As you plan your trip to Hungary, you will certainly wonder when is the best time to visit Budapest. It is an important point and there’s a lot to consider!
Well, in my opinion, Budapest is always gorgeous 🙂 Yes, I may be biased because, after all, I moved here and love this city.
However, seasons can be quite extreme, with a few extremely cold days in the winter and a few ridiculously hot days in the summer. Furthermore, large events have a deep effect on the city and the way you can enjoy it as a tourist or traveller.
In this post, I will outline what to do in Budapest in spring, summer, fall and winter, as well as the major events that you can expect to take place, and how the weather is usually like.
You will be able to decide your travel dates according to what you like best, instead of what is popular!
Special thanks to Adam Marot, Budapest tour guide and photographer, for providing the awesome pictures below. You can find more on his Tekergo Budapest Facebook Page, on 500px, and you can buy them on Picfair (not a sponsored link: all profit goes to Adam 🙂 ).
DISCLAIMER: this post is written in February 2021, with knowledge of the pre-Covid Budapest. It will be updated as the future unveils. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE CURRENT SITUATION BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
The best things to do in Budapest
I know that your time is precious, and that you want to discover all the interesting and cool things in Budapest during the few days that you spend here.
All my resources are efficient and focused on making the most of your time!
Check out my 1-day Budapest itinerary with all the major landmarks, the cheap things to do in Budapest (including food), the must-know Budapest travel tips by locals, what Hungarian phrases will be useful, and these cute mini-statues hidden all over Budapest.
If you have more questions, leave a comment at the bottom, or get in touch on Facebook or Instagram.
What to do in Budapest in spring
Spring is possibly the best time to visit Budapest! Through April, May and June, temperatures slowly grow from minimum 6°C to 14°C (43°F to 57°F) and from maximum 16°C to 24°C (61°F to 75°F), with lots of warm and sunny days.
In particular, May and June are so pleasant that they are considered high season, meaning higher accommodation prices.
Blooming flowers make for extremely Instagrammable pictures of Budapest landmarks, such as Chain bridge and Heroes Square below.
Special events in Budapest in spring:
- Easter, depending on the year
- Pentecost, usually end of May/beginning of June, is a national holiday
- April: the Spring Marathon brings people to the city, but there are road closures
- May: During Budapest100, the buildings that turn 100 years old open their doors to the public, with special exhibitions and unique guided tours. Each year, the festival is different!
- Lots of food festivals, such as the Budapest Beer Week
The must-do things in Budapest in spring:
- Walk on Buda Castle hill in a tunnel of pink flowers, on the side of Buda hills
- Stroll by the Parliament and take artistic pictures with the flower beds on Kossuth Square
- Enjoy and relax at Varosliget park and Vajdahunyad Castle
- Enjoy the warm waters of the open-air spas like Szechenyi Bath and Gellert Bath
- Get up early (but not too early) to watch the sunrise from the Fisherman’s Bastion (it’s around 6 AM in April)
Come to Budapest in the spring if:
- You are happy with mild temperatures, possibly wind and some rain
- You don’t like too much crowd (choose April) or can handle some crowd (from late May to June)
- You don’t care too much about open-air nightlife, because it could still be chilly and pop-up bars/rooftop bars could still be closed
What to do in Budapest in summer
While September is a great period to visit Budapest (average minimum 12°C/54°F, maximum 22°C/72°F), July and August can be tricky. Websites say that average maximum temperatures are 26-27°C (79-81°F), but I clearly remember days when I was sweating in my living room without moving a muscle: that’s definitely above 30°C (85°F). Usually during 7-10 days in late July/early August temperatures reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (100°F)! It can be tough to visit the city, but on the other hand, the days are longer so you have more time. Average minimum temperatures are around 15°C (59°F).
An upside to the high temperatures is that July and August are considered shoulder season in Budapest, with accommodation prices slightly lower. September, instead, is high season.
Don’t worry, most hotels and flats have air conditioning, as well as restaurants and shops; however, it is not used in the extreme way typical of the USA.
Summer events in Budapest that bring crowds and raise prices:
- End of June: the Night of Museums, when you can visit at a lower price and participate in special events
- End of July-beginning of August: Formula 1 race (crazy high accommodation)
- Mid-August for 1 week: the awesome Sziget music festival (soooo many people and higher prices)
- August 20: national holiday with fireworks by the Danube!
- August: massive half marathon means roads may be closed and access to attractions may be limited
- September: some large conferences can cause an increase in prices
- September: the awesome Budapest wine festival takes place at the Buda Castle
- All summer: lots of river cruises ( = giant groups guided tours at key landmarks, crowded Danube).
The must-do things in Budapest in the summer:
- Rent a rowing boat at Varosliget park, at the lake by Vajdahunyad castle
- Explore Vajdahunyad castle at night
- Enjoy the warm nights by the Danube side at the pop-up bars like Pontoon and Raqpart, by Chain bridge on Pest side
- Relax at Romai Part “beach” by the Danube after taking a cheap cruise by BKK public transport network
- Enjoy some shade in the museums and churches
- Sunbathe and have fun on Margaret Island and at Palatinus pools
- Relax early in the morning or late in the afternoon at the thermal baths, because during the day it may be too hot
- Watch the sunset from the Citadel hill or from Liberty Bridge with a bottle of wine
- Stroll around Buda Castle at golden hour in the late afternoon
- Discover the Budapest night-life at the bars of Erzsebet Square, at the ruin bars and pop-up bars in the 7th district, at the rooftop bars that are closed during the cold seasons
Come to Budapest in the summer if:
- You can handle high temperatures well
- You don’t mind the crowds and organized groups
- You don’t mind river cruises blocking the view on the Danube
What to do in Budapest in the fall
October is a wonderful month to visit Budapest, with some warm sunny days; in November, the foliage makes the city even more picturesque; in December, the Christmas markets create a festive atmosphere in the city centre. Temperatures start from a pleasant minimum of 7°C and maximum 16°C in October (45-61°F), but drop to a shivering minimum of -2°C and maximum 3°C in December (28-37°F). Gloves and mulled wine are a must in December!
