Budapest Boat Tour

Discover Budapest from the Danube

We understand that exploring a new city can be daunting, especially when you are unfamiliar with the language or the culture… This is why Purpleliner is your one-stop solution for exploring the beautiful and historic city of Budapest! We are a brand new provider of Budapest boat tours that allow you to enjoy the city in comfort and style from the river Danube.

Our sightseeing cruise is a 60-minute Budapest boat tour departing from Batthyány Square. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to take in the stunning architecture and beauty of Budapest from the water, as well as learn about the fascinating history of the city. Our phone application guide will provide you with interesting facts, making this tour both educational and entertaining.

AUDIO GUIDE

Complimentary smartphone audio guide application available in 6 languages

  • English
  • Hungarian
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Free downloadable mobile application
  • You should provide your own earphones, we do not sell earphones onboard
  • Audio commentary is presented on your device, not via loudspeakers
  • Please arrive with a fully charged device

Schedule & Prices

Schedule
Boarding Departure End of tour
15:45 16:00 17:00
17:15 17:30 18:30
18:45 19:00 20:00
19:15 20:30 21:30
Departure place:
Dock 1/B
1011 Budapest Batthyány square
GPS coordinates: 47.50585,19.039657

Sights which we cover on our tour:

  • 1. Batthyányi square
  • 2. Matthias church
  • 3. Fisherman’s Bastion
  • 4. Buda Palace
  • 5. Castle Garden Bazaar
  • 6. Elisabeth Bridge
  • 7. Rudas Bath
  • 8. Gellert Hill
  • 9. Gellert Bath
  • 10. PetĹ‘fi Bridge
  • 11. A38 concert ship
  • 12. Palace of Arts
  • 13. National Theatre
  • 14. The “Whale”
  • 15. Central Market
  • 16. Chain Bridge
  • 17. Bronze Shoes Memorial
  • 18. Parliament
  • 19. Margaret Island

Our tours are designed to provide you with an unforgettable experience that you will cherish for years to come. So, whether you’re a local or a tourist, come join us for a journey through the heart of Budapest that you won’t forget!

Budapest River Cruise

A Magical Budapest Panorama – A View Only Possible from the Middle of the Danube

There’s a secret that only those who have experienced it understand. Budapest is breathtaking in every season—anyone can see that by strolling along the riverbanks or climbing up Gellért Hill. But there is another Budapest. A hidden perspective that most people never truly see: the city as it unfolds before you from the middle of the Danube.

A river cruise is not just an entertaining tourist activity—it’s a magical journey through time that allows you to see the capital from a fresh perspective. As the boat glides slowly past the Parliament, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge, everything suddenly feels different. The noise fades away, the hum of traffic turns into a distant murmur, and you feel as though you are standing inside a painting.

A Different Perspective, A New Experience

We all know Budapest’s iconic buildings—or at least we think we do. But have you ever looked up at the lions of the Chain Bridge directly from the water? Have you seen the gilded dome of the Parliament without anything obstructing the view? From the middle of the Danube, every building reveals itself in a new way. While walking along the embankment, we naturally see only one side of the city’s architecture, but from a boat, the entire city unfolds before us in all its grandeur.

Moreover, the water serves as a mirror: at sunset, the shimmering buildings reflect on the river’s surface, creating a scene so stunning it feels as if Budapest exists in its own little universe, only visible from the heart of the Danube.

The Magic of the Moment: Day, Evening, and Night

In the morning, as the city slowly awakens, floating on the Danube can be a meditative experience. The golden sunlight gently kisses Gellért Hill, joggers pass by on the promenade, and locals sip their first coffee in cozy riverside cafés.

During the day, the city is alive with energy: passing under the bridges, you can see the vibrant life of the riverbanks, the yellow trams running alongside the promenade, and Fisherman’s Bastion perched atop the hill like a fairytale castle.

It is in the evening that Budapest reveals its true magic. As the city lights begin to glow, the Danube shimmers in golden reflections. One by one, the illuminated bridges light up, and from the boat, it feels as if you are witnessing a secret, special celebration. They say Paris is the romance capital of Europe, but anyone who has ever cruised through Budapest on a starry night knows that the Hungarian capital is a worthy rival.

The Best Seat in the House

From the river, Budapest shows a different side of itself. You don’t need luck to get the best view of the city’s most stunning panorama—because from the middle of the Danube, the view is always perfect. Whether you choose a daytime cruise or a magical evening sail, one thing is certain: everyone should experience Budapest from this perspective at least once.

Because you may know the city from the riverbank—but only from the middle of the Danube can you truly feel Budapest breathing.