Budapest Hammer & Sickle Tour: A Deep Dive into Hungary's Communist History
4.7
65 Ratings
Budapest
Discover Hungary's communist history on a captivating walking tour of Budapest. Explore the landmarks, hear stories of struggle and triumph, and witness the propaganda of the time.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Szabadsag ter - Visit to the Soviet Memorial and guests will learn about 1956 Revolution and WWII
  • Hungarian Parliament Building - At the Parliament the guests will learn what had happened on the site during the 1956 revolution against the Soviet regime
  • In memoriam 1956. October 25. Memorial and Exhibition - Guided visit through the exhibition and discussing the events with the guide
  • Shoes on the Danube Bank - Your guide will tell about this Holocaust memorial and the history of WWII in Hungary
  • Budapest Retro Interactive Museum - Your guide will walk you through the exhibition and explain the stories behind the artifacts. The Budapest Retro Interactive Museum’s exhibition displays thousands of special objects: many communist related relics to help your understanding of the propaganda the country once lived under. You will be explained what life was like behind the Iron Curtain.
What's Included
  • Meet your guide at the accommodation
  • English-speaking guide
  • Public transportation if needed
  • Choice of beverage: coffee, tea, or soft drink
  • Entry ticket to Budapest Retro Interactive Museum
Additional Information

Embark on a comprehensive walking tour through Budapest, delving into Hungary’s captivating communist past. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will spend three informative hours learning about Hungary’s tumultuous history, encompassing both triumphs and adversities from the grip of totalitarianism to the downfall of the Iron Curtain. Explore the vicinity of the Hungarian Parliament Building and unravel tales about World War I and II, the 1956 Hungarian Uprising and the disintegration of the Soviet Union while wandering through Budapest’s streets and visiting a private exhibition hall, gaining insights into the everyday life and communist propaganda of the time.

Revisit the era where people drove Trabants, consumed spirits during working hours, dwelled in community apartments, queued in Banana Lines, possessed two passports, rationing books, and were deprived of television on Mondays and the right to free speech. Feel the build-up to the 1956 rebellion, trace the protest routes, recreate the fights, and soak in the narratives!

  • You will need to be fit for light continuous walking, for up to 3 hours
  • Tour goes in all weather conditions so please dress appropriately
  • Not recommended under age 12
Location
Lutheran church, Deák tér
Deák Ferenc tér
Meet your guide in front of the Deak Square pale yellow Lutheran Church, at the church steps
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(65 Ratings)
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Cathy_w
Oct 6, 2022
Great Tour -- You will Love It - This was an excellent tour, and Andrea did a wonderful job. She was exceptionally knowledgeable about every aspect of the history of Communism in Hungary, and we were very, very impressed with every aspect of this tour. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Julie529
Jun 19, 2022
Excellent overview of Hungary's history with Communism and its impact today. - I took this tour 10 years ago and found it memorable. While I was hoping for a similar experience, the tour has changed, with no "feel and touch" items (games, passports) that brought the experience to life (this because of the costs of maintaining an office for teaching face to face). This tour is a walking tour to places that highlight Budapest's experience under the Soviets, winding up at a museum of "retro" items -- a 1950s kitchen and appliances, the opportunity to record yourself as announcer on a radio or TV show. Andrea was our guide -- and gave us information that made the tour superb; we got everything from the tour (and Andrea) that we had hoped to. We were interested in knowing about Hungary's social and political climate today, and the historical roots of these issues. Andrea offered us a comprehensive and nuanced picture of Hungary today, touching on issues that go back decades, and a picture of where the country is now. The museum is an add-on -- and something we've seen elsewhere that didn't add to our knowledge, so we chose not to stay. It's interactive activities may be of interest to some, and you have the option of staying and exploring the museum after your time with the tour is officially over.) However, this is a quibble. If you're interested in these issues, I'd definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z529zacourtney
May 29, 2022
Great experience! - Great tour that lived up to all expectations. Andrea was knowledgeable and the content of the tour was so interesting. The two museums (1956 memorial and retro museums) were additive. It was fantastic to learn more about such a historical city with a guide that had so much to add.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sradis
Feb 26, 2020
Fascinating tour with a local expert guide - Zsolt was a terrific guide and a fount of information! We really enjoyed our tour and learned so much from him. He made it easy to absorb the history and told us personal anecdotes from his family. We highly recommend this tour with Zsolt!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ndogg89
Nov 23, 2019
Hammer and Sickle - Budapest - This is a great tour for anyone who really wants to dive into the history of what communism life was like in Hungary and other eastern bloc countries during USSR control. Tamas was our tour guide and did a fantastic job breaking down key events and answering any follow up questions you may have. You really feel and see the experience of what communist life was like as he brings you to a room filled with memorabilia and propaganda from that era. I really appreciated the tour for this side of history that was not always highlighted or focused on during my education. The people of Hungary and all eastern bloc countries truly suffered a tremendous amount but courageously continued to fight for what their freedom. I highly recommend the tour for anyone that wants to learn more about this time period in history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sydney_l
Nov 4, 2019
AMAZING LOCAL GUIDE! - We absolutely loved our walking tour!! The value of what we paid for what we learned and saw was amazing. She asked us what we knew and what we were looking for and she catered the tour around us. The basement of the tour studio was incredible. We loved the stop for coffee and snacks, awesome sight to see. She was also VERY funny and brought life to everything we saw 10/10 would recommend for everyone that visits!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Tjaugusta
Oct 28, 2019
Educational experience while in Budapest. - Learned a great deal about the history and the experience the people had during WWII and after. How life changed for the people and country. Our tour guide, Balint Alkonri, did an excellent job. Would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Tourist717615
Oct 14, 2019
Great deep-dive into communist-era Budapest - Our lovely guide Rebekah was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. The passionate way she told the history of communist and socialist era Hungary really brought it to life. We only had a general knowledge of Hungarian history going into the tour, so it was fascinating to learn about daily life during this era, the history leading up to and the lasting social impact of communist & socialist rule. Would recommend for anyone with a keen interest in history or interest in learning about Hungarian history & culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L
Oct 10, 2019
Excellent Tour - We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and it was an afternoon well spent. Our guide was very passionate about his subject matter and had very in-depth knowledge. The late lunch provided was delicious and we had it at this very interesting venue. This is not a cheap tour but we thought it was worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Stella_u
Jul 7, 2023
Greg was wonderful. He... - Greg was wonderful. He gave a quick summary of Hungarian history at the beginning of the tour which was important to understand how Hungary is where it is now. Hearing stories of life under communist government was very interesting. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
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