Kisfaludy Paddle Steamboat (Kisfaludy gőzös) set sail on 21 September 1846, marking the first day of boating on the Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton. The idea of a steam-powered boat came from an iconic Hungarian politician, István Széchenyi, often called 'the Greatest Hungarian'. Though the boat completed its last trip in 1887, a replica was built in 2013, which has recently bid farewell to Lake Balaton and been transferred to a new dock on the Danube.
That means that if you are curious about what a boat trip looked like in the Hungarian Reform Era (1825-1848), you can easily find it out: just hop onboard and set off on a unique sightseeing tour. For the 1-hour-long experience, head to the foot of Elizabeth Bridge and look for Dock 10, where the boat is moored. It is hard to miss; look for massive paddle wheels and a gold and black hull.
Once on board, you can not only admire Budapest's most iconic sights from a new perspective but also travel back in time. An onboard exhibition allows you to peek inside the everyday life of the iconic boat's crew and passengers.
More details and tickets here.
