Budapest in May: Weather & 20 Best Things to Do (2025)

PLANNING TO VISIT BUDAPEST IN MAY?

I am from Budapest and May is a really good time to visit Budapest. The weather is warm but mostly not too hot yet to make you too sweaty. May is spring in Budapest, so you can still see many flowers in bloom.

May is good time to visit Budapest, if you are looking for warm weather and want to see the city before the peak summer tourist season (June-August) kicks in.

Although more and more tourists start to visit Budapest from May onwards, it is still not yet peak summer season.

The best things to do in Budapest in May is to go sightseeing, go on a River Danube Cruise, chill in the thermal baths, and enjoy the outdoor cafes.

Budapest has also many festivals going on in May, such as the Budapest Spring Festival, Gourmet Festival, Festival of Museums, and the Budapest Beer Week.

Here is everything you need to know about visiting Budapest in May, including the weather, what to wear, and best things to do!

Budapest Weather in May

May is spring season in Budapest and the weather is warm but not too hot yet.

It starts to get warmer and warmer towards the end of May, as summer officially starts June onwards.

The weather is warm on May but it is not too hot yet to make you too sweaty – well, maybe towards the end of May, it is.

Budapest Temperature in May

The average temperature in Budapest in May is between 11–21 °C (52-70 °F).

It is warm in Budapest in May, and starts to get hot towards the end of May, as summer starts in Hungary.

Is Budapest Hot in May?

Budapest is warm in May, and starts to get hot towards the end of May.

Summer officially starts in Hungary from June, so the weather towards end of May in Budapest can start to get pretty hot.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Budapest?

Yes, it is a really good time to visit Budapest in May! The weather is warm but mostly not too hot yet to make it too sweaty.

Although more and more tourists start to visit Budapest from May onwards, it is still not yet peak summer season.

It is a great time to visit Budapest in May, if you are looking for warm weather and want to see the city before the peak summer tourist season (June-August) kicks in.

Some of the best things to do in Budapest in May is to go sightseeing, go on a River Danube Cruise, chill in the thermal baths, and enjoy the outdoor cafes.

Crowds

May is just before the peak summer season (June-August) in Budapest.

While, more and more tourists visit Budapest in May, it is still not as busy as it is during the summer months.

Prices

The prices in Budapest start to increase in May as the number of tourists arrival also increases.

The prices of flights and hotels in Budapest is higher in May than in the winter months, but if you book it in advance, you may be able to get a deal for the flight.

If you want to visit Budapest at a cheaper price and don’t mind the cold, you could consider visiting anytime between January to March.

The Best Things to Do in Budapest in May

1. SEE THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Budapest is famous for its beautiful architecture and the River Danube splitting the city into two sides: Pest and Buda.

Exploring the historic sites is one of the best things to do in Budapest! The weather is warm in May, and so it is a great time to visit Budapest.

Budapest starts to receive a higher number of tourists from April onwards, but May is still not as busy as the summer season.

As the weather is warm in May, it is a great time to explore the city and its main attractions.

Many of the historic buildings are located along the River Danube and if you go out in the evening, you’ll see the city decorated in lights.

2. 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.

To enjoy general Hungarian dishes, you can also go on a Budapest food tour. The food tour gives you a chance to explore the best Hungarian dishes with a guide and other travellers!

🥘 Try delicious Hungarian dishes and join a Food Tour in Budapest here!

3. RELAX 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 baths.

The thermal baths in Budapest are open all year around and they have both indoor and outdoor pool areas.

There are warm and cold water baths, so depending on the weather in May, you can enjoy both warm or cold water baths.

Two of the most popular thermal baths are the Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Thermal Bath.

✅ Book a Full Day Spa in Budapest here! (Rated 4.3/5 ⭐ on 16,293 Reviews)

The Széchenyi Bath also runs the ‘Sparty’ party night on Saturdays from April onwards. They have DJs and drinks and is a popular place for a unique party in Budapest.

The Széchenyi and Gellért Baths can feel very touristy. So, if you want to visit one of the less touristy thermal baths, the Lukács Bath, Dandár Bath, or Veli Bej Bath are good options.

4. GO ON A RIVER DANUBE CRUISE

A cruise on the River Danube is one of the best ways to see Budapest. A boat cruise is a great activity all year round but it is the best when the weather is good.

If you want to see the city decorated with lights, then the best time to go is in the evening.

Some of the Danube River Cruises include dinner, drinks or even live Hungarian folk dance and music.

When you sign up for a cruise, you can decide which type of cruise you’d like to go on.

