Budapest in Spring: Weather & 21 Best Things to Do (2025)

WONDERING WHAT’S IT LIKE IN BUDAPEST IN SPRING?

I’m originally from Budapest and I have good news, Spring is a great time to visit Budapest! The weather is warm and sunny but it is shoulder season in Budapest, so it is not too crowded yet.

The average temperature in Budapest in Spring is between 3.3–21 °C (38–70 °F).

During the Spring, there are many flowers and trees blooming in Budapest and the city starts to come alive after the winter season.

The best things to do in Spring in Budapest is to go sightseeing, relax in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, and hang out in parks and outdoor cafes!

If you are visiting Budapest in Spring, the best is to pack clothes that you can wear in layers. The days are sunny, but you will need a jacket and light scarf for the evenings.

So, here is everything you need to know about visiting Budapest in Spring, including the weather, what to wear, festivals and best things to do!

Budapest Weather in Spring

Spring in Budapest runs from March to May.

March is the beginning of Spring season and it can still be pretty cold. At odd times, there is even snow in Budapest in March.

From March, it gradually starts to become warmer and the flowers and trees start to bloom. The days also become longer. While it gets dark early during winter, during spring there is longer daylight.

By April, it’s proper spring time in Budapest. The weather is sunny, warm and the city is full with flowers blooming. From April, the weather is nice for outdoor activities, as well as chilling in parks and outdoor cafes.

May is the warmest month during Spring in Budapest. The end of May is also the beginning of summer, so the weather can start to get a little bit hot.

Budapest Temperature in Spring

The average temperature in Budapest in Spring is between 3.3–21 °C (38-70 °F).

March is the coldest month during Spring in Budapest, however, it starts to get warm from the end of March and then April and May are sunny and warm.

April and May are great times to visit Budapest as the temperature is warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities, but not too hot yet to make you feel sweaty.

Does it Snow in Budapest in Spring?

Generally it does not snow in Budapest in Spring. However, the weather patterns can be unpredictable and there is some chance of snow in March in Budapest.

Thus, if you visit Budapest in March, you should check the weather forecast beforehand, just in case it snows.

For it to snow in Budapest in April, there is a very low chance, but it can still happen. Nevertheless, from April and May onwards, the weather is generally warm and sunny.

Is it Warm in Budapest in Spring?

The beginning of Spring in Budapest is still pretty cold. As Spring starts, the days are getting warmer and sunnier, but March is still mostly cold.

From April onwards, the weather is warm and it is great to hang out at outdoor cafes and parks.

May has the warmest weather during Spring. Summer officially starts in Hungary from June, so the weather towards the end of May in Budapest can get pretty hot.

Is Spring a Good Time to Visit Budapest?

Yes, Spring is a good time to visit Budapest!

Spring is shoulder season in Budapest, so while weather-wise it is a good time to visit the city, there are not as many tourists yet as during the summer high season.

During the Spring, the weather in Budapest is warm but it is not too hot yet to make you sweaty. As the city gets more sun, it is a good time to chill in parks or outdoor cafes.

The best things to do in Spring in Budapest is to go sightseeing, relax in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, and hang out in parks and outdoor cafes!

Crowds

Spring is shoulder season in Budapest so there are still not that many tourists visit the city. While, more and more visitors arrive to Budapest in Spring, it is still not yet peak summer season.

Thus, if you would like to visit Budapest at a less busy time, Spring and Autumn are good options.

For the least busy time, January and February have the lowest number of visitors and best deals –  although it can get cold!

Prices

The prices during Spring in Budapest gradually start to go up. March can still be cold and not that many visitors arrive, so there can still be some discounts for hotels and flights.

Due to the Easter holidays in April, the prices usually go up. May is leading up to summer high season in Budapest, so the prices also go higher.

Thus, if you want catch some deals, you should visit Budapest in the beginning of spring, as the prices tend to go up the closer it is to summer season.

The Best Things to Do in Budapest in Spring

1. VISIT THE MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

Budapest is famous for its architecture and the River Danube. The Danube splits the city into two sides (Buda and Pest) and walking along the river is a great way to see many of the attractions.

