Private Tour
Urban Tour of Budapest's Most Controversial District.
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The Chinesse market is closed on Christmas and Easter holidays.
Must be able to walk 4kms in 2.5 hours.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Certified guide
What To Expect
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.
Police Museum
Take a quick visit to the police museum Forensic 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 case Police history exhibition relics (uniforms, weapons, documents, certificates, sculptures, awards, photos "Past and Present" photo exhibition ON SUNDAY THE POLICE MUSEUM IS CLOSED AND WE DO NOT ENTER:
Options
Urban Tour of Budapest's Most Controversial District.
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A totally unique & authentic tour
ellenm977,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a unique, one-of-a-kind Budapest tour. We wanted to see the 'seedy' side of the city. District VIII is historic, interesting, and really different from the rest of the city. This is definitely for travelers who want an authentic experience beyond massive tourist crowds and shallow perfect-selfie seekers. I don't want to give stuff away, but I'll share a partial spoiler: there are Russian guards in one section of this district - to this day! This is just one fact that blew me away on this tour out of about a dozen. Be prepared to walk. We clocked some miles, so wear comfortable shoes. I can't recommend this walking tour enough. Go to the notorious Józsefváros area with Victoria or Peter (we had both guides, which is rare). We learned so much, and we are grateful. 🙏🌍✌️
Had a great tour with...
Nicola B,
Jun 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a great tour with Victoria. She was very knowledgeable, smart and funny. Took us around the district to the piloce museum which was very interesting but beware that there are are lot of grim pictures when reading about Hungarian criminals. On to the cemetery which was beautifully kept and Victoria took us to some of the grave site of historical Hungarians and was very informative about practices in Hungary around death and burial. We then took a walk along to the Chinese market with some stops along the way to show us some of the tenement buildings and some information about the large Roma culture in the district. The Chinese market was our last stop which was massive. Again, a lot of tips and do's and don'ts. At the end of our tour we were shown how to get back to the city centre by tram and said our goodbyes. All in all a great tour and would totally recommend.
A different experience of Budapest
Oscar V,
Aug 1, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00I enjoyed this tour so much! Victoria took me to several fascinating places I would most certainly have missed, as I am sure most tourists do. If you are willing to visit those areas away from the typical sights, book this tour. You will not regret it.
The guide was brilliant!...
Henrik J,
Jul 18, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was brilliant! She gave us so much information that would have taken us weeks to google, even then we would not have given the full spectrum that we were served. So interesting to hear about the hospital system and Hungarian culture overall. We highly recommend this tour!
Great tour of outer 8th district
517ivank,
Aug 9, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great, informative and fun tour of 8th district. Viktoria was a great guide and showed us other side of budapest that other walking tours don’t cover. If you are tired of looking at danube and parlament do this tour.
Unexplored part of town
Jesus I,
Jun 1, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you think you have seen everything Budapest has to offer but still crave some more, definitely check this tour out. As described, you visit one of the least visited parts of town which nevertheless has some interesting stuff to offer. The guides are very knowledgeable and overall the experience is quite enjoyable.
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Operated by Perfect European Tours - Budapest FREE Walking Tours.