Budapest Fireworks Cruise with Dinner/Drinks

The festive Budapest Fireworks Show takes place on 20th August (St. Stephen’s Day) every year, celebrating the foundation of the Hungarian state and canonization of its first king: St. Stephen.

The best place to watch the show is from a ship on the river since the fireworks are launched from:

• Three bridges (Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge and Margaret Bridge), as well as
• Several barges and pontoons on the Danube in front of the Parliament

• 18.00 – Boarding at Dock 1/b, Address: Batthyány tér Dokk 1/b, Budapest 1011 (Buda side)
• 18.30 – Departure – 1.5-hour cruise along the Danube
• 20.00 – Return to Dock 1/B
• 21.00 – Start of fireworks
• 22.00 – End of fireworks & tour

Attractions You’ll See On the 1.5-Hour Cruise:

Batthyányi square – Matthias Church – Fishermen’s Bastion – Buda Castle/Royal Palace – Castle Garden Bazaar – Elizabeth Bridge – Rudas Bath – Gellert Hill – Gellert Bath – Petőfi Bridge – A38 concert ship – Palace of Arts – National Theatre – The “Whale” Building – Central Market – Chain Bridge – Shoes on the Danube Memorial – Parliament – Margaret Island

You can enjoy drinks all night long from the following options.

• Prosecco
• Spritzers:
  • Hugo (elderflower syrup, lime, mint, prosecco, soda)
  • Bellini (white-fleshed peach, prosecco)
  • Rossini (fresh strawberry pulp, prosecco)
  • Mediterranean spritzer (Italian amaro, cucumber, ginger, fresh lemonade)
• Wines: white, rose
• Draught beer
• Elderflower lemonade

• Mozzarella, tomato and fresh basil sandwich
• Cured ham, dried tomatoes, and arugula sandwich
• Italian salami, aged cheese, and cucumber sandwich
• Tortilla with Salmon and fresh cream cheese
• Caprese with green olives
• Chicken breast strips in crispy crumb, with remoulade sauce
• Rosemary pizza bread bites with homemade ajvar
• Salted nuts
• Seasonal fresh fruits
• Chocolate brownie

• 18.30 – Boarding at the Dock (depending on which food option you chose)
• 19.00 – 1.5-hour cruise along the Danube
• 20.00 – Return to Dock
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of fireworks & tour

Attractions You’ll See:

Batthyányi square – Matthias Church – Fishermen’s Bastion – Buda Castle/Royal Palace – Castle Garden Bazaar – Elizabeth Bridge – Rudas Bath – Gellert Hill – Gellert Bath – Petőfi Bridge – A38 concert ship – Palace of Arts – National Theatre – The “Whale” Building – Central Market – Chain Bridge – Shoes on the Danube Memorial – Parliament – Margaret Island

• 18.30 – Boarding starts at the Akadémia port (Akadémia Dock 1-3. 1052 Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp. | Gróf Széchenyi Ship, see map above)
• 19.00 – 1.5-hour cruise starts, buffet dinner
• 20.30 – Return to Akadémia 2 Dock
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Akadémia 2 port next to the Chain Bridge
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Returning to Akadémia 2 port at the Chain Bridge

You can enjoy drinks all night long from the following options.

• Beer: Borsodi, Staropramen, Hoegaarden;
• Local wines: Molnár ès Fiai Olaszrizling, Molnár és Fiai Rosé Cuvée, Varsányi Kékfrankos, Dubicz Muscat Ottonel,
• Sparkling Wine: Törley Ice,
• Soft Drinks:
  • Pepsi,
  • Pepsi Max,
  • Mirinda,
  • 7UP,
  • Canada Dry,
  • Still & Sparkling water)

• 18.00 – Boarding at the Dock (please be there 18.10 the latest)
• 18.30 – 1.5-hour cruise starts
• 20.00 – Return to Dock
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of fireworks & program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Dock 11
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Back to Dock 11

