Where to drink · HUNGARY
Good hungary drinks tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend 75 minutes on a modern Danube boat with unlimited Prosecco, beer, Aperol Spritz, spritzer, or lemonade. Enjoy Parliament, Liberty Bridge, and Budapest’s nighttime skyline from indoor seats or the open-air terrace, with music and an English audio guide along the way.
“The most amazing experience! It was worth every $ spent.”
Board in central Budapest for a 75 to 90-minute Danube cruise with lounge music, recorded English commentary, and a panoramic-window table. Paulus prosecco, fruit spritzers, and homemade lemonade flow throughout. Add beer or a Hungarian platter at the bar, then head upstairs for photos if weather allows.
“Quite a unique experience, the ice breakers had been on the river as it was the worst freeze since 1963! -10 for our evening cruise. It was absolutely beautiful, lots of ice flow on the river, very hard to only choose 10 photos to upload. Most people on our cruise seemed to be more interested in the free flowing drink than the beautiful sights either side of the river. I stood alone taking so many shots of the shoreline. I still managed to have a few drinks as well. I think the music playlist could do with an update it was very 90's, maybe on purpose? Very enjoyable cruise, staff…”
Board the historic Gróf Széchenyi at Akadémia dock 2 for a 90-minute Danube cruise. You’ll pass Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Gellért Hill while enjoying live Hungarian music, a welcome Prosecco or juice, and either goulash with lángos or a buffet dinner.
“Easy to find and felt safe onboard ,the food was basic but very nice. The staff were very good and the music was entertaining. Very nice way to see the riverside attractions illuminated for you photos.”
Leave central Budapest by air-conditioned minivan for Etyek-Buda, where family winemakers serve local whites and sparkling wines. Choose a morning lunch, afternoon dinner, or gastro-bites option. Guides such as Susan, Peter, Michael, and Julianna add history and local context.
“We were picked up by Susan and she had one of other couple with her. Turned out the ladies (Couple) were to be with us all week on our upcoming river cruise! Nice. Susan was extremely open, friendly and knowledgeable on all topics of the region. The trip to the wineries was so great especially the first (Nadas). Adorable place, family dream sort of thing and great! The second afforded a nice lunch (just right) with more tastings. Overall a great experience and well worth the investment of time and money. Highly recommend.”
Spend two hours aboard a Silverline Cruises dinner boat beside Budapest’s Elizabeth Bridge. Enjoy welcome Prosecco, a four-course meal, live music, and either Hungarian folklore dancing or piano entertainment while Parliament, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge glow along the Danube.
“Really good night food excellent entertainment was brilliant and good length of time can't fault it”
Meet your English-speaking Carpe Diem Tours guide at the Budapest Eye, then visit four central bars for beer, fröccs, cocktails, games, and four shots. Guides including Eszti, Nono, Peter, Laura, Kitti, and Nika keep the group social and moving.
“Ray made the whole night a blast! Cannot recommend this enough!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Becketts Irish Bar, then visit four Budapest bars and clubs over five hours. Expect free shots, drinking games, lively ruin-bar rooms, and skip-the-line entry to a major nightclub. Guides such as Lumi, Rocky, Mark, Lucas, and Michael keep the group together.
“nice guides, lumi and nikki and really nice and funny. i enjoyed it and recommend it”
Join Silverline Cruises at Dock 11 beside Elizabeth Bridge for a one-hour Danube ride past Gellert Hill, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Parliament, and Margaret Bridge. You get two cocktails, an upper terrace for photos, an air-conditioned lower deck, and a lively soundtrack. Guide Agus has received special praise for friendly service.
“loved that it was table service so not everyone was at the bar all at once. Hana our waitress was very attentive and made sure we had another drink as soon as she saw empty glasses. would 100% recommend.”
Spend 75 minutes on the Danube aboard MS Stadt Wien, starting at Akadémia Dock 2 beside the Chain Bridge. You get a welcome drink, unlimited Prosecco cocktails and beer, indoor and outdoor seating, music, and access to an audio guide app. This adults-only cruise is lively rather than quiet.
“Absolutely amazing, lovely seating available in door and out. Me and my girlfriend got a nice table next to these big windows allowing for a perfect view of the scenery whilst remaining warm and comfortable. We were also close to the bar which made it easy for us to get drinks and get back. We opted for the premium drinks package which was 100% worth it. My girlfriend and I had about 5-6 premium drinks (sotb, tequila sunrise, vodka + coke, etc) each during the course of the trip and the drinks were made very quick and neither of us had to wait more than a minute or so to…”
Cruise Budapest’s Danube from Akadémia Dock 2 aboard MS Stadt Wien, with sweet, medium, or dry Prosecco, beer, and Prosecco cocktails included. Expect glowing views of Parliament, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge, background music, an audio guide app, and a friendly party-boat mood.
“Fantastic, staff so friendly and accommodating, Chris was always on hand with any questions and also about other places to visit. The views were amazing thank you. Oh and the bottemless prosecco went down a treat. 😁”
Board the Floating Lotus at Pier 9 for a 75-minute Danube cruise with unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz, wine, beer, lemonade and water. Choose the open panorama deck or air-conditioned interior, and see Parliament and Buda Castle lit up at night.
“Unlimited drinks, live music, spectacular views (especially in the evening), unique atmosphere and experience, great fun, ideal and very popular activity for young people. We enjoyed it very much.”
Travel by minibus from central Budapest to Etyek, where you visit two or three family-run wineries, taste artisan Hungarian wines, meet local producers, and enjoy a traditional meal. Guides such as Peter, Julianna, and Michael add local history and plenty of personality.
“Wonderful small group tour with stops at 2 vineyards for wine tasting and a meal. The serving size for the tasting was generous and the meal was delicious. The vineyards are set in beautiful countryside making for a peaceful tour just a short drive from the city. Our guide was really friendly and very knowledgeable on the history of wine making in the region. Pick up for the tour, from a hotel of our choice, was easy and convenient.”
Take a 50-minute round-trip cruise from Batthyány tér with a glass of Törley Prosecco. You’ll pass Parliament twice, plus Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Gellért Hill, the Central Market Hall, and more. An English audio guide adds context, while Thursday-to-Saturday International Days bring themed drink and snack pairings.
Meet your English-speaking sommelier at Taste Hungary’s 19th-century cellar for five generous glasses of Hungarian wine, four cheeses, four cured meats, bread, and water. Guides such as Tomas, Thomas, Sam, and Matthew explain grapes, regions, soils, and Hungary’s food revival during this relaxed 90-minute tasting.
“Very well facilitated from the sommelier and the snacks were a perfect compliment. The Tokaji wine was a great finish.”
Meet Miki, Luca, Bianca, or another English-speaking wine guide at Wine the Gap in central Budapest. Over two hours, taste seven or eight Hungarian wines, compare regions and grapes, and pair each pour with local cheese, ham, sausage, olives, and other farm-made bites.
“We enjoyed our evening a lot, Miki was very friendly, knowledgeable and fun. The wine selection was very interesting, and the tapas tasty and local. It was very interesting to learn about Hungarian wine, sprinkled with fun anecdotes.”
Pick a bottle and see where it is poured properly.
