13 BEST Things to Do in Budapest in Summer

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Looking for the best things to do in Budapest in summer? From relaxing at Széchenyi Baths to partying at Sziget festival, check out what to do now!

Let me set the scene. You’re in Budapest, Hungary. A city split by the winding Danube river, abundant in art nouveau architecture, and with a UNESCO World Heritage listing that covers the Danube embankments, the whole Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue. Here, you’ll find thermal baths (it’s the world’s spa capital after all), urban beaches, grand museums, beautiful buildings and so much more.

Basically, you’re about to have the best summer ever. Because Budapest in summer really is something else, and I’m about to tell you why.

I can’t tell you how much I love Budapest. A lot of former Soviet block countries all get tarnished with the same brush as being dull and boring, but Budapest couldn’t be further from that. Firstly, it is so damn beautiful. And second, there is some much to see and do here!

You can go for a sunset river cruise on the Danube, head to the local beauty spot of Lake Balaton, and if you’re visiting at the right time you’ve got the Hungarian Grand Prix and Sziget Festival to enjoy too.

This is one of my favourite times of year to head to Hungary’s capital, so keep on reading to discover the best things to do in Budapest in summer!

Planning a trip to Budapest but want to see more of Hungary? Then check out the best day trips from Budapest. Also, if you’re visiting the city in winter, then here are the best things to do in Budapest in winter!

Summer weather in Budapest

What the averages don’t tell you is how hot the peaks get. Heatwaves are common in July and August, and it’s not unusual for the mercury to push past 35°C for days at a time. The record is 40°C.

If you’re here in one of those weeks, plan around it rather than fighting it. Do your sightseeing before 11am, take the middle of the day in a pool or a museum, and save the walking for the evening when the embankments come alive. Budapest has drinking fountains all over the place, so carry a bottle and top up as you go.

June is worth a mention too. It’s the wettest month of the year on paper, though it tends to come as short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle.

Best Things to do in Budapest in Summer

Relax and unwind in a thermal spa

Budapest is renowned for its spas and baths, so much so that it’s frequently titled “the Spa Capital of Europe“. The historic spas use natural thermal waters, which makes them the perfect place to soothe aching muscles and wash away your worries. Or a hangover.

Széchenyi in City Park is the big one, with three outdoor pools and 15 more inside. A weekday ticket with a locker is 13,200 HUF (around £27), rising to 14,800 HUF at weekends. If you can drag yourself out of bed, the Good Morning ticket before 9am knocks a few thousand forint off and you’ll have the place almost to yourself.

Rudas is my pick if you want something older and quieter. The Ottoman dome dates back to the 1500s, and the rooftop pool looks straight down the Danube. It’s over 14s only though, so no good if you’ve got the kids with you.

One thing to know before you plan anything: Gellért Baths closed in October 2025 for a full restoration and isn’t due to reopen until 2028. Király is shut for works too. Lukács is what I’d go for instead, and at 7,000 HUF on a weekday it’s about half the price of Széchenyi. It’s also free if you’ve got a Budapest Card.

If you’re a true spa lover, you might also want to stay in a spa hotel, where you can enjoy thermal pools and wellness treatments right on site throughout your trip.

Or take a dip at the beach

Hungary might be a landlocked country, but that doesn’t mean a trip to the beach is out of the question. Actually, it’s one of Budapest’s best summer activities. Head out to Lupa Beach for a day trip. Here, you’ve got sports like volleyball and handball, the biggest wakeboard centre in Budapest, the warm summer waters of Lupa Beach, as well as restaurants and cocktail bars. It really is a great day out!

Inside the city, Flava Beach out at Kopaszi gát is the only sandy stretch where you can properly swim in the Danube, and the water quality is tested regularly. There’s a bar, a street food buffet and sunloungers, plus SUP and pedalo hire.

Spend a day at Margaret Island

Margaret Island is one of Budapest’s best green spaces, conveniently placed in the middle of the Danube between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. There’s tons to do here. From taking a dip in the Palatinus pool to wandering around the Japanese Garden, getting a glimpse of the musical fountain, or enjoying the petting zoo, there’s literally something for everyone. 

But if none of that takes your fancy, it’s a great place for a picnic too, and throughout the summer you can catch performances at the open-air concert venue. 

Ride the Children’s Railway

The Children’s Railway, or Gyermekvasút, is one of Budapest’s most unique attractions. It runs between Széchenyi Hill and Hűvösvölgy, with some pretty amazing sights along the way. 

The most notable thing about it though is hinted at in its name; Gyermekvasút is serviced almost entirely by children (obviously, adults actually drive the thing). Kids act as guards and check tickets, and take a lot of pride in their unique place of work. It’s a very quirky thing to do, and the kids love it!

Or see the sights from the picturesque tram 2

One of the best ways to see all of the sights and landmarks in Budapest in summer is unbelievably simple. It also costs just one single euro.

Tram 2 is one of the most beautiful, panoramic tram journeys you’ll take within Europe. It takes you across all of the most important landmarks: the Hungarian Parliament building, Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge. You get some great views of the Danube too.

Cruise along the Danube river

Speaking of the Danube, I recommend taking a cruise along it. There are lots of different options to do this, from slow and scenic sightseeing trips to nighttime cruises to mega thrilling speedboat rides. Alternatively, combine with dinner or enjoy cocktails on the water. 

Personally, I think this is a must on any Budapest itinerary. It really is such a great way of seeing a lot of the sights in the city, and the sunset/nighttime cruises are wonderfully romantic too when the city sparks to life.

