Danube Promenade

The scenic expanse of the Danube Promenade is ideal for sightseeing as you can spot several top attractions that contribute to Budapest's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Danube walking tours, tuk-tuk tours, and bike tours often cruise here.

Independent travelers can easily reach this waterfront attraction while visiting sights in District V like St. Stephen’s Basilica, Liberty Square, and the Hungarian National Museum. While you stroll, be sure to stop at the somber Shoes on the Danube sculpture—a monument to victims of riverside assasination during World War II—located just south of the Hungarian Parliament Building, on the riverbank.

• To see more in less time, Danube River Cruises are a great option for checking out the waterfront sights.
• Movie buffs find several film locations along the Danube Promenade; film tours are the best way to spot them.
• The area may be challenging to explore with a stroller as curbs and cobblestones mean uneven surfaces.

The Danube Promenade is easiest to reach by public transit. The most scenic route is the #2 tram, which offers easy access to attractions like the foodie-friendly Central Market and Vigadó Concert Hall. Alternatively, take the metro to Vörösmarty tér or Ferenciek Tere, or take the guesswork out of getting around with a private tour.

Although there's really no bad time to stroll along the Danube, an evening walk is a great choice. You can watch the setting sun descend over the Buda Hills and see the lights illuminate the Chain Bridge and Castle Hill. If you visit during the busy summer season, expect more crowds, so visit in late spring or early fall for fewer tourists and typically pleasant weather.

Architecture enthusiasts can find several standout examples of Art Nouveau and Secession-style buildings just steps from the Danube Promenade. Highlights include the neo-Renaissance Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Gresham Palace (now a Four Seasons property), and the Postal Savings Bank, situated just one block from Liberty Square. The best way to see them all is with an Art Nouveau Budapest tour, which offer helpful narration as you go.

Yes, you can walk along the Danube in Budapest. The most scenic spot to walk on the Pest side is known as the Danube Promenade, a pedestrianized area that passes between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge. It offers great views of Buda Castle.

The Danube Promenade is a pedestrianized riverfront boardwalk that runs between the Elisabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge on the Pest side of Budapest. It's the site of the Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to honor the Jews who were shot into the Danube in World War II.

Yes, visiting the Danube Promenade is worth it. Not only is it a great place for a stroll, but it’s also a good place to go to get photos of some of the city’s most picturesque architectural features, including Gellért Hill, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge.

The Danube Promenade is great to visit day or night. Visiting first thing in the morning is ideal if you want to take pictures without running into crowds, but if you come after sunset, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of illuminated bridges and buildings.

It does not cost anything to visit the Danube Promenade. It’s a public walkway and, as such, it is accessible to all at no cost. Many Budapest tours include visits to the Danube Promenade, but fees are for guide services, not for entering the esplanade itself.

The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial sculpture that honors Jewish people who were shot into the river by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944 and 1945. The victims were forced to remove their footwear before being shot so that militants could sell the shoes for a profit.