BUDAPEST CONPENHAGEN

Budapest is known as one of Europe’s most stunning cities. It may be thanks to its impressive surroundings, the Danube River that divides the city, the Buda hills to the west and the Great Plain to the east or due to its varied and beautiful architecture: Renaissance, Byzantine, Neo-Classical, and Art-Nouveau buildings coexist in perfect harmony. Its extensive World Heritage Site includes: the banks of the Danube, Buda Castle Quarter, Andrassy Avenue, Hero’s Square, and the Millennium Underground Railway. To top that, the city has 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest water cave system where visitors can indulge in a relaxing bath. Budapest became a single city in 1873, occupying both banks of the river Danube, to the west there is Buda and Pest lays at the east. Both sides of the city have very different personalities. Buda is the quiet section of the city. Walking around Buda, travelers will be able to inspect the Castle Quarter and explore the narrow cobbled streets that lead to the Fishermen’s bastion with its fairytale towers, which represent the 7 tribes that existed in the city in the 9th century. This decorative fortification is located atop the Buda Castel Hill and offers the best panoramic view in Budapest. The eastern side, Pest, is where all the action takes place. This section of the city has a fin-de-siècle feel to it and nearly every building has some interesting or unusual detail. Visitors will be invited to take long strolls on its wide boulevards filled with all sorts of shops or enjoy a well-deserved coffee in its grand coffee houses. Pest is home to the parliament building and the Dohari street synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe. The scars of WWII are still present in the city, bullet holes and shrapnel scorings left over from the Second World War and the 1956 Uprising are still visible in some of the facades, painful reminders of this grey period of history. There are several tributes honoring the Hungarian Jews that lost their lives, as the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial or the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park. This side of the river is also considered the cultural heart of the city with numerous art galleries and with more opera, concerts and ballet performances than there are days of the week. The capital’s best restaurants are found in Pest too, and it’s here the nightlife wrestles with until the early hours as well. For a unique drink try a Ruin Pub, Budapest’s network of bars in disused buildings that include former tenement houses, factory buildings and community centres. Budapest has combined all its influences and overcome its complex history to shape its own character, and sure it did it right.

A decade ago, visitors came to Copenhagen just for its canals, cobbled squares, charming streets and pastel painted houses. Now this city is most known for its innovative design, cutting edge architecture and its top-rated restaurants. This historic city of canals has become trendy, cosmopolitan and exciting, without losing its old charms. The fairytalelike port of Nyhavn, the city’s legendary waterfront, is the most traditional sight of Copenhagen, where visitors enjoy the cobbled streets and colorful houses that contrasts with Langelinje quay, where the city’s most famous attraction, The Little Mermaid, is located. Walking along the Langelinje quay, the modern opera house appears on the horizon bringing tourists back into the 21st century. Another of the city’s new waterfront landmarks is the Black Diamond entertainment complex, an additional reason to travel beyond the tiny tourist-focussed centre. The building itself is stunning and provides a unique opportunity to lounge in a deckchair overlooking the water. Two of the coolest areas of the city are Veesterbro and Norrebro, away from the herds of tourists. These vibrant neighbourhoods will allow the most adventurous travelers to mix with the locals and experience the buzzing atmosphere of places like the Norrebro Food Hall, a covered foodie market, or the Ralea, the restaurant where local chefs go to get food after work. Copenhagen’s coolest borough of trendy bars, design stores and eateries, where visitors can experience the culinary revolution the city has to offer, it's just a metro ride from the city centre. The less-travelled island neighbourhood of Christianshavn offers a tranquil glimpse of residential life and canal-side strolls. It’s also home to the “free town” of Christiana, a colourful alternative community built by hippies in the 1970s, which shines with galleries and cafés, and has its own, strict set of rules. Copenhagen is clean, safe and easy to get to know. It is also one of Europe’s greenest cities and its public transport would make New York green with envy. Its centre is reserved for pedestrians and strict anti-pollution laws enforced. It’s an environmentally idyllic spot with plenty of green space and bicycles often outnumber cars, so be careful of stepping out into bike lanes. Wander carefree to the world-famous Tivoli amusement park and the city’s delightful botanical garden, or take to the pavement cafés and restaurants in the summer alongside the locals. Whatever you decide to do in the Danish capital, whether you dig design and dine, or wander in wonder, Copenhagen will keep calling you back like a siren.

