Budapest Hidden Gems by Car

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Itinerary

During this exclusive 5-hour driving private tour we will introduce you to some of the most interesting exteriors and interiors of Secession buildings in Budapest. They are usually off the track but for an Art Nouveau lover, but they are exquisite and well worth visiting when accompanied by our licensed and expert guide.

Our guide will show you the most fashionable boulevard of fin-de-siecle Budapest, the Andrassy Avenue. Along the way you can admire homes of aristocratic families and visit also the splendid villa of an industrial tycoon from the end of the 19th Century. We will visit interior of this Art Nouveau villa with interesting stained-glass windows, beautiful ceramics and nice wood carvings.

From this elegant residential district of the rich and famous we drive on where such distinguished people earned their wealth, the old financial center of Budapest. Among great many other Art Nouveau apartment buildings there is a hiding a private interior with an exhibition on a first floor filled with exquisite furniture, pottery and paintings. Graceful lines and refined taste characterizing these wonders of local craftsmanship and downstairs we may stop to have some snacks or local pastries in its cosy cafe.

Having had some refreshment we are on the way to a real Art Nouveau temple of the Hungarian music. Lushly decorated with mosaics and carvings, Music Academy,  the institute named by the piano virtuoso Franz Liszt is perhaps the best preserved concert hall and school of Art Nouveau style in Budapest.

It is a temple of music, arts and Art Nouveau mythology. The perfectly preserved concert hall and school is a treasure box of Hungarian architecture and has been the birth place of talents ever since it opened its gates in 1907. Lushly decorated with mosaics and carvings, the institute named by the piano virtuoso Franz Liszt is perhaps the best preserved concert hall and school of Art Nouveau style in Budapest. In this building your group will join the general tour because private guides are not allowed to go alone.

Miksa Roth Memorial House was the home of a Jewish artist from Budapest who rivalled Tiffany and Co. before Second World War. Reinventing stained glass windows, lamps and mosaics as part of modern architecture, Miksa Roth left a lasting imprint on the face of the Hungarian metropolis.

The Art Nouveau style building is decorated with frescoes, Zsolnay ceramics, and several statues (among them that of Béla Bartók and Frédéric Chopin). Originally the building also had stained glass windows, made by Miksa Róth. We may visit the architectural highlights of the building joining the general visit (because private guides are not allowed to go alone).

If there is some time left, during the morning you will also visit an amazing Calvinist church with glass windows from Miksa Róth. Its special dome, which is 14 meters in diameter, give the monumental shrine a unique appearance.

The buildings included in this private tour are far from each other and difficult to reach by public transport, that’s why we run this private tour entirely by car/minibus/bus, but if you want the private tour can also be done by taxi.

Depending on the day and time of your tour, we will aim to visit some or all of the following buildings: Róth Miksa Stained Glass Museum, the Schiffer Villa, and Ráth György Villa.

Tailored to your interests

Every day of the week and time of the day the route may change because of timetables of the places to be visited, so use the following itinerary as an approximation of what you will discover.

If you have specific requirements—such as mobility needs, traveling with children, or other special considerations—just let us know. We strive to grant you access to local treasures and experiences you might not discover on your own.

We will remain flexible on the day of the tour, adjusting the schedule and itinerary to suit your group’s pace and interests. Whether walking or choosing other activities, we’ll ensure the day unfolds comfortably and enjoyably, regardless of weather or circumstances.

Please note that tours of the Music Academy are available only on select days of the week, primarily Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, though availability can be unpredictable. Similarly, visits to the Geological Institute are only possible on Wednesdays, and the tour is conducted in Hungarian with a focus on geology. Be sure to confirm availability when planning your visit, as these tours are subject to specific schedules.

A sight/visit to the Museum of Applied Arts is not in the itinerary because it is a bit far from the itinerary way and because it closed its doors for restoration in September 2017 (a renovation that will last for five years! CLICK HERE for more information about this rehabilitation works). Bedő House closed and will not reopen.