Exploring the historic sites is one of the best things to do in Budapest! The weather is warm but not too hot yet during spring, so it is a great time to explore the city.

As the weather becomes warm in Budapest, it is a great time to also relax at parks and outdoor cafes and restaurants.

Many of the historic buildings are located along the River Danube and they are decorated with lights in the evenings. You should see the city both during day and night, as the city looks extra special with the lights on.

If you are only in Budapest for a short time, you can check out the main attractions in 1 day in Budapest. For this, the best is to hire a taxi to save you time to get around the city.

2. GO ON A RIVER DANUBE CRUISE

Going on a River Danube Cruise is one of the best ways to see Budapest. A boat cruise is a great activity all year around but during spring it is still cold on the outer decks, so take a jacket and scarf with you.

There are both day and night cruises, but the best time to go is in the evening so you can see the city decorated with lights.

Some of the Danube River Cruises also include dinner, drinks, and traditional Hungarian  folk dance and music. Usually, when you sign up for the cruise, you can decide which type of cruise you’d like to go on.

During holidays and busy periods, the cruise tickets can sell out so it is the best to buy them a few days in advance.

✅ Book a Cruise on the River Danube here! (Rated 4.6/5 ⭐ on 31,530 Reviews)

3. CHILL IN THE WARM 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 both indoor and outdoor pool areas.

If you visit Budapest in the beginning of Spring (March), the weather is still cold. Thus, you will likely enjoy the warm water baths more. While, it can get pretty hot in May, so then it is a good time for both warm and cold water baths.

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

✅ Book a Full Day Pass at Széchenyi Thermal Bath here! (Rated 4.3/5 ⭐ on 16,293 Reviews)

The Széchenyi and Gellért Baths can be very touristy and crowded but there are some local baths that are not that busy.

If you want to chill in some less touristy baths, check out the Lukács Bath, Veli Bej Bath, or Rudas Bath.

4. EAT HUNGARIAN FOOD

Trying the local cuisine is a must in any place you visit and don’t miss out on it while you are in Budapest!

Hungarian food is famous for the goulash soup and paprika powder but there is so much more to it than that. While in Budapest, you should try as many Hungarian dishes as possible.

Paprika powder is also a great souvenir from Budapest to take back home.

To try traditional Hungarian food, you can also join a food tour in Budapest. The food tour gives you a chance to learn about Hungarian traditions and try delicious Hungarian dishes!

The food tours usually last around 2-3 hours and costs USD 65.

Hungary is also famous for its wine and if you want to do something fun, you can also go on a wine tasting tour in Budapest. The Budapest Wine Tasting Tours last 2 hours and costs USD 56.

🥘 Join a Budapest Food Tour or Hungarian Wine Tasting here!

5. HAVE FUN AT THE RUINS BARS

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

The weather starts to get warm during spring which makes it nicer to go out at night. As the weather starts to get good for outdoor activities, Budapest usually has a a good number of events and festivals in the Spring.

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. 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 great place to visit if you want to see a traditional Hungarian market.

They sell many different Hungarian delicacies, such as salami, spices, pickles, pálinka, and wine!

The market has 2 floors, and there are also 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 try various Hungarian dishes.

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

7. VISIT SZENTENDRE

The weather in Budapest in Spring is great to go on day trips. It is warm but not too hot yet, so it makes it very enjoyable.

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 cobblestone 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. SEE A MUSEUM EXHIBITION

Budapest has many museums and exploring the different exhibitions is a great way to learn about the history and culture of Hungary.

The museums in Budapest are open all year around with various exhibitions. Each museum has permanent exhibitions, with additional temporary exhibitions that change from time to time throughout the year.

City Park

The City Park is located just behind the Heroes’ Square and it is a great place to relax during spring and summer. It is a popular spot among locals for hanging out with friends and having a picnic when the weather is good.

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

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

Margaret Island

Margaret Island is a popular spot for locals coming to chill in the park or to go for a run. There is also a water fountain pretty close to the entrance where there is a light show every hour during the spring and summer.

