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Reviews calculation: I am using the total review count of the activity from GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor and Viator.
Boat Tour Itinerary & Landmarks
Blue = Attractions, Orange = Meeting Points, Colored Layers = Itineraries
💡 Tip: Remember that the decorative city lights are turned off at 23:00 from Mar 26 to Oct 29 (daylight savings time) and at 22:00 from Oct 30 to Mar 31 (standard time).
To truly immerse yourself the breathtaking beauty of the city, there's no better way than embarking on a river cruise. During such cruises, you'll be treated to a captivating array of iconic landmarks and attractions in Budapest, including:
- Hungarian Parliament
- Buda Castle
- Matthias Church
- Fisherman’s Bastion
- Gellert Hill/Citadella
- Gellért Spa
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- A host of historic bridges, including the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge, Liberty Bridge, and Petőfi Bridge
- Margaret Island
- Palace of Arts
- National Theatre
Most cruises follow a circular route between the southern end of Margaret Island at Margaret Bridge and just south of Liberty Bridge. This route covers most of the significant landmarks mentioned above in Budapest.
Offbeat Landmarks
South of Liberty Bridge are two nice-to-see-but-not-obligatory landmarks, the National Theatre (below) and the Palace of Arts (above), which are as beautiful as the Parliament and Buda Castle.
Some cruises, like Legenda, Hungaria Koncert and Silverline, have a complete itinerary that includes these offbeat landmarks.
Types of River Cruises in Budapest
By Time of Day
Daytime Cruises
- During the summer, daytime cruises are a great way to beat the heat and take a break. Standard sightseeing cruises typically run from 10 am to 10 pm.
Sunset Cruises
- You can turn any cruise into a sunset cruise by booking it specifically for that time. To time your cruise accurately, search Google for "Budapest Sunset Time + Date".
Evening & Night Cruises
- The city's main attractions are illuminated 30 minutes after sunset. Take an evening or night cruise for a chance to see the stunning illuminated sights of Budapest.
By Drink Type
Prosecco Cruises
- Welcome drinks on cruises usually come in 80ml glasses and offer a selection of sparkling wine, prosecco spritzer, mineral water, and soft drinks.
Cocktail Cruises
- This cruise offers 3 cocktails, while the other includes 2 cocktails and a folk show.
Beer Cruises
- You can choose between two beer cruises. The first offers unlimited draft beer and a pizza of your choice, while the second includes 5 craft beers with a folk show.
Wine Cruises
- If you love wine, you can enjoy a special wine-tasting cruise. This cruise offers the opportunity to try seven different types of Hungarian wines, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics.
By Activity Type
Sightseeing Cruises
- These cruises offer best way to enjoy the beautiful cityscape of Budapest. Typically, these cruises will provide you with a welcome drink and offer the option to buy other beverages while onboard.
Dinner Cruises
- Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner cruise with your partner, a buffet libre dinner cruise with a Hungarian folk performance, and more.
Booze & Party Cruises
- Have a blast on a booze cruise with unlimited prosecco or on a dedicated party boat.
Food Cruises
- Satisfy your foodie cravings with a lunch or dinner cruise. However, the quality of the food may be mediocre compared to restaurants.
Private Cruises
- Book a boat tour all four yourself, perfect for couples, families or groups.
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare for a river cruise during the winter or summer?
Summer: Have sunscreen, water, an umbrella, and sunglasses for daytime cruises in the warmer months.
In rainy weather, the open-air deck may be closed. In stormy weather, cruises are canceled. They'll either refund you or offer an alternative cruise if this happens.
Winter: The heated cabin's windows tend to fog up, blocking the views, depending on how well the windows are insulated.
You can always go out to get a few photo shots, then rush back to the safety of the heated cabin. Open-air sightseeing during the winter can be less enjoyable due to cold weather and winds, so it's best to dress warmly, wear layers, and protect your face.
How can I avoid overcrowded boat tours?
If you want to avoid crowded boat tours, you can follow these steps: visit during the off-season, choose daytime tours instead of night tours, or opt for more expensive cruises.