made gluten-free
Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)
A sweet, cylindrical pastry cooked over an open fire and coated with sugar and cinnamon.
Dessert
Contains wheat, sugar, can be made gluten-free
Töltött Káposzta
Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, cooked in a tomato sauce.
Dinner
Contains pork, gluten (from tomato sauce)
Popular Activities
Hiking in the Buda Hills
Cycling along the Danube
Kayaking on the Danube
Visiting thermal baths
Strolling along Andrássy Avenue
Relaxing in City Park
Visiting museums and galleries
Attending classical music concerts
Best Time to Visit
May to September
This is the best time to visit Budapest for warm weather and outdoor activities. The city is lively with festivals and tourists.
18°C to 30°C
64°F to 86°F
Practical Information
Language
- Official: Hungarian
- Widely spoken: English, German
- English: Moderately spoken
Currency
Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Time Zone
GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Electricity
230VV, 50HzHz
Safety Information
Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe
Budapest is generally safe for travelers, but petty crime and scams can occur, especially in tourist areas.
Important Precautions:
- • Be cautious with valuables in crowded areas
- • Use official taxis or app-based services
- • Check bills carefully at restaurants and bars
Getting there
By air
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport • 16 km from city center
By train
Budapest-Keleti Railway Station, Budapest-Nyugati Railway Station
By bus
Népliget Bus Station, Árpád Bridge Bus Station
Getting around
Public transport
The metro system is efficient and easy to use, with four lines connecting major attractions.
Taxis
Available • Apps: Bolt, Főtaxi
Rentals
Car, Bike, Scooter
Neighborhoods
District V (Belváros)
District VII (Jewish Quarter)
District VIII (Józsefváros)
District IX (Ferencváros)
Day trips
Szentendre
20 km from Budapest • Half day
A charming town known for its museums, galleries, and colorful houses.
Esztergom
50 km from Budapest • Full day
A historic town with a stunning basilica and a rich history.
Visegrád
40 km from Budapest • Full day
A historic town with a royal palace and scenic views of the Danube Bend.
Festivals
Budapest Christmas Market • Late November to early January
Budapest Spring Festival • March
Sziget Festival • August
Pro tips
- Use the Budapest Card for free public transport and discounts on attractions
- Take a Danube River cruise for stunning views of the city
- Visit the thermal baths early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds
- Explore the Jewish Quarter for its vibrant nightlife and historic sites
- Try local street food, such as lángos and kürtőskalács, for an authentic taste of Budapest
From $25
per person
Price varies by option
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
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