Budapest

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

To get the best experience in Budapest, including unforgettable Danube River cruise shore excursions, then book one of our friendly local Guides4me tour guides, who provide seamless port pickup and timely return to your ship while showing you the city like a true insider. Whether you want to explore iconic landmarks along the Danube or venture off the beaten track to discover hidden gems and authentic local experiences, our private, personalized tours ensure you feel like a local and make the most of your time in Budapest.

Mirabbos

Mirabbos is LGBT friendly and speaks English, Russian, Uzbek, Tajik and Farsi.

Meet Mirabbos, who holds a Master’s degree in Tourism Management and has been working as a professional tour guide since 2019, combining academic expertise with genuine passion for sharing unforgettable experiences. Over the years, he has specialized in delivering personalized city tours as well as private shore excursions for Danube River cruise guests, ensuring seamless port pick-up, perfectly timed returns, and enriching experiences tailored to each traveler’s interests.

Alongside his current role as a project associate, he continues to dedicate himself to showcasing the very best of Budapest, from its iconic landmarks to its hidden courtyards, local cafés, and lesser-known treasures. In his free time, Mirabbos enjoys cooking, hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends. Passions that reflect his energetic, warm, and welcoming personality. Deeply devoted to his city and its culture, he is eager to help you discover not just the sights of Budapest, but its true spirit.

Total cost for the guide services of Mirabbos for one day (8 hours) = a booking fee of 39 Euro via Paypal, debit / credit cards, bank transfer or Crypto Currency plus 80 Euro in cash to Mirabbos after his services.  This makes a total of 119 Euro.

This excludes any transport, entrance fees or any food & beverage costs.

“Mirabbos was amazing. Very nice, very friendly and very knowledgeable. We had a great time with him going to the sites in Budapest. Definitely will use your services again and recommend to all our friends” – Jose, USA

“Mirabbos was a terrific guide. He is very knowledgeable and takes special care to tailormake your tour to your own requirements. We had a brilliant day. If you want a knowledgeable guide with a great friendly personality, then Mirabbos is definately your guy” – David, Ireland.

Basil

Basil is LGBT friendly and speaks English & Arabic.

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Basil, not just a guide but a maven of exploration in the heart of Hungary. By day, he engineers robots, crafting the future. However, by night, he transforms into your gateway to the wonders of Budapest.

Buckle up for a journey that spans the mystical landscapes, guided by Basil’s expertise that extends far beyond city limits. Beyond the tourist trails, Basil, the guitar-strumming maestro, invites you to experience Budapest not as a spectator but as a welcomed companion. It’s not just a tour; it’s a symphony of discovery led by a guide whose passion and knowledge turn each moment into an exhilarating chapter of your odyssey. Therefore, book Basil for an unforgettable journey, and let Budapest unfold before you like never before, pulsating with the rhythm of adventure!

Total cost for the guide services of Basil for one day (8 hours) = a booking fee of 39 Euro via Paypal, debit / credit cards, bank transfer or Crypto Currency plus 80 Euro in cash to Basil after his services.  This makes a total of 119 Euro.

This excludes any transport, entrance fees or any food & beverage costs.

“Basil was awesome. He told us that he treated guests like he would treat his friends visiting the city and that’s exactly how we felt.  Basil is kind, warm and made us feel like we were friends for years. He even offered me his coat when I said I was cold. We ended the day by going for the best meal that included meat, meat and more meat and included bread, bread and more bread, delicious. We were not allowed to go for the famous dessert across the street until we finished the full meal, which we didn’t 😜. We did still have dessert though. Finally, he is an asset to your team and will remain in my contacts list as a friend, because that’s exactly how he made us feel” – Ryan, UK

“Basil is very friendly and educated guy, we had a great few days, we wish we could have stayed longer.” – Richard & Pete, USA

Highlights of Budapest

Budapest is nostalgic capital of Hungary. It is formed by two parts. “Buda” and “Pest”. Running through the middle is the River Danube. The two parts came as one after 1873. The Szechenyi Chain Bridge joins both parts. The city’s population is 1.75 million. Therefore making it the 10th largest city in Europe.

Budapest has been influenced many cultures. Starting with the Celtics, followed by the Romans, the Mongols, the Ottomans, and finally the grand Austro-Hungarian Empire. Castle Hill is on the Buda side of Budapest. You can take the funicular tram to go up Castle Hill to reach Buda’s old town. On top of this hill is the 13th Century Buda Castle.

One of the top attractions in Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament Building which is a spectacle at night. Its architecture was based on the British Houses of Parliament with its Neo-Gothic architecture.

🚢 Major River Cruise Lines Serving Budapest

• Viking River Cruises – Offers multiple Danube itineraries that call at Budapest, such as Danube Waltz, Romantic Danube, and longer tours connecting to other European rivers.

• Avalon River Cruises – Features Danube routes departing from or stopping in Budapest, including Balkan discovery options that visit Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

• AmaWaterways – Operates Danube cruises that typically include Budapest as a highlight along Central Europe routes.

• CroisiEurope Cruises – Runs Danube and Central Europe/Balkans journeys that start or stop in Budapest, connecting it with destinations like Belgrade and Croatia.

• Amadeus River Cruises – Offers classic Danube sailings that include Budapest among key cities visited.

• Other lines (e.g., Uniworld, Emerald Cruises, Scenic, Riverside) also include Budapest on various Danube itineraries, depending on the specific route and season.

All of these cruise lines operate on the Danube and typically position Budapest as either an embarkation/disembarkation port or a featured stop due to its rich cultural heritage and scenic riverfront, making it one of the most popular cities on European river cruise routes.

Budapest sits right on the Danube River, so it’s a major port of call on many Danube river cruise itineraries, especially those exploring Central and Eastern Europe between cities like Vienna, Bratislava, and beyond. For example, multi-day Danube cruises from companies such as Riverside Luxury Cruises include Budapest as a start, mid-cruise, and end point on their itineraries, with stops in Hungary and surrounding countries. These journeys highlight the rich history and iconic architecture of Budapest along with other key Danube destinations.

Why Our Private Shore Excursions Are Better Than Cruise Line Group Excursions:

Our private excursions offer a far more personalized and flexible experience than the standard group tours cruise lines typically arrange. While cruise line tours tend to involve large groups, fixed itineraries, strict schedules, and limited time at each stop, our private shore excursions are tailored just for you and your travel companions, with customized itineraries, flexible pacing, and deeper local insights from expert guides.

Because private tours focus on your preferences instead of a one-size-fits-all schedule, you’ll spend more meaningful time at the attractions that matter most to you and enjoy richer storytelling from a local perspective. Smaller groups also mean less waiting, more interaction with your guide, and the freedom to adjust your plan last minute, all while still coordinating closely with your ship’s schedule so you return well before departure.

In short, Guides4me’s private shore excursions turn a port call in Budapest into a more personal, authentic, comfortable, and memorable experience compared with standard cruise line group tours.

Finally, whatever you choose to do in Budapest, it will be a unique and memorable experience of a lifetime, with a Guides4me guide, who will look after you and by the end of the trip you’ve made a best friend.

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