5 Best Danube Bend Tours

Among the best tours and excursions from Budapest, you’ll undoubtedly always find the option to explore the Danube Bend – a trip well worth taking for its scenery and the history held by each of the towns in this area.

50 kilometres north of Budapest, the Danube curves southwards, where you’ll find towns steeped in history and tradition offering wonderful views, such as the small town of Visegrád, where you can visit a medieval citadel and the ruins of a royal palace.

You’ll see cobbled streets, craft markets and small eateries. This is undoubtedly an excursion you should include in your itinerary. To do so, I recommend checking out the many organised tours available.

Of the many options, my recommendation is to look for organised tours that include an approximately 8-hour tour of the three most beautiful and representative towns in this area: Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre, a route known as the Blue Danube.

Why I like this option: I think it’s a comprehensive option if you want to get a taste of each of these places rather than focusing on just one. The approximate cost of this option is €60 per person, including, amongst other things, transport and a professional guide.

What’s more, it’s an ideal choice amongthe tours and excursions available from Budapest if you have a tight schedule and want to make the most of your visit to Hungary.

What you’ll see in Esztergom

This type of excursion usually starts in Esztergom and almost always includes a visit to St Adalbert’s Cathedral, considered the largest basilica in Hungary and the town’s main attraction.

Some other interesting places here include the Vizivaros district, which stretches along the banks of the Danube and where you’ll find beautiful architecture and places to eat. Not to mention its castle, built around the year 1070.

What to see in Visegrád

Generally, on organised day trips along the Danube Bend, this is the stop for lunch and to enjoy this medieval-looking town and its stunning views, which make it the perfect setting for a delicious meal.

The Citadel is perhaps one of its main attractions. A magnificent fortress built during the reign of Bela IV to defend against the Mongol invaders.

What to see in Szentendre

My favourite and, in my opinion, the perfect way to round off your day of exploring. The small town of Szentendre offers a bohemian and artistic atmosphere that will captivate you. You’ll find small galleries, squares and parks with a cultural vibe that will win you over. Some tours depart from here for the return journey to Budapest, offering a relaxing cruise along the Szentendre River. An ideal way to end the day, as you can return to the city by boat – another of Budapest’s must-do experiences.

Useful information

• Price: from approximately €50 to €60 per person; you can find this type of one-day excursion visiting these three small towns.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Type of transport: air-conditioned vehicles. In some cases, and depending on the season, the return journey to Budapest is by boat.
• What’s included: professional guide, boat trip between Szentendre and Budapest (depending on the season), air-conditioned vehicles, entry to Esztergom Basilica and entry to the Danube River.
• Group size: these tours are generally organised for no more than 45 people.

Whilst organised day trips can be chaotic due to the number of participants, this option seems perfect to me if you’re looking for a more private setting to explore the Danube Bend area in detail. This type of tour is tailored to your family or travel group, so you won’t have to share transport with strangers and you’ll have a professional guide throughout the trip.

Including a meal, which is usually lunch, this tour costs approximately €90 per person.

This type of excursion also follows the Blue Danube route, passing through Visegrád, Esztergom and Szentendre. It also includes admission to the Basilica of Esztergom, for example. This option also has the advantage of offering you free time that you can use to explore each place independently, at your own pace, and simply lose yourself in its beauty.

Useful details

• Price: from €90, you can find private tours to visit this Danube Bend route.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Type of transport: private transport in an air-conditioned minivan or car, with return by river cruise (from 30 April to 30 September, except Mondays).
• What’s included: a three-course lunch, private local guide, return transfer to and from the hotel, private visit to Esztergom Cathedral, return cruise to Budapest.
• Number of people: this is a private option, so it will be organised exclusively for your travel group.

If you prefer to travel at a leisurely pace, even if it means seeing fewer places, the Danube Bend tours also offer options to visit just a few of its villages, giving you the chance to explore each place in detail. In this case, you can take an organised tour to Szentendre, a place that will inspire the artist within you. This option, lasting approximately 4 hours, includes transport and a professional guide, and costs around €40.

An excursion to explore Szentendre at your leisure, strolling through its cobbled streets, as well as enjoying restaurants and bars with a bohemian and Mediterranean atmosphere, where you can sample, amongst other Hungarian delicacies, a local speciality such as lángos, which is also popular in other European countries such as Austria, Serbia and Slovakia. It is a flat fried bread that you will love.

This tour may include:

• Aquincum Museum.
• Ruins of an ancient Roman city.
• Guided walk through the city centre and along the riverbank.
• Return cruise to Budapest, depending on the season. This option is usually available between May and September, with a trip lasting approximately 1 hour.

Points of interest

• Price: from €40.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Transport: air-conditioned coach and return to Budapest by river cruise (May to September).
• What’s included: professional guide, lángos (Hungarian fried bread), transport, access to the Danube.
• Group size: this activity is generally scheduled for a maximum of 30 people.

With so much to see and do in Budapest, including a cruise on the Danube or a trip along the Danube Bend is undoubtedly a good choice. And if you want to focus on one of the region’s most iconic towns, I recommend choosing this option, starting from €40, which takes you on a tour of approximately 4 hours around Esztergom.

Here you’ll find Hungary’s largest basilica, as well as exploring the colourful Vizivaros district, finishing with a stroll along the Little Danube, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views.

Points of interest

• Price: from €40.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Transport: air-conditioned transport, pick-up from your accommodation and return.
• What’s included: professional guide, transport, entry to the Danube.
• Number of people: depends on the tour operator, but is generally scheduled for a maximum of 30 people.

Another highly recommended option among the best excursions and tours from Budapest is to take an organised tour dedicated exclusively to exploring Visegrád. This spot on the Danube Bend offers a walk through its incredible fortress and medieval buildings. With prices starting from €40 and tours lasting around 4 hours, including transport and a professional guide, you can explore this magical place.

From Visegrád Castle, you can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding countryside and the River Danube. You’ll also find Solomon’s Tower here, situated below the Citadel, a structure that formed part of Visegrád Castle’s defence system.

Points of interest

• Price: from €40.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Transport: air-conditioned transport, pick-up from your accommodation and return.
• What’s included: professional guide, transport, entry to the Danube River.
• Group size: this activity is generally scheduled for a maximum of 30 people.

You’re sure to have an unforgettable time if you choose any of these excursion options to the Danube Bend. Your choice will depend on your specific interests, how much time you have, and your budget for this type of activity.

If your visit to Budapest is for 5 days, for example, I’d recommend including an excursion of this kind. It will offer you a different atmosphere, a fresh perspective on the region, and many more travel memories.

Without a doubt, the sunny months with more pleasant temperatures are my favourites. In April there is plenty to do in Budapest and it will be an ideal month for a tour of this kind. There is also a wide range of activities in Budapest in September. In addition to April to September, you’ll have the chance to return from these tours by cruise, which will add an extra touch of fun to your trip.

Whenchoosing a tour or excursion from Budapest, bear in mind:

• What’s included: check the details carefully to see what’s included in the excursion of your choice. It’s very important to check whether hotel pick-up is provided, or if you need to make your own way to a meeting point.
• Where you will eat: this is a key point to bear in mind. If you are travelling with young children, check the meal times and what options are included in the excursion. Don’t forget to mention any allergies or dietary restrictions that the tour operator needs to be aware of.
• Itinerary: check whether you’ll have free time or what each stop involves. This will give you an idea of what you’ll see and for how long.

Enjoy the Danube Bend!