Budapest in March: Weather & 15 Best Things to Do (2025)
PLANNING A TRIP TO BUDAPEST IN MARCH?
I’m originally from Budapest and March is the beginning of spring season! While the beginning of March can be pretty cold, the weather starts to turn warm towards the end of March.
March is still low tourist season in Budapest and the average temperature is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F).
March is a good time to visit Budapest if you want to go at a time when there are still not too many tourists in the city and the weather starts to turn a little bit warmer.
The best things to do in Budapest in March is to go sightseeing, chill in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, try Hungarian food and go on day trips.
Here is everything you need to know about visiting Budapest in March, including the weather, what to wear, and best things to do!
Budapest Weather in March
March is the beginning of spring in Budapest. While the beginning of March is still pretty cold, it starts to turn warm from the second half of March.
The weather can be unpredictable and in recent years, it has even snowed in Budapest in March. So, it is advised to check the latest weather updates just before your trip to Budapest.
Generally, the winter season comes to an end in March, and Budapest starts to receive more sunlight. The dark and gloomy winter days come to an end and it starts to be sunny and warm in March.
Budapest Temperature in March
The average temperature in Budapest in March is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F).
The beginning of March is still cold, but then it gradually starts to become warm. By the end of March, it is sunny and proper spring time in Budapest.
Does it Snow in Budapest in March?
There is a low chance for snow in Budapest in March but it can snow.
The highest chance for snow in Budapest is between January and February, but weather patterns can be unpredictable and sometimes it can even snow in March.
Is March a Good Time to Visit Budapest?
Yes, March is a great time to visit Budapest! March is the beginning of spring season when the weather starts to turn warm and flowers start to bloom.
March is still a little bit cold, so not that many people come to visit at that time, so there are still not that many tourists in the city.
Some of the best things to do in Budapest in March is to go sightseeing, chill in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, try Hungarian food and go on day trips.
Crowds
March is still relatively low season, especially if you visit Budapest in the beginning of March.
If you prefer to visit Budapest at a time when there are not that many tourists, then March is still a good time to do so.
The weather starts to get warm towards the end of March, and also more tourists start to visit Budapest, but it still won’t be as crowded as during summer time.
Prices
March is still considered low season in Budapest, so if you are looking for affordable prices, March is a good time to visit Budapest.
The flights to Budapest are the cheapest for January and February, but you can also get some good deals for the beginning of March.
From the end of March, flight and hotels prices will go back up to the regular tourist season price.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Budapest in March
1. GO SIGHTSEEING
Budapest is famous for its beautiful architecture and the River Danube splitting the city into two sides: Pest and Buda.
Exploring the historic buildings is one of the best things to do in Budapest! The weather starts to turn warm in March, so it is a great time to walk around Budapest.
The beginning of March is still low season, so there are also less tourists and places are not too crowded.
It is great to explore the city both during daytime and in the evening. Many of the historic buildings are located along the River Danube and they are decorated with lights in the evenings which make it even more special.
Top 5 Attractions to See in Budapest:
- Hungarian Parliament
- Heroes’ Square
- Fisherman’s Bastion
- Buda Castle
- St. Stephen’s Basilica
2. CHILL IN THE THERMAL BATHS
Budapest is famous for its thermal baths and one of the most popular things to do in Budapest is to chill in the baths.
The thermal baths in Budapest are open all year around and they have indoor and outdoor pool areas.
There are both warm and cold water baths, and relaxing in the warm water baths in March is one of the best things to do in Budapest.
Two of the most popular thermal baths are the Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Thermal Bath. These two baths can feel very touristy and full of people but there are some baths that are used mainly by locals.
If you want to visit some less touristy baths that are mostly visited by locals, check out the Lukács Bath, Veli Bej Bath, or Dandár Bath.
➡️ Book a Full Day Pass to Széchenyi Thermal Bath here! (Rated 4.3/5 ⭐ on 16,293 Reviews)
3. GO ON A RIVER DANUBE CRUISE
A boat cruise on the River Danube is one of the best ways to see Budapest. A river cruise is a great activity all year round and the best time to go is in the evening to see the city decorated with lights.
Some of the Danube River Cruises include dinner, drinks and live music. Usually, when you sign up for a cruise, you can decide which type of cruise you’d like to go on.
In the beginning of March, it will still be pretty cold to stay on the outer decks of the boat for too long, so prepare with warm clothes. The boats also have indoor areas, where it is warm and cozy.
➡️ Book a Cruise on the River Danube here! (Rated 4.6/5 ⭐ on 30,059 Reviews)
4. TRY HUNGARIAN FOOD
Hungarian food is famous for goulash and paprika but it is so much more than that! You should try as many Hungarian delicacies as possible while you are visiting Budapest.
