Discover Budapest's iconic landmarks and astonishing views on our signature tour!
Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world thanks to its privileged geographic position on the two banks of the river Danube dividing it into two major parts Buda and Pest which are connected by elegant bridges. Pest is renowned for its elegant 19th-century architecture created during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Buda is famous for its historic castle and astonishing hilltop views. On this spectacular tour, you will explore the iconic landmarks of both Buda and Pest and marvel at the most astonishing views of the city. Budapest Grand Tour is our signature tour which is a perfect option for first-time visitors who would like to discover the highlights of Budapest in a relatively short time.
In the first part of the tour, explore Pest renowned for its grand avenues, plazas, and palaces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Enjoy a scenic ride along the spectacular Danube riverbanks and bridges then drive through the World heritage Andrassy Avenue often referred to as Budapest’s Champs Elysees. View the Opera House and the elegant 19th-century palaces then visit Heroes’ Square, the largest and most imposing square in Budapest dominated by the Millennium Monument, a national pantheon of great Hungarian kings, and learn about the 1000-year Hungarian history in a nutshell. Take a tour through the neighboring City Park home to the Zoo, the Great Circus, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and Vajdahunyad Castle then drive back to the city center and view Stephen's Basilica largest church in Budapest, and the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building a masterpiece of Gothic-Revival architecture in the world. In the second part of the tour, explore Buda famous for its historic castle and astonishing hilltop views. Take a tour through the cobblestone streets of the fairytale Buda Castle District perching on top of Castle Hill and marvel at the 700-year-old iconic Matthias Church and the stunning view from Fisherman’s Bastion, the most famous lookout in Budapest. At last, drive up to Gellert Hill, the highest vantage point in the city topped with the Citadel and Liberty Statue, and admire the unparalleled view of Budapest.
Tour Highlights
- Enjoy a scenic ride along the picturesque Danube riverbanks and bridges
- Drive through Budapest’s Champs Elysees, the World heritage Andrassy Avenue and view the Opera House
- Visit Heroes Square and the Millennium Monument and learn about Hungarian history in a nutshell
- Take a tour through City Park home to the Zoo, the Great Circus, Széchenyi Bath, and Vajdahunyad Castle
- View St Stephen's Basilica the largest church in Budapest
- View the Hungarian Parliament Building a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture in the world
- Tour through the historic Buda Castle District, marvel at Matthias Church and the stunning view from
- Fisherman’s Bastion the most famous lookout in Budapest
- Drive up to Gellert Hill the highest vantage point in the city topped with the Citadel and Liberty Statue and admire an unparalleled view of Budapest
Tour Specs
Tour duration: 4 hours
Driving distance: 25 km
Difficulty level: easy (morning tour) / medium (afternoon tour)
Tour type: public tour with an English-speaking guide
Schedule
1APR-29OCT at 10 AM & 2.30 PM
Check-in: 15 minutes before the published departure time
Meeting Point
Budapest Scooter Tour 1053 Budapest Vámház körüt 10 (the office is located inside the house courtyard ) Hotline: +36309845100
Tour Map
Great Market Hall
The spectacular Great Market Hall is a good source of Hungarian products. You can also make it a pit-stop for a quick bite of traditional Hungarian food when touring the city. Shop with the locals for sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and pastries. Fancy bottles of Tokaji, a variety of paprika and handicrafts are also available.
Liberty bridge
Originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph today called Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) was built between 1894 and 1896. Opened in the year of the Millennium and was officially completed when Emperor Franz Joseph inserted the last silver rivet into its iron structure. The top of each of the bridge’s pillars is decorated with a 'Turul' bird, the mythical bird of Hungary.
Andrassy Avenue & The Millenium Underground
Andrassy Avenue
This elegant avenue, recognized as a World Heritage Site, is often referred to as Budapest's Champs-Elysées. It is also called cultural avenue, as the Opera House, Pest's best theaters, the Academy of Music, and many museums are either on the avenue or just off of it. Andrássy Avenue is great for walks alongside the beautiful turn-of-the-century buildings or people-watching in one of the many cafés.
Millennium Underground
The first subway line in mainland Europe, the Millennium Underground in Budapest, opened in 1896. The line is still in use and it runs along Andrássy Avenue. In 2002 the Millennium Underground was added to the World Heritage Sites.
Hungarian State Opera House
The State Opera House, considered to be among the best in the world. It was built in the 1880s and stands as one of the most prestigious musical institutions in Europe.
Heroes' square
Heroes’ Square is the largest and most impressive square in the city. The Millennium Monument standing in the middle of the square was erected in 1896 to commemorate the 1000-year-old history of Magyars. The Museum of Fine Arts is located on the north side of the square. The Kunsthalle (Hall of Art), an exhibition hall for the contemporary arts, is on the south side.