October can be a busy month for conferences, which drives accommodation prices up. On the other hand, November and December are low season in Budapest, except possibly for December weekends: a cheaper period of the year to visit.
Special events in Budapest in autumn:
- October 23rd and November 1st are national holiday
- October: the stunning World Press Photo Exhibition usually stays for about a month
- October: lots of people participate to the Budapest marathon, expect road closures
- Halloween is an occasion for dressed-up parties in clubs
- Christmas markets in Budapest usually open on the last weekend of November and close on December 24th, but dates can change.
- December 24th is more important than the 25th: shops and restaurants may close earlier, guided tours may not run in the afternoon. On December 25th, many activities run as usual.
The must-do things in Budapest in the fall:
- Stroll along the Danube promenade, on the large tree-lined avenues like Andrassy út, and in the green squares like Szabadság tér, where the falling leaves create a magical atmosphere
- Warm up at the thermal baths – hot water on your skin and fresh breeze on your face are a wonderful feeling
- Take a walk on Margaret Island or at Varosliget park to relax in the changing season
- Explore the woods of Buda hills on the adorable Children’s Railway
- Head over to the Fisherman’s bastion to admire the sunrise (not too early, after 6 AM from early November) or enjoy an early sunset from Buda Castle Hill (around 6 PM in October to 4 PM in December)
- Buy traditional handcrafts and local food at the Christmas markets
- Go ice-skating at the Varosliget rink, the most beautiful and historical in all of Budapest
Come to Budapest in the fall if:
- You don’t like the crowds – all of November and weekdays of December are pretty quiet
- You can handle some cold temperatures and occasional rain
- You love the autumn foliage – Budapest is a quite green city!
- You want to take awesome pictures of the Danube without cruise ships – November and December are best
What to do in Budapest in the winter
January and February can be pretty cold in Budapest! With minimum temperatures between -4°C and -2°C (25-28°F), and maximum between 1°C and 5°C (34-41°F), you should plan both outdoors and indoors activities.
I remember at least one week every year when temperatures are never above 0°C (32°F). In 2017, it was so cold that the surface of the Danube froze over, with large ice floes travelling down from Slovakia. That was intense and absolutely stunning!
Furthermore, the breeze that brings pleasure during the rest of the year, in the winter can turn into freezing blades that cut your skin. Definitely bring hat, scarf and gloves.
On the other hand, it doesn’t snow much in Budapest. On the flat side of Pest, it is quite exceptional to wake up to one or two centimetres of snow, but it melts very quickly. On the hills of Buda, instead, it can snow enough for a snowman.
If you’d rather avoid freezing weather, March can already feel quite springy, with warm and sunny days (minimum 2°C/36°F, maximum 16°C/61°F).
Except for New Year’s Eve, it is quite affordable to visit Budapest in winter, because it is low season.
Special events in Budapest in winter:
- New Year’s Eve is celebrated with special dinners at multiple restaurants, parties in clubs, and fireworks in the city centre
- March 15th is a national holiday, with parades and special openings of museums and buildings of national/historical interest
- Carnival (early February) is not such a big occasion, but you may spot cute kids dressed up, and some restaurants apply special discounts or create special menus on Fat Thursday
- St. Patrick on March 17th is celebrated with green illumination on Chain Bridge and parties in the Irish pubs
The must-do things in Budapest in winter:
- Brave the cold air and jump in the pools of the spas! I swear, the cold air makes the warm water all the more pleasant – and if it snows, it’s just epic! There are also indoor pools, if the temperatures are too low for your tastes.
- Warm up and taste local foods at the market halls
- Buy a warm chimney cake “kürtőskalács” and eat it while strolling around the city
- Take advantage of the early sunsets to enjoy the night illumination by the Danube before dinner (night strolls could be very cold)
- Stroll along the peaceful Danube, where very few cruises travel during the winter
- Go ice-skating at the Varosliget rink, the most beautiful and historical in all Budapest
- Discover the nightlife at Gozsdu Udvar gallery and at the ruin pubs like Szimpla
Come to Budapest in winter if:
- You can handle cold weather and wind
- You don’t like the crowd
So, what is the best time to visit Budapest?
There are so many things to do in Budapest all year round. Personally, I recommend April/May and September/October to visit Budapest, because it is not too warm nor too cold, there can be festivals and events, and the light is golden and pleasant most of the days.
However, winter lovers will enjoy the Christmas markets and ice-skating, while summer lovers will watch late sunsets with a drink in their hands. It’s easy to have a good time in Budapest!
Again, special thanks to Adam Marot, Budapest tour guide and photographer, for providing the awesome pictures below. Go check out his Tekergo Budapest Facebook Page, find more pictures on 500px, and buy them on Picfair (not a sponsored link: all profit goes to Adam 🙂 ).
Have you already been to Budapest, or are you planning your trip? Let me help you! Leave a comment and I’ll be happy to assist.
Great info, thanks! Hoping to visit sometime soon!
I’m sure you will love Budapest! Let me know if I can help in any other way 🙂