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

From the Margaret Island, it is also possible to take a public boat that takes you on the River Danube and pass the most iconic buildings such as the Parliament and Buda Castle.

Erzsébet Square

Erzsébet Square is located in central Budapest and it has many bars, restaurants, and even a Ferris Wheel.

There is a venue, Akvárium Klub, at the Erzsébet Square where they hold many live music events. It also has an outdoor seating area, which is cool to enjoy during the summer.

Gellért Hill

Gellért Hill is on the Buda side of the city but it can be easily reached by taking the metro or tram from Pest to Buda.

It is right next to the Gellért Bath and it takes a short walk to get up to the Gellért Hill.

Gellért Hill is great if you want to take some break from the city and be in nature. It is across a pretty big area and has many flowers and trees to bring you peace.

10. GO ON A WALKING TOUR

Spring is a great time to explore Budapest on foot! The weather is warm but not too hot yet to make you sweaty.

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 St. Stephen’s Basilica, Buda Castle, or the Parliament.

The walking tours usually last between 1.5-4 hours, and cost USD 10-70.

✅ Book a Budapest Walking Tour here!

11. VISIT THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest Syangogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. The Synagogue is an impressive building with beautiful design both inside and outside.

It is a good place to visit if you want to learn about the history of Hungarian Jews. It is also emotionally heavy as you get to learn about the victims of the Holocaust.

The whole Synagogue is a complex of buildings, consisting the Synagogue, 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.

12. HAVE A DRINK AT A ROOFTOP BAR

The weather in Spring is warm so it is a good time for outdoor cafes and bars. It can still get chilly in the evenings, so it is good if you have a jacket with you.

Rooftop bars are a cool place to have some food and drinks, and at the same time, see Budapest from high up.

Some of the best rooftop bars in Budapest are the High Note SkyBar, Leo Rooftop, and 360 Bar.

You get really nice views of the city from these rooftop bars, so make sure to be there for sunset and then to see the city in the evening with the lights on.

13. 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.

14. WALK ALONG THE RIVER DANUBE

The River Danube splits Budapest into 2 parts: Buda and Pest. Along the Danube, you can see many historic buildings both on the Pest and Buda sides.

On the Pest side, you can walk along the Parliament, the Shoes on the Danube, and 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.

Pro Tip: For the best views 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.

🚌 Join a Hop-on Hop-off Tour and relax while exploring Budapest!

15. 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 show, such as The Nutcracker, costs around HUF 17,000-45,000 (USD 43-115), depending on the type of seat you book.

16. EAT STREET FOOD AT KARAVÁN

Karaván is located in District 7 in central Budapest. It is a heaven for open air street food lovers and there are around 10 food trucks that serve various food and drinks.

They have a wide variety of beer and cocktails for drinks. 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. It is also pretty nice in the Spring as the weather is warm, however, you will need a jacket for the evenings.

17. GO ON A SEGWAY TOUR

A Segway tour is a fun way to explore Budapest! The weather is warm in the Spring but it is not too hot yet, which makes it perfect for segway tours.

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

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

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

✅ Book a Segway Tour in Budapest here!

18. GO ON A TRIP TO LAKE BALATON

Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Hungary and it is a popular destination during summer.

The weather is not too hot yet during Spring, so the temperature of the lake is not warm enough yet to enjoy swimming. Towards the end of May, the water could be good for swimming but it will depend on the current weather.

Even if it is not yet warm enough to swim in the lake, there are many other activities that you can do at Balaton, such as hiking or wine tasting. The best towns known for their wineries are Badacsony and Badacsonytomaj on the north side of the lake.

Spring is shoulder season, so it is not yet busy at Balaton. It means, that if you visit at this time, you can get accommodation for lower costs. Then, as summer starts, the prices tend to go up as many people visit the lake.

19. ENJOY THE OUTDOOR CAFES AND RESTAURANTS

Budapest does not have as many outdoor cafes like France or Belgium, but there are still a good number of outdoor cafes and restaurants that you can enjoy during spring.

