Duna-Ipoly National Park · Under the Castle District
A guided walk through the limestone caverns and medieval cellars under the Castle District, led by guides from the Duna-Ipoly National Park. Pick it because it is the official way into the cave system, it is cheap, and it works on a hot or rainy day when the hill above doesn't.
Some 3.3 kilometres of passages run under Castle Hill, carved by thermal water and then dug out and joined up over centuries. People used them as wine cellars, a prison, and during the 1944-45 siege as bomb shelters. The Duna-Ipoly National Park manages the cave and runs these tours, mixing geology with the human history. Guests report the guides are funny as well as knowledgeable.
There are two routes. The normal tour covers about 1.5 km in roughly 1.5 hours and meets at the Holy Trinity Column, opposite Matthias Church; it is for ages 12 and up. The short tour covers 0.6 km in about 45 minutes, starts at the cave entrance at Dárda utca 2, and takes children from 5. Check which one you've booked, because the meeting points differ. According to the national park, tickets are sold online only and there is no ticket desk at the entrance.
Practical points: it's 12 C all year, the paths are paved and lit, groups go up to 25, and there is no phone signal underground. Food, prams and video recording are not allowed. This is not the old Labyrinth attraction with its wax figures. It is a guided cave visit, and a good one.
Long route: the Holy Trinity Column on Szentháromság tér. Short route: the cave entrance at Dárda utca 2.
A short introduction, then down into the cave. Tours start on time and latecomers can't join.
Natural chambers, hand-cut cellars and the stories of who used them, from medieval prisoners to siege refugees.
The long route takes about 1.5 hours, the short one about 45 minutes. You come out on the hill.
★★★★★no improvements needed - I throughly enjoyed this tour. The guide was very knowledgeable, he made it interesting, he had a good sense of humour, and was very engaging. 10 out of 10
★★★★★Vicky, our tour guide, was excellent and very knowledgeable. What I like most, though, was her sense of humor and the way she always tried to make the tour more fun and enjoyable. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I would definitely do it again
★★★★★What a fascinating and interesting tour. Hard to believe over 1000 people lived underground. Lazlo (apologies if wrong spelling), was fantastic and very informative.
★★★★★the guide did a very nice job explaining the history of the caves and the pace was very comfortable
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No. The national park sells tickets online only and there is no ticket sale at the entrance.
About 12 C (54 F) all year. Bring a jacket or sweater.
The normal route is about 1.5 km and 1.5 hours. The short route is about 0.6 km and 45 minutes.
The short route takes children from 5 and the normal route from 12, according to the national park. Prams are not allowed.
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A guided walk through the caves and cellars under Castle Hill, run by the national park. Online tickets only.
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