• Vámház körút - TOUR START/FINISH Begin your adventure with a brief riding lesson, then set off to explore the Pest side of the city, celebrated for its sophisticated 19th-century architecture. Journey along the stunning Danube riverbanks and bridges, and the refined Andrassy Avenue, taking in sights like the Opera House and grand 19th-century palaces. Visit Heroes’ Square to gain a quick insight into Hungarian history, then wander through the delightful City Park, home to the Zoo, the Great Circus, Széchenyi Bath, and Vajdahunyad Castle. Admire St Stephen’s Basilica and the Parliament Building before crossing the Danube to explore the Buda side, renowned for its medieval castle and breathtaking hilltop views. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic Buda Castle District, visit the Royal Palace and the iconic Matthias Church, and enjoy the stunning view from Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest’s most famous lookout. Finally, drive up to the Citadel and Liberty Statue atop Gellert Hill to enjoy the unparalleled view of Budapest.
• Central Market Hall - Budapest’s largest and most renowned market hall is a paradise for food enthusiasts. Hungarian sausage and salami, goose liver, and sweet paprika powder are just a few of the many Hungarian delicacies available here. Sample traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash soup or lángos at its numerous food kiosks, and purchase souvenirs in its gift shops. The Great Market Hall is a must-visit tourist attraction, recognized by CNN as the best market hall in Europe.
• Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid) - Liberty Bridge is one of Budapest’s iconic bridges, completed for the Millennial celebrations in 1896, marking the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar tribes’ Conquest of Hungary, as reflected in its ornamentation. The pylons are adorned with historic Hungarian coats of arms and falcon-like mythical Turul birds cast in bronze, perched on gilded orbs with spread wings. Originally named after the Austrian Emperor and Hungarian King Franz Joseph I, who attended the opening ceremony and personally hammered the last silver rivet into the iron structure. In WWII, the bridge was destroyed by retreating German troops along with other bridges in Budapest. After its post-war reconstruction, it was renamed Liberty Bridge.
• Castle Garden - This ornate structure, serving as the entrance to the royal gardens on the Buda Riverfront, was built in 1883, designed by Miklós Ybl, the most notable architect of the era. Initially, shops occupied the arcades, hence its name as a bazaar. During the communist era, a legendary music club, the Buda Youth Park, operated here. After an accident in 1984, the authorities closed the club, and the building remained abandoned for 30 years. The dilapidated building was fully renovated in 2014 and now functions as a cultural center.
• Andrassy Avenue - This elegant avenue, famous for the Opera House and grand 19th-century palaces, is often referred to as Budapest’s Champs-Elysées. It was created to connect the city center with City Park, which hosted the Millennium Exhibition in 1896, expecting 5 million visitors. The visitors were transported to the exhibition by the Millennium Underground running along Andrassy Avenue, the first subway line in mainland Europe, opened in 1896. Andrassy Avenue and the Millennium Underground were declared World Heritage sites in 2002.
• Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) - The Neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House is Budapest’s most prestigious music hall and is renowned for having some of the best acoustics in Europe. Built in 1884, it was designed by Miklos Ybl, a leading architect of the time, who also designed St Stephen’s Basilica. Its exterior features statues of world-famous composers, while the interior highlights include 24-carat gold plating, a lavish bronze chandelier weighing 2 tonnes, and frescoes by the most renowned Hungarian artists.
• Heroes’ Square - Heroes Square is the largest square in Budapest and one of its most famous national landmarks. Located at the end of Andrassy Avenue, it is surrounded by City Park, the largest public park in Budapest. Its centerpiece is the Millennium Monument, a national pantheon of great Hungarian kings and chieftains commemorating the Conquest of Hungary in 896 and the 1000-year Hungarian history. The square is framed by two Neo-Classical palaces. The Museum of Fine Arts boasts Hungary’s richest painting collection, and the Kunsthalle (Hall of Arts) hosts modern art exhibitions. Heroes Square, along with Andrassy Avenue, has been a World Heritage site since 2002.
