Budapest by night

Get ready for a night of good food, Hungarian wines, dancing and gorgeous views. During this special evening tour, you'll get to experience Budapest by night.

What will you experience during this evening tour?

• See Budapest illuminated by city lights.
• Enjoy spectacular views of Buda and Pest from the Gellért Hill.
• Treat your taste buds to traditional Hungarian cuisine.
• Have fun during a lively folklore show.

Castle Hill, Buda Castle, chain bridge and more sights lit up at night

Budapest is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, and some even call it “Paris of the East”. With beautiful buildings, such as the Hungarian State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Vajdahunyad Castle, Central Market Hall and many others, we can totally see why it is associated with the French capital. A visit to Budapest, however, is not complete without seeing it at night. Budapest by night is quite a different experience than by day. So once you've had a stroll around the Erzsébet square, Gozsdu Courtyard, Jewish Quarter and the Buda Castle in the daytime, we invite you to see Budapest at night.

Ride around the city at night

Our Budapest by night tour comes with a hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you don't have to worry about arriving by public transport. To start off, we will drive you around Budapest so that you can see some of its biggest attractions illuminated at night. And what a sight it is! We'll pass, for example, by the Fisherman's Bastion and the Buda Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), as well as Budapest's famous Chain Bridge. You'll also have the chance to take some spectacular panoramic shots of this beautiful city and the Danube (Europe's second-longest river after the Volga) from Gellert Hill, where we will stop for a short night walk.

Gellért Hill — our number 1 for panoramic views of Budapest

Although not an obvious destination for many tourists who come to Budapest, Gellert Hill (Gellérthegy) is quite popular among the locals. They like to relax here during weekends and watch how the sun sets in the evenings. The hill is not very high, but at 235 metres it is one of the highest points in Budapest. Situated on the Buda side and in between the Elisabeth Bridge and the Liberty Bridge, it gives a spectacular view of both sides of the Danube river, allowing you to see pretty much all of Budapest. We think there's no better place to visit if you want to enjoy a spectacular view of Budapest and take some stunning photographs.

What else is the hill known for?

Apart from offering great views, Gellert Hill is home to some other attractions. Among the most popular is the Citadella fortress (Citadel), which is a symbol of both oppression and liberty. It was built in the mid-19th century by the Habsburg rulers after the Hungarian uprising and later used also by Nazis and Communists. This massive fortress can be seen from a far distance thanks to the 40-metre Statue of Liberty that stands at its entrance.

Visitors may also hear about this hill because of the Gellert Baths complex (Gellért gyógyfürdő), which, although less popular than Szechenyi Baths, is said to offer the best experience in the city. This thermal spa, founded in 1918, is placed in a beautiful building (built in the Art Nouveau style) with a rich interior. Apart from a number of geothermal pools, you can get a variety of spa treatments here.

Embrace Hungarian culture

After seeing Budapest at night, we invite you to a unique dining experience. You've probably heard that paprika is an important ingredient in Hungarian cuisine, but have you had the chance to taste any Hungarian dishes? Among the most traditional meals in Hungary, you'll find the likes of gulyás (goulash), töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage leaves) or halászlé (Fisherman’s soup).

Get ready for a Hungarian dining experience

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit any local restaurants while in Budapest, this will be your chance. After spending some time on Gellert Hill, our guide will take you to a local restaurant where you can taste what Hungarian cuisine is about. The dining experience consists of a three-course meal and Hungarian wine on the side. Yum!

Have fun during a folklore show

To make the evening dinner even more fun, there will be a traditional folklore show. The performers will wear folk costumes and dance to folk music. If you like to dance, don't be afraid to join in on the fun! After this evening, you'll have a good taste of Hungary and its culture.

Why book this Budapest by night tour?

• A unique way to spend the evening in Hungary's capital.
• Gorgeous views of Budapest and the Danube without the need to climb up the hill (transport provided).
• Pick-up from a meeting point and drop-off at the hotel are included.
• You'll be accompanied by an experienced guide.
• Get a small taste of the local culture.
• Convenience — we will take care of all the planning so that you can fully relax and enjoy your time.

Quick tips from MrShuttle on other fun things to do

Not ready for the night to end? You've had your fill of tasty food and wine, but want to experience more of Budapest's nightlife? Although not part of our tour, here are some tips on more things you can do at night.

Cruise down the Danube river

If you're visiting Budapest in the summer months, hopping on a boat to experience the views from the Danube is a great idea. Cruises are very popular here, and you can even join a dinner cruise if looking for a romantic way to spend the night with your partner.

Visit the famous ruin bars

If you want to do your own type of pub crawl, you can visit a few of Budapest's underground bars (commonly known as ruin bars). These places can be found primarily in the former Jewish ghetto in previously abandoned buildings that would have been destroyed otherwise. Ruin pubs with their mismatched furniture and sometimes rough looks are great for fans of quirky spaces or those who want to experience Budapest's nightlife scene.

Attend a concert in St Stephen's Basilica

Are you a fan of music and live performances? Make sure to check out the organ concerts inside St Stephen's Basilica (named after Hungary's first king). These performances take place on Thursday evenings between March and December. You can also find some concerts held at Matthias church or the Palace of Art.