16 Best Day Trips and Tours from Budapest

Budapest has history, sights and monuments to discover, and hiring a guided tour to explore every corner of the city is without doubt one of the essential things to do on your trip to Budapest. With same-day round-trip tours, you can explore the surrounding area, which has even more to offer visitors.

Since I'm a fan of city tours, this guided walking tour of Budapest is one of my favourites as, being longer than average (three hours as opposed to the usual two), it not only covers more areas of the city, but also a greater number of stories about the city and its customs.

This tour is ideal if you're looking for a comprehensive overview of the city's main sights without focusing on any one particular aspect.

What's included

A local guide will pick you up from your hotel to start this sightseeing bus tour of Budapest. Along the way the guide will show you the different sights of the city, explaining the significance of each and taking advantage of key locations to tell you about Hungarian customs.

This bus tour of Budapest lasts two hours. There will be several stops along the way where you will be able to get off the bus for a closer look and take photos. At the end of the tour the bus will drop you off at a central point and from there you will return to your hotel on your own. This option is ideal to get a first overview of the city, including the places that are further away from the centre, before visiting the city at your own pace.

What's included

The Gödöllo Palace is located in the hinterland of Budapest about half an hour away from the city centre. When you book this guided tour of Gödöllo Palace and choose the day you want to take it, you will receive an email with information about the meeting point where your air-conditioned vehicle will depart from in the centre of Budapest. There you will meet the driver, the rest of the group and an expert guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

The Gödöllo Palace tour lasts approximately three hours, is available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian and, in addition to the transfer and the services of the guide, includes entrance fees.

What is included

What will you see at the Gödöllo Palace?

Impressive manicured gardens and luxurious rooms decorated in the style of the Hungarian aristocracy of the 18th century, but more important than what you will see is what you will learn. This palace is known for being the favourite palace of the Queen of Hungary and Empress of Austria, Sissi. History has brought this character down to the present day surrounded by a multitude of anecdotes, including her love for Hungary, her beauty and her desire for freedom, but there are many more.

During the tour of the Gödöllo Palace you will learn about that part of Sissi's story that does not appear in period films: the tragedy that befell her with the death of her daughter, the fights with the emperor's mother, the lovers in her marriage and her problems with food. If you are not yet familiar with the story of this non-conformist empress, you will end this tour absolutely fascinated by her figure.

The best part of this tour is the stories you will learn about the Empress Sissi, considered one of the most important historical myths in Europe.

The Jewish tradition in Budapest is very strong and throughout the city there are different tributes to all the Jews who were killed during the Second World War. This walking tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter, lasting approximately two and a quarter hours, focuses on the history of the Jewish people.

In Budapest's Jewish Quarter you will see monuments such as the Great Synagogue (one of the largest in Europe) and the Tree of Life memorial, on whose silver leaves are written the names of the victims of the Holocaust. However, one of the most moving tributes to this people is not in this neighbourhood but on the banks of the Danube; it is a long row of shoes sculpted in iron representing the murder of thousands of victims.

This tour is ideal if you are interested in the history of the Jewish people and the Second World War, as, beyond the tour itself, the real value of this tour lies in the explanations of the guide.

What is included

The Hungarian Parliament is a landmark in the city of Budapest. Located on the Pest bank of the Danube River, it is the largest building in Hungary and one of the most emblematic buildings both for its impressive architecture and its significance. This tour of Budapest with visit to the Parliament focuses on the visit to the Parliament (entrance fees included) and its surroundings.

The guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the entrance of the Parliament, where you will enjoy a guided tour of one hour and a half. In addition to information about the building itself, you will also learn about Hungarian politics and be treated to historical narratives that will make this city even more exciting. You must see the illuminated Parliament at some point during your trip.

The great thing about this tour is that it allows you to get close to a very important part of the city's history that would be difficult to get to know on your own.

Many times we visit a big city and wonder what the surroundings of the country are like, what the Hungarian landscape is really like and the way of life of the inhabitants who do not live in the capital. With a trip to Szentendre you will discover all this and I assure you that the result will not leave you indifferent.