• City Park - Budapest City Park is the largest and most frequented park in Budapest and one of the first public parks in the world. In the Middle Ages, it was the private hunting ground of King Matthias, then in the 16th century, the trees were cut down, and the area was used as pastureland. In the 1700s, by order of Empress Maria Teresa, thousands of new trees were planted, marking the birth of City Park. The park has been home to some of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the City Park Boating Lake and Ice Rink, The Zoo, the Great Circus, the iconic Széchenyi Bath, and the fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle. Currently, the park is undergoing a comprehensive renewal. The large-scale project involves the renovation of the park’s historic architecture, the construction of new museum buildings such as the National Gallery, the Museum of Ethnography, the House of Hungarian Music, the complete rehabilitation of the park’s green area, and the development of its infrastructure.
• Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden - One of the oldest zoos in Europe, it opened in 1866 with 500 animals, partly donated by Emperor Franz Joseph I himself. It features the 34-meter high Big Rock, home to polar bears, the secessionist Elephant House, and an over 100-year-old roller coaster made entirely of wood, preserved from the former Amusement Park that had been closed down. The Zoo is currently undergoing a large-scale enlargement, including the creation of a new garden section covering 5 hectares called the Pannon Park, which will showcase the flora and fauna of the Carpathian Basin. Its central facility is the Biodome, a large indoor park covering 1.7 hectares where visitors can discover wildlife by walking along its paths or cruising along its water canals by boats. A state-of-the-art marine aquarium will evoke the fauna of the Pannon Sea, which once occupied a significant area of the Carpathian Basin.
• Capital Circus of Budapest - The Great Circus, home to acrobatic shows, was formed from the temporary side shows and entertainment facilities that had been operating in City Park since the early 1800s. The first permanent circus was opened in 1889. The present building was constructed in 1971.
• Szechenyi Baths and Pool - One of Budapest’s iconic baths, it opened in 1913 in City Park following the discovery of a hot spring beneath the park. The building, resembling a grand Baroque palace, is decorated with remarkable artwork featuring statues, mosaics, and fountains. Originally, the bath was separated into a men’s and women’s bath, but since the 1980s, it has been mixed. The outdoor pools, added in 1927, were extended in the late 1990s with new fancy features such as a whirling corridor, underwater effervescence production, neck shower, water beam back massage, and many others. While during the day, the old men play chess in the pool, recalling the good old times, at night, massive dance parties entertain the young. Today, the bath boasts a total of 18 pools; 15 indoor and 3 outdoor pools, making it the largest public bath in Europe. The water temperature of the pools varies between 18 and 40 Celsius. Finnish saunas, steam baths, massage, and beauty treatments are also available.
• Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyadvar) - The castle, located on a small island surrounded by the Boating Lake, is a dominant feature of City Park and undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in Budapest. It was originally made of wooden planks and cardboard designs as it was supposed to be just a temporary structure built for the Millennial Exhibition of 1896, to showcase Hungarian architecture. The Hungarians loved the castle so much that after the closing of the exhibition, it was rebuilt in stone. It was designed by the Hungarian architect Ignác Alpár, who blended the most characteristic details of 21 well-known historic buildings from all over Hungary into a composite fairy-tale castle. The most striking element of the castle is the replica of the Transylvanian Castle of Vajdahunyad - once called the King of Castles - found today in Romania. No wonder, the local people named the whole castle after this part, Vajdahunyad Castle, which name eventually stayed with it.
• Varosligeti Mujegpalya Es Csonakazoto - The boating lake surrounding the fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle was one of the first attractions of City Park. It is in use even today, only the old-school rowing boats have been replaced by modern pedal boats. Since 1870, the lake has been transformed into an ice rink every winter, making it the oldest ice skating rink in Europe.
