Halloween vs All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

Halloween stands for ‘All Hallows’ Evening’ , the night before the Christian ‘All Saints’ Day’. Although Halloween with all the pumpking carving and trick-or-treating is getting more and more popular in Hungary, still, we celebrate traditionally the two following days; All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

All Saints’ Day is the day of all of the saint souls, who are not mentioned in the calendar by name. It’s a National Holiday in Hungary, probably because all work has been forbidden on this day for centuries, because of the respect for the dead. According to folk tradition, during the night between All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day deceased go to the house of their loved ones. That’s why in the villages an extra plate was placed on the table, with bread, salt and water on it.

All Souls’ Day is to commemorate and remember one’s beloved ones who had passed away. Local cemeteries are usually crowded and beautiful with tons of fresh flowers, candles and lampions.

23rd October 1956

Yesterday we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Hungary’s revolution against the Communist dictartorship, the presence of the Soviet troops and the Stalinist totalitarianism.

My father was 5 years old in 1956. This is his story. He was abbout to accompany his uncle to bring a radio to some friends. There were fights all over the streets, all around the city. My father and his uncle tried to get from the city center to another district of Pest. When they reached the Liberty bridge my father spotted a huge tank at the Pest side of the bridge. He was frightened. But then, he saw that there was a piece of cloth stuffed in the muzzle of the tank. He was relieved. He said to himself that he wasn’t going to die that day.

Let me tell you more, book the Communist Budapest Walk!

Experience Budapest Like a Local: Private Tours Explained

Private Budapest tours are a wonderful way to experience the city in a truly personal and meaningful way and offer an exclusive and intimate way to explore Budapest . Unlike large group tours, these are designed exclusively for you and your partner, family, or friends — no strangers, no rushing, and no fixed routes.

You tell me what you’re interested in — whether it’s history, food, architecture, or just soaking in the atmosphere of local neighbourhoods — and I tailor the entire experience around your preferences. It’s a flexible, fully customisable way to see the best of Budapest.

Personal, Flexible, and Just for You

With private Budapest tours, you set the pace. Want to stop for a coffee? Prefer to linger at a hidden gem or explore a lesser-known museum? No problem at all. I’ll be your personal guide, sharing stories, answering your questions, and showing you not just the sights, but how locals truly live.

There’s no waiting for a group or following a rigid schedule. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with young children, or with older family members, I adapt the tour to your comfort and energy level. That’s the beauty of private guiding — it’s all about you.

See Budapest Like a Local!

As someone who was born and raised in Budapest, I love showing people the city I call home. My tours go beyond landmarks — I include local stories, personal memories, and hidden places that don’t appear in typical guidebooks. Whether you want to discover iconic landmarks or hidden gems off the beaten path, I’m here to guide you through an authentic and enriching journey.

Many of my guests have told me they felt like they were exploring with a friend rather than a guide. And truthfully, I’ve made many wonderful friendships through these tours — that’s what makes this work so special to me.

Ready to Plan Your Custom Tour in Budapest?

If you’re looking for a relaxed, personal, and authentic way to explore Hungary’s capital, private Budapest tours are the perfect choice. Contact me to start planning your customised experience today. Let’s create your perfect Budapest adventure together!

For inspiration, check out my Budapest travel blog or visit Budapest Info for more about what the city has to offer.

 

Hello Dear Guests!

I’m very pleased to welcome you, hopefully I’ll see you soon in beautiful Budapest.

I’m a licensed, professional tour guide, I speak in English and in French, I offer personalized private tours in both Budapest and the magnificent Hungarian countryside. I promise to show you all the most important attractions and the hidden gems of my city, too.

Please contact me for further details, I’d be glad to put together a detailed itinerary for you, so that you can make the most of your stay in Budapest.

Before You Go

A few general and helpful information before you arrive to my beautiful city.

Money Exchange: the local currency is HUF (Hungarian Forint), you can pay with credit card in almost every shop and restaurant and in taxis, too. Don’t exchange money at the airport, there are dozens of small exchange offices in the city center (don’t forget to check the exchange rates first) and you can also use the hundreds of ATM machines.

Transportation: don’t be afraid of using public transportation, it’s simple, convenient and cheap. You’ll feel like a local. You can buy tickets at the metro stations, don’t forget to validate your ticket when you start your journey.

Cabs: all the local cabs are registered, they’re yellow. Taking a cab is safe, make sure that the driver puts the meter on at the beginning of the ride, don’t negotiate the price. Feel free to get off the cab if the driver refuses to put the meter on.

Tipping: tip is generally 10-15%, it might be included in the price, always check the receipt to see if the service fee is included.

Safety and security: Budapest is a very safe city, you can walk around during the night without experiencing any problem. There might be pickpockets in crowded places, take care of your belongings!

Tap water: drinking tap water is safe, the water is of great quality and delicious at the same time.