The best & free Budapest walking tours you should join in 2024!

While plenty of other transportation options exists for exploring Budapest, walking could be a great way to explore the fantastic sights Budapest has to offer. The Hop-on Hop-off Budapest busses are great at seeing a whole bunch of destinations at once. Still, with walking tours, you're able to really take in the experience.

What's so great about walking tours?

Before we dive into the amazing walking tours offered in Budapest, let's first talk about why walking tours specifically. If you're already in love with the idea of walking tours, feel free to skip this section!

When you first hear of walking tours, you might have many questions. "Why walking tour when I can explore things by bus?" "Why participate in a walking tour when I can do so with Google Maps myself?" These are all questions that I had when I first heard of walking tours, so let me tell you why walking tours are actually an excellent way of exploring the city.

Perks of joining a walking tour:

1. Learn the city - With a bustling metropolis like Budapest, walking tours are a great way to learn about the city. You'll be able to really immerse yourself in the unique city structure Budapest has to offer! The city is nothing short of unique architecture, from the mighty Danube river splitting the city in half to their jungle-like series of interconnected neighborhoods. A walking tour gives you a chance to a first-hand feel of the city's vibes at a relaxed pace.

1. Guided Tours - Why rely on Google Maps and, at times, confusing navigation? Simply join a free walking tour, and the next thing you know, you're enjoying the city!

1. Authentic Experiences - When you go on a guided walking tour, you're almost definitely guaranteed a local guide. When your guide is from a local's perspective, their point of view is invaluable. Learn more about the city through their incredible stories and facts! Not to mention, nothing beats the advice of a local on where to eat and where to party!

The walking tours Budapest has to offer.

 Now that you're up to date on why walking tours are the best, we've got a list of all the best walking tours you can partake in Budapest for free!

Free Tour of Budapest - Generation Tours Budapest 

This super well-reviewed walking tour will grant you a peek at every most famous landmark in Budapest, from St. Stephen's Basilica to Vörösmarty Square, the beautiful Danube Promenade, Liberty Square, and much more. 

This is an excellent option if you're visiting the city for a quick weekend and want to see as much as possible in the time you have. It is meant for those who have no knowledge of Budapest and would like to hit the main spots while learning a bit of local history in the process. 

The tour is available in four different hourly slots and has a Spanish and English option.

The alternative face of Budapest - Guruwalk.com

In this walking tour, you will explore a different side of Budapest, the underground and artistic face of the city. Admire the walls of the city, painted by local street and international street artists, and learn more about Budapest's urban art social and political message. This tour is a must for street art lovers, but also for those that want to penetrate the city's most narrow alleys and backstreets, discovering the lesser-known locations!

The tour is available in English, every Saturday afternoon. 

Budapest Jewish Legacy Free Tour - Generation Tours Budapest

This tour will guide you through the picturesque Jewish Quarter, focusing on its historical, economic, and artistic value. Visit the so-called Synagogue triangle of Budapest: the Great Synagogue on Dohány utca, the synagogue on Rumbach Sebestyén utca, and the Kazinczy utca Synagogue. Learn about the Jewish traditions, the history of WWII and the Holocaust, and the lives of famous Hungarian Jews through time. 

This tour is available in English, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, in the morning.

Free Tour of Buda Castle District - Luna Tours Budapest

Book this panoramic and informative tour for an in-depth visit to the Castle District of Budapest! The Buda district is a true gem. Being a primarily residential neighborhood, they have plenty to offer in architecture and art. The tour includes a visit to the Matthias Church, the iconic Fisherman's Bastion, and the Royal Palace, as well as offering one of the best views of Buda hills and viewpoint of the skyline of Pest. 

The tour is available in English, every afternoon at 3 pm.

Communist Walking Tour - Triptobudapest.hu

Did you ever wonder what life was like in Budapest during Communism? This tour will give you an insight into post-WWII Hungary, with real-life stories and facts about propaganda, religion, and the economy behind the Iron Curtain. The tour will bring you from Saint Stephen's Basilica to Szabadság Square (featuring a secret military bunker!), the Soviet war memorial, and the Parliament building of Hungary.

This tour is meant to feel like a history class…while walking! So if you are passionate about modern European history and are eager to learn, this is the tour for you! The Communist Walking Tour is available every Saturday afternoon in English. 

Are the Budapest free tours really free?

In theory, every free walking tour in Budapest is free, meaning that you are welcome to tip your guide as much as you want. However, it is highly appreciated to pay any amount, according to the service provided and your means. In general, any sum between 10-50 € (3000-170000 Hungarian Forints) is considered perfectly adequate. 

The Free Walking Tours of Budapest are usually 2-3 hours long. They make planning an itinerary easier and fit into a dense traveling schedule.

Plan your trip and walking tour with Pilot!

Regardless of which free walking tour you pick, we're sure you'll have a great time enjoying the sceneries Budapest has to offer. Just make sure to pack appropriately with the weather and bring some water and snacks along the way!

How do you exactly remember what to pack? The worst thing coming back from your trip is remembering a place you've wanted to visit but forgot to while you're there. This will never happen if you use our travel planner app, Pilot!