• St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) - St Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and the second largest church in Hungary. It is dedicated to King St Stephen, the first king and founder of the Hungarian state established during his reign along with taking Christianity. With its dome rising to 96 m, it is also one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest, along with the Hungarian Parliament Building. The number 96 refers to the date of the Conquest of Hungary by the Magyar tribes in 896. Its construction started in 1851 and took 54 years, holding the record for the longest construction project in the history of Hungary. The church preserves the Holy Right, the precious hand relic of King St Stephen, and the mortal remains of the renowned soccer star Ferenc Puskas, the captain of the Hungarian Golden Team of the 1950s.
• Hungarian Parliament Building - The majestic 691-room palace of the Hungarian Parliament Building is a masterpiece of Gothic-Revival architecture in the world. It was built during the Golden Age of Hungary in the second half of the 19th century when Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was designed by the Hungarian architect Imre Steindl, who also supervised its construction for 17 years starting in 1885, using only local labor and building materials. With its dome rising to 96 m, it is the tallest building in Budapest, along with St Stephen’s Basilica. It is also the largest building in Hungary and the third-largest parliament building in the world. The most precious relic of the Parliament Building is the over 1000-year-old Hungarian Holy Crown, guarded in the central hall under the dome. The Hungarian Parliament Building stands on the imposing Kossuth Square, the Main Square of the Nation, framed by grand 19th-century palaces and dozens of monuments.
• Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest - The Secession-style palace was built in 1906 as an office building and staff residence for the London-based Gresham Insurance Company. After WWII, the building became state property, and the suites were transformed into smaller flats. In 2004, the government sold the building, which was transformed into a luxury hotel.
• Hungarian Academy of Sciences - The Hungarian National Academy of Sciences was founded in 1825, at the initiative of Count István Széchenyi, a renowned Hungarian aristocrat and statesman, and also one of the richest landowners in Hungary, who offered a one-year income of his estates for its establishment. The Neo-Renaissance building, inaugurated in 1865, stands on Széchenyi square, overlooking Széchenyi Chain Bridge, both bearing his name in his honor.
• Szechenyi Lanchid - Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széhenyi Lánchíd) is the first permanent bridge in Budapest, a national landmark, and the legacy of a remarkable period of Hungarian history when Hungary enjoyed great economic and cultural prosperity, and Budapest developed into a flourishing European metropolis. It was built in 1849 at the initiative of the renowned Hungarian aristocrat and statesman Count Istvan Széchenyi and to the designs of the English William Tierney Clark. The Scottish engineer Adam Clark supervised the construction and later designed the Tunnel on the Buda side of the bridge. After the construction of the bridge, the formerly separate cities of Pest and Buda were unified and renamed Budapest. The famous lion sculptures adorning the bridgeheads were added in 1852. Legend has it that the lions don’t have a tongue because the sculptor forgot to create them, and he was so criticized that he committed suicide.
• Buda Castle Tunnel - The 350-meter-long tunnel running across Castle Hill was built in 1857 to provide easier access to the Chain Bridge without having to climb the hill. It was designed by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark, who also supervised the construction of the Chain Bridge. The square framed by the Tunnel and the Chain Bridge bears his name in his honor. On the square stands the Zero Kilometer Stone, marking the official center of Budapest from where the major national roads start and the distances are measured. The rooftop terrace of the Tunnel is a good vantage point and a popular spot for amorous couples.
• Budapest Castle Hill Funicular - The historic cable car carrying passengers from the foot of Castle Hill to the hilltop was completed in 1870. The main reason for its creation was to provide faster access to the Court Theater and the government offices situated on top of Castle Hill, which could not be reached by any other means of public transport. Its lower terminal was placed near the Chain Bridge, a major traffic junction for the horse-drawn tram and the omnibuses, and the upper terminal was built near the Royal Palace. It can carry 24 passengers in each of its two cars, running parallel upwards and downwards on the 95 m long track. The funicular was destroyed by a bomb attack in WWII and was dismantled after the war. In 1986, it was reopened with modernized engineering, and in 1987, it was declared a world heritage site.