City Park & Vajdahunyad Castle
City Park
City Park provides a great escape from the bustle of the city. The 1896 Millennium Celebrations took place here, leaving many attractions behind.
Vajdahunyad Castle
The castle was built to show the various architectural styles of Hungary and has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque parts. There is a boating lake next to the castle, which is turned into an ice skating rink in the winter.
Szechenyi Bath
Although it may look like a Baroque palace, Széchenyi Baths (Széchenyi fürdő) is the largest medicinal bath and one of the largest public baths in Europe. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the healing waters, or to take a few laps in the swimming pool. The Széchenyi is a favorite for both locals and tourists alike.
St. Stephen's Basilica
It took more than 50 years to build the Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. The building commenced in 1851 and the inauguration ceremony took place in 1906. The patron saint of the church is St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. Visit the dome's observation deck for a beautiful panoramic view of Budapest.
Parliament
The Parlament, a magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is just over 100 years old. It's the third-largest Parliament building in the world and is also home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Guided tours are available in different languages.
Chain Bridge
Chain Bridge was the first bridge to permanently connect Buda and Pest. At the time of its completion, Chain Bridge was considered to be one of the wonders of the world. Chief engineer Adam Clark completed the span in 1849. Crossing the bridge is just a short walk and no matter which direction you go, the view is beautiful.
Buda Castle
This World Heritage Site is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Its unique atmosphere with beautiful ancient buildings such as Matthias Church, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace, silent courtyards, twisted, narrow cobblestone streets, and superb views make it the most important architectural heritage and a top destination of Budapest.
Matthias Church
The 700-year-old Matthias Church was the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916, the last Habsburg king. It was also the site for the great Hungarian King Matthias' two weddings, hence its name. The eastern gate of the church was built in the 13th century. Today, Matthias Church remains one of the city's most prominent buildings.
Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most fascinating sights on Castle Hill. Although fishermen from Watertown (Víziváros) reputedly defended this part of the city during the Middle Ages, Fishermen’s Bastion was built in the 1890s and it’s purely decorative. Today, it's a favorite lookout.
The Royal Palace
The first royal residence on Castle Hill was built in the 13th century, after the Mongolian invasion. Construction continued in the 15th century, following the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples in 1476. Many Italian artists and craftsmen accompanied the new queen, bringing the Renaissance style to Buda. The palace was completely destroyed when liberating Buda from the Turks. In the 18th century, a Baroque palace was built, which is identical to the core structure of the present-day palace. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the palace gave a home to lavish ceremonies symbolizing peace between the dynasty and the nation.
Gellért Hill
Gellert Hill (Gellért-hegy) offers some of the best panoramic views of Budapest. The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerald), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046.
Citadel
At the top of the hill is the Citadel (Citadella), a fortress built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary's War of Independence in 1849. It was a prime, strategic site for shelling both Buda and Pest in the event of a future rebellion.
Liberty statue
Statue of Liberty (Szabadság Szobor) - Budapest's Statue of Liberty stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city. The statue was erected in 1947 during the Communist era. As Liberty had already become a symbol of the city, she was not removed unlike other Communist icons, such as the Red Army soldier who used to stand at her feet, allowing us to see her in her original surroundings.
Elisabeth bridge
Probably the most elegant bridge in Budapest was named in honor of Queen Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. The original suspension bridge was built at the end of the 19th century, but the damage sustained in World War II left the bridge beyond repair. Using the old pillars, a new bridge was built in the 1960s.
The Hungarian National Museum
The Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) is the oldest public museum in Hungary. The museum's present building was built between 1837 and 1847, and it stands as a great example of Neo-Classicist architecture. Founded 200 years ago, the museum is dedicated to the history of Hungary and today it remains a symbol of Hungary's national identity. The permanent exhibition includes furniture, textiles, weapons, metalwork, and ceramics. One of the most valuable items is the Coronation Mantle (the Crown Jewels are on display in Budapest's Parlament).
Budapest Scooter Tour
All our tours start and finish at Budapest Scooter Tour office at 1053 Budapest Vámház körút 10. The office is inside the courtyard of the building
What's included
- 50 cc gas scooter (passenger on 50 cc scooter is not allowed by law, 125 cc scooter eligible to carry a passenger for a surcharge and subject to availability)
- Safety helmet, gas, 3-rd party liability insurance, Intercom radio with a headset
- English-speaking tour guide
Exclusions:
The tour does not include meals, drinks, and admission tickets only if explicitly specified.
Requirements
Valid driver's license
50cc scooter: Car license or Moped license
125cc: Motorcycle license EU A1 category or international equivalent
Liability
The tour participant drives the scooter at his/her own risk. The driver is liable for damages caused to the scooter at his/her fault up to a maximum of 500 EUR/ 200.000 HUF