Why this village and not another one? Szentendre is one of the most visited villages in Budapest and is known for the craftsmen who make and sell their products here. The centre of the village is certainly set up for visitors, but if you go a little further afield you can discover a beautiful lake, mountain scenery and traditional Hungarian houses.

If you go in winter you'll be surprised how few people are in the streets, which is due to the low temperatures. Don't miss the opportunity to chat with the artisans and shopkeepers; most of them understand English and are extremely friendly. The best thing about this tour is the intimate contact you will have with the local artisans, especially if you go in winter when there are fewer tourists on the streets.

What's included

this tour includes

Lake Balaton is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Hungary. Situated approximately two hours drive from Budapest, it is well worth the trip. Both the lake and its surroundings are a fairytale landscape, making this trip to Lake Balaton one of the best options for appreciating the beauty of the country outside of its cities and buildings.

Lunch is on your own and is not included in the 65 euro tour price; you can take it in any restaurant in Balaton or bring a picnic to eat while you look out over the lake. The tour is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and French. The best thing about this tour is the contrast between the breathtaking scenery of Lake Balaton and the stately streets of Budapest.

What is included

this tour includes

Surely during your trip to Budapest you have seen monuments that have left you speechless and you have discovered legends that have made you want to know more about this city and its culture. In that case, this excursion to the Puszta with horse show in the area of the Great Hungarian Plains is the perfect option to learn that extra lesson about Hungarian life and customs. How? By getting to know closely one of its main traditions: the equestrian exhibitions.

During all these activities a professional guide will accompany you on your day trip to the Great Hungarian Plains or Puszta Plains from the fixed meeting point in the centre of Budapest (you will be informed by email after booking). The total price of this experience is 65 euros. The best thing about this tour is that it is a great way to have a closer contact with the traditions of Hungary and the people who still maintain them today.

What is included

this tour includes

Three hours away from Budapest is the city of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. A city of orange roofs, cobbled streets and huge castles, Bratislava's size makes it easily accessible on a day trip to Bratislava and back from Budapest, and you won't regret getting to know it on this private tour of Bratislava, which includes a private local guide to show you the secrets of the city.

You will also have free time to explore the city at your leisure before returning to Budapest and visiting the historic centre while listening to street musicians or enjoying a drink on one of the open-air terraces. The best thing about this tour is the personalised service of the guide (I advise you to ask him everything you want and "make the most" of it) and the possibility of getting to know a different city and a different country in a comfortable private transfer.

What is included

the excursion to Bratislava

Hungary is a country of great traditions and folklore is one of them. You will have seen few performances like the one offered by this night tour with show. In addition, you will have the possibility to taste typical Hungarian dishes during the folklore show.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you in a sightseeing vehicle to visit the main illuminated monuments of the city of Budapest. After that it's on to the restaurant for a traditional three-course dinner with drinks; during dinner you can enjoy a typical Hungarian folklore show.

The great thing about this tour is that it is a way to get close to the culture of this city both culturally and gastronomically and it also includes a tour to enjoy the night illumination of Budapest, something you can't miss during your trip.

Budapest is divided into two parts corresponding to the two banks separated by the Danube River: Buda and Pest. This two-hour walking tour focuses on the Buda side, the bank opposite the Parliament.

This tour is ideal to see the city in more detail as other tours take you through the whole of Budapest, while this one only focuses on one part of the city. Then you can always supplement it with a tour focusing on the sights on the opposite bank.

The main attraction of this tour is that it combines a walking tour with a boat tour on the Danube River. This way you can take in more sights and get a different perspective of the Hungarian capital. Both the walking tour and the boat tour have commentary on Budapest's landmarks in several languages.

The meeting and ending point will be set at one of the city's most central locations close to the Danube. This tour is ideal for time-poor travellers looking for an overview of the city.

At least for me, Budapest is beautiful during the day, but when night falls, the illumination of its streets and monuments make it an equally beautiful city worth revisiting. That's what this two-hour night-time walking tour in English is for, where a professional guide will take you around the city's landmarks at dusk to see them illuminated.