Explore museums after hours

I’m a big believer in getting under the skin of a place through its museums, and Budapest has some really good ones.

If you’re here in late June, build your trip around Museum Night. Múzeumok Éjszakája falls on the Saturday nearest the summer solstice, and more than a hundred museums, galleries and cultural venues stay open until around 2am. One wristband gets you into all of them, and it also covers the special museum bus lines that shuttle between venues, which is genuinely the best bit.

In 2026 it landed on 20 June, with adult wristbands at 3,000 HUF and 1,500 HUF for kids aged 6 to 18. The big names take part, including the Hungarian National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, but it’s the smaller, weirder places that make the night.

Attend the Hungarian Grand Prix

If you’re a Formula 1 fan, you won’t want to miss this one. The Hungarian Grand Prix is hosted every summer at the Hungaroring, which is located just outside of Budapest in Mogyoród. It’s one of the very best Budapest summer activities – even if you’re not the biggest Formula 1 enthusiast ever, it’s a pretty cool experience, and Hungary loves a party afterwards. 

The race usually lands somewhere between the last week of July and the first weekend of August, though the exact date moves around each year with the rest of the calendar. In 2026 it was held on 26 July, with practice and qualifying across the two days before. It’s worth checking the F1 schedule before you book flights, because the whole city fills up that weekend and hotel prices climb with it.

Experience Sziget Festival

Sziget Festival (also known as Island of Freedom Festival) is a weekend packed full of live music from some of the biggest musicians out there. It’s held every August on the Óbudai-sziget, a leafy island on the Danube. It’s also one of the coolest events in Budapest in summer. 

This fest has it all: an on-site beach, art performances, speakers, and of course lots and lots of music. The 2026 edition ran from 11 to 15 August with Florence + the Machine, Twenty One Pilots, Lewis Capaldi and Bring Me The Horizon at the top of the bill.

Spend a day hiking

Speaking of Buda hills, it’s a good place to go hiking. In fact, this is one of my favourite Budapest summer activities: there are loads of good trails here, particularly around János Hill and Normafa Park. 

Alternatively, explore the National Blue Trail, Hungary’s largest hiking trail. You won’t be able to complete the whole trail in one day, but sections 13 and 14 are fairly close to Budapest. Not confident about taking public transport to reach a trail yourself? There are hiking tours you can take from Budapest.

Go on a day trip to Lake Balaton 

Fun fact: Hungary is home to the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton. Along its shores, you’ll find an abundance of coastal towns, villages, and even resorts. Some of these are a mere hour from Budapest, so they can make a great day trip. Explore the towns, unwind on a beach, or enjoy watersports.

Direct trains run from Budapest-Déli to Siófok in around 1 hour 20 minutes, so it’s an easy day out. Siófok is the party end with the biggest beaches, while Tihany is the prettier choice, a little peninsula with a Benedictine abbey, lavender fields and the best views on the lake.

One thing to plan around: Balaton Sound takes over Zamárdi in July and Strand Festival hits Zamárdi again in August. Fantastic if that’s your thing, less so if you wanted a quiet swim.

Catch the views from the Buda Hills Chairlift

The beautiful Buda hills are a popular day trip from Budapest – they’re a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Here, you can experience something pretty incredible – the Zugliget Chairlift, a mountain cable car that’ll take you all of the way up János Hill. Once at the top, you can climb up to the Erzsébet Lookout Tower, where you’ll catch some of the most breathtaking views near Budapest as a reward for your efforts. 

Cool down with an ice cream

Ice cream is one of Budapest’s specialties. Natural and traditionally made, you can find spots to enjoy it all over the city. Some of them are pretty unique too – head to Gelarto Rosa for icy bites in a rose-petal shape.

Fragola’s creations use fresh, original ingredients for tasty flavours. Levendula offers floral flavours alongside the classics; wonder what a lavender flavoured ice cream would taste like? Find out here.

Where to stay in Budapest

Luxury: Mystery Hotel Budapest

Step back in time at Mystery Hotel Budapest. This is a historically-themed, luxury hotel, conveniently placed in downtown Budapest. I guarantee this is like nowhere you’ve stayed before – mainly since the building is a 19th century palace! If you’re an art connoisseur, you’ll love it even more, since many of the bedrooms are decked out with replicas of some of the world’s most iconic paintings.

Mid-range: BALTAZÁR Boutique Hotel at Buda Castle

If you ask me, BALTAZÁR is one of the coolest hotels in Budapest. You’ve got luxurious interiors in warm, ambient colours – not to mention beautiful decor and comfy furniture. In terms of amenities, you’re sorted – beneath the hotel you’ve got an à la carte grill restaurant right on your doorstep, a delicious free breakfast served daily, and well-equipped rooms. The location is great with some of Budapest’s best attractions within walking distance.

Budget: Roombach Hotel Budapest Center

Want to save your money for the baths and the ruin bars instead? Roombach is where I’d point you. It sits on a quiet side street in District VII, a couple of minutes from the Dohány Street Synagogue and about ten from Deák Ferenc tér, which means you can walk to almost everything in this guide. Gozsdu Udvar and the ruin bar district are right on the doorstep too, so you’re never far from dinner.

The rooms are bright and modern with air conditioning, which you’ll want in July, and there are family rooms if you’re travelling with kids. The breakfast buffet gets a lot of love in the reviews, and there’s a small bar downstairs for a spritz at the end of the day.

Planning a visit to Budapest in the summer? I hope this blog helped with your planning! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, and as always, happy travels!

Another place nearby well worth visiting is Vienna. If you’re thinking of travelling here, then check out the best things to do in Vienna in summer!

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