Things to do in

Matthias Church

Spend a magical evening as you feast on a catered candle-lit dinner aboard one of the most elegant and modern cruises in Budapest. Listen to live music, enjoy a festive welcome drink, and admire the city’s sparkling historical sites along the Danube River. Once you board the boat, be led to your table to receive your complimentary welcome drink. Then, sit back and relax as you enjoy your delicious 3 or 4-course dinner while listening to live music performed by local Hungarian artists. As you dine, benefit from retractable windows that ensure the best possible photo opportunities of the iconic Hungarian Parliament, which shines like a topaz jewel at night. Continue along the waters and marvel at the nighttime views of the enchanting Buda Castle, the grand Statue of Liberty, and the impressive Citadella on top of Gellért Hill. Sail past other famous landmarks along the river like Margaret Island, the Palace of Arts (MUPA), the National Theatre, and the Vigado Concert Hall. Glide under the illuminated Chain, Margit, and Erzsébet Bridges and watch as the Pest promenade comes to life with the sounds of street musicians and people dining on the patio-lined restaurants.

Your tour begins at the Holy Trinity Statue, from where you walk around the magnificent Matthias Church - built in the splendid Gothic style of the 15th century. Next to the cathedral you can admire the Fishermen's Bastion, a fantastic fairy tale structure offering the best view over the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament building. After a pleasant walk on the old cobble-stone streets, leave the residential district to travel to the President's Palace and the Royal Palace complexes. Walk around the courtyards and fountains, and look at the proud guards outside the palace. From the royal terraces you can enjoy the the most stunning views of the other side of the city across the majestic Danube River, with full views of its main bridges: Margaret Bridge, Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, and Liberty Bridge. After walking back from the Royal Palace, explore the other side of the castle. From the medieval walls you have an excellent view towards the Buda Hills - the western part of the city with its forests and nature parks. Your tour later ends at the tour starting point at the Holy Trinity Statue, in front of the Matthias Church.

As your 3-hour Grand City Tour of Budapest begins you’ll pass by the iconic Parliament building before crossing the Danube River by the Margaret Bridge. The coach will take you to the Royal Castle area on the Buda side, where you’ll enjoy a short walk to the Fisherman’s Bastion and to see the exterior of Matthias Church. Next, the tour continues up the Gellért Hill, where you’ll have a photo stop and time to take in the great views over all of Budapest. After this stop the coach will take you across the Elizabeth Bridge and along Andrássy Avenue to Heroes’ Square. Pass by the Opera and St. Stephen’s Basilica on the way back to the Intercontinental Hotel, where the tour ends.

This sightseeing program is a combination of 3 experiences: the Red and Green hop-on hop-off bus lines, a boat cruise, and a guided walking tour. The ticket is valid for 48 or 72 hours. There are 19 stops on the Red Bus Line route. You’ll have views of the Danube River and the Opera, and at the Oktogon stop you’ll find an abundance of restaurants and cafés. See Heroes' Square with its historical statues and famous museums. Nearby are the Budapest Zoo, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the Gundel restaurant, the Vajdahunyad Castle, and many more attractions. The bus stops at the New York Café, Astoria, Chain Bridge (funicular), and then heads up Castle Hill, stopping within walking distance of the Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Buda Castle, and other historical sites. You can get off the bus at the Citadel, the highest point in Budapest, and at the Central Market Hall. Take a sightseeing river cruise, starting from Dock 6 at Vigadó Square in downtown Pest. Pass the imposing Parliament building and enjoy panoramic views, before stopping at Margaret Island. Continue to see the Castle District, comprising the Royal Castle, Matthias Church, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, located on Castle Hill. Then you’ll reach the Liberty Monument and the Citadel on Gellért Hill. The tour continues in a southerly direction, providing you views of the bridges of Budapest, the National Theater, and the Palace of Arts. On the return cruise you’ll see the universities of Budapest and the Central Market Hall. The Blue Boat Line cruise ends back at Vigadó Square. Enjoy a guided walking tour that covers most all of the main attractions in Budapest. This is a show-up tour, so there’s no need to book in advance. It starts at 12 PM every day from the front of the Basilica. On the hop-on hop-off buses you can listen to audio commentary in multiple languages.

Enjoy our 3-hour live guided city tour with professional guides and then an unforgettable sightseeing cruise on the Danube. Your tour begins with a 3-hour Grand City Tour of Budapest. You will pass by the iconic Parliament building before crossing the Danube River by the Margaret Bridge. The coach will take you to the Royal Castle area on the Buda side, where you will enjoy a short walk to the Fisherman’s Bastion and to see the exterior of Matthias Church. Next, the tour continues up the Gellért Hill, where you will have a photo stop and time to take in the great views over all of Budapest. After this stop the coach will take you across the Elizabeth Bridge and along Andrássy Avenue to Heroes’ Square. Pass by the Opera and St. Stephen’s Basilica on the way back to the Intercontinental Hotel - EUrama office where the bus tour ends in order to start the Danube cruise experience. The boat tour departs from dock 6 MAHART and includes 1 stop. Passing by the imposing building of the Parliament you can admire the panorama of the Margaret Island. The Castle District – the Royal Castle - the Matthias Church & the Fisherman’s Bastion are located on the Castle Hill, the Liberty Monument and the Citadel are on the Gellert Hill. Continuing the tour in the southern direction you can see the bridges of Budapest, the National Theatre, the Palace of Arts. Getting back you can see the universities of Budapest, the Central Market Hall. The tour ends in the city center.