Some of the most popular Hungarian dishes are:
- Goulash soup
- Pörkölt (beef stew)
- Stuffed cabbage
- Lángos (deep fried dough with garlic, sour cream and cheese. It’s more like a snack)
- Chimney cake (dessert)
- Hortobágyi palacsinta (crepe filled with meat)
- Cherry soup
There are also food tours in Budapest where you can join with other travellers and explore the best Hungarian dishes with a guide!
🥘 Follow you stomach and join a Food Tour in Budapest here!
For traditional Hungarian food, here are some of the best restaurants in Budapest:
5. HAVE FUN AT THE RUIN BARS
Budapest is known for its nightlife, with many pubs and bars in the city centre – especially on the Pest side!
March is the beginning of spring season in Budapest, the weather starts to turn warm and it starts to get more fun to go out at night.
Budapest is famous for its “ruin bars” that are bars made with unique designs and decorations. The ruin bars have a cool atmosphere with funny furniture, like bathtubs for chairs, or even furniture stuck to the ceiling.
Two of the most popular ruin bars in Budapest are Szimpla Kert and Instant.
6. WATCH A HUNGARIAN FOLK DANCE SHOW
Watching a Hungarian folk dance show is great to see a traditional Hungarian dance performance, folk music and see the embroidery costumes of the dancers.
One of the best ways to see a Hungarian Folk Dance Show is on a river cruise on the Danube. The river cruises also include a dinner and you get great views of the historical buildings in Budapest in the evening time.
7. GO ON A DAY TRIP TO SZENTENDRE
The weather starts to turn warm in March, so it is a great time to go on day trips from Budapest.
Szentendre is located 22 km from Budapest and they are connected by regular public transport.
Szentendre is a small town and it is famous for its cobbled streets, architecture, churches and museums. It is a great place for a day trip from Budapest if you want to explore a small town near Budapest.
There is good public transport from Budapest to Szentendre. You can take a HÉV train from Batthyány tér (Budapest) to Szentendre if you want to go by public transport. If you prefer to go by taxi, there are many taxis in Budapest.
8. EAT STREET FOOD AT KARAVÁN
Karaván is located in District 7 in central Budapest. It is an open air street food heaven and there are around 10 food trucks serving various dishes and drinks.
They have a wide variety of beer and cocktails. As for food, they have tasty burgers, Thai food, Mexican food and traditional Hungarian dishes (e.g. goulash, beef stew, lángos, Hungarian pancake), vegan food and more!
Karaván is open air so the best time to visit is during the summer. If you visit in March, you will still have to wear warm clothes as it could be cold outside, especially in the evenings.
9. WALK ALONG THE RIVER DANUBE
The River Danube splits Budapest into 2 sides: Pest and Buda. Along the river, you can see many famous bridges and historic buildings, so it is great to go on a walk.
On the Pest side, as you walk, you pass the Parliament, the Shoes on the Danube, and can even walk to Margaret Island. You can also cross the Chain Bridge and walk across to Buda. Once you cross the bridge, you can go up to the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.
The views along the river are pretty great, and you can also go in the evening when the city is decorated with lights.
For the best view of the Parliament, go over to the Batthyány tér on the Buda side. From here, you can see the Parliament from across the river and it is the best place to take photos of the Parliament.
10. SHOP AT THE CENTRAL MARKET HALL
The Central Market Hall is located in central Budapest and is one of the biggest market halls in Budapest.
It is a proper Hungarian market hall where many locals do their weekly shopping. They sell many tasty Hungarian delicacies here, such as salami, pickles, spices, pálinka and wine.
Visiting the Central Market Hall is one of the unique things to do in Budapest as you can see what a Hungarian market is like, and you can try many different Hungarian delicacies.
The market has 2 floors, and there are restaurants on the second floor serving traditional Hungarian dishes.
It is also a great place to pick up some souvenirs from Budapest, such as paprika, salami or pálinka!
11. WATCH A PLAY AT THE OPERA
The Hungarian State Opera is the perfect place to see a play in Budapest. There are usually famous plays on all around the year, such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake or Aida.
You should book the tickets well in advance as the tickets sell out pretty fast. The ticket to a ballet shows, such as The Nutcracker costs around HUF 17,000-45,000 (USD 45-115), depending on the type of seat you book.
12. RIDE THE TRAM LINE 2
You might not want to get around using public transport in Budapest during your whole trip, but if you decide to take public transport in Budapest, it should be the Tram Line 2.
Budapest has a good network of trams for getting around the city and Tram Line 2 is great to explore and see the city.
Tram Line 2 starts from the Parliament and goes along the River Danube overlooking beautiful building and sights. It passes many tourist attractions and famous bridges.
As Tram 2 goes along the river, you also get to see over to the attractions on the Buda side of the city, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and the Citadella.
13. SEE A MUSEUM EXHIBITION
Budapest is full of great museums, so if you like to visit art exhibitions or want to learn about the history of Hungary, there are many museums to choose from.
