Summer in Budapest: Weather & 23 Best Things to Do (2026)

Is Summer a Good Time to Visit Budapest?

Yes, summer is a great time to visit Budapest! Summer is the high season in Budapest and while it can get crowded and hot, there are so many cool things to do in the city.

During the summer, there are many festivals and events in Budapest, and you also get to enjoy the outdoor restaurants and cafes.

The best things to do in summer in Budapest is to explore the city, go on a river cruise, relax in the pools or thermal baths, have fun at Sziget Festival, and hang out in parks and outdoor cafes!

Crowds

Summer is high season in Budapest when most of the tourists visit the city.

Due to the high number of tourists, it can feel very busy at the main tourist attractions. If you would like to visit Budapest at a less busy time, spring and autumn are good options.

For the least busy time, you can consider visiting Budapest between January-March –  although it can get cold!

Nevertheless, summer is a pretty good time to visit Budapest because the weather is sunny, and there are so lots of activities you can do!

Prices

As summer is high season in Budapest, the prices for hotels are the highest during this time.

The prices for flights to get to Budapest is also the highest during the summer months (plus during Christmas in the winter), but if you book it well in advance, you may be able to get a deal.

If you want to visit Budapest at a cheaper price (for hotels, flights), you could consider visiting anytime between January to March. January to March is cold but there are many things you can do in Budapest even in the winter.

The Best Things to Do in Summer in Budapest

1. EXPLORE THE HISTORICAL SITES

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

Exploring the historic sites is a must while visiting Budapest! The weather is hot during the summer, so it is best to go sightseeing in the morning or late afternoon.

Also make sure to use sunscreen and drink plenty of water as it can get very hot and sunny.

There are many festivals and outdoor events in Budapest in summer, and it is a also great time to enjoy 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. CHILL BY THE POOL

Summer is the hottest time in Budapest, so if you just want to chill by the pool, here are the best Budapest pools for you!

Some of the best pools in Budapest are Palatinus Pool and Thermal Baths, Római Pool, Lupa Beach and Paskál Pool and Thermal Baths.

Many of the pools also have warm thermal baths and spa, so if you are tired of the slides and just want to relax, you can also use the spas.

3. GO ON A BOAT CRUISE

Going on a cruise on the Danube is one of the best ways to see Budapest. A boat cruise is a great activity all year around but summer is great because you can stay on the outer decks of the boat without feeling cold.

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.

If you happen to be in Budapest on 20 August, that’s when Hungary celebrates its State Foundation Day. There are fireworks in the evening that day and you can even book a boat cruise to see it from there – it’s pretty cool!

✅ Book a Cruise on the River Danube here! (Rated 4.6/5 on 45,414 reviews)

4. GO ON A TRIP TO LAKE BALATON

If you are spending 1-2 weeks in Budapest in the summer, you don’t have to stay in Budapest for the whole time – you can also explore other places in Hungary!

In the summer in Hungary, Lake Balaton is a popular place to visit. Balaton is called as the “Hungarian Sea” as it is the biggest lake in the country and Hungary has no sea of its own.

There are many villages along the lake where they have beaches, hotels, bars and restaurants and it’s got a real summer vibe.

Summer is high tourist season in Hungary, and it is one of the best times to visit Balaton. It might be very busy but it is worth a trip!

As summer is high season, the prices for accommodation are higher around this time at Balaton. If you book it well in advance, you may be able to get a good deal.

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.

5. TRY HUNGARIAN FOOD

Trying the local cuisine is a must in any place you visit and you should not miss out on it in Budapest!

Hungarian food is famous for goulash and paprika but there is so much more to it! So, while you are in Budapest, you should try as many Hungarian dishes as possible.

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 cost 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 cost USD 56.

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

6. 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 the baths.

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

Summer is the hottest time of the year in Budapest, so you are more likely to enjoy the cold water pools. Nevertheless, you should also try the warm thermal baths as they are good for health.

The biggest and most popular thermal bath in Budapest is the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. It has 18 pools (including indoor and outdoor pools) and it’s one of the must-visit places in Budapest. It can get crowded, so if you want to go to a less busy baths, then check out Lukács Baths, Veli Bej Baths or Dandár Baths.

