Visiting Budapest During the Summer Months

Summer in Budapest is pretty amazing. The city gets really lively between June and August, when warm weather brings everyone outside and the days stay light until late. We love visiting during this time because there's so much happening, from outdoor festivals to rooftop bars with incredible views. This guide covers what you need to know for a great summer trip to Budapest.

Summer Weather & What to Expect

Budapest gets hot in summer. We're talking temperatures in the high twenties most days, sometimes hitting the mid-thirties in July and August. Those are definitely the hottest months, when you'll see locals heading to the thermal baths or shaded parks to cool off.

Mornings start nice and warm, then it gets really hot by afternoon. We always plan our outdoor stuff for early morning or evening when it's more comfortable. You'll get some thunderstorms, especially in July, which actually feels pretty good when you're dealing with the heat.

This is peak tourist season, so you'll deal with big crowds at all the main attractions. Hotel prices go way up, sometimes 30-50% more than spring or fall. Places like Parliament and Buda Castle get really busy, especially in July and August. But the atmosphere is great, you get long days, and there's tons of festivals happening.

The heat can be tough if you're not ready for it. We learned this the hard way on our first summer trip when we tried to do everything in the middle of the day. Now we always hit the outdoor stuff early or late, find air-conditioned places during the hottest part of the day, and drink tons of water. Getting a hotel room with AC is really important, trust us on this one.

Budget Planning

Budapest is still pretty affordable compared to places like Paris or London, but summer prices are definitely higher. How much you spend depends a lot on what kind of trip you want.

We always get the Budapest Card when we visit because it includes unlimited public transport and free entry to lots of attractions. Also, eat your big meal at lunch when many restaurants have cheaper set menus. Staying in the main tourist areas (districts V, VI, VII) costs more, but places a bit further out are much cheaper and still easy to reach by metro or tram.

Must-See Attractions

Budapest has some incredible buildings and sites that go back hundreds of years. Summer means longer opening hours, but you really need to book ahead to avoid huge lines.

Hungarian Parliament Building

This place is absolutely stunning. The Neo-Gothic building sits right on the Danube and houses the Hungarian Crown Jewels. We always recommend booking tours way ahead, especially if you want English. Morning tours are usually smaller and not as hot.

You can only get in with a guided tour (about 45 minutes), and tickets for non-EU visitors cost around 10,000 HUF. Tours sell out fast in summer, so book online early. The inside is amazing with all the gold details, fancy woodwork, and red carpets. The Dome Hall where they keep the Holy Crown is really impressive.

Buda Castle District

This historic area sits on top of Castle Hill and has great views of the Danube and Pest side. There's several things to see here: the Royal Palace (with the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum), Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion.

The National Gallery has Hungarian art from way back to now, and the History Museum shows Budapest's story from Roman times. Matthias Church is beautiful with its colorful tile roof and fancy interior where they used to crown kings.

Fisherman's Bastion looks like something from a fairy tale with white stone and towers. The lower part is free, but you pay a small fee (1,500 HUF) for the upper towers during the day. Go early morning or evening when there aren't as many people and the light is better for photos.

You can get up to Castle Hill on the cute funicular from Clark Ádám Square, take bus 16 from Deák Ferenc tér, or walk up the steps. Plan at least half a day here.

Thermal Baths

The thermal baths are probably Budapest's most unique thing. You get beautiful architecture plus relaxing hot springs. Summer is perfect because you can enjoy both indoor thermal pools and outdoor swimming areas.

Széchenyi Bath in City Park is Europe's biggest thermal bath complex. It has 15 indoor pools and three huge outdoor pools with this amazing yellow building as the backdrop. The outdoor area gets busy in summer with people swimming laps and even playing chess in the warm thermal pool. We found weekdays are a bit cheaper and less crowded.

Gellért Bath is gorgeous with Art Nouveau style, stained glass, and mosaic floors. They have an outdoor wave pool that's open in summer, which is really fun. The indoor thermal pools stay peaceful year-round.

If you want a more local experience, try Lukács Bath. It has great thermal waters without all the tourists. Rudas Bath has a real 16th-century Turkish bath and a rooftop pool with amazing Danube views.

Bring your own towel or rent one there. You need swimming caps for lap pools but not for the thermal sections. Buy tickets online to skip the lines, especially at Széchenyi and Gellért during busy summer months.

Summer Activities & Experiences

Besides the main sights, Budapest has lots of summer-specific stuff that really shows off the city when it's at its best.

Danube River Cruises

Taking a boat ride on the Danube gives you the best views of Budapest's riverfront buildings. Summer evenings are magical when all the lit-up buildings reflect on the water. Short sightseeing cruises (about an hour) are good value and usually include a drink and audio guides.

