Best Time To Visit Budapest > Weather, Temperature & Season

What is the best time to visit Budapest?

The best time to visit Budapest is during Spring or Autumn, from March to May(7°C-18°C) and September to November(20°C-8°C). The crowds are minimal and the prices are within budget. Moreover, the city springs to life and offers a colourful and magical vibe. The pleasant weather conditions also make it an ideal time to explore the city on foot and to take part in outdoor activities.

The summer months from June to August, see a surge in tourism. The heat combined with the excessive crowds makes for an uncomfortable trip. If you do plan to visit Budapest in the summer, then it is recommended to make your bookings well in advance.

The winter months witness the least amount of tourist crowds. The weather conditions can get quite chilly and most attractions and public places remain shut throughout this season. You can consider a trip during winter if you wish to indulge in a cold and quiet city atmosphere. Apart from the seasons, Budapest hosts a ton of exciting events and activities that should make it to your to-do list.

Weather in Budapest

Upcoming Budapest Weather

Monthly Weather in Budapest

Month	High/Low (°C)	Rain
January	4°/ -2°	1 days
February	11°/ 3°	4 days
March	14°/ 3°	3 days
April	20°/ 7°	3 days
May	19°/ 11°	14 days
June	29°/ 18°	6 days
July	29°/ 18°	3 days
August	30°/ 19°	5 days
September	25°/ 14°	2 days
October	21°/ 10°	3 days
November	13°/ 6°	10 days
December	7°/ 1°	7 days

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More about Best Time to Travel to Budapest

Budapest in Peak Season

August is the busiest month for tourism in this Hungarian capital, followed closely by June and January. Tourist attractions and public transports are usually crowded. The fares for flights and hotels will be at their peak during these months. Travellers are recommended to make their bookings well in advance if planning to visit Budapest during these peak months.

Budapest in Shoulder Season

April to May and September to October, these Spring and Autumn months constitute the shoulder season for tourism in Budapest. Their pleasant weather conditions are perfect to explore the city on foot. The landscapes and scenery in these months also add to the magical vibes of Budapest. There are chances of rainfall, but nothing that would spoil your entire trip. The crowds are a lot lesser and you can get relatively cheaper flights and accommodation.

Budapest in Low Season

Budapest experiences its low season for tourism during winter from November to March, owing to the chilly conditions and rainfall/snow. The weather in the city can be quite dreary and bitterly cold. A majority of tourist attractions and public places remain shut during this season. On the bright side, you can expect to find the cheapest accommodation. One exception to the low season can be the Christmas and New Year’s time when there can be a slight surge in tourism.

Budapest in Spring (March to May)

Budapest experiences extremely pleasant weather conditions during Spring. Rainfall tends to increase as this season progresses. The average maximum temperatures in March and April are in the range of 10 to 16 degrees Celsius whereas the temperatures go up to around 22 degrees Celsius in May. The entire city springs into colour providing the perfect atmosphere to take part in outdoor activities or to experience the blooming flowers. The prices of flights and accommodation are also a lot cheaper when compared to the summer.

Key Events in Spring

Memorial Day takes place on March 15th. It commemorates the Hungarian revolution of 1848. There are plenty of celebrations, military speeches, processions, free tours of museums and the Hungarian Parliament.
Budapest Architecture Film Days are organised annually by the Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre. This one of its kind events aims to study the correlation between architecture and the movie industry.
St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place around 17th March. Anyone can join the Irish revellers who march across central locations in Budapest.
The Hungarian Dance House Festival Fair takes place in the first week of April. It features a diverse set of performances and is Hungary’s biggest dance-house festival.
Budapest Spring Fair is held in April. Open-air kitchens serve a local spread of food and drinks. Craft stalls and modern folk-art displays are set up and there are plenty of activities for children as well.
Budapest Art Week is hosted in the second week of April. Access is granted to several of the city’s museums and art galleries. More than 100 exhibitions and cultural events are a part of this Art Week.
BANFF Mountain Film Festival takes place from 10th to 12th April. Adrenaline-fuelling films and daredevil documentaries are screened.
Hyperspace Electronic Music Festival takes place in the second week of April. Internationally acclaimed DJs spin tunes for the dance floor.
International Book Festival Budapest usually takes place in the last week of April. Renowned writers from across the world come together to celebrate literature.
I Bike Budapest is a popular mass-cycling event that aims to promote cycling in this city. Roads are cordoned off and thousands hop onto bicycles and pedal across the city.
Food Truck Show Budapest is a gathering of the Budapest's best food trucks that takes place in the first week of May.
Budapest 100 is hosted over the first weekend of May. The historic buildings of the city are open to tours. This event aims to promote the distinct architecture and design of the city’s buildings.
Gourmet Festival is hosted towards mid-May. It celebrates deluxe food that is put together by some of the city’s top restaurants.
Budapest Beer Week is hosted towards the end of May. Beer aficionados come together to take part in meet-the-brewer events and live music concerts.
Night of Art Cinemas usually takes place in May. It is one night of screening varied genres of movies till dawn.

