1956 Uprising: A Budapest Cold War Story
Budapest was the epicenter of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, a brave city-wide uprising against Soviet domination. Discover buildings still scarred by bullet holes and hear stories of heroic resistance.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Cold War with a private, personalized experience led by a local.



Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"From the get go, Ivan was eager to share his knowledge and kept it interesting throughout. Such a great way to see a different side of Budapest and get a true sense of what it was like during the Cold War, particularly as a Diplomat. I highly recommend anyone with an interest in this space to take this tour and learn from Ivan. Thanks Ivan!"
"Highly recommend the tour with Ivan. Learned a lot about history and how the cold war has impacted contemporary Hungarian history. Ivan has also shared comprehensive research and privately-held pictures from the 1956 uprising. "
"Ivan was an incredibly knowledgeable and interesting guide. His insight and attention to detail was fascinating and he seemed really happy to adapt the tour to our questions and interests. It felt more like a thought provoking conversation than a tour. If you want an experience that goes beyond the usual, and makes you think about Budapest, and twentieth century history, in a new light, this is the one for you. "
"An extraordinary experience with Ivan, his depth of research and knowledge on 1947-1956 era of Hungary is fully shared in this amazing walking tour. I feel like I’ve met the ‘Stephen Ambrose’ of Hungary such is his ability to bring the stories of fascinating men and women from this era to life from his years in the archives! I can not wait to read his book - I know it will be a bestseller 😎😎😎😎😎"
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Feel the whispers of history on a Cold War tour in Budapest. Go beyond the guidebooks and explore a city of spies, secret bunkers, and revolution with a local expert. Your authentic Cold War Budapest story awaits!
Budapest was the epicenter of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, a brave city-wide uprising against Soviet domination. Discover buildings still scarred by bullet holes and hear stories of heroic resistance.
What happened to the giant statues of Lenin and Marx? They're at Memento Park! This unique open-air museum showcases the monumental propaganda of the Cold War era, a surreal and fascinating cultural trip.
Imre Nagy, Prime Minister during the 1956 Revolution, became a symbol of Hungarian independence. His story is a poignant chapter of the Cold War in Budapest, ending in a secret trial and execution.
During the Cold War, simple pleasures were cherished. Taste a piece of the past with a classic 'lángos' (fried dough with toppings) or a retro 'Traubisoda', flavors that evoke nostalgia in Budapest.
This building served as headquarters for both the Nazi and Communist secret police. Now a museum, the House of Terror is a chilling memorial to the victims of 20th-century totalitarian regimes in Hungary.
Don't just read about Budapest's Cold War past, step right into it. A private tour with a local is the only way to uncover the hidden alleyways and hear the personal stories that bring history to life. These unique experiences fill up fast. Book your Cold War tour now!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
"If you are fortunate enough to engage Ivan for the Budapest Cold War Tour you will certainly be delighted. Our intention during our visit to Budapest was to develop a better understanding of the life of the average Budapest resident through the changes of WWII, Soviet occupation, the 1956 uprising and the subsequent 'cold war'. Our guide, Ivan, brought so many insights that can only be brought by a local. He customized our tour to include the topics we were most interested in. The city's monuments and buildings took on a greater meaning as we added history to each site. We left the tour feeling truly educated. Highly recommended for anyone who would like to be transported to the not so distant past of Budapest's darker history as well as Hungary's relationship to the modern world."
"My wife and I participated in Ivan's private tour. We both throughly enjoyed the experience. Ivan is a real expert on the subject. You can tell he put in a lot of time and effort into his research, reviewing primary sources and conducting first-hand interviews. The tour was a great pace and we both enjoyed his conversational approach. You won't find another tour like this. If you have an interest in 20th century history and the cold war, this is a must experience when you're in Budapest. We are looking forward to reading his book when the English version is released."
"Ivan was the best part of our trip to Budapest. Really interesting and he gave us insights to the Cold War which you can’t read in a book. Highly recommend this experience."
"This tour with Ivan far exceeded our expectations for learning about the untold cold war history of Budapest. We came away with a far deeper understanding of not only the uprising but the previously unknown American involvement in it. Ivan was an engaging and highly informative host whose passion for this subject and for his city was evident. Highly recommend this tour."
"Ivan was absolutely wonderful and had so much information and answered all our questions. He showed us so many hidden gems in Budapest! Ivan is writing a book and so he has done an amazing amount of research so get ready to learn a lot. Thanks for everything, we highly recommend!"
"Ivan was a spectacular guide! We particularly enjoyed his great ability to balance friendly conversation with interesting and some little known facts about Hungarian history. Ivan has done extensive research, and he has tracked down some very interesting individuals as part of his research. Because of this, he had a unique perspective, which we really appreciated. We booked Ivan’s tour on our first day in Budapest, and I’m so glad we did, because as we were able to think about everything we learned from Ivan as we explored the city. I’d recommend Ivan’s tour to anyone visiting Budapest with an interest in learning about Hungary’s fascinating history. Thanks Ivan for a wonderful experience! "



Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.