• Buda Castle - The historic district, nestled on the plateau of the 80-meter-high Castle Hill, is one of Budapest’s oldest and most visited attractions, characterized by a medieval atmosphere with cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, quaint homes, rich palaces, and churches. It is a World Heritage site and home to some of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks like Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Royal Palace, and provides one of the most astonishing views of the city.
• Matthias Church - Matthias Church is one of the most famous national landmarks and one of the oldest historic monuments in Budapest. King Bela IV, who built Buda Castle after the Mongol invasion, founded the Romanesque church in 1270. King Matthias, who held both his weddings in the church, built the 76 m high main staple in 1470. This is where its commonly used name, Matthias Church, comes from. In 1541, Buda Castle was taken by the Turks, and the church was turned into a mosque for 145 years. Following the recapture of Buda Castle from the Turks in 1686, it was rebuilt in baroque style. In 1867, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elizabeth were crowned here king and queen of Hungary, marking the beginning of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The church regained its original Gothic character following its great reconstruction led by Frigyes Schulek between 1867 and 1896. The last king of Hungary, Charles IV, was crowned here in 1916.
• Fisherman’s Bastion - Fisherman’s Bastion is the most famous lookout in Budapest. The building, reminiscent of a fairy tale castle adorned with towers, terraces, staircases, and archways, was built in 1902 to the designs of Frigyes Schulek, who led the reconstruction of Matthias Church. By his concept, the outdated walls behind the church were replaced by a new yet medieval-looking Neo-Romanesque structure. Even Emperor Franz Joseph I, who visited the lookout in 1903, was stunned by the view, which was very different from what he saw 35 years earlier when he was crowned king in Matthias Church. By this time, Budapest had developed into a flourishing metropolis, with nearly all famous landmarks visible from here; the Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge, Gellert Hill with the Citadel and Liberty Statue, Margaret Island, and many more. Its name was given in honor of the brave fishermen who defended this stretch of the wall during the sieges.
• Church of Saint Mary Magdalene - One of the oldest churches in Budapest, it was built around the foundation of Buda in the 1240s. During the Turkish occupation in the 16th century, it remained the last functioning place of Christian worship and was shared by the Catholics and the Protestants. The church was badly damaged in WWII and was pulled down after the war, except for its 15th-century tower, which is the only medieval monument of the Buda Castle District maintained in its original form.
• Gellert Hill Cave - The cave houses the Cave Church, built by the Pauline fathers in 1926, modeled after the Lourdes Grotto, a similar rock construction in France. In the Middle Ages, the cave was known as “Saint Ivan’s Cave,” named after a hermit who lived here and healed the sick by the magical hot spring. In the 19th century, it was inhabited by a poor family, who built a small shed at the mouth of the cave that was used as an animal yard. By the early 1900s, the cave had been abandoned, and in 1926, the Pauline fathers erected a chapel inside the cave. In 1931, the cave was enlarged by controlled blasting and later extended with a monastery. In 1951, the communist authorities dissolved the Pauline Order and sealed the entrance of the cave with a concrete wall. The church was reopened after the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
• St. Gellert Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool - Budapest is known as the City of Baths. Gellert Bath, located at the foot of Gellert Hill, is one of the most famous. The first bath was established here by King Andrew II in the 13th century, where his daughter Saint Elisabeth healed the leprous. The “magical healing spring” healed the sick for centuries; however, the bath remained a modest establishment. Following the construction of Liberty Bridge, the city decided to replace the old bath with an upmarket spa hotel. The Grand Hotel Gellert and Bath was completed in 1918 and soon became the flagship hotel of Budapest. Among its guests were such celebrities as the Dutch Queen Juliana, Cardinal Pacelli (later Pope Pius XII), and the American president Richard Nixon. The bath is famous for its secessionist interior, featuring stained glass windows, mosaic floors, and ceramic ornaments made by the famous Zsolnay porcelain factory. The outdoor wave pool, producing artificial waves, is also a popular attraction of the bath.