The museums are open all year around with various exhibitions. Each museum have permanent exhibitions, with additional temporary exhibitions that change from time to time throughout the year.
Some of the best museums in Budapest are:
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Ethnography (‘Néprajzi Múzeum’ in Hungarian)
- House of Terror
- Hall of Arts (or Palace of Arts, it is called ‘Műcsarnok‘ in Hungarian)
- Ludwig Museum
14. GO ON A WALKING TOUR
The weather starts to turn warm in March so it is a great time to explore the city on foot. If you visit in the beginning of March, you should still pack warm clothes as it can be cold. From mid-March onwards, the weather is warmer and more enjoyable to be outdoors.
Budapest is a walkable city and there are many attractions in the city centre that are in close walking distance to each other.
A walking tour is one of the best ways to explore and see everyday life in a new place.
There are different options for walking tours in Budapest, such as visiting the Basilica, Buda Castle, or the Parliament. The walking tours usually last between 1.5-4 hours, and costs USD 10-70.
✅ Book a Budapest Walking Tour here!
15. VISIT LAKE BALATON
Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Hungary and it is a popular destination for Hungarians in the summer. It is 592 km2 big and there are many villages along the lake that you can explore.
Balaton is also known for its wineries and you can even go on a wine tasting tour. The best towns known for their wineries are Badacsony and Badacsonytomaj on the north side of the lake. They are really great places not just for wine, but also for their beaches and for having a fun time.
March is low season at Lake Balaton and not many people visit the lake during that time. The temperature of the lake is still too cold to enjoy, but you can go hiking or explore the wineries around Balaton.
Balaton is a beautiful even in March and provides a relaxing escape from Budapest. If you want to go on some hikes, be in the nature and just relax with a good book, Balaton is a great escape in the winter.
Hotels in Budapest
Here are the top 3 hotels in Budapest for every budget:
📍 Budget Hostel: Maverick City Lodge
📍 Mid-Range Hotel: D50 Hotel
📍 High-End Hotel: Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Tips for Visiting Budapest in March
What to Wear in Budapest in March
The average temperature in Budapest in March is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F). The beginning of March tends to be colder, and then it starts to become warmer from the second half of March.
Weather patterns have been unpredictable in recent years and sometimes it even snows in March. So, it is good if you check the weather updates a few days before your trip.
If you visit Budapest in the beginning of March, you should pack items that you can wear in layers, a warm jacket, gloves, scarf and hat.
If you visit Budapest towards the end of March, the weather will be warmer and you can wear a light jacket, and clothes for spring.
Public Transport in Budapest
The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and is an affordable way to get around the city.
The main modes of transport include the metro lines, buses, HÉV trains, trolley buses and there is even a public boat!
The younger people speak good English in Hungary, so if you need directions, you can always ask someone.
Public transport runs as usual throughout March, however, there is a national holiday on 15 March when the services are limited. There is still public transport operating on 15 March, it is just less frequent.
March is the beginning of spring in Budapest, but weather patterns can be unpredictable and sometimes it can snow in March. If it snows, transport is still functioning but there can be delays.
Taxis in Budapest
If you want some comfort or save time, you can also get a taxi in Budapest. There are four taxi companies in Budapest: City Taxi, Fő Taxi, Uber and Bolt.
All the taxi companies in Budapest are regulated under the same rules and fare. Even Uber and Bolt have the same taxi fares as the other Hungarian taxi companies.
Nevertheless, Uber and Bolt is easy to use through their apps. If you already have Uber or Bolt app downloaded on your phone, just log into the app once you are in Budapest and the location will update automatically.
Walking in Budapest
Budapest is a walkable city and there are many tourist attractions that are located close to each other.
March is the beginning of spring season in Budapest. The first half of March is still cold but then from the middle of March, the weather starts to get warmer.
Budapest is a great place to explore on foot, but you should still prepare with warm clothes and dress in layers if the weather is cold.
Some of the best places to explore on foot in Budapest are:
- Route 1: Deák Ferenc Square – St. Stephen’s Basilica – Shoes on the River Danube – Parliament – Margaret Island
- Route 2: Deák Ferenc Square – cross the Chain Bridge – take the Funicular to Buda Castle – Buda Castle – Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
- Route 3: Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church – Buda Castle – Gellért Hill/Citadella – Gellért Thermal Bath
- Route 4: Opera – House of Terror – Heroes’ Square – City Park + Vajdahunyad Castle – Széchenyi Thermal Bath
National Holidays in Budapest in March
15 March: Commemoration of the 1848 Revolution
15 March is a national holiday in Hungary that commemorates the Revolution of 1848 against the Habsburg oppression. 15 March now symbolizes and celebrates national independence in Hungarian history.
