Romance on the River

Take to the water and explore Budapest’s splendor at a leisurely pace.

- KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER; CHADNER NAVARRO

At every turn Budapest reminds you it is one of Europe’s great imperial capitals, but perhaps this storied grandeur is most obvious from a boat meandering down the Danube River, a rolling, glistening body of water that splits the city into the Buda and Pest sides. On my most recent visit to the Hungarian capital, a river cruise with my now-husband in 2019, we arrived via the Danube … and at night. Believe me when I tell you there’s no better way to view the city, as the lit-up Hungarian Parliament Building proves a breathtakingly exquisite sight.

We sailed the Danube with U by Uniworld right after the New Year. Several river cruise lines ply these waters and will sail you into Budapest in the same spectacular way, including Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Scenic and AmaWaterways.

On my first trip to Budapest, on a tour of eastern Europe with my father in 2008, we arrived the traditional way, by air, and I can assure you that no matter your entry into the city, you will marvel at the architecture, and the beauty and splendor will still rivet, entice and leave you in awe.

And should you not arrive in Budapest on a boat, you can still take to the Danube with various boat tour options. The boat trips will likely operate at a leisurely pace, allowing you to take photos and selfies with outstanding monuments like the Gothic stunner that is the Hungarian Parliament or the pointed towers of Matthias Church on the Buda side or as you sail underneath the 19th-century Chain Bridge, especially once it’s lit up for the evening.