• Citadel - The military fort on top of Gellert Hill was built in 1854 by the Austrian general Haynau after crushing the Hungarian War of Independence of 1849. It was built not to defend but to threaten the Hungarians, hence the locals called it the Bastille of Budapest. Following the Compromise with Austria in 1867, the Austrian troops abandoned the fortress, and it became the property of the city. Its demolition was on the agenda, but the city had no money to pull it down, and it eventually stayed. During WWII, the Nazi German troops used it as an air defense base, and after the war, it was utilized as a hotel, restaurant, casino, and even a dancing club. Currently, it is undergoing a large-scale reconstruction, which involves the creation of a new lookout terrace, a museum, new catering facilities, and the construction of a cable car is also on the agenda. The terrace in front of the Citadel is one of the most famous lookouts in the city, where you can admire an unparalleled view of Budapest.
• Liberty Statue - The 40-meter tall Liberation Monument was erected on top of Gellert Hill in 1947 to commemorate the Soviet liberation of Hungary, which ended WWII and also marked the beginning of communist rule. It represents a female figure holding a palm leaf symbolizing liberty. There are two smaller bronze statues at the base; the man holding a torch symbolizes progress, and the man fighting the dragon symbolizes victory over fascism. During the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising, the rebels tried to pull it down but could only topple the 6-meter tall statue of the Soviet soldier, which used to stand on the lower pedestal. The statue was restored and stood there until the fall of the communist regime in 1989, when it was relocated to Memento Park, among those 42 giant statues that decorated the city during the communist dictatorship. In 1990, after the last Soviet troops had left Hungary, the monument was renamed Liberty Statue.
• Elisabeth Bridge - Completed in 1902, Elisabeth Bridge was named after Queen Elisabeth, who was assassinated by an Italian anarchist in Geneva in 1899. Until 1926, it was the longest chain bridge in the world, stretching over the Danube with a single 290 m span. In 1945, the retreating German troops blew up the bridge. The explosion destroyed the pylon on the Buda side, and the bridge collapsed. However, the pylon on the Pest side remained intact and stood as a memento of the war until the reconstruction of the bridge started in 1960. After lengthy discussions, in 1959, the decision was made to replace the former chain bridge with a new cable bridge in the same place, utilizing its original abutments. The new Elisabeth Bridge was completed in 1964, designed by the Hungarian engineer Pál Sávoy, who preserved the silhouette of the former bridge in a modern shape. Elisabeth Bridge was the only bridge in Budapest not restored to its original form after the war.
• Hungarian National Museum - Marvel at the classical-style palace of the Hungarian National Museum, the oldest museum in the city.

• Certified English-speaking guide
• Intercom radio with headset for guide commentary
• Safety helmet included
• Fuel provided
• Third-party liability insurance covered
• Easy-to-ride scooter with automatic transmission

• Meals, drinks are not included
• Hotel pick up-drop off
• Gratuities

Join the signature Budapest Grand Vespa Tour for a unique and relaxed exploration of Budapest on a Vespa. This remarkable 4-hour tour allows participants to discover Budapest’s renowned attractions and breathtaking views while gaining insights into Hungarian history and culture.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
» Experience the scenic Danube riverbanks and bridges of Budapest
» Cruise along the World Heritage Andrassy Avenue, the city’s most famous boulevard, and admire the Opera House
» Visit the grand Heroes Square and delve into Hungary’s 1000-year history
» Explore the delightful City Park
» Be amazed by the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building and St Stephen’s Basilica
» Discover the World Heritage Buda Castle District, featuring the iconic Matthias Church, and enjoy the stunning views from Fisherman’s Bastion, the city’s most renowned lookout
» Take in Budapest’s breathtaking views from Gellert Hill, the city’s highest point, topped with the Citadel and the Liberty Statue

• Regular driver’s licence is required a must be presented at check-in
• Motorcycle licence is required if you want to ride a 125 cc scooter with passenger (optional)
• Drivers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
• No previous scooter riding experience required but a good bicycle riding skill is essential. Don’t worry if you have never ridden a scooter before. We will start the tour with a short practice before we hit the roads

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.