Café Wandering: An Excursion through Budapest’s Belle Epoque

Café Wandering: An Excursion through Budapest’s Belle Epoque

3 Reviews

Guided tours Tours Activities Culture & history Literary activities Small group activities Museums & exhibitions Private tours Architecture Hidden gems Food & drinks Sightseeing Rainy-day activities

With an art historian as your guide take in masterpieces of Hungarian architecture from the golden age of the 19th and early 20th century. Experience café house culture as you hear about the poets, artists, and writers who were habitués of the cafés.

Our Top Experiences and Tours in Budapest:

If youʻre booking your trip to Budapest last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours and experiences!

View All Experiences

Highlights

See masterpieces of Hungarian architecture and learn about the writers and poets who created remarkable Hungarian literature
Admire the exquisite interior of the Gerbaud Cafe
Marvel at the lavish walls at the Museum Cafe, covered in world-famous Zsolnay porcelain tiles

Description

Your 3-hour guided walk with an art historian begins at Vorosmarthy Square in the heart of the city. The first café on the tour is Gerbaud, which provides an insight into the ambiance of Imperial Budapest. With its exquisite interior and more than 100 years of history, it served as a central social hub for both visitors and locals during the late 19th century. From Gerbaud you’ll take the tram along the Danube to the Central Cafe, a space so dignified that it epitomizes café house culture during the pinnacle of the Habsburg Empire’s economic and cultural power in the 19th century. The decor, the meals, the desserts, and drinks all give a sense of the atmosphere of a bygone culture. Move onto the Museum Cafe, which has been in operation since 1885. Prominent clientele included many Members of Parliament, distinguished writers, and famous Hungarian actors. The lavish walls are covered in tiles from the world-famous Zsolnay porcelain works. After another short walk, you’ll come to the Urania Cafe on Rakoczi street, which houses the oldest film theater in the city, and is known for lectures given by prominent intellectuals before large audiences.