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Budapest: The WWII Siege of Buda Castle & Bomb Shelter Tour

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About the activity

Travel 80 years back in time to recall the siege of Buda Castle during the Second World War through the recollections of survivors on an English walking tour that includes the Buda Castle Cave.

  • Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets
    Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Live guiding
    English
  • Duration
    1.5 hours
  • Includes
    • Guided tour in English in the Palace District and in the Buda Castle Cave.
Highlights & Description

Highlights

  • Discover the history of the siege of Budapest during the Second World War
  • Explore the Buda Castle district and its underground bomb shelter
  • Learn about the 52-day siege of the Hungarian capital by the Soviet Red Army
  • Follow your guide through the Buda Castle Cave and its underground labyrinth
  • Hear stories of the tens of thousands who sought refuge in Buda Castle

Description

Take a walk with us on Castle Hill, above the ground and under the ground, as we visit a cellar and an original bomb shelter in the cave system stretching beneath this historic district.

On Christmas Eve 1944, the Soviet Red Army encircled German-occupied Budapest, and the 52-day siege of the Hungarian capital began. Tens of thousands sought shelter in Buda Castle, including German and Hungarian soldiers, the wounded, and civilians. During these hellish weeks — completely unfathomable to us today — they all experienced the common terror of death, but also an instinctive desire for survival in the underground spaces of the Royal Palace and the unique cave and cellar system of the historic residential quarter. They suffered immensely from the cold, lack of water and food, darkness, overcrowding, and diseases, while trying to salvage their lives, possessions, and the treasures of the Royal Palace. During our tour, we will recount the horrors of the siege of Buda based on diaries and memoirs as we walk through an underground labyrinth, visiting the cellar of an old dwelling house and an authentic Second World War bomb shelter. By the end of the tour, you will understand why the siege of Budapest has often been compared to that of Stalingrad, which was one of the most brutal and devastating encirclement battles in world history.

Good to know before you go
  • DEPARTURE: De la Motte–B.-Palace – 1014 Budapest, Dísz tér 15. (Dísz Square 15)
  • Next to the "Posta" building, at the big green gate, look for our colleague with the turquoise umbrella bearing the Buda Castle Walks logo.
  • ARRIVAL: Szentháromság tér (Szentháromság Square)
  • DURATION: 90 minutes
  • - this is both an outdoor and indoor programme
  • - it is recommended for ages 14 and upwards
  • - the programme starts promptly at the time indicated, we cannot wait for latecomers
  • - the tour is held in all weather conditions (even in the case of rain)
  • - as the walk winds on cobbled streets, in dark but illuminated areas of the De la Motte/Beer House and the Buda Castle Cave, with steep stairs, narrow corridors, and solid, sometimes wet surfaces, the tour is not suitable for those with mobility challenges
  • - comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • - the temperature in the cellar and in the Buda Castle Cave is approximately 12°C (54°F) all year round, so we recommend dressing in layers.
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cancellation policy for this activity?
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
2. When will I receive the confirmation of my booking?
You will receive an email notification right after your successful payment. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk mail folder. When the payment is completed you have the option to download your ticket directly.
3. Are mobile tickets enough or do I have to print them?
Tickets don't need to be printed. You can show your ticket from your smartphone as a PDF.
  • Participant
    0-99 years
June 2025
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