Although Hungary lost the 1848 Revolution and remained part of the Austrian Empire, it gained more independence in 1867. Hungary became independent from Austria in 1918, after World War I.
Commemorations take place at the Hungarian National Museum and at Kossuth Square (next to Parliament). On this day, people wear a pin (‘kokárda’ in Hungarian) which has the colours of the Hungarian flag.
Shops are closed on 15 March in Budapest and while public transport operates but only with a limited, less frequent service.
Budapest Monthly Guides
Not sure about visiting Budapest in March? Check out my Budapest monthly travel guides!
- Budapest in January
- Budapest in February
- Budapest in March
- Budapest in April
- Budapest in May
- Budapest in June
- Budapest in July
- Budapest in August
- Budapest in September
- Budapest in October
- Budapest in November
- Budapest in December
Budapest Seasonal Guides
Want to visit Budapest at another time? Check out my Budapest travel guides for each season!
FAQs: Budapest in March: Weather & Best Things to Do
Is it worth to visit Budapest in March?
Yes, it is definitely worth to visit Budapest March! March is the beginning of spring season when the weather starts to turn warm and flowers start to bloom.
March is still a little bit cold, so not that many people come to visit at that time, so there are still not that many tourists in the city.
Some of the best things to do in Budapest in March is to go sightseeing, chill in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, try Hungarian food and go on day trips.
Is it cold in Budapest in March?
The average temperature in Budapest in March is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F).
The beginning of March is still cold, but then it gradually starts to become warm. By the end of March, it is sunny and proper spring time in Budapest.
What to wear in Budapest in March?
If you visit Budapest in the beginning of March, you should pack items that you can wear in layers, a warm jacket, gloves, scarf and hat.
If you visit Budapest towards the end of March, the weather will be warmer and you can wear a light jacket, and clothes for spring.
Will there be snow in Budapest in March?
There is a low chance for snow in Budapest in March but it can snow.
The most chance for snow in Budapest is between January and February, but weather patterns can be unpredictable and sometimes it can even snow in March.
Conclusion
In conclusion, March is the beginning of spring season in Budapest. While the beginning of March can be pretty cold, the weather starts to turn warm towards the end of March.
March is still low tourist season in Budapest and the average temperature is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F).
March is a good time to visit Budapest if you want to go at a time when there are still not too many tourists in the city and the weather starts to turn a little bit warmer.
The best things to do in Budapest in March is to go sightseeing, chill in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, try Hungarian food and go on day trips.
Hungary Trip Planning
✈️ Book Flights to Hungary:
Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner or Kiwi.com!
🏠 Book Hotels for Hungary:
Booking.com: best budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
Hostelworld.com: best for cheapest hostels!
(P.S: The best areas in Budapest are District 5 and 6, right in the city center)
🥘 Book Activities for Hungary:
Book the best activities, tours and day trips on GetYourGuide and Viator. There is everything from river cruises, thermal baths and walking tours to food tours and pub crawls!
🎒 Get Travel Insurance for Hungary: Be on the safe side and get the SafetyWing Travel Insurance – one of the most affordable international travel insurances!
💳 Get Your Travel Cards: Wise and Revolut have travel cards that you can top up with multiple currencies. They have great exchange rates and you can easily use them for payments in shops and restaurants worldwide.
✅ Check out my complete list of travel resources to plan your trip!
Hungary Quick Guide
How to get from the Budapest Airport to City Center?
The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by taking the airport shuttle bus, taxi, or pre-booking a private transfer.
For more information, check out how to get from the Budapest Airport to city center here.
Should I get a Hungarian SIM card?
If you don’t get free roaming in Budapest, then the best thing to do is to get an Airalo eSIM for Hungary.
They have packages for 7, 15 or 30 days and the prices are affordable.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Hungary?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Hungary, including apps for booking taxis, using public transport, ordering food, or translating.
Check out my list of the most useful apps in Budapest for travellers.
What is the currency in Budapest? Can I pay by cash or card?
The official currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
You can use both cash and cards in Budapest. Card payments are widely accepted all over Budapest and it is only the small shops or street vendors that take only cash payments.
Is the public transport good in Budapest?
Yes! The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and affordable.
The main modes of transport in Budapest are the metro, buses, HÉV trains, trolley buses and there are even public boats!
If you want to save some time or comfort, taking a taxi is a good option. When booking a taxi in Budapest, you can either hail a regular taxi or book one through a taxi app (Uber or Bolt).
Can I drink tap water in Budapest?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Budapest (and all across Hungary).
The tap water goes through a strict water treatment process in Hungary which makes it safe to drink for everyone.
Do they speak English in Budapest?
Yes, people speak good English in Budapest, especially the younger generation.
The older population may not speak English that well, so if you have to ask for information, the best is to approach someone who is younger.
In most tourist places, hotels, restaurants and bars, the staff has a good level of English, so you will get by easily.
