Budapest Dinner Cruise – a guide to choosing the perfect evening on Danube river

Gliding along the Danube at night, with Budapest’s illuminated skyline reflecting on the water, is an experience unlike any other.

A dinner cruise offers the perfect way to enjoy this breathtaking scenery while indulging in delicious food, live music, and cultural entertainment.

But with so many options available—from romantic candlelit dinners to lively folk dance shows and wine-tasting experiences—choosing the right cruise can be overwhelming.

This guide breaks down Budapest’s best Danube dinner cruises, highlighting their unique features, menus, and entertainment styles.

Important: No matter which dinner cruise you book, your tickets will be emailed to you—no printing needed. Show the ticket on your mobile device and board the cruise!

Video: What to expect on Dinner Cruises

Now let’s list the six best dinner cruises to sail out on the Danube river.

Hungarian Dinner Cruise with Live Music

Enjoy a magical evening on the Danube with the Hungarian Dinner Cruise with Live Music. This cruise offered by Legenda offers a mix of sightseeing, traditional Hungarian food, and live Gypsy music in a relaxed and romantic setting.

Timings: The cruise runs from 7 pm to 9 pm, with about 1.5 hours of cruising time.

Route: Sail past Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Spa, and the city’s iconic bridges. The route stretches from Margaret Island to Rakoczi Bridge before returning to the Chain Bridge.

Live Music: A Gypsy Trio Band plays traditional salon music, featuring the cimbalom, a classic Hungarian instrument. The Rajko Gypsy Band sometimes performs special pieces upon request.

Dinner: Enjoy a self-serve, all-you-can-eat buffet featuring Hungarian favorites like goulash soup, beef paprikash with homemade noodles, and Hungarian strudels. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available, though the buffet may not be suitable for those with severe allergies due to cross-contamination risks.

Drinks: Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a bottle of mineral water, and one additional drink (beer, wine, or a soft drink). More drinks are available for purchase at the bar.

The Boat: Cruise in style on a “nostalgia boat” with an open deck. The boat is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer for year-round comfort.

Meeting Point: Near the Chain Bridge, behind Gresham Palace. Look for the Gróf Széchenyi boat. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in. Get Directions

Menu Highlights

• Soups: Hungarian Goulash Soup or Veggie Soup
• Main Course: Beef Paprikash with Homemade Noodles
• Dessert: Selection of Hungarian Strudels

Ticket prices

Adult (13 to 64 years): €69
Child (6 to 12 years): €50
Senior (65+ years): €67
Student (with ID): €67

Check out: Different types of Danube River Cruises

Budapest Dinner Cruise & Gypsy Band

Enjoy a lively evening on the Danube with a mix of sightseeing, traditional Hungarian food, and live Gypsy music. This cruise offers stunning night views of Budapest, creating a romantic and entertaining atmosphere.

Timings: The cruise runs from 7 pm to 9 pm (1.5 hours of cruising). Boarding starts at 6.30 pm, and the boat departs at 7.15 pm.

Route: Sail past Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament, Gellért Hill, and the city’s iconic bridges. The route stretches from Margaret Island to Rakoczi Bridge before returning to the Chain Bridge.

Live Music & Entertainment: A Gypsy Trio Band plays traditional salon music featuring the cimbalom, a unique Hungarian instrument. Folk dancers also perform, adding to the cultural experience.

Dinner: Enjoy a buffet-style dinner with Hungarian favorites like goulash soup, beef paprikash, stuffed cabbage, and strudels. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. The food is tasty and well-prepared but not considered fine dining.

Drinks: Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a bottle of mineral water, and one additional drink (wine, beer, or a soft drink). More drinks are available for purchase, including a wine-tasting option and an unlimited drink package.

The Boat: Cruise on a nostalgia-style boat with an open deck, air conditioning in summer, and heating in winter.

Meeting Point: Near the Chain Bridge, behind Gresham Palace. Look for the Gróf Széchenyi boat. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in. Get Directions

Ticket prices

Adult (13+ years): €89
Child (6 to 12 years): €60
Student (with ID): €86

Recommended

Enjoy Prosecco cruise on Danube
Must-see attractions on Danube cruise
Look what’s inside the Budapest Parliament
Visit the Budapest Parliament at night

Budapest Candlelit Dinner Cruise – A La Carte Experience

The Budapest Candlelit Dinner Cruise offers a romantic and elegant dining experience on the Danube River, perfect for couples and small groups.

The cruise has a high-end, movie-like feel and is very popular, often selling out—especially during holidays.

In winter, the boat has a heated glass-enclosed deck for panoramic views, while in summer, you can enjoy the open air and the city lights.

Note: For safety, tables have electric candles instead of real ones.

Timings: The cruise operates daily and lasts for 2.5 hours.

• From September to April, it runs from 7 pm to 9.30 pm
• From May to August, it runs from 7.45 pm to 10.15 pm

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.

Dinner: A 4-course à la carte meal is served at your table (not a buffet). You choose from a menu that includes dishes like tartar beefsteak, pumpkin cream soup, cold goose liver, and scallops. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

Drinks: A welcome drink (champagne, wine, beer, soft drink, or mineral water) is included with the cruise ticket. However, you can purchase more drinks from the onboard bar.