Our passionate local expert guide will craft a personalized and captivating experience, tailoring storytelling and the itinerary to your group’s unique interests. Once your private tour is booked, we’ll gather details about your preferences to ensure a memorable and engaging adventure in Budapest.

You will spend most of the time inside the interiors of very interesting buildings, real art nouveau hidden gems, places not easy to visit if you go on your own. Your private guide flexibility will let you spend as much time as you wish in any of the museums and at the same time have some sights of the city of Budapest.

Where the private tour Begins and Ends

Tour may start in the city center. Our driver-guide will meet all the group together with a modern car/minivan in a specific place. This location can be your accommodation, in front of the Opera House on the Andrassy street or at the ferries’ port. In this case, you have to tell us which cruise line you travel, name of the ship and pier number.

Tour will end in the city or in the ship port at your convenience.

Exclusions

Entrance fees to the museums or houses that may be visited during the tour.

Food and drinks.

Additional Information

Most of our guests prefer private tours in English or German. If you need a tour in another language, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Major events, health regulations, and weather conditions may occasionally affect the final itinerary of your private experience. Changes in opening hours for specific buildings, ongoing renovations, or guest preferences might also allow us to include additional sites in your tour, such as the Ráth György Villa, the Music Academy, the Geological Institute, the Schiffer Villa, the Róth Miksa Stained Glass Museum, and other noteworthy locations. It is worth noting that the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts is currently undergoing renovations after five years of restoration, and the Bedő House is no longer accessible for visits. We offer flexibility for cancellations or date changes, and we will provide detailed information with your quote.

Our expert guides are deeply knowledgeable about the city and its history, each specializing in various subjects to ensure an enriching experience tailored to your group’s interests. They provide fascinating insights into cultural and historical contexts, and we encourage early bookings to secure the guide best suited to your needs.

While our private Art Nouveau tours have been a cornerstone of our offerings for over a decade, we have expanded based on guest interest. Today, we also provide general city tours, arts and culture experiences, Jewish Budapest tours, and our classical Great Plains one-day private tour, which showcases charming villages with hidden Art Nouveau gems. To further enhance your visit, we offer chauffeur services, hotel recommendations, and airport pickups. Unique services, such as organizing business lunches, locating filming sites, and home-hunting assistance, are also available on request.

If you have a specific experience in mind, you can share your vision with us on our city page, and we will be delighted to assist you.

Art Nouveau – Secession Style

During the flourishing art nouveau period of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1867-1918) the Budapest economy was buzzing, Budapest became an important hub of the Monarchy, and many spectacular buildings were erected. The city had its golden age around 1900 when it was considered a metropolis.

Even though Hungary was tied to Austria she expressed her very own history and culture through the arts. The art nouveau movement provided a shared platform for both Christians and Jews to express their Hungarian identity within the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Art Nouveau architecture is Budapest’s signature style. Its sinuous curves, flowing, asymmetrical forms, colourful Zsolnay tiles and other decorative elements stand out like beacons in a sea of refined and elegant Baroque and mannered, geometric Neoclassical buildings.

If you want to grasp an understanding of the Art Nouveau architecture and design, look for historical and cultural insights or simply love this art style and wants to discover or re-discover Budapest in a personalised way, this private tour is for you.

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Booking information

Request a Quote

Please fill out the form available on this page to receive the price for your private tour, and we will respond within 24 hours with your quote and payment details.

While we recommend planning your tour ahead and booking early, feel free to reach out for private tours even on short notice. So far, we have always found a solution, so we encourage you to get in touch. We’ll do our best to tailor the perfect experience for you.

Book your private tour

As will be outlined in our response to your message, a deposit or full payment will be necessary to confirm and secure your booking. We accept PayPal, credit card o direct transfer.

Hungarian Florint is the currency in Hungary, but private tour price is in euros. Pricing varies based on factors such as group size and the guide’s language.

If you need help with the booking process, don’t hesitate reach out to us via WhatsApp, email, or phone.

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What our guests say

Nice driving privatetour. Thanks, we will recommend it.

Pietro, Milan