Budapest SUP Festival – A Unique Way to Experience the Danube

Every summer, Budapest hosts a one-of-a-kind event called the Budapest SUP Festival. SUP stands for stand-up paddleboarding, an increasingly popular water sport. During the festival, hundreds of paddleboarders make their way 15 kilometers along the Danube River, traversing the heart of the Hungarian capital.

The journey begins at Római Part and ends at Kopaszi-gát, taking approximately two hours with the river’s gentle current. Along the way, participants glide under all of Budapest’s iconic bridges while having the perfect vantage point to take selfies with Parliament in the background. It’s a one-of-a-kind way to experience Budapest’s renowned scenery from the water.

The festival was first conceived nearly 16 years ago by a local water sports company that initially focused on windsurfing before expanding into stand-up paddleboarding. As the sport grew in popularity in Hungary, they had the idea to create a festival that could bring the SUP community together while promoting the sport.

Now in its 9th year, the Budapest SUP Festival has become one of the largest paddleboarding events in the country. It offers a unique perspective of Budapest for both visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re an experienced paddleboarder or a newcomer to the sport, it’s an event not to be missed during the summer months.