At every turn Budapest reminds you it is one of Europe’s great imperial capitals, and that grandeur is especially clear from a boat on the Danube, the wide, glistening river that divides the city. Many companies offer river trips, but the most atmospheric option is a private cruise with Dunarama, which limits guests to an intimate group of 10. The speedboat, finished in glazed wood, features plush open-air seating and a well-stocked bar.
The 30-minute sunset cruise is the ideal choice: as daylight fades, you glide past the city’s most iconic sights. The trip begins at an easy pace, perfect for photos of the Gothic Hungarian Parliament on the Pest side, the pointed towers of Matthias Church on the Buda side, and the illuminated Chain Bridge as you pass beneath it. Midway through the ride the skipper often turns up energetic 1980s rock and increases the speed, adding playful bursts and dips along the river for a memorable joyride. It’s a lively, modern spin on a classic experience that the larger boats can’t match.
Matthias Church exterior © VITALYEDUSH | DREAMSTIME
The cruise returns to dock 8A on the Pest side, right in front of one of the city’s most popular restaurants. Kiosk is a large all-day dining venue favored by locals for its sunny terrace at lunchtime and glamorous dining room for drinks and late-night gatherings. The menu focuses on elevated comfort food with a playful touch: hearty goulash soup, a trio of distinctive burgers—beef with mushrooms, goose liver with caramelized onions, and pork with blue cheese—and other satisfying dishes. The restaurant is particularly celebrated for desserts, so save room for inventive pies and housemade ice creams in flavors such as orange cheesecake. Wrap up the evening with a gin and tonic at the bar and mingle with Budapest’s stylish crowd.
The thermal pools of the Gellért Baths in Buda © ROBERTO NENCINI | DREAMSTIME
If you prefer a slower pace the next day, Budapest’s historic baths offer a restorative retreat. Among the most famous is Gellért Baths in Buda, a grand wellness complex that includes mineral-rich thermal pools, saunas and a range of other bathing areas. Therapists offer massages for a deeper relaxation experience. The bath’s architectural beauty is part of its appeal: the Art Nouveau building, now about a century old, features glass roofs, intricate mosaics and sculptural details that create an elegant atmosphere.
Budapest’s architecture is exceptionally diverse—Baroque, Neoclassical and Ottoman influences mix with exuberant Art Nouveau (known locally as Szecesszió). This was the period when the city flourished architecturally; look for works by Ödön Lechner such as the Szent László Gymnasium and the Geological Museum. A distinctive local detail to hunt for is Zsolnay porcelain tile, glazed with iridescent eosin: these colorful tiles appear on the roofs and façades of landmark buildings including the Museum of Applied Arts, the Postal Savings Bank and Matthias Church.
Sausages for sale at the Great Market © LESTERTAIRPOLLING | DREAMSTIME.COM
To see many of these tiled roofs from above, ride the new Ferris wheel in the city center. Its cabins offer wide views over downtown and excellent vantage points for spotting Zsolnay-covered buildings. For dramatic panoramic scenes, head to the Aria Hotel’s High Note SkyBar at sunset. Choose a yellow-cushioned seat, order a glass of rosé and take in the sweep of red-roofed apartments, the dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica and the cluster of towers and statues that make up Budapest’s skyline.
Budapest Info to Go
Ferenc Liszt International Airport sits approximately 12 miles (about 20 kilometers) from the city center. Official transport services operate kiosks at baggage claim and throughout the terminals, offering both private and group transfers directly to hotels. Under normal traffic conditions, a private car ride into the city typically costs around $25.
Where to Stay in Budapest
ARIA HOTEL BUDAPEST One of the city’s newest five-star hotels, Aria draws inspiration from music and offers a calming spa and a complimentary evening wine tasting for guests. Located in the heart of the city, it combines modern comfort with stylish design. Hercegprímás Utca 5 $$$$$
BRODY HOUSE This atmospheric fin de siècle guesthouse has just 11 individually decorated rooms, each with a distinctive personality that feels like a private city apartment. Bródy Sándor Utca 10 $$$
THE RITZ-CARLTON, BUDAPEST A grand, contemporary hotel in the center of town with 200 rooms, elegant public spaces including a lobby lounge beneath a rotunda, and a beautifully tiled top-floor swimming pool under a glass ceiling. Erzsébet Tér 9-10 $$$$$
Restaurants in Budapest
BORKONYHA WINEKITCHEN This Michelin-starred restaurant offers sophisticated yet unpretentious dishes—think scallops with pork belly confit and Jerusalem artichoke—and an extensive selection of Hungarian wines. Sas Utca 3 $$
KIOSK A popular all-day dining spot with attractive décor and a lively atmosphere, Kiosk serves a varied menu in a prime riverside location with bridge views; reservations are recommended. Március 15 Tér 4 $$
ONYX Renowned for indulgent tasting menus that reimagine Hungarian classics, Onyx presents dishes such as mushroom velouté with pork espuma and aged rib-eye paired with creative vegetable preparations. Vörösmarty Tér 7 $$$$