• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Take a journey through time on this private architecture tour of Budapest. From regal Austro-Hungarian facades to sleek Bauhaus buildings and socialist-era blocks, discover how the city's skyline tells the story of its complex past and vibrant present—with a passionate local by your side.

Destination

Budapest, Hungary

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Magyar

Included

• Private Guide
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the entrance of the hotel - Budapest to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Architectural Highlights

   Marvel at the layers of Budapest's architectural timeline as you take in iconic landmarks like the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Hungarian Parliament building. Your local host will guide you through the city’s most striking buildings and share how each one reflects the spirit of its time

4. Hidden Details

   Beyond the grand façades lie hidden gems—quiet courtyards, overlooked Art Nouveau flourishes, and functionalist buildings with fascinating backstories. Your host will uncover these subtle treasures and show you a side of Budapest that’s often missed, even by locals.

5. Stories in Stone

   Every building has a tale to tell. From imperial ambitions to modernist ideals, your local host will bring the city’s architectural heritage to life with compelling stories, surprising insights, and historical anecdotes that turn walls into narratives

6. Tailored to your Taste

   Whether you're drawn to Neo-Gothic spires, Art Nouveau curves, or Bauhaus simplicity, this tour can be shaped around your personal interests. Your host will adjust the route and focus to match your curiosity—so you get a deeper, more meaningful connection to Budapest’s architectural soul

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Cara

(About local Emoke)

3 June 2025

Emoke is friendly and well-spoken. She knows her subject really well so the tour was interesting and thorough. Emoke provided a wonderful Sissi tour

Jerry🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

31 May 2025

We booked Emoke for a 5-hour tour of Budapest. It was our last day of a two week trip through Eastern Europe, so 5 hours might have been a bit too aggressive. Nonetheless, we hung in there with Emmy and were rewarded with an incredible amount of information, presented at a pace that allowed us to absorb it all. We had a prior excursion provided by our cruise company. We asked Emmy to plan our time together without repeating our previous itinerary. She did a great job, showing us some interesting parts of Budapest that helped us understand Hungary's complex and long history. We also appreciated that she didn't just leave us in the middle of a foreign city, but rather took us back to our hotel via the Metro and tram. Thanks for a great day, Emoke.Great history lesson

michelle.lopus

(About local Emoke)

29 May 2025

We recently took a 3 hour food tour around Budapest with Emoke. Our group of 4 adults loved the time we spent with her. She shared some history and culture of Budapest with us and we felt like we had a better knowledge of the city when we left her. All the food tastings were delicious and we appreciated getting to try so many local treats in a short time.We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Emoke!

celestesa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

26 May 2025

We enjoyed every minute of our tour and Emoke’s excellent insight and comments regarding Hungarian history. We highly recommend Emoke and this tour. Excellent tour

Poul Erik🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local Emoke)

22 May 2025

We had a nice and informative walk in central Budapest starting in Pest and ending in Buda. She is a very friendly, helpful and flexible person, and has my full recommendations.Nice walking tour en central Budapest

Liv🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Emoke)

16 May 2025

I had booked the tour months in advance and had told Emoke in a personal message what we like and are interested in (like not so much modern art, but love history, etc). Not only was she very approachable and always fast to respond beforehand, she also prepared a tailored tour - just for us. With a lot of patience, dedication, humor and depth she guided us through Budapests city center showing us hidden jewels, while giving us a unique view and experience in this beautiful city. I can’t recommend walking with her highly enough!! Today we visited again many of the paces she showed us yesterday. And we visited St István Basilica and St Matthias church as well as the palace and we remembered many of the anecdotes and good to knows she told us. Restaurant Retek it is tonight. With wonderfully positive spirits, inspired by the Hungarian national pride, colorful fabrics, fine porcelain and the heroic stories of the Huns. Bravo to you Emoke - thank you a million for the unfortunate experience <3 We loved it, awesome Emoke

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

12 May 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of spending two full days exploring Budapest with Emoke, and it was an unforgettable experience. She was amazing—an incredible storyteller who truly brought the city’s history to life. Her deep knowledge, engaging personality, and passion for Budapest made every stop meaningful. Thanks to her, we feel like we not only saw the city, but truly got to know its culture and spirit. Highly recommend! Fantastic! Wonderful! 10+++

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

12 May 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of spending two full days exploring Budapest with Emoke, and it was an unforgettable experience. She was amazing—an incredible storyteller who truly brought the city’s history to life. Her deep knowledge, engaging personality, and passion for Budapest made every stop meaningful. Thanks to her, we feel like we not only saw the city, but truly got to know its culture and spirit. Highly recommend!Wonderful! 10+ The BEST!

