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Budapest Historic Cafes Small-Group Walking Tour
3 h
Small Group
By walk
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Our 3 hour walk starts at Vorosmarthy square, in the heart of the city. Our first cafe already gives us a deeper insight into the ambiance of Imperial Budapest. The Gerbaud with its exquisite interior, and more than 100 years of history, served as a central social hub for both tourists and locals during the late 19th century.
From Gerbaud we take the tram by the Danube to the Central Cafe, a space so dignified that it epitomizes what the cafe house culture really meant during the 19th century pinnacle of the Habsburg Empire’s economic and cultural power. The “scenery”, the delicate decor, the delicious meals, the delightful desserts and refreshing drinks give us a full taste of the atmosphere of a bygone culture’s social rituals.
Next (and within walking distance), we move the Museum Café, in operation since 1885. Prominent clientèle were regularly entered in the guest book, now a historical document, including the names of many Members of Parliament, distinguished writers, and famous Hungarian actors. The lavish walls are covered in tiles from the world-famous Zsolnay porcelain works. Another unique feature is the grand 19th century Venetian mirror.
After yet another short walk, we come to the Urania Cafe on Rakoczi street, which houses the oldest Film Theatre in the city, and which is famous for its lectures given by prominent intellectuals before large audiences of Budapest cosmopolitans.
From here we will walk towards Blaha Lujza tér, on the big boulevard to reach our next sight, the elegant New York Cafe, one of the most beautiful Cafe Houses in the world. We end our walking tour sitting down for a coffee and cake in the Muvesz Cafe on Andrassy Boulevard, near the Opera House, hoping to catch a glimpse of the city’s celebrity actors and actresses, who regularly patronize the venue during their rehearsal breaks from the nearby Budapest Broadway.
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From Gerbaud we take the tram by the Danube to the Central Cafe, a space so dignified that it epitomizes what the cafe house culture really meant during the 19th century pinnacle of the Habsburg Empire’s economic and cultural power. The “scenery”, the delicate decor, the delicious meals, the delightful desserts and refreshing drinks give us a full taste of the atmosphere of a bygone culture’s social rituals.
Next (and within walking distance), we move the Museum Café, in operation since 1885. Prominent clientèle were regularly entered in the guest book, now a historical document, including the names of many Members of Parliament, distinguished writers, and famous Hungarian actors. The lavish walls are covered in tiles from the world-famous Zsolnay porcelain works. Another unique feature is the grand 19th century Venetian mirror.
After yet another short walk, we come to the Urania Cafe on Rakoczi street, which houses the oldest Film Theatre in the city, and which is famous for its lectures given by prominent intellectuals before large audiences of Budapest cosmopolitans.
From here we will walk towards Blaha Lujza tér, on the big boulevard to reach our next sight, the elegant New York Cafe, one of the most beautiful Cafe Houses in the world. We end our walking tour sitting down for a coffee and cake in the Muvesz Cafe on Andrassy Boulevard, near the Opera House, hoping to catch a glimpse of the city’s celebrity actors and actresses, who regularly patronize the venue during their rehearsal breaks from the nearby Budapest Broadway.
Included
- 3 hour guided walking tour
- Art historian guide
Not included
- Price of refreshments, cakes and coffees selected at various cafes
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
80%
Sport
20%
Reviews
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This was our third tour in Budapest, so perhaps the comparison with the other tours was a factor, however there are far better organized tours in the city for much less money. Our tour was exclusively walking, it did not include the tram referenced in the write-up. Not a huge deal in and of itself, but one problem on a list of many. Our guide was a recent graduate who said this was one of her last tours, which may also have been a factor. In all fairness, the tour is a literary and history tour, our particular tour focused almost solely on the political history of the area, and barely touched on the literary history. One journal, one editor and one poet were mentioned by name, otherwise literary figures were referred to only as 'the writers.' This was the only tour we have taken through Viator where stops at businesses were clearly not coordinated ahead of time. Our tour guide was asking permission to access local businesses as she went, which is unusual in our experience. We ended up touring her campus, while the locations she pointed out were interesting, again they had nothing to do with literature. We then went into an apartment complex the guide said she had a code for, even though we specifically voiced concern with the unscheduled stop to a private building. The tour was scheduled for three hours, we left after two due to the general awkwardness of the ongoing negotiations. If this was advertised as a socio-political history tour and locations were pre-arranged better with the local businesses, this would have been a fine tour. However as a literary tour, my husband and I were hoping to learn more about the specific authors and poets who called Budapest home, which this tour did not provide.
Anet was my tour guide. Excellent English and very knowledgeable and passionate about her Cafes - definitely part of the historical Budapest! We walked and walked but the weather was perfect, adding to the wonderful tour!