Budapest Grand City Tour

Get to know Buda and Pest with MrShuttle

The first thing you need to know is that the name Budapest comes from the merger of two towns on either side of the Danube river — Buda and Pest. Often called "Paris of the East", Budapest is a great destination for a city break. Apart from being affordable, it has great food and nightlife and has so many beautiful sights. A significant part of Budapest's city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some impressive buildings. Want to see them all? Then this Grand City Tour is just what you're looking for.

Have a carefree ride around Budapest

Grand City Tour may sound intimidating, but don't worry, this is not an intense walking tour. The idea behind this grand tour is to show you all of Budapest's major sights so that you can make the most of your visit. That is why we will take you on a ride in a comfortable vehicle, with little walking involved. This way you can have a look at the important attractions in just a few hours, hear a bit about Hungarian history, and then continue on your exploration with a much clearer idea about Budapest.

What does this Grand City Tour include?

This comprehensive city tour comes with a seat on our minibus that will take you around Budapest's major sights. Please note that hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is a short walk from the Parliament building, and the tour ends in the city centre (near the original departure point).

A professional and multilingual tour guide will join to tell you a bit about Hungarian history, culture, and sights. The tour is available in the following languages: English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.

This tour aims at showing you Budapest's major attractions, but please note that due to time restrictions and the number of sights, entrance tickets to the buildings are not provided.

What will I see during this tour?

As you can imagine, this grand tour is packed with attractions. Here, we are breaking down the itinerary, so you know what to expect.

City Tour with Parliament building in the background

Our tour will start in downtown Pest. Once you're safely on board the vehicle, the first sight on our itinerary will be the famous Chain Bridge, the first bridge built over the Danube river that connected Pest and Buda. It was blown up during World War II with only the two towers remaining and rebuilt a few years later. Keep your eyes peeled for the impressive neo-Gothic house, that is, the iconic Hungarian Parliament building. As one of the largest parliament buildings in the world, it's a sight to behold. While a Parliament visit does not form a part of this tour, it is possible to enter this beautiful building and take a visit of the interior by booking a Parliament tour in advance on the official website.

Take a walking tour around the Castle district

Next, we will drive along the Margaret Bridge to the Buda side. Budapest's Castle District is a must when visiting Hungary's capital, so of course, you can expect it to be a stop on this Grand City Tour. We will drop you off in the Castle District for a short walk with an experienced tour guide. In this area, you'll not only see the Buda Castle complex, but also the charming Matthias Church and the Fisherman's Bastion. Both buildings will probably make you feel like you're in a fairy tale.

Admire the spectacular view of Budapest from the Gellért Hill (Citadel)

Looking for the best spot to get the most spectacular view of Budapest? Look no further! We'll get you there in no time. You've probably enjoyed a great view of the Parliament building from the Fisherman's Bastion, but this will be even better. The Gellért Hill is among the top places to visit if you want to take panoramic shots of Budapest and the Danube, or just enjoy the beautiful panorama. Make sure to have your camera ready!

Pass by the famous Central Market Hall

Once you snapped plenty of panoramic photos of Budapest, we will drive along the Elisabeth bridge back to downtown Pest. Here, we will show you the Central Market Hall (also called the Great Market Hall). This is the largest indoor market in the city and where many locals buy fresh produce. Looking for souvenirs, spices or paprika strings? You'll surely find them here!

See the largest synagogue in the whole of Europe

Not many know that Budapest is also home to the largest synagogue in Europe (and one of the largest in the world). Dohány Street Synagogue was built in Moorish style in the 19th century and can seat around 3,000 people. Today, the Dohány Street Synagogue complex is also home to the Jewish Museum, a Holocaust memorial and a cemetery.

Drive to the City Park and Budapest zoo

If you're a fan of green spaces, you'll love Budapest's City Park. This is the biggest public park in the city and a favourite among many of its citizens. However, it's not just any kind of park. It is home to Budapest zoo, Vajdahunyad Castle, and the popular Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Europe's largest thermal spa.

Stand on the Heroes Square (and try to identify Hungarian kings and dukes)

After the City Park, we will stop by the Heroes Square with statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes. This is one of the most popular squares in Budapest and apart from the statues and the Millennium Monument, it houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art.

Take a look at the Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica

Budapest's most popular and elegant boulevard, Andrássy Avenue, is one of the city's main sights, and some call it the Hungarian Champs-Elysée. This long avenue is lined with many beautiful buildings and mansions, and it connects Heroes Square with Elizabeth Square. While riding down Andrássy Avenue, we will pass by the State Opera House, one of the most impressive buildings in Budapest. The last sight of our tour will be St Stephen's Basilica, which is home to the right hand of Hungary's first king, Stephen. Yes, you've read that correctly. But to hear the story about the hand, we recommend booking your spot and listening closely to the tour guide.

Who is our Budapest Grand City Tour for?

Budapest is a city full of monuments and attractions and although many of them are located in the city centre, seeing all of them may be a challenge. This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to see Budapest's main attractions in a short amount of time and get an introduction to Hungary. Whether you're in the city for a short weekend or staying longer, it's a great option. You can check all the main attractions off your list and later decide which ones you want to visit again or in more detail. And for those of you who'd like to learn a bit about Hungarian history, the tour will provide some useful background. Make sure to book your spot!