Budapest is known as one of Europe’s most stunning cities. It may be thanks to its impressive surroundings, the Danube River that divides the city, the Buda hills to the west and the Great Plain to the east or due to its varied and beautiful architecture: Renaissance, Byzantine, Neo-Classical, and Art-Nouveau buildings coexist in perfect harmony. Its extensive World Heritage Site includes: the banks of the Danube, Buda Castle Quarter, Andrassy Avenue, Hero’s Square, and the Millennium Underground Railway. To top that, the city has 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest water cave system where visitors can indulge in a relaxing bath. Budapest became a single city in 1873, occupying both banks of the river Danube, to the west there is Buda and Pest lays at the east. Both sides of the city have very different personalities. Buda is the quiet section of the city. Walking around Buda, travelers will be able to inspect the Castle Quarter and explore the narrow cobbled streets that lead to the Fishermen’s bastion with its fairytale towers, which represent the 7 tribes that existed in the city in the 9th century. This decorative fortification is located atop the Buda Castel Hill and offers the best panoramic view in Budapest. The eastern side, Pest, is where all the action takes place. This section of the city has a fin-de-siècle feel to it and nearly every building has some interesting or unusual detail. Visitors will be invited to take long strolls on its wide boulevards filled with all sorts of shops or enjoy a well-deserved coffee in its grand coffee houses. Pest is home to the parliament building and the Dohari street synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe. The scars of WWII are still present in the city, bullet holes and shrapnel scorings left over from the Second World War and the 1956 Uprising are still visible in some of the facades, painful reminders of this grey period of history. There are several tributes honoring the Hungarian Jews that lost their lives, as the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial or the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park. This side of the river is also considered the cultural heart of the city with numerous art galleries and with more opera, concerts and ballet performances than there are days of the week. The capital’s best restaurants are found in Pest too, and it’s here the nightlife wrestles with until the early hours as well. For a unique drink try a Ruin Pub, Budapest’s network of bars in disused buildings that include former tenement houses, factory buildings and community centres. Budapest has combined all its influences and overcome its complex history to shape its own character, and sure it did it right.

Tour Baku by Newly Renovated Caspian Sea Cruise Ship Mirvari

First-time travelers to Baku often ask this question:

Can I sail on the Caspian Sea?

The answer is definitely yes. 

If you’re interested in sailing (literally) - if you mean a sailing boat or a yacht - yes.

Or if you want to travel across the Caspian Sea by ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, or Aktau, Kazakhstan, again, yes.

But these answers don't really cut it for people who just want to see the city from the sea and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

So, if you're among those looking for a half-hour sea tour around Baku, you're in the right place.

In this post, you'll learn about touring on the Caspian Sea Cruise at Baku Bay, including:

About the passenger ship;

Itinerary and schedule;

Ticket prices and more.

Let’s dive right in.

Caspian Sea Tour from the Beautiful Seaside National Park

The cruise ship tours on the Caspian Sea have resumed in November 2024 after a two-year hiatus.

Heretofore, boat tours on Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park) had been suspended due to the drop in sea level.

Once, the passenger ship departed from Sadko Bridge, but now it departs from the pier in front of the Baku Sea Terminal (Bakı Dəniz Vağzalı).

So, if you want to take a Caspian Sea cruise ship, you'll need to go to Baku Sea Terminal.

It’s 800 meters on foot from Sadko Bridge and very close to the Crescent Bay on the Boulevard as well.

The Baku boat trip, departing from the sea terminal and passing around the White City, takes more than 30 minutes.

And it's available every day from 2 pm to 9 pm, including holidays, unless there’re bad weather conditions.

Note 1: For more details about the schedule of the Baku boat tour, it’s best to check the official Baku Boulevard website, as the working hours may vary in summer and winter.

About the Baku Cruise Ship “Mirvari”

Mirvari (operating since 2013) is the largest passenger ship on Baku Boulevard, with a capacity to carry 450-460 passengers at a time.

The ship has 3 decks.

After the renovation, the first deck is also available for passengers to take close-up pictures of the blue waters of the Caspian Sea.

There's also a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy your meal while listening to classical music.

Along with the passenger seats on the second deck, there is a café where you can enjoy hot coffee or tea with a snack or sweets.

By the way, you're welcome to bring your own food - there are no rules about that.

And lastly, the VIP lounge and extra passenger seats are on the 3rd deck.

Note 2: Sadly, the smaller passenger ship, Shafag (which had 60 seats), is out of service now. 

Caspian Sea Cruise Baku Price and Tickets

As of 2025, prices for the Caspian Sea Cruise "Mirvari" are 5 AZN (about 3 USD) for standard and 10 AZN (around 6 USD) for VIP. 

For kids under 6, boarding the ship is free.

You can buy your tickets from the box office at the pier.

I mean the box office where it says “Tickets” (Kassa).

Buying tickets in advance is not possible yet.

Final Note: When I first took a tour in November 2024 on the "Mirvari" after its renovation, they were offering a rich breakfast for 30 AZN (18 USD) on weekends from 11 am to 1 pm as well. Hope this service is still valid.

That’s it.

In the end, I want to mention that it'll absolutely be worth taking a short sea trip at Baku Bay and it must be on your itinerary of the best things to do in Baku.

The prices are affordable, and the view is scenic. 

You won’t lose anything at all, I promise.

Have a great Caspian Sea tour.