In May the weather is warm but it can still get a bit chilly in the evening when you are on boat on the Danube. The boats have an indoor and outdoor area, and you get the best view from the outer decks.

As it can get cold on the boat in the evenings in May, it is good if you take a light jacket with you for the cruise.

✅ Book a Cruise on the River Danube here! (Rated 4.6/5 ⭐ on 30,059 Reviews)

5. ENJOY THE NIGHTLIFE

Budapest is known for its nightlife, and there are many bars and pubs in the city centre – especially on the Pest side!

The weather is nice and warm in May which make it fun to go out at night. Once the weather gets warm in Budapest, the city comes alive at night and there are many parties and events to go to.

Budapest is famous for its “ruin bars” that are bars made with cool designs and decorations. The ruin bars have a unique atmosphere with funny furniture, like bathtubs for chairs.

If you want to hang out at the ruin bars, Szimpla Kert and Instant are two of the most popular ones in Budapest.

6. VISIT SZENTENDRE

The weather is warm in May in Hungary, so it is the perfect time to go on day trips from Budapest.

Szentendre is located 22 km from Budapest and are well-connected by regular public transport.

Szentendre is a small town and it is famous for its cobbled streets, museums, and architecture. 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.

7. HAVE A PICNIC AT MARGARET ISLAND

Margaret Island is a popular spot for going on a run or have picnic with friends. There is also a water fountain pretty close to the entrance where there is a light show every hour during the summer time.

The best time to visit Margaret Island is between April to September when the weather is nice to be outdoors.

From Margaret Island, it is also possible to take a public boat on the River Danube. The public boat passes through the most iconic buildings such as the Parliament and Buda Castle, so if you want to save some money, you don’t have to pay for a river cruise.

8. 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.

9. VISIT THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. It is an impressive building with beautiful design.

At the Synagogue, you can learn about the history of Hungarian Jews, but it is also emotionally heavy as you learn about the Holocaust victims.

The whole Synagogue complex consist of other buildings too, such as the Heroes’ Temple, Jewish Museum, Cemetery, and the Holocaust Memorial.

The Holocaust Memorial Tree is in the garden of Synagogue. It is weeping willow tree with metal leaves engraved with the names of Holocaust victims.

There is also the Heroes’ Temple in the garden of the Synagogue. It is burial site of Jews who died during World War I. In the Hungarian Jewish Museum you can learn about Jewish heritage and traditions.

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 open all year around and it is a cool place to visit if you want to see a proper Hungarian market.

They sell many different Hungarian delicacies here including food and drinks, such as salami, pickles, spices, pálinka, wine and more!

The market has 2 floors, and there are restaurants on the second floor serving traditional Hungarian dishes.

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 also try various Hungarian dishes.

It is also a great place to pick up some souvenirs from Budapest, such as paprika, salami or pálinka!

11. HAVE FUN ON A SEGWAY TOUR

A Segway tour is one of the most fun ways to explore Budapest! The weather is warm in May but not too hot yet to get too sweaty. Thus, it is a great time to be outdoors and try going on a Segway tour.

The Segway tours usually last between 1-2 hours and cover the most famous attractions in Budapest. You can choose between tours that cover different parts of the city.

On the Pest side, you can cover the Heroes’ Square, Hungarian State Opera, Andrassy Avenue, or you can go on a tour on the Buda side and cover the places around the Buda Castle and Fisherman Bastion.

The number of people in a group on a Segway Tour is usually around 14 people and it costs between USD 50-80 per person.

✅ Book a Segway Tour in Budapest here!

12. 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 traditional Hungarian food (e.g. goulash, beef stew, lángos, Hungarian pancake), tasty burgers, Thai and Mexican food, vegan food and more!

Karaván is open air, so it’s the best time to visit during the summer (June-August). May is not yet summer time but it is already pretty warm to enjoy eating and drinking outdoors.

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. The museums have permanent exhibitions, with additional temporary exhibitions that change from time to time.

14. HANG OUT AT CITY PARK

The City Park is located just behind the Heroes’ Square. It is a popular place to hang out with friends and have a picnic during summer.

There is also a small lake in the City Park where you can go boating in the summer.

In the winter, the lake is turned into an ice-skating rink which is one of the biggest ice-skating rinks in Budapest.

15. WALK ALONG THE RIVER DANUBE

Budapest is a walkable city and the weather is really nice in May to go on walks along the River Danube. It is warm but not too hot yet, like during the summer.

The River Danube splits Budapest into 2 sides: Pest and Buda. Along the river, you can see many famous historic buildings, so it is great to go on a walk.

