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Best time to visit Hungary: month by month
Short answer
May, June and September are the best months, with highs of about 21–27°C in Budapest and comfortable sightseeing weather. July and August are warmer, around 28–29°C on average with hotter spells, and Lake Balaton is crowded, while winter is cold, around 5–8°C by day and below freezing at night, but good for thermal baths and Christmas markets.
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 | medium |
| 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 | low |
| 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)
March is about 12°C and April about 14°C with frequent showers; May reaches about 21°C and is one of the best months, though it has around 13 rainy days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is about 27°C and July and August about 28–29°C, with hotter spells; best for Lake Balaton swimming, with peak crowds on the lake.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is about 23°C and October about 18°C, good for wine country and Eger; November falls to about 10°C and is grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, around 5–8°C by day and about -1°C at night; Christmas markets run in December and the thermal baths are at their best in the steam.
Events worth planning around
- Christmas markets on Vörösmarty Square, Budapest (late November to December)
- Sziget Festival on Óbuda Island, Budapest (August)
- St Stephen's Day, Hungary's national day, with fireworks over the Danube in Budapest (20 August)
When to avoid
Avoid late July and August if you dislike heat and crowds, especially at Lake Balaton and around 20 August. Avoid January and February if you want long days and outdoor sightseeing, as it is cold and dark early.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Hungary?
May, June or September, with highs of about 21–27°C and fewer crowds than July and August.
Is Lake Balaton worth visiting outside summer?
Yes for walking, wine and Tihany; many strands and ferries close or reduce services from October to April. Hévíz stays open all year.
Is Budapest worth visiting in winter?
Yes: it is cold, but the thermal baths and the December Christmas markets make it a good season.