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Urban Tour of Budapest's Most Controversial District

7 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 7 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Budapest, Hungary
Book online or call us

from $39.73 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
WW1 war grave
Learn about how Hungarian jews were deported and enforced into labor.
Unusual transport options can be found in the Chinese Market.
The Chinese market.
Fresh meat for sale.
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

The outer part of the viii district was considered as a no-go area, deemed the gypsy ghetto, the district is often still considered one of the most undesirable, run-down, poor, and depressing parts of the city.

Despite this, the area has inspired urban rappers from Animal Cannables, Arnold to Mr.Joint & Ferke. The district has inspired movies from Pál utca fiúk (Paul Street Boys), Nyolcker (The Eight District), and A Good Day to Die Hard.

The tour is very suitable for those interested in migration, and urban and architectural history. It enables participants the chance to explore the issues surrounding the district and its unique culture and vibrant history. Józsefváros is a heterogeneous and dynamically changing area and an ideal site to examine the effects of urban diversity.

On this tour you will explore...
-Keleti train station.
-The cemetery.
-Orczy Ter Cross
-The gypsy ghetto.
-Discover the fate of the house of fates museum.
-Chinese market and former Ganz factory.

What's Included

  • Certified guide

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Budapest
    1087 Hungary

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    Budapest
    Kőbányai út 25, 1087 Hungary

    We finish the tour at the market. Guests then can join the guide at Goyla a ruin pub, go off alone to explore the market further or the guide can walk guests to the nearest tram stop (5 mins walk) which will take them back to the meeting point and the city centre.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
    Read more

    Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

    Keleti pályaudvar

    Learn about the history of the train station.See the famous arrival hall built for princess sissi.We step back in time 100 years. It's not as beautiful as the frescoed Lotz Hall, which serves as the treasury, but the eclectic style of the ballroom is still surprising and impressive. It can be seen that it has been neglected for a long time, but the Greek-style supporting columns, the huge window frames, the marble coverings, and the carved wooden coverings recall the old glorious past.
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    15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

    Police Museum

    Take a quick visit to the police museumForensic science exhibition -Black Angel crime case - Crime committed by Béla Kiss – the first Hungarian serial killer - Yugoslav serial killer - Whiskys crime case - Nicotine murder - Martfűi serial murder – fourth-degree murder - Miskolc Bonny and Clyde crime casePolice history exhibition relics (uniforms, weapons, documents, certificates, sculptures, awards, photos"Past and Present" photo exhibitionON SUNDAY THE POLICE MUSEUM IS CLOSED AND WE DO NOT ENTER:
    Read more

    15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Fiumei Road Cemetery

    Understand the history of this grand cemetery once nicked named the Communist Cemetery.Learn about local death customs.See the beautiful tombs and architecture that make up this outdoor museum.Climb to the top of Kossuths tomb who was the governor of Hungary during the revolution for the best views of the 8th district.Find out about the fate of the martyred prime minister Batthany.Enter inside one of the mausoleums.See the grand horse drawn funeral hearse last used for Count Apponyi.Visit the cemetery gift shop.
    Read more

    30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Természet Fitotéka Kkt.

    See the refurbished Laszlo ter, learn about the history of the carbon market that was located here and why it is named after the famous Hungarian writer.
    Read more

    10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Párbeszéd Háza

    The House of Fates is a highly disputed, unfinished museum located in Budapest, Hungary, designed to spread the message by the government of Viktor Orbán about the Holocaust of the Hungarian Jews. The memory of the Holocaust has been the subject of extremely turbulent debates since the end of communist control in Hungary. Over the past 30 years, no other issue has provoked such strong emotions in public life.See the strange building,designed by Attila F. Kovács with is giant star and railway carriage towers, reminding us of the terrible start of events which started from the location
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    10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Orczy tér

    Orczy tér in Józsefváros is somehow an unfortunate symbol of traffic disorder. Its renewal has been in the plans for decades, but its implementation is often delayed. In the eyes of many, it is a confusing, disreputable enclosure, an opaque set of tram tracks and sidewalk islands. Over the decades, the region has faced numerous social problems, which were compounded by the mass of commuters flowing through.You will have the oppoutinty to visit the heart of this mess, the Csobánc Társasház was designed by the award-winning György Kévés, he created a striking, "complex architectural work", whose characteristic brick architecture with numerous arches strongly evokes the early modern architectural world of 1910. See the unusual Kokárda Catacomb, memorial and underground chapel at the center of this project, which commemorates the failed revoltuins 1848 and 1956. Hear how this new housing complex marked the start of a very painful gentrification for this area.
    Read more

    7 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Golgota Tér

    Wander through the small gardens of Golgota tér and see the remains of a chapel, which was once frequented by the workers who lived in the nearby apartment buildings, the communists who sought to destroy it were only successful on the third attempt, learn what motived them.View the reconstruction work of the original bronze 14 reliefs made by sculptor Antal Szécsi featuring the Máriabesnyő Calvary StationThen wander a little further alone to Budapest Europe Television was the first commercial tv station in Hungary. Learn about the business models unusual structure and how the The relationship between the company's manager, and the liquidator almost escalated to violence on multiple occasions, finally discover the stations strange end.See the Goyla bar and community center and learn about the events and activities that it runs.
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    8 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    MÁVAG Kolónia

    The fortress-like apartment block was home to three thousand workers when it was built – but the apartments, which have a room and kitchen, were built by the MÁVAG (Hungarian Royal State Iron, Steel and Machine Works) to provide the best care and conditions of the time for their workers: there was a bathhouse, a canteen, a laundry, a doctor's office, a kindergarten, a public market.The colony today is often used as a film location, Colorado Kid, The Exam and the documentary The City Dweller's have been shot there.
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    5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Kínai Piac (China Market)

    Józsefváros market also known as four tigers market is located in a old industrial estate and is one of the largest markets of south east Asian goods in eastern central Europe. There are over 10,000 workers and 1,500 business located here selling everything from socks, frying pans, dragon fruit, plastic surgery, hot chicken, fresh live fish ,Chinese medicine and fake flowers.Learn about the immigrants who settled here, explore the market with the guide.At the end of the tour guests can take the time to explore the market further alone and try the wide variety of street food it has to offer.Guests should bear in mind that the market is closed on holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
    Read more

    20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Show 8 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Must be able to walk 4kms in 2.5 hours.
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Urban Tour of Budapest’s Most Controversial District?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-133252P4

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    5.00
    7 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 7 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    7
    4 stars
    0
    3 stars
    0
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    0
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    Activity name

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Urban Tour of Budapest’s Most Controversial District?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Certified guide.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 8. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Urban Tour of Budapest's Most Controversial District is as follows:

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Must be able to walk 4kms in 2.5 hours.
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Urban Tour of Budapest’s Most Controversial District will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024
    Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
    A:

    Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

    Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

    If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

    Oct 2026

    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Certified guide

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Must be able to walk 4kms in 2.5 hours.
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • The Chinesse market is closed on Christmas and Easter holidays.

    Report Product Issue

    Activity name