Evening cruises sell out fast in summer, so book a few days ahead for sunset times. Dinner cruises combine sightseeing with Hungarian food and often have live music, but they cost a lot more than regular sightseeing trips.

Margaret Island Explorations

This green island in the middle of the Danube is a great escape from the city heat. No cars are allowed, so it's really peaceful. There's tons to do in summer, from the musical fountain shows to outdoor swimming at Palatinus Strand.

The Musical Fountain near the south entrance does water shows set to music all day, with colored lights in the evening. Shows happen every hour from morning until late, and it's free.

If you're active, there's a 5.3km running track around the island. Families like renting those big pedal carts to explore the shaded paths. The Japanese Garden is really quiet and relaxing, and you can see some old medieval ruins too.

Budapest Markets

Summer brings the markets to life with fresh seasonal stuff and great atmosphere. The Great Market Hall has food vendors downstairs and souvenir stalls upstairs. You can try traditional street food like lángos (fried dough with sour cream and cheese).

For unique souvenirs, check out the Gozsdu Weekend Market in the Jewish Quarter. Local designers sell handmade jewelry, clothes, and art in a busy courtyard. The Szimpla Farmers' Market happens Sunday mornings inside the famous ruin bar and has organic produce, homemade jams, and artisan cheeses from local producers.

Rooftop Bar Scene

Summer evenings are perfect for cocktails with a view, and Budapest has some great rooftop bars. High Note SkyBar on top of the Aria Hotel has close-up views of St. Stephen's Basilica. 360 Bar on Andrássy út has sweeping city views from a big terrace.

St. Andrea Wine & Skybar is more upscale with a great Hungarian wine selection. Pontoon is unique because it's on a boat with Chain Bridge views. Prices are higher than regular bars, but you're paying for the views.

Summer Festivals & Events

Budapest's summer calendar is packed with festivals covering music, culture, food, and national celebrations. You need to plan ahead because these events really impact hotel availability and prices.

Sziget Festival

This huge week-long music and cultural festival takes over Óbudai Island each August. The 2025 edition runs August 6-11, with international headliners on multiple stages plus theater, circus, and art installations.

Tickets get more expensive as the festival gets closer. Full festival passes start around €249 (early bird) and go up to €355 later. Daily tickets range from €65-95 depending on when you buy. The festival makes it really hard to find accommodation in Budapest, so book early even if you're staying somewhere else in the city.

St. Stephen's Day Celebrations

August 20th is Hungary's main national holiday, celebrating the country's founding and first king. There's great events throughout Budapest, ending with an amazing fireworks display over the Danube.

The Festival of Folk Arts happens in Buda Castle during the weekend before (around August 16-20), with traditional Hungarian crafts, music, and dance. The Street of Hungarian Flavors food festival along the Buda embankment has regional specialties and the annual "Cake of Hungary."

Night of Museums

This popular annual event usually happens on a Saturday near the summer solstice (probably June 21, 2025). Museums and cultural places across Budapest stay open late with special exhibitions and programs. One wristband ticket gets you into participating venues and includes transport between sites.

Practical Information

Getting Around

Budapest has really good public transport with metros, trams, buses, and trolleybuses. The yellow trams are great for both getting around and sightseeing. Tram No. 2 follows the Danube embankment with amazing river views.

You have to validate tickets before or when you get on. The 24-hour and 72-hour passes are great value if you're planning to use transport a lot. The Budapest Card includes unlimited public transport plus museum discounts and free entries.

Money Matters

Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the Euro. Cards work at most restaurants, hotels, and bigger places, but it's good to have some cash for smaller vendors, markets, and tips.

ATMs give you Forints all over the city, but always choose to be charged in local currency (HUF) instead of your home currency to avoid bad exchange rates. For currency exchange, avoid airport kiosks and street exchangers. Use reputable exchange offices in the city center that show clear rates without big differences between buy and sell prices.

Summer Packing Essentials

Pack light, breathable clothes for warm weather: shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses. Bring a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings or air-conditioned places. Comfortable walking shoes are really important for Budapest's cobblestone streets and hills.

Sun protection is essential: sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat to protect you from the strong summer sun. A reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated during hot days, and a small backpack carries your stuff while sightseeing.

For thermal bath visits, pack a swimsuit, flip-flops, and your own towel (though you can rent them). Swimming caps might be required for lap pools but not for thermal sections.

Beating the Heat

Summer heat requires some planning. We always do outdoor activities in the cooler morning hours (before 10am) or later afternoons (after 4pm). During the hottest part of the day, we head to air-conditioned museums, churches, or shopping centers.

Budapest has lots of public drinking fountains with safe water. Take advantage of these to stay hydrated all day. The thermal baths and seasonal pools give you a refreshing break from high temperatures, and shaded parks like Margaret Island are cooler places to relax outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions