Budapest

Day Trips

This full-day tour of the mighty Danube is ideal for people who want to combine history with nature and would like to enjoy some of the most beautiful countrysides in Hungary. You will see historic monuments and art memorials while your guide provides a lively narrative of Hungarian life. You will visit the 750-year-old Royal Residence at Visegrád where you will learn about life in the Middle Ages while enjoying spectacular views of the Danube Valley. At Esztergom, the northern gate of Budapest, you will pause at the largest cathedral in the country and see the burial sites of famous cardinals as you gaze across the water towards Slovakia. Cross the river and border into Slovakia to see the stunning view from the opposite side.  You will stop at an artists' village in Szentendre, a baroque city located where the Danube River meets the Pilis Mountains. Wander the narrow streets to soak up the magical atmosphere and catch panoramic vistas of the river. You will have time to visit some of the museums, such as the world-famous Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum or the Confectionery Museum, where the buildings and people are made of marzipan. Browse the shops of the village if you prefer, before the return journey to Budapest. Travel during the months of May through September and this will be on a magical boat cruise, a fitting way to arrive back in the city center. 

Your 4-hour tour begins with a drive from Budapest to Gödöllö, site of the former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth, who was known as Sissi. This palace is the second-largest Baroque chateau in the world, and an estate that has preserved the atmosphere of 19th century royal splendor. Led by your knowledgeable guide, you’ll enjoy a tour of the renovated castle, and walk along the same hallways, on the same staircases, and through the lovely park as the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. The tour ends at Hotel Intercontinental Budapest, in the city center.

Start with a short introduction to your equipment and how to paddle your board. Then you'll get out on the river to enjoy nature, the sun, the fresh air, and the calm waters of the Danube River.  On this tour, you will be going on a sunset trip on your stand up paddle (SUP) board from Lupa Island all the way to Romai. You will be able to see some of the city’s hidden parts from the water and enjoy the sound of nature as you float by. This is also the perfect time to meet new people. The water is clean and the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius during summer, so during the tour, it’s also possible to go for a short swim if you wish.

Start your day in Budapest, where your guide will pick you up in an air-conditioned van and your adventure will begin. First, stop at a romantic little town in the Danube Bend called Nagymaros. Climb up to the scenic Julianus Lookout Tower, where you can admire the stunning panoramic view of the river. Look for traces of animals, learn about the tree species that inhabit the mountain, and ask your guide any questions you might have about Hungary. Enjoy a 5-mile hike in the calm and green forest before arriving at the riverside. Stop to enjoy a local hamburger or vegetarian lunch before setting out on the rest of your adventure. After a short lesson about safety, technique, and rules on the river, jump into your canoe or kayak and glide down the lovely and calm Danube River. Admire the beautiful mountains and see the famous Visegrád Castle from the river. If the weather is nice, stop at a nice, sandy beach and take a refreshing dip in the water. Finish your day with a beer or a refreshing soft drink at a hippie bar on the river bank before returning to Budapest.

Your half-day tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel in an air-conditioned minibus. Enjoy a drive to the Etyek wine region, just a half hour outside Budapest. En route you’ll learn about Hungary’s fascinating history and hear about the country’s long and rich wine tradition. After arriving in Etyek village, you’ll visit 2 unique wineries. These small, family owned boutique wineries produce about 15,000 to 20,000 bottles of wine each year, mostly sold in selected restaurants and from their cellars. Tour the cellars and taste 4 wines at each of the wineries. Finish the day with a rustic, 3-course home-cooked meal. Savor classic Hungarian dishes and discuss your wine discoveries as you enjoy your meal, perhaps enjoying some wine with your food. After the tour and meal, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Budapest.

Experience the perfect wine tour for those who wish to venture outside of Budapest and discover the wine regions of Hungary. Start the tour by getting picked up from the meeting point in central Budapest and set off for the small wine-producing village of Páty, which is just a 20-minute drive outside of the city. Here, find a variety of old, astonishing cellars, which were built as early as 1880. These typical cellars can be found only in this region and have the feel of the Hobbit burrows in the Shire from the Lord of the Rings. On the way to Páty, listen as your guide gives you an introduction to Hungary's 1000-year-old wine tradition. When you arrive in the region, visit at least 2 wineries, one of which is known for making organic wines. Meet the winemakers and head to their cellars for a tasting of at least 4 glasses of wine at each location. Enjoy an interactive tasting experience where you will have many opportunities to ask questions and get to know the local producers. At the final wine cellar, the host will prepare a tapas plate of olives, ham, sausages, and different cheeses all produced in the region by local farmers. After the program, return to Budapest and get dropped off back at the meeting point where your memorable day will conclude.

Explore the beautiful city of Budapest in the most relaxed way possible, by E-bike. Follow your local, enthusiastic guide to some of the most famous sights in the city and learn interesting facts about each location.  Ride your bike to the Chain Bridge and climb up to the stunning Castle Hill, where you can experience incredible views over the city. Descend back down to the Danube and journey alongside the famous river. Spend some time on Margaret Island, before you visit the Hungarian Parliament Building. Travel to Freedom Square and admire St. Stephen's Basilica. Venture down Andrassy Avenue and view the Hungarian State Opera House and the House of Terror on the way. End your tour at Hősök tere, one of the major squares in Budapest, and spend some time in City Park before you return to the office. 

Discover the artistic town of Szentendre (often referred to as the “Artists Village”) on a half-day tour of the Danube Bend. Following a pickup from your hotel in Budapest city center, continue to Szentendre to experience the nostalgia of the “Artist’s Village.” Travel back in time as you walk through the baroque town center. Pop into souvenir shops, and discover restaurants, coffee shops, and art galleries in the many listed buildings. Feed your creative juices on streets beloved by artists since the 18th and 19th centuries. Then, climb aboard one of the scheduled public boats to cruise back to Budapest at leisure (May to September on weekends only). Disembark at the pier in Budapest city center for the end of the tour services. On weekdays and in winter, you'll return to Budapest by bus.

Spend the day in the lovely landscapes of Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake on a full-day tour of Lake Balaton. Depart Budapest and travel by air-conditioned coach to the small town of Balatonfüred. Located on the north shore of Lake Balaton, the town’s highlights include as sightseeing trip by “nostalgia train.” Next, take a 1-hour cruise on Lake Balaton, before some free time to take a stroll along the picturesque promenade and enjoy some lunch (own expense). Drive to the Tihany Peninsula to see why it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is rich with architecture and vineyards that produce the local wine. Get a unique view of Lake Balaton before going to the Abbey of Tihany, founded in 1055 by the Hungarian King András. Transfer back to Budapest for a drop off at your hotel and the end of the tour services.

Your full-day journey into Hungarian history begins with an optional pick-up at your centrally located hotel in Budapest. Head out in the comfort of an air-conditioned coach, and start off by enjoying the remarkable city of Esztergom and the largest Catholic church in the country.  Before the tour, get time to enjoy a 3-course lunch before continuing on to the magical artist’s village of Szentendre, where your guide. During the course of the day, you’ll have the opportunity to see Esztergom from another perspective during a photo stop in Slovakia. At the end of the tour, return to Budapest. In the summer, you'll return by boat (weekends only) or from October to April, you'll return by coach.