Re-Post: A walk around the Buda Castle District

I’ve decided to share this blogpost originally from 2016 because my experience is that the Buda Castle District of Budapest is the most popular choice for the virtual tours. Most of the attractions below are to be seen during the tour and I’m happy to discuss the special architecture, culture and traditions of this beautiful neighbourhood. Feel free to contact me for further details on live or virtual tours!

The Buda Castle district is the oldest part of Buda, many of the buildings are originally from the Middle Ages. Buda became the capital of Hungary by the middle of the 13th century, the castle and the medieval town were constructed in the top of the Castle hill.

I don’t want to disappoint you but The Castle district is not a real castle. The Hungarian Medieval castle, residence of many of our great kings, constructed in Gothic and Renaissance architectures was destroyed in the 17th century. Only some parts of it are accessible in the Budapest History Museum, unfortunately the rest of the castle rest in the ground now.

You can walk up the hill along the ramparts of the Medieval Castle to get to the 18th century Baroque Palace which houses the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery. The cobblestoned streets of the historical old town of Buda lead you to the Matthias Church, one of the oldest churches of the city originating from the 13th century. If you have some time, you really need to climb the 197 stairs to the church tower from where you can have the best view over our beautiful city.

From the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion you can enjoy the panorama over the Parliament building and the Pest side.

Continue your walk in the civilian town, admire the unique architecture of the National Archives and wonder around the old Jewish quarter. Probably the most interesting fact about the distric is that there is a 12 km long underground cave and cellar complex underneath the Castle District. There are 2 museums where you can discover this unique labyrinth. The Hospital in the Rock was a military hospital during WW2 and a nuclear bunker during the Communist era. The Labyrinth museum is all about scary fun and you might also meet Dracula, the infamous vampire count.

I’d be glad to show you the famous attractions and the hidden treasures of the neighborhood, too, book the Buda Castle walk!

  • The Buda Castle Garden Bazaar. Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • Buda Castle District. Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • Buda Castle District. Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • Buda Castle District. Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • The National Archives, Buda Castle District. Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • Budapest, Buda Castle District, Buda Castle Walk - Buda Walking Tour
  • Budapest, Buda Castle District, Buda Walking Tour - Private Buda Castle Walk by Julia Kravianszky.
  • Budapest, Buda Castle District, Buda Walking Tour - Private Buda Castle Walk by Julia Kravianszky.
  • Budapest, Buda Castle District, Buda Walking Tour - Private Buda Castle Walk by Julia Kravianszky.

Beautiful Budapest on Facebook

Ok, the timing might not be ideal. But. I originally created a Facebook profile for my tour guiding services some 5 years ago but I never really had time to take care of it and to publish enough interesting content. Now that I only deliver virtual tours obviously I have more time to work on my tours and profiles and uploaded some pictures and information.

I’ll try to post as often as I can so that you can learn more on my beautiful city and country:

Please like, share, comment, send me messages, so that I can see that you’re checking back on what’s new in Beautiful Budapest!

Social Distancing Tours

I know that these last 3-4 months have been extremely difficult for many of us. I delivered my first virtual tour on the 20th of March and haven’t had a real, live tour ever since. I love virtual tours and I think travellers that booked any of them all had a very special experience.

But. I need personal connection, I need instant reactions, I need to see and hear my travellers.

As of last Wednesday our borders are open to the citizens of the EU and some other countries. I don’t see many actual tourists yet but hopefully this will change soon. It was time for me to create my Social Distancing Tours.

Rules are very simple:

  • Tours are maximum 3 hours long
  • Only walking and driving tours are available, we don’t use public transportation
  • Travellers, tour guide (and driver) are required to wear a mask for the length of the tour
  • No inside visit of the monuments, attractions, museums
  • No coffee or lunch break together
  • Maximum number of travellers on the tour shouldn’t exceed 4 people

I hope I’ll have the chance to finally meet real people and to show them around the city that I love the most. I hope that this is just the beginning and very slowly life will get back to normal, if you still remember what normal is 🙂

18th of May: restrictions lifted in Budapest

We’ve been in self isolation for 9 weeks and I have to admit it’s a very long time. But it’s over for now, restrictions are lifted, shops, public areas, parks, restaurants and cafés reopened. We can even go to outdoor swimming pools, museums and the zoo, too. Social distancing measures will continue to apply and it remains compulsory to wear a mask in shops and on public transport in Budapest.

As of today the number of COVID-19 cases in Hungary is 3535 and 462 people died. These numbers are significantly lower than in many Western and Southern European countries, we can’t tell why but think it’s because Hungary was literally locked down very early, on the 16th of March.

We still don’t know when it will be safe to travel again but can’t wait to open our borders to all travellers when it’s safe again!!

Don’t forget, Budapest is waiting for you and of course I won’t stop offering virtual tours:

  • Budapest, Buda Castle District, Buda Walking Tour - Private Buda Castle Walk by Julia Kravianszky.

How exactly will we be touring when it’s safe travelling again?

In some countries the statistics are showing that we might be close to the end of the first shock of the pandemic and governments started considering the options of lifting restrictions. This also means that sometime in the not too far future we can all travel again, however, we’ll be more cautious than we’ve ever been (as of today visitors not obliged to 14 days of self quarantine are the ones who come for business and their country of residence is Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and South Korea).

I’m getting inquiries for tours for the end of summer – beginning of autumn and we’re discussing the different options of safe touring.

One thing is for sure, travelling in large groups will not be an option as long as we are still fighting the virus. That’s why private tours are better options, as it’s only you and your family members or friends in a small group, so it’s easier to keep social distancing.

We have discussed the topics below with my travellers but feel free to let me know if you have more ideas, I’m putting together the 2020 Special Edition Tours in the next couple of weeks:

  • Tours shouldn’t be longer than 3-4 hours
  • Only walking and driving tours will be available, we don’t use public transportation
  • Travellers, tour guide and driver are required to wear a mask for the length of the tour
  • No inside visit of the monuments, attractions, museums
  • No coffee or lunch break together
  • Maximum number of travellers on the tour shouldn’t exceed 2 or 4 people

Virtual Tours: ON-THE-SPOT VIRTUAL BUDAPEST TOUR

To be honest, this is my favourite tour these days. I know that it’s difficult to break the monotony of self isolation, all I can offer is an in-depth visit of a specific neighbourhood of Budapest, great stories, and a truly private tour.

You see through my camera what I see: my beautiful Budapest. From the comfort of your armchair you can take a virtual walk around the Parliament building on the Pest side of the Danube river or the magnificent Royal Palace in Buda. You see on your screen all the major attractions and can ask any question you’d like to, as if you were really touring with me around the city that I love the most and I know the best.

You can book 1 or 2 hours and see as much as possible. While you’re on a tour, you’re also supporting Budapest tourism industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feel free to contact me for further details or book online! I promise to deliver a special tour customised according to your interests and preferences.

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