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French Nights On The Danube – Savor Paris In Budapest

Experience French Nights on the Danube: a Parisian-inspired cruise in Budapest with sparkling wine, French snacks, live chansons, and city views. Unforgettable summer evenings for tourists and locals alike.
when: 2025.07.24. (csütörtök) - 2025.07.26. (szombat)
where: 1011 Budapest - 1. kerület - Várkerület, Batthyány tér, Mahart kikötő
🛳️

Step aboard a Mahart river cruise this summer and swap the busy streets of Budapest for a slice of Parisian life floating down the Danube (Duna). For three magical nights in July and August 2025, the city’s iconic landmarks get a French twist, complete with sparkling wine, French snacks, and the evocative sounds of classic chansons. Whether you’re a tourist seeking memorable experiences or a local looking for an unforgettable evening, French Days (Francia Napok) promise an irresistible blend of sights, flavors, and sounds—not to mention plenty of Instagram-worthy city views.

A Toast to Budapest’s Landmarks, Paris-Style

The journey sets off from Mahart’s Batthyány Square (Batthyány tér) dock, right in the heart of the city. For 50 minutes, you’ll drift past Budapest’s top attractions: the floodlit Parliament (Országház), the storied Chain Bridge (Lánchíd), Buda Castle (Budavári Palota), and more. The cityscape, reflected on the evening waters, is unmistakably Budapest, but the atmosphere feels distinctly French as chansons float through the air and bubbles fizz in your glass.

Choose your boarding time—7:20 PM, 8:30 PM, or 9:40 PM—to suit your evening plans; the later you sail, the more spectacular the city lights. Each ticket includes the cruise, a glass of champagne, and a classic French nibble to get you in a continental mood.

Tickets, Dates, and What’s Included

French Days on Mahart cruises run twice in 2025: July 24th to 26th and August 21st to 23rd. The departure point remains Batthyány Square (Batthyány tér), easily accessible to both locals and visitors.

Ticket prices are refreshingly easy to remember:
– Single Adult: $20
– Couple: $36
– Group of 10: $170

That covers everything—entry aboard, your welcome drink, a French-style snack, and all the visual opulence the Danube (Duna) can offer at twilight.

Where to Stay: Sleep with the Best Views

If you want to make French Days part of a longer Budapest getaway, choose from a range of hotels nestled in the city’s historic core—most just steps from the World Heritage-listed Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) and Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya).

Four-star boutique hotels at the foot of Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) offer panoramic rooms just a ten-minute walk from landmarks like Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) and the bustling business quarter on the Pest side, via the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd). The scenic district, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure since 1987, delights foodies and culture-seekers alike with a wealth of restaurants, cozy coffeehouses, and wine bars.

Prefer something grand? Hilton Budapest blends luxury with history, mixing modern interiors with elements of a 13th-century Dominican monastery, complete with breathtaking Danube (Duna) and Parliament (Országház) views. The medieval cloister doubles as a stunning outdoor venue for concerts and parties.

If a friendly, laid-back stay is more your speed, try the Exe Carlton Budapest, Gold Hotel Budapest, or Hotel Castle Garden—each with air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi, and a reputation for warm Hungarian hospitality in the heart of the city. For a boutique experience with unbeatable river views, Hotel Clark Budapest sits right on the Danube (Duna), next to the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd).

No visit would be complete without hotel amenities: think free fitness centers, saunas, minibars, and all the little touches that turn a city break into something truly memorable.


Eats and Drinks: From Fine Dining to Street Eats

Budapest’s culinary scene along the riverbank blends international flavors with local character. Classic Hungarian restaurants like 21 Hungarian Restaurant (21 Magyar Vendéglő) reinvent old favorites with a lighter, modern twist. Grab a coffee from Goosebumps, or relax with gluten-free, vegan, or raw cakes. For a more global palette, Arriba Taquería serves up fresh, authentic Mexican fare; Art BistroBar on Bem quay (Bem rakpart) offers international bistro classics; and Belgium is represented by the city’s first Belgian pub, also on the riverfront.

Those craving tradition can head to the storied Golden Barrel (Arany Hordó), once the king’s chief cupbearer’s residence, now an atmospheric cellar for candlelit wine tastings and dinners that evoke the court days of King Matthias (Mátyás király).

For more exclusive flavors, Golden Caviar (Arany Kaviár) is a fine-dining destination that combines imperial grandeur with modern flair, and it has been recommended by Michelin since 2009. If all you want is a brilliant view, a relaxed atmosphere, and a delicious dessert, Angelika is a café-restaurant famous for its house-made cakes and generous breakfasts, seating up to 200 guests on its panoramic terrace.

Good to Know

Plan ahead: organizers reserve the right to alter dates and programs. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly as the summer season gets fully booked by tourists and locals alike.

This isn’t just another city tour—it’s Paris meets Budapest on the Danube (Duna), served sparkling, right on the river.

2025, adminboss

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