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

✅ Book a Full Day Ticket for the Széchenyi Thermal Bath here! (Rated 4.3/5 on 25,135 reviews)

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

8. 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 warm during the summer and it is the most fun to go out at night in the summer. Budapest is full of events and festivals in during summer and there are many outdoor places where you can have fun.

You should also check out the “ruin bars” in Budapest. The ruin bars have a cool vibe 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.

9. RELAX AT 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 the summer.

Summer is peak tourist season in Budapest and it can get pretty hot. It is a great time to relax a bit, and have food and drinks at an outdoor restaurant.

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 BaSilica, Bálna, Duna Corso (Duna sétány), and Akvárium.

10. PARTY ON A BOAT

Budapest is famous for its nightlife and although there are parties all year around, the best parties and festivals are in the summer!

There is also a boat, A38, in Budapest that has been functioning as a music venue for over 20 years. It is very popular in Budapest as it has been a very unique place for a party.

A38 has both indoor and outdoor party area, and has many different events, live music and DJs playing there every night.

During the winter, A38 has events in its indoor area, but once it is summer, A38 is great for events on its outer deck.

11. VISIT A MUSEUM EXHIBITION

Escape the summer heat and see a museum exhibition in Budapest! Summer is the hottest time of the year in Budapest, but you can check out an indoor museum exhibition to get away from the sun for a few hours.

Budapest has over 100 museums and exploring the different exhibitions is a great way to learn about Hungary’s history.

The museums in Budapest 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.

12. WATCH BANDS PLAY AT SZIGET FESTIVAL

Budapest organizes the Sziget Festival every year in August, which is the biggest music festival in Hungary.

‘Sziget’ means ‘island’ in English and the festival got its name, because well, it takes place on an island!

Sziget is also one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Europe and is popular for many foreigners to come to Sziget to see bands. There is even a party train (Sziget Express) that goes from the Netherlands to Budapest – so you can start to get into the Sziget party mood well before arriving to Budapest!

It’s a week-long festival and if you want to stay at the island for the whole week, you can also get camping tickets.

Apart from live music, there is so much more to Sziget. There is art, performances and workshops that you can take part in. It’s like an island of art!

You can get a pass for the whole week or day passes. Usually there are early bird tickets at a lower cost, so if you are sure about attending Sziget, it is worth to buy the ticket well in advance.

13. 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 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!

14. GO ON A DAY TRIP TO SZENTENDRE

The weather gets pretty hot during the summer in Budapest, but it is still a great time to go on day trips!

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.

15. WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON 20 AUGUST

On 20 August, Hungary celebrates the foundation of the Hungarian State. It is a national holiday and in the evening, Budapest has a big firework show every year.

If you happen to be in Budapest on 20 August, you should definitely go to see the fireworks.

You get the best views from the bank of the River Danube in the city center and you can even book a boat cruise on the Danube and see the fireworks from there!

Summer in Budapest is great for its rooftop bars! The rooftop bars are a cool place to have some food and drinks, and at the same time, see Budapest from high up.

The weather during summer is great for being outdoors and you will not feel cold even at nights.

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.

17. WALK ALONG THE RIVER DANUBE

The weather during summer can get really hot, so exploring Budapest on foot is the best in the mornings or late afternoons.

The River Danube splits Budapest into 2 parts: Buda and Pest. Along the Danube, 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.

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18. VISIT THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest Synagogue 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.

19. 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 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 HUF 17,000-45,000 (USD 43-115), depending on the type of seat you book.

20. GO ON A SEGWAY TOUR

A Segway tour is a fun ways to explore Budapest! The weather is really hot during the summer, so the best time to go on a Segway tour is in the morning or late afternoon. Also, make sure to have sunscreen with you to protect you against the sun.

The Segway tours usually last around 1-2 hours and cover the must-see attractions in Budapest. You can 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!

21. 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. If you visit in July-August, it tends to remain warm even at nights, so you will not feel cold.

22. 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.

23. GO ON A WALKING TOUR

The weather is hot in the summer but you can still explore Budapest on foot – just make sure you go sightseeing in the morning or late afternoon. Also, don’t forget to use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

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 cost USD 10-70.

✅ Book a Budapest Walking Tour here!