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Sightseeing Cruises

Budapest Danube River Nighttime Sightseeing Cruise

Dinner cruise on the Danube River with Buda Castle and Chain Bridge illuminated at night, Budapest.
Hungarian Parliament Building illuminated at night viewed from a Budapest Danube River dinner cruise.
Couple toasting wine glasses during candlelight dinner on Budapest Danube River cruise.
Accordion player performing for guests on Budapest Danube River dinner cruise.

Duration

1 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.1/5

(2,210)

Clarence d’Autheville

Clarence

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I took a Danube River cruise in Budapest, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. I’d seen photos of the Hungarian Parliament Building before, but nothing compares to watching it appear from the water glowing gold against the night sky and stretching endlessly along the riverbank. The cruise itself was smooth and relaxing. As we passed under the bridges, each one lit differently, Budapest felt like it was putting on a show. The Parliament was the star of it all massive, perfectly symmetrical, and almost unreal when you see it reflected in the Danube. I must have taken a hundred photos, but honestly, it’s the kind of sight that’s better in person.
Loris Goffredo Grisi

Loris

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The Danube cruise in Budapest was a magical experience, made even more special by the Christmas atmosphere that enveloped every detail. Cruising through the city's already gorgeous lights, while admiring the illuminated Parliament and Buda Castle from the boat, was truly exciting. On the ship, the large decorated Christmas tree created a warm and festive atmosphere, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. A unique mix of elegance, romance and Christmas magic that makes this cruise unforgettable.
Georgi Plamenov Zlatev

Georgi

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The Budapest Danube River Nighttime Sightseeing Cruise with Purpleliner was a truly magical experience. The city lights reflecting on the water created a breathtaking panorama of Parliament, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge. The boat was modern, comfortable, and offered both indoor and open-deck seating. Smooth check-in process via the Headout app, with friendly staff and informative audio guides. A perfect way to end the evening and admire Budapest’s charm from the river. Highly recommended for first-time visitors and couples!
    • Sip a complimentary drink as you enjoy a 1-hour Danube River cruise, with an audio guide in 9 languages to enrich your sightseeing journey.

    • Cruise past Budapest's lit-up landmarks, including the Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge, on a magical 1-hour night-time sail.

    • See the city come alive from the water with panoramic views of its UNESCO-listed riverbanks and historic architecture under the stars.

    • Opt for the nighttime cruise with an audio guide to discover Budapest’s most iconic sights illuminated against the night sky!

    • 1-hour daytime sightseeing cruise

    • Audio guide in English, German, Hungarian, Italian, French, Spanish, Slovak, Russian & Korean

    • Welcome drink (as per option selected)

    • 1-hour night-time sightseeing cruise (as per option selected)

  • TOTAL DURATION60 minutes - 60 minutes
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat

    1 Boarding point

    Sights covered

    Chain Bridge

    Chain Bridge

    Bronze Shoes Memorial

    Bronze Shoes Memorial

    Parliament

    Parliament

    Margaret Island

    Margaret Island

    Fisherman’s Bastion

    Fisherman’s Bastion

    Buda Castle

    Buda Castle

    Castle Garden Bazaar

    Castle Garden Bazaar

    Elizabeth Bridge

    Elizabeth Bridge

    Gellért Hill

    Gellért Hill

    National Theatre

    National Theatre

    Central Market Hall

    Central Market Hall

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.1
    2,210 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    1.1K
    580
    305
    99
    124
    Guests from Spain, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Carlos Duarte

    Carlos

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    A perfect experience to enjoy unique landscapes from Budapest! The tour at night gives you espectacular views of the bridges and the landmarks that will last forever with you. All the staff super nice and the boats are very comfortable and modern. They have an audio guide included that explains every landmark as the boat passes by them. A plus in the audio guide is the +30 languages that they have. Without a doubt this is a very nice experience to enjoy Budapest!
    İlknur Atila

    İlknur

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Great route, great scenery and extremely attentive staff. When it snowed just as we boarded, we had great views.
    JOAQUIN MAINOU

    Joaquin

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    4/5
    The starting point is magnificent. With the Parliament in front. Convenient boat. Metro 100 meters to return to Pest. The scenery is magnificent at night with buildings, churches and bridges illuminated. The only downside is that with the cold outside and the higher temperature inside some crystals are covered for photos. Recommended activity at that price.
    JUAN CARLOS ESTEBAN ROSIELLO

    Juan

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The night cruise is definitely one of the experiences you must have when visiting Budapest. Seeing the city lit up from the Danube is truly fascinating. The trip is very peaceful on board and can be enjoyed outdoors or in a covered lounge where you can make use of the bar. I highly recommend it.
    Bartosz Tympalski

    Bartosz

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    A pleasant cruise with historical commentary. The service was excellent. A small minus point is the seats in the middle, unfortunately the elevation of the first rows at the top which have the best view does not allow you to see the front view well, which in my opinion
  • What to bring

    • Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

    • Dress warmly in winter months and carry a jacket or layers during evenings, even in summer.

    What's not allowed

    • Outside food and beverages are not permitted onboard.

    • Unfortunately, self-balancing wheelchairs or scooters cannot be accommodated due to safety considerations.

    Accessibility

    • The experience is not wheelchair or stroller-accessible. Guests must walk a short flight of steps leading to the cruise.

    • Your guide dogs are welcome on the ship.

    Additional information

    • Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

    • The boarding point depends on the type of cruise you choose.

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