• 17.30 – Boarding starts at the Dock: Address: Jane Haining rakpart Dock 3/a, Budapest 1051 (See map above!)
• 18.00 – 1.5-hour cruise begins
• 20.00 – Return to Dock
• 21.00 – 21.30 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of fireworks & program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Vigadó 6 Dock
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Back to Vigadó 6 Dock

• 17.30 – Boarding starts at the Dock 11: Address: Jane Haining rakpart Dock 22, Budapest 1051 (See map above!)
• 18.00 – 2-hour cruise starts, Dinner is served
• 20.00 – Return to Dock 11
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.30 – End of program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Dock 11 next to Elizabeth Bridge
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Returning to Dock 11 at Elizabeth Bridge

Amuse-bouche:

• Vegan cranberry pecan cheese ball

Soup:

• Veal ragout soup with potato dumplings
• Seasonal soup

Main Course Options:

1. Salmon steak in black sesame crust with with chili-mint green pea purée and pea fritter
2. Chicken breast with celery purée, bread dumpling with spinach and pickled red onion
3. Duck leg confit with gravy sauce, and cabbage noodles in chimney cake garnish,
4. Pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon served with grilled potatos and red onion chutney
5. Beef ragout made with dark beer, mushrooms and dark chocolate, served with bread dumpling,
6. Hungarian vegan ratatouille

Dessert Selection:

1. White chocolate and lemon-pistachio sponge cake, or
2. Chili chocolate mousse with pecan nuts, or
3. Strawberry-basil chia pudding

• 18.30 – Boarding starts at the Akadémia port (Akadémia Dock 1-3. 1052 Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp. | Gróf Széchenyi Ship, see map above)
• 19.00 – 1.5-hour cruise starts, buffet dinner
• 20.30 – Return to Akadémia 2 Dock
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Akadémia 2 port next to the Chain Bridge
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Returning to Akadémia 2 port at the Chain Bridge

Soup:

• Hungarian goulash soup
• Seasonal creamed vegeatbles soup

Main Course Options:

1. Turkey meat stuffed with fruits with gravy on top (L, G)
2. Traditional beef paprikash stew with dumplings called nokedli (G, L)
3. Hungarian stuffed cabbage (G, L)
4. Vegetable casserole with Rice and green peas (G, V)
5. Vegetable couscous (L, Vn)

Side dishes:

• Rice (G, L, Vn)
• Dumplings (L, V)
• Roast potatoes seasoned with parsley (G, L, Vn)

Salads:

• Mixed salad with pesto dressing (L, G, Vn)
• Cucumber salad (L, G, Vn)
• Pasta Salad with yoghurt dressing (L, G, V)

Dessert Selection:

• Strudel selection – cottage cheese, sour cherry and apple filling (L, Vn)
• Somlói trifle dessert (V)
• Fruit bowl (only on request for those unable to eat other desserts)

L – lactose free
G – gluten free
Vn – vegan, vegetarian
V – vegetarian

• 18.00 – Boarding starts at the Dock 3/a: Jane Haining rakpart Dock 3/a, 1051, Budapest (See map above)
• 19.00 – 1.5-hour cruise starts, dinner is served
• 20.30 – Return to Dock 3/a
• 21.00 – Watching the fireworks
• 22.00 – End of program

Attractions You’ll See – Cruise Itinerary:

• Dock 3/a between Elizabeth bridge and the Chain Bridge
• Margaret Island
• Elizabeth Bridge
• Chain Bridge
• National Theatre/Palace of Arts
• Gellért Hill
• Buda Castle: Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion
• Parliament
• Returning to Dock 3/a

• 4 barges and a pontoon on the Danube between Kossuth Sqr. and Garibaldi utca
• 3 barges and a pontoon on the river between Eilzabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge
• From the Liberty Brigde, Elizabeth Bridge and Margaret Bridge

That’s why a ship anchored on the river provides an excellent viewing point.

Several bridges (the most obvious choices as viewing venues) will be closed – Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge for sure – so the best viewing spots will not be accessible.

The Petőfi and Rákóczi Bridges are good choices though if you can stand in crowd for an hour or more.