Are you thinking about visiting Budapest, Hungary? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Budapest worth visiting?
Budapest is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It's divided into two section, Buda, and Pest, which are separated by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. The Buda side is the hilly side. There's a funicular that runs up to the top of Castle Hill. The Pest side is flat with promenades and beautiful architecture. It also has a lively nightlife. During our first trip to Budapest in the summer of 2008, we fell in love with its vibrant cultural scene and historic buildings. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Conde Nast Traveler's Best Places to Go in 2024.
Budapest
Reasons to Visit Budapest
Museums
Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.
Nightlife
The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
Historical Sights
The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.
Shopping
The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.
Is Budapest worth visiting in the Summer?
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (70°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (82°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Budapest, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Budapest
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| August | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| September | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Is Budapest worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Budapest. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (53°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and spend time at the museums. Also, you can discover the big city activities.
Autumn Weather in Budapest
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| November | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| December | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Budapest worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Budapest. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in Budapest can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -1°C (31°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the nightlife. Also, you can check out the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Budapest
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| February | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| March | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Is Budapest worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 12°C (53°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Budapest, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, wander through the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to admire the historic sights and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Spring Weather in Budapest
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| June | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Budapest
Food: Budapest doesn't top the list for most foodies. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Budapest might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Budapest here or see if Budapest is expensive here.
Related
What is Budapest most famous for?
Budapest is most famous for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is often described as historic, authentic, bustling, cultural, and artistic.
What is the most famous sight in Budapest?
The most popular sight in Budapest is The Hungarian Parliament Building. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Budapest on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Hungarian Parliament Building and other attractions here.
How touristy is Budapest? Is it a popular city to visit?
Budapest is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Budapest Food Tasting Tour with Nelli (English&German): $185
- Shooting Experience BASIC Package in Budapest: $87
- Shooting Experience ALL IN Package in Budapest: $278
- Street Art Tour Budapest: $49
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
- Private Buda Castle Walking Tour with Cake and Matthias Church: $120
- Budapest Private City Tour by car in 3 hours: $217
- Budapest Private Walking Tour: $109
How long should I spend in Budapest?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Budapest is two to five days. Since Budapest has activities such as shopping, museums, nightlife, and historical sights, many visit for up to five days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Budapest?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Budapest?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Budapest?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.