What are the main buildings in Budapest that are worth seeing illuminated? The Parliament, the State Opera House and the Chain Bridge are at the top of the list, but Budapest by night is not only about its illumination. There are plenty of alternative pubs in the city with a unique décor that will also be part of this tour.

This tour is ideal because, although Budapest is one of the safest cities in Europe, its low temperatures (especially in winter) and the fact that it gets dark early in the evening means that at night you will hardly see many people on the streets, so you can easily become disoriented. For this reason, a guided tour is the best way to see the city at night.

With this option, in addition to the guided tour of Sissi's summer palace, you will also enjoy a horse show known as the Magic of Hungary. The equestrian tradition is deeply rooted in this country and in fact it was one of the things that the Empress of Austria shared with her second homeland, the love of horses.

This tour to the Gödöllo Palace with horse show lasts approximately five hours and departs from a meeting point in the centre of Budapest (you will be told how to get there and what time to be there in your email once you book online). The price is 58 euros and includes transfer, tickets to the palace and the show, regional snacks and the services of a specialised guide.

The horse show takes place at a farm located just outside Budapest, so the tour also includes a visit to this farm, typical Hungarian refreshments served there and a horse-drawn carriage ride. If you like horses, this is an experience not to be missed; you will be amazed at how excellently they are cared for and the precision of the technique with which they perform the parade.

The best thing about this tour is the overall impression you will get of two symbols of the country: the Empress Sissi and the horses.

The Danube Bend is one of the main sightseeing areas near Budapest. It consists of three small towns: Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. On this tour you will visit all three with a professional guide. If you take this tour between May and September you will also enjoy a boat trip in Szentendre.

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Budapest and experience the sights and customs of the Hungarian people, this full-day tour (available in English, Spanish, French, Italian and German) is for you. The best thing about this tour is the variety of places you will visit during the tour, which will give you a broader perspective of the Hungarian landscape and the surroundings of Budapest.

This is the VIP tour to visit the Danube Bend. During the tour you will have a guide exclusively for you and your group who will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at your hotel after the full day tour of the three cities that form the Danube Bend: Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre.

In addition to the private transfer and guide, lunch and a boat trip are also included in the package if you take the tour between May and September. During this day you will see sights such as the citadel of Visegrád and the cathedral of Esztergom, the largest in the country, and you will also be able to visit Szentendre's handicraft stalls.

However, the real added value of this tour is the comfort of going at your own pace and having a local guide who will not only explain the different points of the tour, but will also tell you about the country's customs and traditions. At the end of this tour, you will have a much better understanding of Hungary that would be difficult to obtain in other ways.

The best thing about this tour is the personal attention and the possibility to visit in an organised way several places that would be very difficult to get to know on your own.

What to bring

Even if you visit Budapest in summer, temperatures are usually cool and most of the city's tours are on foot. As well as comfortable shoes, I recommend packing a good coat so you won't be tempted to abandon the tour in the middle for a hot chocolate in a café.

Always hire official guides

In central parts of Budapest, it is common to find locals offering tours of the city. A local can give you interesting tips about your visit, but be aware that many of them are not specialised guides who can put you in the historical context of the city. In addition, some are not fluent in other languages and there comes a point in the tour when this can be frustrating. It is best to make sure you book your tour in advance.

Enjoy the food

Finally, I recommend you ask your guide for recommendations, especially when it comes to food. It's very cheap to eat well in Budapest, but the names of the dishes are not exactly intuitive; your guide will be happy to make recommendations according to your tastes, something you'll be very grateful for when you sit down to eat in a restaurant. Also in the city, dealing with street names can be a chore even with Google Maps. And, of course, get to know all the customs before your trip.

Getting to know the surroundings of the city of Budapest is a great plan for when you've made the most of the Hungarian capital, but have you done it? Be sure to plan excursions during your visit, but don't forget that there's much more to Budapest than meets the eye. Check out all the essential things to do on your trip to Budapest.

If you also want to complete your trip with the most iconic experience of Budapest, which is also super relaxing, I recommend you to visit the Spas of Budapest.