In the heart of Hungary is a city bursting with history and culture, but what many don’t know is that so many of its stories lie underneath one of its most popular tourist attractions.
Budapest is bustling with bars, museums, swim spots and, of course, fantastic food, but hidden amongst one of its much-loved attractions, the Buda Castle, is a whole new world to uncover. The Labyrinth, also known as the cave system beneath Buda Castle, forms part of an impressive six-mile underground network of caves and tunnels in one of the oldest parts of the city.
Now protected by UNESCO World Heritage, years later, those travelling to the city are able to visit, explore and take part in an informative guided tour. The walls surrounding these caves have hundreds of stories to tell, as they played a part in the city’s history for centuries – from military purposes in the Second World War to the Ottoman Turkish era.
Once you ascend the stairs, you will be greeted by darkness and the cool temperature of the stone walls as you begin to immerse yourself in the underground maze. While for most this isn’t considered to be a scary experience, with no added effects, smoke or hidden vampires along the way, the darkness could prove to be frightening for some children.
The site offers a number of cave tours for every type of explorer: Labyrinth under the Castle Hill, The Buda Castle Cave System and a History of the Labyrinth. Although for those looking for a more sinister and gothic feel to their underground journey, the Labyrinth is where you’ll want to be.
The labyrinth forms part of a complex series of both caves and cellars that live beneath the castle’s hill and is an entire mile long itself, although in total the caves are six miles long. It carries a colourful history that goes back to the 15th century, where a prisoner remained, known as Vlad the Impaler, thought to be a real-life Count Dracula.
TripAdvisor reviews can’t help but praise the walking tours on offer, with one traveller writing: “Easily one of the most fascinating cave tours I’ve ever done, covering everything from mediaeval times and mammoth fossils to the grim days of WW2 and raves. I found the meeting point super easy to find, too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to see the subterranean side of Buda!”
Another added: “Fascinating cave system demonstrating many different periods of history. Brilliant guide who was knowledgeable and could answer all questions. Highlight of my trip.”
Of course, there’s plenty more to explore when taking a trip to Budapest. Before or after you venture beneath the ground, you can take a dip in the famous Szechenyi Baths, pay a visit to St. Stephen’s Basilica or even learn more of the city’s rich history at the House of Terror.
Cave tours operate daily from Monday right through to Sunday, depending on a daily schedule, with a duration starting from 40 minutes right up until 1.5 hours. Adults start at approximately €17 for the longer tour or €15 for the 40-minute tour. Meanwhile, a student or senior ticket is around €15 for 1.5 hours and just €12 for 40 minutes. The ultimate cave tour can be booked via their website here.