Hungary River Cruises

River cruises to Hungary serve up castle-crowned cities, history-filled streets and rural village retreats. Budapest is the city that goes biggest, which is no surprise given that it’s the capital. It’s on the western banks of the Danube – which draws a squiggly line down the middle of the country – and boasts famous thermal baths, ruin bars and grand, Romanesque and Gothic architecture. In the south, close to the Croatian border, the town of Mohacs offers a more traditional view of Hungarian life, thanks to its daintier size.

Switch your attention to the northern border, where Hungary nudges Slovakia, and you’ll see Esztergom. Its grand basilica is a real eye-catcher, and the surrounding streets are great for authentic Hungarian fare. You’ll leave the river behind when you drop anchor in Kalocsa – the port’s separate from the actual town, which is a short drive inland. It’s got a reputation as the planet’s paprika capital, and has a striking custard-coloured palace in its centre.