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Best time to visit Budapest: month by month
Short answer
April–May and September–October are the best months, with average highs of about 14–23°C and pleasant walking weather. Summer is hot (about 27–29°C) and lively, with outdoor ruin-bar gardens and Sziget in August, but crowded and pricier. Winter is cold (highs of about 5–8°C) but cheap, and the outdoor thermal pools are at their best.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C | -1°C | 9 | low |
| Feb | 8°C | -1°C | 8 | low |
| Mar | 12°C | 1°C | 6 | medium |
| Apr | 14°C | 4°C | 12 | high |
| May | 21°C | 11°C | 13 | high |
| Jun | 27°C | 16°C | 6 | high |
| Jul | 29°C | 18°C | 9 | very high |
| Aug | 28°C | 17°C | 10 | very high |
| Sep | 23°C | 13°C | 10 | high |
| Oct | 18°C | 8°C | 6 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 3°C | 11 | medium |
| Dec | 5°C | -1°C | 10 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs of about 12°C in March, 14°C in April and 21°C in May, with 6–13 rainy days a month. May is one of the best months.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 27–29°C and lows of 16–18°C, with 6–10 rainy days a month. Lively and busy; Sziget and St Stephen's Day fireworks are in August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is warm at about 23°C and October about 18°C, a good time for wine festivals; November drops to about 10°C and turns grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 5–8°C and lows near −1°C, with 8–11 rainy or snowy days a month. The Christmas markets run in December; January and February are quiet and ideal for the steaming outdoor baths.
Events worth planning around
- Sziget Festival on Óbuda Island (August)
- St Stephen's Day, with fireworks over the Danube (20 August)
- Budapest Wine Festival in Buda Castle (September)
- Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square and St Stephen's Basilica (late November to December)
When to avoid
Mid-July to late August if you dislike heat and crowds, especially during Sziget and the Formula 1 weekend, when room prices jump. Weekends in District VII are very loud if you stay there.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Budapest?
May or September, with highs of about 21–23°C, long days and outdoor bar gardens open.
Is Budapest good in winter?
Yes, especially for the thermal baths: the outdoor pools steam in the cold air. Highs are about 5–8°C and the Christmas markets run in December.
When is the Sziget Festival?
In August, on Óbuda Island. Book rooms early if your dates overlap, as prices rise.