On the Pest side, you can walk along the Parliament, the Shoes on the Danube, or even walk to the Margaret Island.

From Pest, you can also cross the Chain Bridge and walk across to Buda. Once you cross the bridge, you can either hike up to the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, or take the Funicular.

The views along the river is pretty great, and if you go in the evening, you can also see the city decorated with lights.

For the best view of the Parliament, go to the Batthyány tér on the Buda side. From there, you can see the Parliament from across the river and it is the best place to take photos of the Parliament.

16. 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 seat you book.

17. 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.

18. GO ON A WALKING TOUR

The weather in May is warm so it is a great time to explore Budapest on foot!

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.

✅ Join on of the best Budapest Walking Tours here!

19. GO ON A TRIP TO 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.

May is still low season at Lake Balaton and while the weather is warm in May, it is not yet peak summer season. The temperature of Balaton in May is still not warm enough to enjoy it, but you can go hiking or explore the wineries around Balaton.

Nevertheless, Balaton is a beautiful even in May and provides a relaxing escape from Budapest. If you like hiking, spend time in the nature or just chill with a good book, Balaton is a great escape.

20. VISIT THE BUDAPEST ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDEN

• Budapest Zoo Opening Times: 9 am – 4 pm Everyday

The Budapest Zoo is located near the Heroes’ Square in the City Park. Visiting the zoo is a great activity for everyone, especially for families with kids.

There are over 1,000 species of animals in the Budapest zoo, including elephants, rhinos, bears, giraffes, tigers and lions. The zoo is spread out over a big area and it is easy to spend around 3 hours there.

The information about animals in the zoo is available in both English and Hungarian, so even if you don’t speak Hungarian, there is a text in English.

Some enclaves for the animals are small, so don’t visit the zoo if you don’t like to see animals restricted to small spaces.

Labour Day (1 May)

Labour Day is celebrated in Hungary on 1 May, just like in most other countries.

1 May is a national holiday and the shops and markets are usually all closed on this day. While, cafes and restaurants remain open.

The Budapest transport runs with limited service on 1 May.

Tips for Visiting Budapest in May

What to Wear in Budapest in May

The average temperature in Budapest in May is between 11–21 °C (52-70 °F). It is warm in May, and starts to get hot towards the end of May, as summer starts in Hungary.

Thus, if you are visiting Budapest in May, you can wear clothes such as T-Shirts, shorts, skirts and sandals. For the evenings, it is good if you still pack a cardigan or sweater to keep you warm.

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 May, however, during the 1 May Labour Day holiday, the services are limited. There is still public transport operating on 1 May, but with a less frequent schedule.

You can also get a Budapest Card that includes the use of all public transport in Budapest, plus you get a free or discounted ticket to over 100 attractions!

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.

The weather is warm and sunny in April, so it is one of the best times to explore Budapest.

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

FAQs: Budapest in May: Weather & Best Things to Do

Is May a good time to go to Budapest?

Yes, it is a really good time to visit Budapest in May! The weather is warm but mostly not too hot yet to make it too sweaty.

Although more and more tourists start to visit Budapest from May onwards, it is still not yet peak summer season.

It is a great time to visit Budapest in May, if you are looking for warm weather and want to see the city before the peak summer tourist season (June-August) kicks in.

Is Budapest rainy in May?

There is some chance of rain in Budapest in May, but usually they are quick rain showers and don’t last long.

What should I wear in Budapest in early May?

The average daytime temperature in Budapest in May is around 21 °C (70 °F), thus, if you are visiting Budapest in May, you can wear clothes such as T-Shirts, shorts, skirts and sandals.

For the evenings, it is good if you still pack a cardigan or sweater to keep you warm.

What time does it get dark in Budapest in May?

The sun sets around 8 pm in Budapest in May, which provides long days filled with sun and daylight to enjoy exploring the city in May.

Conclusion

In conclusion, May is a really good time to visit Budapest. The weather is warm but mostly not too hot yet to make you too sweaty. May is spring in Budapest, so you can still see many flowers blooming.

May is good time to visit Budapest, if you are looking for warm weather and want to see the city before the peak summer tourist season (June-August) kicks in.

Although more and more tourists start to visit Budapest from May onwards, it is still not yet peak summer season.

The best things to do in Budapest in May is to go sightseeing, go on a River Danube Cruise, chill in the thermal baths, and enjoy the outdoor cafes.

Budapest has also many festivals going on in May, such as the Budapest Spring Festival, Gourmet Festival, Festival of Museums, and the Budapest Beer Week.