Riley

(About local Emoke)

4 May 2025

Emoke was an excellent guide and shared so much detail about the very rich history of Budapest and Hungary. We loved every moment! Great historical tour

Grant🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Emoke)

1 May 2025

This was an excellent way to learn abut this incredible person and her influence in Hungary. Sisi is revered here in Hungary and this door really helps you to appreciate why this is the case. Emoke is a fantastic guide, full of information, flexible in her approach and has a great customer focus. Cannot recommend this tour highly enough with Emoke. Excellent tour - high;y recommended

Janel🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

30 April 2025

Emoke was very friendly and knowledgeable. She was very willing to tailor the tour according to our interests. Lovely tour

5jdt6j48mk

(About local Emoke)

29 April 2025

Emmy (Emoke) gave an informative, passionate, knowledgeable and articulate overview of Hungarian and Budapest history in just 3 hours. Emmy was a delightful guide and representative of Hungary.Hungarian History & Highlights in 3 hours

William🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emoke)

29 April 2025

Our first ever personal walking tour and it was superb. Emoke was such a fantastic guide - knowledgeable, proud of her City and culture and more than happy to tailor the tour to our specific requirements 😎💙 Loved it! Amazing experience!

Ken

(About local Emoke)

27 April 2025

Emoke was great. Right on time, very informative about history of Budapest and Hungary. Also very open in regard to every day life during communism and since. Great chooses for authentic Hungarian food which all were delicious. Perspective from a native

Anita🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

27 April 2025

Emoke knows the neighborhoods of Budapest and the local foods of Budapest. She is exceptionally knowledgeable about the present as well as sharing her stories of the past. So much food, so many stories, an absolutely wonderful afternoon. Delicious Informative Walking Tour

Byron

(About local Emoke)

24 April 2025

Emoke was a great food guide. Not only was she very knowledgeable about her beautiful city, Budapest, but she also took us to some great places to try the tastes of Budapest! It was nice to hear her stories and learn all the history. She is very proud of her home. Every place we went, we definitely got enough food. I would highly recommend this food tour and Emoke. You will not be disappointed!A great food tour

tvrk7q9ncj

(About local Emoke)

21 April 2025

Emoke was the guide that combined anything you could expect : deep knowledge for the past of the city and its history , very explanatory , full of energy and very polite . Getting to know Budapest through her eyes might gave me a sense of understanding Hungarian people as well , and that was also nice . Would definitely recommend her A stunning day with Emoke

Tracy

(About local Emoke)

4 April 2025

We had a fantastic morning with Emoke, we covered a large area and it was very interesting. She was knowledgeable and charming. Thank you Emoke

Stefan🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emoke)

29 March 2025

Hi Emoke, thanks again for the Wonderful tour. You showed me the historical Monuments of Budapest with Emotion, Knowledge and Passion. you are proud of your Country, i can feel this and this makes you credible. you are Always a recommendation for tourists in Budapest. Best regards from StefanWonderful tour

Paul🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emoke)

14 March 2025

Emoke did a sterling job in making a very rainy day into an interesting, informative and thoroughly enjoyable three hour trip around the amazing sights of Budapest. She was a star in very trying conditions.Rainy day

Stephen

(About local Emoke)

6 March 2025

Emoke was both informative and friendly.A lovely lady.Had a great afternoon of snacks and drink and really enjoyed the casual approach.Lots of food and was happy we had skipped breakfast as we couldn't have finished all the lovely treats.Would recommend Emoke to anyone looking to encounter a look at the food and history of Budapest.Top class and very enjoyable.........and filling. Great introduction to Budapest

Debbie

(About local Emoke)

11 February 2025

Emoke took us for a 3 hour tour in Pest which included a metro ride and a visit to the most incredible cafe, the cakes were to die for. Her commentary was really interesting and we loved hearing all about the country’s history. Would definitely recommend Emoke. Great tour from a knowledgeable guide

Anastasia🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Emoke)

15 January 2025

Our experience with Emoke was truly exceptional! She was incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and made every moment of the tour engaging. Emoke’s passion for Budapest’s history and culture shone through in every story and recommendations. She went above and beyond to make sure our experience was tailored to our interests, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the city and history of Hungary. The tour was well-organized, and we felt like we were exploring Budapest with a friend who genuinely cared about our experience. We highly recommend Emoke to anyone looking for a unique, insightful, and enjoyable way to discover this beautiful city!A Wonderful Tour of Budapest with Emoke

Jenny🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Emoke)

