Travel Guides Cruises
Matt Berry
When we think of impressive, iconic waterways, we tend to think of the Amazon, the Nile, and the Ganges. For whatever reason, while Europe does feature notable rivers, they don’t seem to carry the reverence as other global waterways. However, if there’s one European river that deserves to be in the higher echelons of celebrated waterways, it’s the Danube River.
According to Smithsonian Journeys, the Danube weaves through 10 Eastern European countries and some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Traveling on the Danube, you can visit Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, and Bratislava. However, the highlight of the Danube may be found on the banks of Budapest.
The Danube River splits Budapest into its “Buda” side and “Pest” side, each with its own unique character and historical sites. By taking a river cruise on the Danube through the middle of Budapest, you’ll have unmatched views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Cruise past Budapest’s most impressive landmarks
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Taking a river cruise down the Danube is one of the best methods to view Budapest, especially if you’re limited on time. However, even if you’ve spent days sightseeing in the city, the Danube provides unique vantage points of some of Budapest’s most iconic places.
On a cruise through Budapest, you’ll likely pass the Hungarian House of Parliament, Buda Castle, Marguerite Island, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, according to Ullyses Travel. A highlight of the trip includes passing the neo-gothic Hungarian House of Parliament building, which is located on the banks of the Danube.
According to Visit Hungary, the House of Parliament is the third-largest parliament building in the world, and the building’s iconic, stylish edifice took 17 years to complete. From the Danube, seeing the edifice in its grandeur and detail, while taking in the building’s sheer size, is a memorable highlight for many Budapest visitors.
Take a night cruise for an enchanting experience
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One of the cooler aspects of taking a cruise down the Danube is choosing what type of cruise you’d like to experience. A basic Danube cruise from Budapest consists of one welcome beverage to enjoy over a one-hour sightseeing cruise. However, according to Budapest.org, there are plenty of other custom Danube cruises available.
You can choose to take a Hungarian wine-tasting cruise, a party cruise, or a romantic dinner cruise. For those who’d like to visit the landmarks (instead of only passing them), you can opt for a hop-on hop-off river cruise, which run during the day.
However, with experience as a guide, the sunset and night cruises on the Danube are truly something special. While seeing Buda Castle, the House of Parliament, and the Danube bridges during the day is pretty awesome, these Budapest landmarks illuminated at night showcases the city’s architectural beauty and historical charm. Like other celebrated rivers in the world, the Danube in Budapest takes its passengers into something downright enchanting.
