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Budapest > Budapest Tours > Spies & Masters: Cold War Tour of Budapest
Spies & Masters: Cold War Tour of Budapest
Zigzag with me across the city and learn how the Hungarian secret police (ÁVO) tried to honeytrap, blackmail, and compromise Western diplomats and their Hungarian contacts during the dark days of communism. Feel the history that’s still with us behind the renovated façades and trendy shop windows.
Duration 3 hours
Private tour available in English
Private tour pricing from 70 EUR per person
Group tour available in English
Group tour pricing from 70 EUR per person
Even if I am not an expert or very enthusiastic about the topic, I really enjoyed this tour. Why? Because, opposite to what happens in most of the tours, I didn't just hear a general story but a bunch of incredible spy stories in the locations they took place. The guide is also very friendly and you can see how passionate he is about the topic.
Highlights
Visit secret locations of the ÁVO and foreign intelligence officers
Hear real Cold War spy stories in the very place they happened
See a private collection of never-seen-before photos from the 50s, taken by the ÁVO and foreign intelligence officers
Visit major locations of the 1956 Revolution: where it started, and where it was fought
Spot bullet holes from the Revolution
Description
We’ll meet at Szabadság tér, a symbolic place where the Soviet War Memorial still stands right in front of the U.S. Embassy. From there, we’ll crisscross various parts of the city on both sides of the Danube, passing some of the beautiful landmarks you wouldn’t want to miss.
The sinister days of everyday life behind the Iron Curtain will come to life as I tell you about the surveillance methods and terror tactics of the secret police, and how the Americans were gathering intelligence despite this.
You'll get to see where it all happened: secret and not-so-secret locations where spies, agents, and diplomats lived, met, and conspired, fighting the Cold War in their own way. We'll also visit some important locations of the 1956 Revolution, and see bullet holes still visible in the walls.
The tour is based on my own research for an upcoming book about the activities of the American Legation (Embassy) between 1945 and the 1956 Revolution. Much of what you’ll hear has not been published anywhere yet. I also have a huge collection of exclusive photographs taken by the diplomats themselves, as well as ÁVO surveillance photos to show you.
The sinister days of everyday life behind the Iron Curtain will come to life as I tell you about the surveillance methods and terror tactics of the secret police, and how the Americans were gathering intelligence despite this.
You'll get to see where it all happened: secret and not-so-secret locations where spies, agents, and diplomats lived, met, and conspired, fighting the Cold War in their own way. We'll also visit some important locations of the 1956 Revolution, and see bullet holes still visible in the walls.
The tour is based on my own research for an upcoming book about the activities of the American Legation (Embassy) between 1945 and the 1956 Revolution. Much of what you’ll hear has not been published anywhere yet. I also have a huge collection of exclusive photographs taken by the diplomats themselves, as well as ÁVO surveillance photos to show you.
What’s included & not included
Friendly and flexible guide
Lots of information about Cold War Budapest
Answers to any questions you may have
Public transport tickets
Meeting point
Szabadság tér, Soviet War Memorial
Budapest
Szabadság tér, Soviet War MemorialIvan Kozak
Reviews from travelers (8)