Budapest, if you didn’t know, is actually divided into two parts - Buda (on the western side) and Pest (on the eastern side), separated by the Danube River. The Pest side is the more touristic part of the city, where most visitors spend their time and where the majority of cruises depart from.
The docks on the Pest side are located in the city center, with most of them situated between Elisabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge, though there are also some departure points further north from the Chain Bridge, across from Margaret Island.
Here are all the cruises in Budapest that depart from the Pest side:
Pest, the eastern side of Budapest, is considered the modern and touristic part of the city. Here you’ll find government and cultural centers, most of the city’s must-see sites, as well as the majority of hotels, shops, and restaurants.
The city’s longest and most popular promenade, the Danube Promenade, is also located on the Pest side. The central area of Pest along the Danube, together with Andrássy Avenue and the historic city center, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Danube Promenade: The section between Elisabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge, known as the “Danube Promenade,” is one of the most popular areas for walking in Pest. Along the promenade, you’ll find the famous Shoes on the Danube memorial, cafés, restaurants, and excellent hotels. It’s also a convenient area for accessing most cruise docks.
Andrássy Avenue: Andrássy Avenue is one of Budapest’s main boulevards, connecting central Pest with the City Park.
Belváros-Lipótváros (District 5): A highly touristic area where you can find the Parliament Building, Liberty Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and more.
Jewish Quarter (District 7): The Jewish Quarter, located on the Pest side around Dohány Street and the Great Synagogue, is Budapest’s nightlife district, filled with hundreds of bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafés. Don’t miss the famous Gozsdu Courtyard, packed with bars and thousands of visitors every night of the week.
Palace District (District 8): A popular and lively area on the Pest side where you’ll find the Hungarian National Museum and major universities, surrounded by historic and charming cafés.
City Park (Városliget, District 14): A cultural and recreational area that has recently been renewed, now home to the new House of Hungarian Music and the Museum of Ethnography. Nearby are also the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
Hungarian Parliament Building: One of the most iconic buildings in Pest and a national symbol of Hungary. It stands in the city center right on the Danube and is beautifully illuminated at night. The building is one of the main highlights seen during a Danube River cruise.
St. Stephen’s Basilica: A magnificent church and one of the city’s best-known landmarks, offering a stunning panoramic view of Budapest from its dome.
The Great Synagogue on Dohány Street: The largest synagogue in Europe, which also includes a museum and attracts millions of visitors each year from around the world.
Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial: A very famous and moving memorial on the banks of the Danube Promenade, commemorating the hundreds of Jews who were murdered by the Hungarian Arrow Cross militia during the Holocaust in 1944-1945.
Great Market Hall: One of the most popular tourist attractions on the Pest side, located at the end of Váci Street.
Pest is flat and very easy to walk around. Metro line M1 runs along Andrássy Avenue to City Park, while lines M2 and M3 connect all the city’s main stations. We also recommend taking tram line 2, which runs along the Danube and is considered one of the most scenic tram routes in Europe.