Live Music: A pianist-singer duo performs soft, contemporary music, adding to the romantic ambiance.

Seating: You get your own table, with seating assigned based on booking order.

Route: The cruise passes Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including the Palace of Arts, National Museum, and Margaret Island, covering all the must-see sights along the Danube River.

Meeting Point: Dock 7, Jane Haining rakpart, 1052 Budapest (between the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and Elisabeth Bridge). Look for a “Legenda City Cruises” sign. Get Directions

Ticket prices

Adult (13 to 64 years): €110
Child (3 to 12 years): €84

Night cruise: Have a lovely time on Danube cruise at night

Budapest Evening Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance Show

Enjoy a lively cultural evening on the Danube River with a mix of traditional Hungarian folk music, dance performances, and dinner.

This 2 to 2.5-hour cruise offers a fun and engaging way to experience Hungarian traditions while admiring Budapest’s illuminated skyline.

This cruise is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy live Hungarian folk dance and operetta music while taking in the stunning views of Budapest at night.

Music & Dance: Watch traditional Hungarian folk dances, including impressive performances like the Bottle Dance (women balancing bottles on their heads) and Stick Dances (men performing with shepherd’s sticks). Dancers wear colorful costumes, representing different regions of Hungary, and are accompanied by a live folk band, often featuring the cimbalom, a unique Hungarian instrument.

Interactive Fun: You can learn a few Hungarian dance steps in an optional interactive workshop and take photos with the dancers.

Dinner: Choose between an à la carte meal with options like duck, chicken, pork, or vegan dishes or a buffet-style dinner, depending on the cruise.

Route: Enjoy breathtaking night views of Budapest, passing Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament, and the city’s famous bridges.

The Boat: Cruises take place on either a modern catamaran or a nostalgia-style boat, both of which are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.

Seating: You will have your own private table for you and your group.

Drinks: A welcome drink (sparkling wine or a soft drink) is included, with additional drinks available.

Boarding: The meeting point is next to the Elizabeth Bridge on the Pest side. The dock number is 11. Get Directions

Ticket prices

Adult (4+ years): €77

Cruise with drinks: Hop on a Danube booze cruise and enjoy unlimited drinks of your choice!

Danube Dinner Cruise with Live Piano Music

Enjoy a relaxing and elegant evening on the Danube River with a delicious à la carte dinner and live piano music.

This cruise offers stunning night views of Budapest’s landmarks while creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

Timings: The cruise runs from 7 pm to 9.30 pm, with boarding 30 minutes before departure. The duration is 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the season.

Route: Sail past Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage sites along the river.

Live Music: A pianist performs bar music and operetta, creating a soothing background without overpowering conversations. On some nights, the cruise may feature a special “Piano Music and Battle Show”.

Dinner: Guests enjoy a served à la carte meal, with options like duck, chicken, pork, or vegan dishes. The menu changes seasonally based on fresh ingredients. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free meals are available upon request but must be arranged in advance.

Drinks: A welcome drink (sparkling wine or a soft drink) is included. You can purchase additional drinks on the boat.

Seating: Each group gets a private table. The cruise takes place on the upper deck, which is narrower with two rows of tables. A folk and operetta dinner cruise may be a better choice if you prefer a spacious deck.

The Boat: The cruise is on a modern catamaran, heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer for comfort.

Meeting Point: The boarding area is Jane Hanning rakpart, Dock 11 (Petőfi Square, Erzsébet Bridge). Get Directions

Ticket prices

Adult (4+ years): €77

Are you a partier? Take the fun to the boat party on Danube

Budapest Wine Tasting Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing evening on the Danube with a wine-tasting experience and a multi-course dinner, all while taking in the beautifully lit sights of Budapest.

This cruise takes place on the historic Count Szechenyi paddle boat, adding a touch of old-world charm to your journey.

This cruise is perfect for wine lovers and those looking for a delightful evening with great food, music, and stunning river views.

Timings: The cruise runs from 7 pm to 9 pm, with boarding from 6.30 pm. The actual sailing time is about 1.5 hours.

Route: Sail past Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament, and the city’s historic bridges.

Wine Tasting: Sample five different Hungarian wines, each served in 100ml portions and paired with your meal. The wine selection changes weekly and features famous Hungarian varieties from regions like Tokaj, Villány, and Balaton. Note: There is no sommelier on board to provide guided tastings.

Dinner: Enjoy a five-course meal, with dishes like Eggplant Spread, Duck Breast with Plums, Beef Stew with Merlot, Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage, and Somlói Cream Dessert. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Music & Entertainment: A live Gypsy Band performs during the cruise, along with a Folk Dance Show.

Drinks: Your ticket includes a welcome drink and a 250ml bottle of mineral water.

The Boat: The Count Szechenyi paddle boat features an open-air terrace for better views and photo opportunities. The boat is air-conditioned for comfort.

Meeting Point: Near the Chain Bridge, behind Gresham Palace. Look for the Gróf Széchenyi boat. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in. Get Directions

Ticket prices

Adult (64 years and younger): €109
Senior (65+ years): €105
Student (with ID): €105