Budapest in Summer (June to August)

June marks the beginning of summer in Budapest. Interestingly, June is also one of the more rainy months. The average maximum temperature in June is about 24 degrees Celsius. It climbs up to the range of 26 to 27 degrees Celsius in July and August, which are the hottest months in the year. Summer is also a great time to bathe in the famous thermal baths of Budapest. Locals usually head out for vacations and the city is filled with tourists. Travellers are advised to make their bookings well in advance as the rooms get sold out pretty quickly during this time. Also, make sure to check if the hotel provides air-conditioning.

Key Events in Summer

Children’s Island is a grand event for kids that are hosted during the weekends of June. The open-air playground features several attractions such as trampolines, video games, sports activities etc.
Budapest Summer Festival brings together a diverse set of live performances around the city’s parks.
Danube Carnival is a multicultural festival that is held in June every year. It features folk and symphonic shows along with contemporary and traditional dance performances.
Kolarado Festival is a four-day open-air musical extravaganza that is hosted in a forested area in the outskirts of Budapest. It boasts an exciting line-up of local as well as international artists.
Night of the Museums takes place towards the end of June. The museums and exhibition venues stay open till late in the night.
Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix is Budapest’s biggest sporting event. It is held every summer on the Hungaroring racetrack.
Sziget Festival is regarded as one of Europe’s biggest summer festivals that draws thousands of participants to Budapest. Revellers gather here to experience the cornucopia of live music and other attractive events.
The Festival of Folk Arts takes place towards the end of August. It features stalls displaying Hungarian artefacts, fine fabrics, pottery and other unique objects.
St Stephen’s Day and the Foundation Day of Hungary is celebrated on 20th August annually. It is a public holiday with military processions, music concerts and several other exciting events.
Budapest Urban Games is a prominent event that takes place in the last week of August. It is a one-day event that features multiple sports competitions.
Dunapest Festival is celebrated to bid farewell to the summer months. Music, theatre and literature events are hosted at cultural landmarks.

Budapest in Autumn (September to November)

The average maximum temperature in these Autumn months of September, October and November are 21 degrees Celsius, 15.4 degrees Celsius and 7.7 degrees Celsius respectively. It is truly an appealing city to visit in the Fall. The parks and tree-lined streets make for a spectacular view. Apart from the lovely weather, Budapest offers a variety of events during this season.

Key Events in Autumn

Jewish Cultural Festival takes place in the first week of September. There are concerts and cabaret performances which aim to bring the focus to Jewish culture and traditions.
Budapest Wine Festival takes place in the second week of September. It is a chance to tour all the wine regions of Hungary in the comfort of Budapest.
National Gallop is an annual one of its kind event that takes place towards mid-September. Horse Riders race around the iconic Budapest monument and compete for prizes and glory.
Oktoberfest Budapest is a celebration of beer. Several celebratory, fun events are held on this day.
Art Market Budapest is held in the first week of October. Contemporary paintings, installations and sculptures are showcased for the delight of art aficionados.
Titanic International Film Festival is an annual event that showcases those motion pictures that were never distributed in Hungary.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 is observed on 23rd October every year. It is a public holiday and historic sites in the city host an array of events for visitors.
Budapest Design Week is usually held in October. The entire capital city is transformed into a humongous showcase of art and fashion.
The Chimney Bake Festival aims to preserve the age-old baking methods of this Hungarian treat.
All Saints’ Day is observed on 1st November.
St Martin’s Day Festival is celebrated throughout the country on 11th November. Celebrations include the sampling of gourmet dishes and wine tastings.
Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival is usually hosted in November. A selected set of documentaries focussing on war crimes, racism and political oppression are featured at this thought-provoking event.

Budapest in Winter (December to February)

Budapest gets quite chilly in the winter and snowfall is also common. The night temperatures are known to drop a little below the freezing point. January is the coldest month of the year in Budapest. Winter is also a low season for tourism, so you can expect to find the cheapest fares for flights and accommodation. A few upsides are the scenic snow-laden landscapes and plenty of Christmas markets and events.

Key Events in Winter

Mikulas is celebrated on 6th December annually. Santa Claus is said to pay a visit to the Hungarian children on this occasion.
Ice skating events are held throughout December in multiple locations in the city.
Christmas markets are set up around Christmas time. Several markets also set up ice rinks with scenic glides.
Santa Speedo Run is an unusual event that is held around Christmas time. Underdressed Santas participate in this run, wearing absurd costumes like a swimsuit and sneakers.
Budapest is regarded as one of the best cities to welcome the New Year. The city hosts wild parties, grand dinners and merry public gatherings.
Winterfest Beer Festival takes place in the second week of January. It is a two-day celebration of ale and beer that showcases local as well as international brews.
The Wedding Fair and Exhibition is an annual event held in the last week of January that targets the couples who plan on tying the knot.
Budapest International Documentary Festival takes place towards the end of January. Creative documentaries from all corners of the world are screened over a period of several days.
Grand Chinese New Year Concert is an annual event that culminates the classical music traditions of the West and the East. It is hosted in the Palace of Arts.
Mangalica Festival takes place in the second week of February every year. The non-vegetarian crowd comes together to savour a particular breed of Hungarian domestic pig.
Budapest Fish Festival takes place in February. The creatures caught from Hungarian rivers and lakes are served in this festival.
Budapest Photo Festival is an exhibition that aims to embrace the classical and contemporary pictorial heritage of the country.