5 Best Danube Bend Tours

Among the best tours and excursions from Budapest, you will undoubtedly find the option of visiting the Danube Bend, a trip that is well worth taking for its landscapes and the history of each of the towns in the area.

Fifty kilometers north of Budapest, the Danube curves southward, where you will find towns steeped in history and tradition that offer wonderful views, such as the small town of Visegrád, where you can visit a medieval citadel and the ruins of a royal palace.

You will see cobblestone streets, craft markets, and small places to eat. This is definitely an excursion you should include in your itinerary. To do so, I recommend checking out the many organized excursions available.

Of the many options, I recommend looking for organized tours that include an approximately 8-hour tour of the three most beautiful and representative cities in this area: Esztergom, Visegrád, and Szentendre, a route known as the Blue Danube.

Why I like this option: I think it's a great option if you want to get a taste of each of these places and not focus on just one. The approximate cost of this alternative is €60 per person, including, among other things, transportation and a professional guide.

It is also an ideal option amongthe tours and excursions you can take from Budapest if you have a busy schedule and want to make the most of your visit to Hungary.

What you will 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 main attraction of this town.

Other interesting places to visit include the Vizivaros neighborhood, which stretches along the banks of the Danube and offers beautiful architecture and places to eat. There is also a castle, built around 1070.

What to see in Visegrád

On organized day trips around the Danube Bend, this is usually the stop for lunch and to enjoy this medieval-looking place and its impressive views, which make it the best setting for a delicious meal.

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

What to see in Szentendre

My favorite and, in my opinion, the perfect way to end your day of exploration. 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 excursions return to Budapest from here, offering a relaxing cruise along the Szentendre River. It's the perfect way to end the day, as you can return to the city on a cruise, another of Budapest's must-see attractions.

Details of interest

• 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 transportation: air-conditioned vehicles. In some cases, depending on the season, the return to Budapest is by boat.
• What's included: professional guide, boat trip between Szentendre and Budapest (depending on the season), air-conditioned vehicles, entrance to Esztergom Basilica, and entrance to the Danube River.
• Number of people: these excursions are generally organized for no more than 45 people.

While organized day trips can be chaotic due to the number of participants, this option is perfect if you want a more private space to explore the Danube Bend in detail. This type of excursion is ideal for families or travel groups, as you won't have to share transportation with strangers and you'll have a professional guide throughout the tour.

Including a meal, which is usually lunch, you can enjoy this tour for 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 Esztergom Basilica, for example. This option also has the advantage of offering you free time to explore each place independently, at your own pace, and lose yourself in its beauty.

Details of interest

• Price: from $90, you can find private tours to visit this Danube Bend route.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Type of transportation: private transportation in an air-conditioned minivan or car and return by river cruise (from April 30 to September 30, except Mondays).
• What's included: a 3-course lunch, private local guide, round-trip transfer to your hotel, private visit to Esztergom Cathedral, return cruise to Budapest.
• Number of people: this is a private option, so it will only be organized for your travel group.

If you like to travel at a leisurely pace, even if it means seeing fewer places, the excursions along the Danube Bend also offer options to visit just a few of its villages, giving you the chance to get to know each place in detail. In this case, you can take an organized excursion to Szentendre, a place that will inspire the artist in you. This option, which lasts approximately 4 hours, includes transportation, a professional guide, and costs approximately €40.

This is an excursion to explore Szentendre at your leisure, walking through its cobbled streets and enjoying restaurants and bars with a bohemian and Mediterranean atmosphere, where you can try, among other Hungarian delicacies, a local specialty called 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 can include:

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

Details of interest

• Price: from €40.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Type of transport: air-conditioned transport and return to Budapest on a river cruise (May to September).
• What's included: professional guide, lángos (Hungarian fried bread), transportation, entrance to the Danube River.
• Number of people: this activity is usually scheduled for a maximum of 30 people.

Of all the things to see and do in Budapest, including a cruise on the Danube or an excursion to the Danube Bend is definitely a good choice. And if you want to focus on one of the most representative cities in the region, I recommend choosing this option, with prices starting at €40, which takes you on a 4-hour tour of Esztergom.

Here you will find the largest basilica in Hungary, as well as exploring the colorful Vizivaros neighborhood and ending with a walk along the Little Danube, where you can enjoy beautiful views.

Details of interest

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

Another recommended excursion among the best excursions and tours from Budapest is to take an organized trip exclusively to visit Visegrád. This spot on the Danube Bend offers a walk through its incredible fortress and medieval buildings. With prices starting at €40 and tours lasting around 4 hours, including transportation and a professional guide, you can explore this magical place.

From Visegrád Castle, you can enjoy incredible views of the landscape and the Danube River. You will also find the Solomon Tower, located below the Citadel, a structure that was part of the defense system of Visegrád Castle.

Interesting details

• Price: from €40.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Type of transport: air-conditioned transport, pick-up from your accommodation and return.
• What's included: professional guide, transportation, entrance to the Danube River.
• Number of people: this activity is usually scheduled for a maximum of 30 people.

You're sure to have an unforgettable time if you decide to take 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 you're visiting Budapest for 5 days, for example, I recommend considering an excursion like this. It will offer you a different atmosphere, another view of the region, and many more travel memories.

Without a doubt, the sunny months with the most pleasant temperatures are my favorites. In April, there is a lot to do in Budapest, making it an ideal month for this type of excursion. There are also many activities in Budapest in September. In addition to April through September, you will have the option of returning from these excursions by cruise, which will add extra fun to your trip.

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

• What's included: check the details carefully and what's included in the excursion you choose. It's very important to know if they offer hotel pick-up or if you have to get to a meeting point.
• Where you will eat: this is a key aspect to consider. If you are traveling with young children, check the meal times and what options are available as part of the excursion. Don't forget to inform the tour operator of any allergies or restrictions that need to be taken into account.
• Itinerary: check if you will have free time or what each of the stops will be. This will give you an idea of what you will see and for how long.

Enjoy the Danube Bend!