Relaxed Budapest and Lake Balaton Itinerary with One Night Danube River Cruise and Austria Tour

Day 1: Arrival & Relaxation

Budapest, Hungary on June 7, 2025

5:00pm

Arrival and Hotel Check-in

Your mom arrives late afternoon; ensure comfortable airport transfer and hotel check-in for rest after her flight.
Variable, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Hotel Restaurant

Enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel restaurant to unwind and prepare for the days ahead.
Variable, 1h30m

Day 2: Parliament & Margaret Island

Budapest, Hungary on June 8, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Cserpes Tejivó

Start your day with fresh dairy delights and pastries at Cserpes Tejivó, open 7am to 7pm.
HUF 1500 approx., 30m

9:00am

Hungarian Parliament Tour

Tour the iconic Parliament (8am-6pm), an architectural marvel with guided visits booked in advance.
HUF 3900 per person, 1h30m

11:00am

Shopping and Leisure

Return to your hotel or enjoy boutiques along Andrássy Avenue for a relaxed shopping experience.
Variable, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Café Gerbeaud

Experience legendary Hungarian pastries and light lunch in this historic café, open 9am onwards.
HUF 4500 approx., 1h

2:30pm

Margaret Island Walk or Bike

Spend the afternoon strolling or cycling through the peaceful Margaret Island park and gardens.
Free, 2h

5:00pm

Rest at Hotel

Return to the hotel to relax and refresh before dinner.
Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Pest-Buda Bistro

Enjoy authentic Hungarian cuisine in a warm, historic atmosphere, open until 11pm.
HUF 6000 approx., 1h30m

Day 3: Buda Castle & River Cruise

Budapest, Hungary on June 9, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at New York Café

Savour a sumptuous breakfast in this historic café, open from 7am.
HUF 5500 approx., 1h

9:30am

Buda Castle Visit

Tour Buda Castle and museums; open 10am to 6pm, admire great views of Budapest.
HUF 2000 plus museum fees, 2h

11:30am

Fisherman’s Bastion

Visit Fisherman’s Bastion for spectacular panoramic views; open 24 hours, free entry outside towers.
Free, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at 21 Hungarian Kitchen

Enjoy modern Hungarian dishes in a stylish setting, open 12pm to 10pm.
HUF 6000 approx., 1h

2:00pm

Afternoon Leisure or Shopping

Spend afternoon relaxing or exploring shops along iconic streets like Váci Street.
Variable, 3h

5:30pm

Rest at Hotel

Rest and freshen up before an exciting evening activity.
Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Danube Night River Cruise

Experience a one-time 1.5-hour night cruise to admire Budapest’s illuminated landmarks.
HUF 5500 per person, 1h30m

Day 4: Szentendre Day Trip

Budapest, Hungary on June 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at New York Café

Begin with a lavish breakfast at New York Café, open 7am to 11am.
HUF 5500 approx., 1h

9:30am

Train to Szentendre

Travel by HÉV train to Szentendre, a charming town known for its art and culture, journey ~40 minutes.
HUF 650 round trip, 1h

10:30am

Explore Szentendre

Discover the galleries and quaint streets at your own pace.
Free exploring; some entry fees, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Aranysárkány Vendéglő

Savour Serbian-Hungarian dishes in a local favourite, open from 12pm.
HUF 5000 approx., 1h

4:00pm

Return to Budapest

Afternoon free to rest or do light shopping in Budapest after returning from the day trip.
Variable, Rest of afternoon

7:00pm

Dinner at Kiosk Budapest

Enjoy modern Hungarian cuisine in a vibrant setting, open 11:30am to 10pm.
HUF 5500 approx., 1h30m

Day 5: Mass & Travel to Balaton

Budapest, Hungary on June 11, 2025

9:30am

Breakfast at Gerbeaud Café

Start with coffee and pastries at Gerbeaud Café, open 9am onwards.
HUF 3500 approx., 1h

10:30am

English Sunday Mass at St Stephen’s Basilica

Attend the 10:30am English Mass for a cultural experience.
Free, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch and Rest

Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local café and return to hotel for rest and packing.
Variable, 3h

5:00pm

Early Dinner at Frici Papa Kifőzdéje

Sample traditional Hungarian dishes, open 11am to 10pm.
HUF 3000 approx., 1h

6:30pm

Travel to Lake Balaton

Depart Budapest by car or train for Lake Balaton, approx. 2 hours.
Variable transport cost, 2h

8:30pm

Hotel Check-in and Relaxation

Check in and enjoy a peaceful evening by the lake.
Variable, Flex

Day 6: Lake Balaton Leisure

Lake Balaton, Hungary on June 12, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast by the Lake

Begin the day with breakfast overlooking the lake.
Variable, 1h

9:30am

Explore Balatonfüred

Relax on lakeside promenades and visit local shops and parks.
Free; some entry fees for museums, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Füred Restaurant

Sample fresh lake fish and regional dishes, open 12pm-9pm.
HUF 6000 approx., 1h

2:30pm

Boat Ride on Lake Balaton

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour cruise exploring the spectacular lake views.
HUF 3000 per person, 2h

5:00pm

Coffee Break at Lakeside Café

Unwind with coffee in a relaxed lakeside setting.
HUF 1500 approx., 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Révfülöp Bistro

Dine while enjoying a sunset view, featuring local cuisine, open until 10pm.
HUF 6000 approx., 1h30m

Day 7: Tihany Peninsula & Wine

Lake Balaton, Hungary on June 13, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast by the Lake

Have a relaxing breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café.
Variable, 1h

9:30am

Tihany Peninsula Excursion

Explore lavender fields, Tihany Abbey (open 9am–6pm), and scenic walking routes.
Small entry fee for Abbey, 4h

1:30pm

Lunch in Tihany Village

Lunch at a local restaurant like Plage, open from noon, serving local dishes.
HUF 6000 approx., 1h

3:00pm

Local Winery Wine Tasting

Visit wineries for tasting Balaton wines, prior booking recommended.
HUF 4000 approx., 2h

6:00pm

Return to Hotel

Relax for the evening after a full day of sightseeing and tasting.
Free, Flex

7:30pm

Dinner at Hotel or Nearby Restaurant

Enjoy your last dinner at Lake Balaton featuring local or international cuisine.
Variable, 1h30m

Day 8: Return to Budapest

Lake Balaton to Budapest, Hungary on June 14, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start with a leisurely breakfast before departure.
Included in stay, 1h

9:30am

Pack and Check-out

Prepare for your return trip to Budapest.
Free, 1h

11:00am

Travel to Budapest

Return to Budapest by train or car, approximately 2 hours.
Variable transport cost, 2h

1:30pm

Lunch at Szimpla Market

Enjoy diverse food options at Szimpla Kert Market, open 10am-midnight.
HUF 4000 approx., 1h

2:30pm

Hotel Check-in and Leisure

Check into your Budapest hotel, with time to rest or shop before your final dinner.
Variable, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Onyx Restaurant

Celebrate your last evening in Budapest with Michelin-starred cuisine.
From HUF 18000 per person, 2h

Day 9: To Vienna by Train

Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria on June 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy an early breakfast before travelling to Vienna.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Train to Vienna

Fast train from Budapest Keleti to Vienna Hauptbahnhof, approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.
EUR 30-50 per person, 2h40m

11:00am

Check-in and Rest at Vienna Hotel

Arrive and settle into your hotel.
Variable, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Café Central

Taste classic Viennese cakes and dishes in this historic café, open from 8am.
EUR 20 approx., 1h

1:30pm

Sightseeing Hofburg Palace & St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Explore Vienna’s historic centre at your own pace.
Variable, 3h

5:00pm

Coffee at Demel

Relish Viennese pastries and coffee in this renowned café.
EUR 10 approx., 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile

Enjoy traditional Austrian cuisine focusing on Tafelspitz.
EUR 40 approx., 1h30m