Enjoy a 3-hour dinner cruise in Budapest along the Danube River. A welcome drink will be waiting for you on board before departure. You will be served a 4-course meal and enjoy the entertainment of 2 pianists in a unique piano battle show. The hostess on board provides commentary about the melodies played during the piano battle. The cruise begins under the Elizabeth Bridge on the Pest side. You’ll head towards the Margaret Bridge where the boat turns and cruises to the last bridge of the city. At this point you’ll be able to see the National Theater and the Palace of Arts. From here, the boat turns once again and heads back to the starting point. During this cruise you’ll have views of many monuments and landmarks, including the Hungarian Technical and Economic University, Eötvös Lóránd University of Science, the National Theater, the Palace of Arts, the University of Corvinus, Pesti Vigadó, the Ministry of the Interior, Kossuth Square, the Parliament Building, Margaret Island, Matthias Church, the Royal Palace, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Statue of Liberty. Dinner Menu To start: Appetizers in a pastry basket and Pumpkin cream soup with roasted pumpkin seeds Main Course (3 options): Sablefish fillet with hollandaise sauce and vegetable lasagne or Duck leg confit with crispy white cabbage and gratin potatoes or Tender beef stew with polenta Dessert: Sponge cake

Experience the beautiful and historic city of Budapest with a day trip on a comfortable tour bus from Vienna. Take a comfortable ride through the plains of western Hungary to the city of Budapest, located on the scenic banks of the Danube River. Take an informative tour of the Buda and Pest districts, learning about their historical and cultural significance of the Hungarian capital along the way. Admire the most famous sights of the city, such as the majestic Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of the city. See the Hungarian Parliament Building, a building inspired by the Palace of Westminster, and Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, and enjoy a visit to Margaret Island as you learn the meanings of these diverse sights from your tour guide. At 17:00, return to Vienna and enjoy a drop off at your hotel.

Start at the Holy Trinity Statue, from where you walk around the magnificent Matthias Church. Admire the Fishermen's Bastion, a fantastic fairy tale structure offering the best view over the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament building.  Head to the President's Palace and the Royal Palace complexes and walk around the courtyards and fountains, and look at the proud guards outside the palace.  Walk back from the Royal Palace, and explore the other side of the castle. From the medieval walls, you have an excellent view towards the Buda Hills - the western part of the city with its forests and nature parks.  After the guided walking tour enjoy a few minutes break in the entrance hall of the Hospital in the Rock Museum. Receive a skip-the-line ticket from your tour guide and who will help you to join your scheduled visit to the museum. This will be the most exciting part of your tour. Have a 1-hour guided tour in the "Hospital in the Rock" WW2 underground bunker museum. This place used to be a secret military hospital hidden deep down below the Buda Castle. The hospital is part of a system of natural caves and tunnels, that stretches over nearly six miles. The museum that is located in the old rooms of the hospital was established to preserve its rich history.  See many rooms exhibiting hundreds of lifelike wax figures and showing you the story of the underground hospital, that was then turned into an atomic bunker during World War 2. Follow your guide through the tunnels of this place and get a feeling of what life during these times, especially as a wounded soldier must have looked like.

Enjoy the sights of Budapest in four different ways. See the Parliament or Buda Castle, take a grand tour of the city, or get a new perspective on Budapest with a sunset and night tour. Check out the Parliament buildings in the historic heart of the city on the Parliament Tour. Take in panoramic views of Buda and snap some wonderful photos. Explore the charming Castle District around enormous Buda Castle on the Buda Castle tour. See Mathias Church, enjoy the beautiful Fisherman's Bastion, and discover the historical atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the Grand City Tour to see both Buda Castle and the Parliament in one day, or go with the sunset and nighttime option to see beautiful Budapest at sunset from its two highest points at the castle and citadel.

Visit the Matthias Church in the Buda Castle, right on Castle Hill and easily reachable from the city center of Budapest. Spend an evening at this outstanding venue and experience a magical classical concert. Choose from 3 different seating categories, depending on your preferences, and listen to excellent artists performing the best of the best in classical music. The program for the concert, performed by the Duna String Orchestra and solist Gabora Gyula on the violin, is the following: Program: J. Pachebel - Canon A. Vivaldi  - The four seasons, Winter (2nd movement), Gloria (Domine Deus) J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042 (1st movement) G.F. Haendel - Water Music. HWV. 348. in F. major T. Albinoni - Adagio W.A. Mozart - Church Sonata in D major no. 4 KV 144 Saint-Saens - The Swan C. Frank - Panis Angelicus J.S. Bach - Air J. Massenet - Thais Meditation W.A. Mozart - A Little Night Music, Alleluja from Exsultate, Jubilate