4 January 2025

Emoke was born in Hungary and has extensive knowledge of Hungary and Budapest. We had 1.5 hours for an overview tour and we learned and saw a lot. Emoke has very good English and carried a folder with pictures and maps which made what she was telling us easy to follow and understand. We can highly recommend Emoke.A local with passion

Sandra🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

28 December 2024

I gave Emoke an idea of what we wanted to see and she put together a great itinerary. She was so sweet and knowledgeable. We learned so much and had a really lovely time with her! She made us feel so comfortable from the very start. Great morning packed with history and fun

Alta🇿🇦 South Africa

(About local Emoke)

23 December 2024

What an absolutely enlightening experience! Emoke is very knowledgeable and have a sincere passion for Budapest! We learned a lot and is dazzled with the beauty and history of HungaryExperience Budapest like never before!

Danielle

(About local Emoke)

23 December 2024

This was such a fun experience for our family to share. Emoke was really knowledgeable and personable, and the food was delicious. Our family loved Emoke!

Ken🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Emoke)

11 December 2024

We had a wonderful time with Emoke. We ate and walked our way through several areas of Budapest. We were left full, satisfied, and had learnt about the city and history.Great time with Emoke

Mallory

(About local Emoke)

10 December 2024

We had a great tour with Emoke. All the food was great and Emoke was very knowledgeable about not only food but history. Highly recommend for anyone visiting BudapestGreat food Tour

Jessica🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

29 November 2024

We had a wonderful experience with Emoke, who took the time to cater this trip to our needs while traveling with our young daughter. She was patient, kind, fun, and her knowledge and passion for her country is incredible! We wouldn’t hesitate to book another tour with Emoke! A wonderful experience!

Wayne🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

18 November 2024

Thanks Emoke! We enjoyed the entire experience. The selections of food perfectly satisfied what we were looking for. The conversation and the history…especially of your experiences really helped provide real perspective to our experience. …And a lot of GOOD things happened

Margareta

(About local Emoke)

16 November 2024

Emoke tog oss runt i Budapest och gav oss en proffsig och personlig guidning. En mycket minnesvärd vandring i solen. Hon svarade på alla frågor med stor kunnighet. Det var vårt första besök och med bara tre dagar på plats betydde hennes information mycket. En perfekt guide!

Terri🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

18 October 2024

We started our 2 and a half day visit in Budapest with a 1 and a half hour tour with Emoke - it was the perfect introduction to this beautiful city! She showed us all around the city- gave us great tips on eating places, things to do and a really interesting history lesson. Loved the langos ( not so much the palinka). Really a great way to start our visit.Budapest visit in October 2024.

Theresa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

13 October 2024

My husband & I thought Emoke was thoughtful, knowledgeable & passionate about sharing her countries history/culture.Wonderful tour of Budapest

Debbie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

2 October 2024

Emoke led us on a private tour starting at the Great Hall food market and ending near the Jewish quarter. We spent a good deal of time in the market first trying several typical foods such as goulash, cabbage and layered potatoes. Then we toured the vast market and sampled a few things along the way. We also learned about some of the local spirits. After leaving the market, we walked to a number of shops and restaurants to sample sausages, chocolates, traditional cakes, chimney cake and langos. Emoke was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the city, history and food of Budapest. We really enjoyed a discussion about her family history and experience during the communist era. Overall, we had a good sampling of the food of Budapest and learned interesting information about the history of the city. We recommend a private tour to get a personalized experience and recommend Emoke as a personable, expert guide who will tweak the tour to meet your needs and expectations.Private tour is a great choice in Budapest

Patricia 🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Emoke)

28 September 2024

Our tour guide was very pleasant, providing us with some history while walking from place to place. Because there were so many stops within the 3 hours, it was alot of food and felt a bit rushed.Budapest food tour

Karen

(About local Emoke)

27 September 2024

This was my second time in Budapest and Bucsek showed me places I had never seen. It was a beautiful day and my sister and I enjoyed every minute of our 5 hour tour. We learned quite a bit of history and also about life in Hungary. She is a delightful woman, with a wonderful spirit and a keen sense of history. I would definitely recommend her to anyone visiting.Amazing guide

Scott🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

22 September 2024

We ended up spending more cruise days in Budapest, then originally planned because of the flood so many of the normal things that we would’ve been shown by our guide had already been covered, but she took it in stride and was able to show us other parts of Budapest that we had not seen before and we had an absolutely wonderful time. Bucsek was such a sweet person, knowledgeable, and fun to hang with An excellent afternoon

Ilene🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

4 September 2024

Emoke was a great tour guide. She was knowledgeable and gave us just the information and stories we wanted as well as giving us a feel for the city. Highly recommend. A great welcome to the city

Emeric🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

31 August 2024

Emoke was an entertaining and informative guide with excellent spoken English. Her first hand perspectives on the transformation of Budapest from the communist era to the present were particularly interesting.Excellent with interesting perspectives.

David🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

20 July 2024

This review covers three full days and let me preface it by saying that each and every morning, Emoke Bucsek met us at our Air BNB. She was a fantastic choice for my wife, Rachel Ludwig and myself! Having never been to this part of the world before, for three days, Emoke knew exactly where to take us, focused on our interests, accommodated our requests, and paired up with her “work husband,” Jozsef Rozman to give us the time of our lives in Budapest. Starting with Heroes Square, we went to Vajdahunyad Castle, the Opera House, explored the Jewish Quarter, Great Market Hall, the Monument of Shoes on the embankment of the Danube, and Saint Stephen Basilica just to name a few! On our second day, we paid for Jozsef to drive us in a private car out of the country to Slovakia, where we went to a famous confectionery called, Sakura, had tea and cakes/ice cream. After we climbed up the hill to see the Visegrád Castle, the citadel, and saw the Esztergom Basilica. On our third day, which was so very special, we went to her hometown of Vac, attended a special once a year town fair and craft show, rode on The Omnibusz, owned and operated by Jozsef Rozman, and ate traditional Hungarian foods at the fair. We left Vac to travel by train to Margaret Island for a relaxing walk through it beautiful gardens and park. We even walked through a complimentary zoo. Our tour ended with a free water fountain show, and a stroll over to the Parliament Building near the Danube in Budapest. Lastly, she arranged all of our transfers, including the one in which we are leaving to go onto a river cruise on a day where there was the Formula One race. (Very difficult to do!) Our Budapest adventure ended, and we were very sad to say goodbye to our new friends. If you are looking for a very personal and intimate tour of Budapest, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, or other the local area there, we highly recommend Emoke Bucsek! ❤️ Overall, our entire experience was six stars on a five star scale! David and Rachel LudwigAN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TOUR GUIDE

Nick🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emoke)

14 July 2024

We had an amazing time with Emoke during an unusually hot spell in Budapest. She took care to keep us in the shade when possible as she shared her obvious love for this city and her country. We learned many fascinating things about its troubled past and marvelled at the many amazing buildings. The kids loved the spotting game she engaged them in and later said they loved having her as our guide, so thank you Emoke!A cool experience in the heat

Kathleen🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

11 July 2024

My daughter and I enjoyed our tour with Emoke. She was very informative on the history and culture of the Budapest. Emoke was able to talk to us about monuments, buildings, history and culture. Our time together went very fast and we felt so happy to have such a knowledgable and personable guide. I would highly recommend her touring skills.Enjoying the History of Budapest

Barbara🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emoke)

16 June 2024

Withlocals was recommended by a friend and this was our first experience of a tour with a local guide. We had such a great tour with Emoke. She was so friendly and interesting with such an amazing knowledge of the history of Hungary and Budapest. She really brought the history to life. We really felt that we learned so much and saw parts of Budapest that we certainly would have missed (the tiny Dracula statue for a start!). I would thoroughly recommend Emoke for a tour in Budapest! Fab tour of Budapest

richard🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

3 June 2024

Evoke fun and interesting. She showed us some of Budapest that we would never have known. Highly recommend. Excellent tour

Rachel🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emoke)

3 June 2024

We had the loveliest time touring Budapest with Emoke. Our children are 17, 12, and 8, and Emoke did brilliantly well to engage them all with age relevant facts and fun games. We learnt so much and enjoyed ourselves! Thanks so much, Emoke!Excellent tour guide!

Nancy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

6 May 2024

We adored Emi! We are a group of 8 middle aged ladies from the US and very much enjoyed the time we spent with her. We never felt rushed and loved all the information she shared with us about her amazing country! LOVED Emi!

Paul🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Emoke)

29 April 2024

Very educated guide with profound knowledge of Hungary's history. This 3 hour tour focuses on the many historical figures that have shaped Hungary. We really enjoyed our time with emoke and happily recommend!Happily recommend

Douglas🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emoke)

2 April 2024

A highlight of our Budapest visit was our tour with Emoke. Good stories, great food, and a few pleasant surprises. Highly recommended!Tasty!

Shelley🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emoke)

15 March 2024

We had our tour yesterday with Emoke and have to say she was amazing , very friendly , knowledgeable, and she took us to some amazing places . She was easy to chat to , and the history details she gave us were really interesting and loved that she told us a little about her childhood too relating to recent history . We were definitely satisfied in regards to food , both in taste and abundance! Would definitely recommend Emoke for a tour :) Great Experience