The days are sunny and warm during Spring, so it is a great time to have food and drinks at an outdoor cafe or restaurant. It still gets chilly in the evenings in the spring, so make sure to have a jacket with you.

There are many outdoor cafes and restaurants in the city centre pf Budapest. For the best outdoor cafes and restaurants, check out the restaurants at the St. Stephen’s Bazilica, Bálna, Duna Corso (Duna sétány), and Akvárium.

20. RIDE THE TRAM LINE 2

You might not want to use public transport in Budapest for the whole duration of your 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 see the city’s main attractions.

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.

In December, the trams (including Tram 2) are even decorated with Christmas lights to get you into the festive season.

21. 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 all ages, especially if you are travelling with kids.

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

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.

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

15 March: Revolution of 1848

15 March is a national holiday in Hungary that commemorates the Revolution of 1848 against the Habsburg opression. 15 March 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 the 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 rosette (‘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.

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 in Hungary 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 Spring

What to Wear in Budapest in Spring

If you are visiting Budapest in Spring, the best is to pack clothes that you can wear in layers. The days are sunny, but you will need a jacket and light scarf for the evenings.

Spring can have varying temperatures in Budapest, so deciding what to pack, depends on when you visit.

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.

For clothes for April, it is warm during the day, but you should also pack clothes that will keep you warm in the evenings. It is good if you bring a waterproof jacket and a light scarf that will keep you warm in the evenings.

For clothes in May, you can wear 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

Public transport in Budapest runs as usual in spring, except for a few days on national holidays.

On public holidays (15 March, Easter and 1 May), there is usually limited transport in Budapest. There is still public transport, it just means that they go on a less frequent schedule.

Overall, the public transport in Budapest is well developed 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 to ask for directions, you can always ask someone.

Taxis in Budapest

If you want some comfort or save time, you can also easily get a taxis 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 easily walkable and there are many tourist attractions that are located close to each other.

The first half of March is still cold but then from the middle of March, the weather starts to get warmer.

Thus, as the weather gets warmer in Budapest, it gets more and more enjoyable to explore the city on foot!

May can get pretty hot, so if you are out and about when it is very sunny, then make sure to use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

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

Is Budapest nice in Spring?

Yes, Budapest is nice in the Spring.

Spring is shoulder season in Budapest, so while weather-wise it is a good time to visit the city, there are not as many tourists yet as during the summer high season.

During the Spring, the weather in Budapest is warm but it is not too hot yet to make you sweaty. As the city gets more sun, it is a good time to chill in parks or at outdoor cafes.

The best things to do in spring in Budapest is to go sightseeing, relax in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, and hang out in parks and outdoor cafes!

Is April a good time to go to Budapest?

Yes, April is a good time to visit Budapest. April is Spring season in Budapest and the weather is warm and sunny.

The flowers are blooming in Budapest in April and you can even see some cherry blossoms in the spring.

The best things to do in April in Budapest is to go sightseeing, relax at the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, or to celebrate Easter in Budapest!

What do you wear in Budapest in Spring?

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.

For clothes for April, it is warm during the day, but you should also pack clothes that will keep you warm in the evenings. It is good if you bring a waterproof jacket and a light scarf that will keep you warm in the evenings.

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

When is the Budapest Spring Festival in 2025?

The Budapest Spring Festival is between 29 April-12 May 2025.

Conclusion

Spring is a great time to visit Budapest! The weather is warm and sunny but it is shoulder season in Budapest, so it is not too crowded yet.

The average temperature in Budapest in Spring is between 3.3–21 °C (38–70 °F).

During the Spring, there are many flowers and trees blooming in Budapest and the city starts t come alive after the winter season.

The best things to do in Spring in Budapest is to go sightseeing, relax in the thermal baths, go on a boat cruise, and hang out in parks and outdoor cafes!

If you are visiting Budapest in Spring, the best is to pack clothes that you can wear in layers. The days are sunny, but you will need a jacket and light scarf for the evenings.